I-129F package - where does beneficiary sign? (merged)

[Rosalea 22]

Hi everyone!

 

I just joined on here after hearing how helpful it has been for so many people so I'm really happy to be here!

 

I'm currently putting my K1 application/package together, which is a lot, but after lots of research I have a pretty good idea of what to include and what order it all goes in and how it should look. We initially were thinking of using Rapidvisa, but decided not to after a lot of reviews saying that it wasn't really worthwhile and made the process take longer. My bf also is feeling a bit paranoid that we'll unknowingly miss something or do something wrong, and has considered getting a (cheap) lawyer to check the package before we send it. Do you guys think this is necessary? I feel pretty confident about putting this together but I do have a little bit of paranoia that we'll mess something up and I'd hate for the process to take longer if we need to re-do something.

This is my understanding of what the package should look like:

• G-1145 form

• Cover letter/table of contents

• I-129F form (with original signature from petitioner)

• Letter of intent from both parties (I was thinking of using this template)

• Proof of having met - with a title page outlining all the evidence that will be provided. all pictures/screenshots labelled. I'm thinking, all my boarding passes, tickets of stuff we did together, pictures of us together. And also some stuff proving the relationship and our time knowing each other before meeting

• Passport-style photos of both of us, with names on the back in a plastic zip-lock bag

• US citizen's birth certificate copy (front and back)

• My passport copy

• My I-94 record

• And some kinda proof of payment - I've seen people attach cheques but, I'm gathering you can pay online too?

So, am I on the right track? Also, a few more quick questions:

• Does every page have to be signed/initialed?
• Do I (the beneficiary) have to sign the I-129F anywhere? It doesn't say it needs to be signed by the beneficiary
• Does not being engaged matter? This was a mutually agreed thing so we're not engaged, which I know is a more uncommon route to take
• Should I write a page of our 'story' of how we started talking somewhere? I've seen someone do that

 

Sorry for the mess and millions of questions, I really wanna get this right and I'm quite stressed! Thank you!

[SalishSea 17,836]

36 minutes ago, Rosalea said:

Hi everyone!

 

I just joined on here after hearing how helpful it has been for so many people so I'm really happy to be here!

 

I'm currently putting my K1 application/package together, which is a lot, but after lots of research I have a pretty good idea of what to include and what order it all goes in and how it should look. We initially were thinking of using Rapidvisa, but decided not to after a lot of reviews saying that it wasn't really worthwhile and made the process take longer. My bf also is feeling a bit paranoid that we'll unknowingly miss something or do something wrong, and has considered getting a (cheap) lawyer to check the package before we send it. Do you guys think this is necessary? I feel pretty confident about putting this together but I do have a little bit of paranoia that we'll mess something up and I'd hate for the process to take longer if we need to re-do something.

This is my understanding of what the package should look like:

• G-1145 form

• Cover letter/table of contents

• I-129F form (with original signature from petitioner)

• Letter of intent from both parties (I was thinking of using this template)

• Proof of having met - with a title page outlining all the evidence that will be provided. all pictures/screenshots labelled. I'm thinking, all my boarding passes, tickets of stuff we did together, pictures of us together. And also some stuff proving the relationship and our time knowing each other before meeting

• Passport-style photos of both of us, with names on the back in a plastic zip-lock bag

• US citizen's birth certificate copy (front and back)

• My passport copy

• My I-94 record

• And some kinda proof of payment - I've seen people attach cheques but, I'm gathering you can pay online too?  Unless it is brand new, there is no online payment option.  Attach your check or money order.

So, am I on the right track? Also, a few more quick questions:

• Does every page have to be signed/initialed?  No.
• Do I (the beneficiary) have to sign the I-129F anywhere? It doesn't say it needs to be signed by the beneficiary  No.
• Does not being engaged matter? This was a mutually agreed thing so we're not engaged, which I know is a more uncommon route to take   "Engaged" is not a legal status, so I'm not sure what you mean here.  If you mean having a ring, then no, not required.  You need to both have the intent to marry within 90 days.
• Should I write a page of our 'story' of how we started talking somewhere? I've seen someone do that   No.  USCIS doesn't want to read that, and it is not a requirement or expectation.  

 

Sorry for the mess and millions of questions, I really wanna get this right and I'm quite stressed! Thank you!

 

[Keithn85 400]

13 minutes ago, Rosalea said:

Hi everyone!

 

I just joined on here after hearing how helpful it has been for so many people so I'm really happy to be here!

 

 My bf also is feeling a bit paranoid that we'll unknowingly miss something or do something wrong, and has considered getting a (cheap) lawyer to check the package before we send it. Do you guys think this is necessary? 

This is my understanding of what the package should look like:

• G-1145 form

• Cover letter/table of contents

• I-129F form (with original signature from petitioner)

• Letter of intent from both parties (I was thinking of using this template)

• Proof of having met - with a title page outlining all the evidence that will be provided. all pictures/screenshots labelled. I'm thinking, all my boarding passes, tickets of stuff we did together, pictures of us together. And also some stuff proving the relationship and our time knowing each other before meeting

• Passport-style photos of both of us, with names on the back in a plastic zip-lock bag

• US citizen's birth certificate copy (front and back)

• My passport copy

• My I-94 record

• And some kinda proof of payment - I've seen people attach cheques but, I'm gathering you can pay online too?

So, am I on the right track? Also, a few more quick questions:

• Does every page have to be signed/initialed?
• Do I (the beneficiary) have to sign the I-129F anywhere? It doesn't say it needs to be signed by the beneficiary
• Does not being engaged matter? This was a mutually agreed thing so we're not engaged, which I know is a more uncommon route to take
• Should I write a page of our 'story' of how we started talking somewhere? I've seen someone do that

Alright.  You asked about utilizing a lawyer.  My fiancee was concerned and wanted to make sure everything was good.  We hired an attorney for 1 hour.  Yes, 1 hour.  I thought we were going utilize this person for the entire process, but he told me that he could not assemble my form.  He did say he could give me generalized answers and that's what he did.  This was prior to VJ.  I would utilize the information here and in the I-129F instructions on USCIS site under the I-129F form area (it gives 2 links.  One to the form and the other to the instructions on how to fill out the form.)  This is just my experience and suggestion.  The same goes for the following below

 

For the list, I would go between what VJ says and what the I-129F instructions say.  For me, you are set.  Check or money order attached is fine.  There is another form for credit card payment and it is listed in the instructions.  Or maybe someone will bring it up.  I personally used money orders because my bank account does not come with checks.  Make sure on the intent that it shows both of you stating your intent.  You probably already thought of this but the USC needs their statement and you need your statement.  There might be an issue if you dont approach it as I _______(Beneficiary) plan to marry _______ (Petitioner) within 90 days.  And vise versa for the USC.  Of course you will probably add more but using that format and signing should help.  We did separate ones.
Proof of having met - Yes, give all the information you can.

 

Does every page need signed?  I should have divided each quote but you understand.  This is straight from the I-129F instruction because I could not remember where I received my information.  Yes, the USC needs to sign/date along with the page, part, item (i had to do this with the supporting evidence because I included a good amount.  I numbered/signed/dated everything):

 

This form is strictly for the Petitioner.  You as the beneficiary do not have to sign/date anything on this form.  The petitioner technically gathers all the information and fills out the form.  But most couples help each other, so the confusion of the beneficiary needing to sign is understandable.  The sign/date above is kind of like in school when you write an essay and put your name on each page to show it is you.  You want the credit for the 5-10 page essay you just spent your overnight hours writing, correct?  (This was unneeded but I like examples and maybe this can be spun as humorous?  Probably not but anyway, to continue.)

 

The requirement is to have met in person within 2 years of filing the petition.  Think of engaged as a promise.  You are promising to marry, right?  And the nice thing is, the promise you are giving in this situation is the intent to marry signed document.  

 

Writing a page of how you met is completely up to you.  I did and I will probably get RFE'd because I did mention we met online on a dating site.  Depending on who is looking at it, they will probably want proof that it is NOT in the bounds of IMBRA being an International Marriage broker site.  But I would not do it any different.  We both wrote our meetings and it was nice.  She actually did not mention the website but I did.  Anyway, you can do that for sure.

 

Best wishes for the process and keep us all updated here.  Definitely create a timeline once you have everything sent off and post in the month you send.  We created July so it is all set for you all.  Well I say you but you understand I mean the USC for the petition portion.  

 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

53 minutes ago, Rosalea said:

I'm gathering you can pay online too?

Cannot pay (or file) online but you can pay with credit card or debit card if you want: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/pay-with-a-credit-card

How to Pay With a Credit Card

• Complete and sign Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions (PDF, 254.4 KB); and
• Place the form on top of your application, petition, or request when you file it.

If we accept your filing, we will:

• Charge your credit card for the proper amount; and
• Destroy your Form G-1450 to protect your credit card information. (We will destroy it even if we reject your filing and do not process your payment.)

You will see a charge from USCIS on your credit card statement.

For general filing information, see our Form Filing Tips page.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1 hour ago, Rosalea said:

Does not being engaged matter? This was a mutually agreed thing so we're not engaged, which I know is a more uncommon route to take

Can you elaborate on this? Personally, when I hear the wording “mutually agreed thing” it invokes doing this for the sole purpose of immigration benefits, not because you love each other and want to get married. 

[Rosalea 22]

55 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

Can you elaborate on this? Personally, when I hear the wording “mutually agreed thing” it invokes doing this for the sole purpose of immigration benefits, not because you love each other and want to get married. 

no this IS because we love each other and want to start our lives together - I mean that there was no proposal, and, they may have been if we got to meet again or had more time but Covid has made things difficult. I mean that we both discussed that we want to do this and be together. Like other people said, being engaged is just agreeing to get married, so, we've done that without a proposal.

[Scandi 4,166]

4 hours ago, Rosalea said:

no this IS because we love each other and want to start our lives together - I mean that there was no proposal, and, they may have been if we got to meet again or had more time but Covid has made things difficult. I mean that we both discussed that we want to do this and be together. Like other people said, being engaged is just agreeing to get married, so, we've done that without a proposal.

Doesn't matter that there's not ring or "ceremony" ie official proposal. You're a couple who agreed to get married = you're engaged. 

[Daisy.Chain 317]

We did the same...decided we wanted to be married, filed paperwork, and when it was convenient for a trip we did a formal proposal later for family and friends. 

 

You don't have to have a formal proposal to be engaged

[Bob in Boston 716]

Stay away from lawyers if you have a clear cut case (no Issues) My not so cheap lawyer caused more issues (Sent expired forms) and laughed all the way to the bank. 

[Nasirlahore 28]

You just starting, you guys have to be strong,but must say go for cr1 route, k1visa is worst form of visa,its all full of pains even after you get Visa  and enter USA. 

[Rosalea 22]

Hi everyone!

 

We're putting our I-129F package together and I'm wondering if there's anywhere I (the beneficiary) need to sign other than the letter of intent? Should I sign the proof of meeting title page and the cover letter? Or just, anywhere? Or does it not matter as much cos I'm not the 'applicant'? I hope this makes sense! I'd just hate to miss anything. I was thinking of initialing/signing EVERYTHING but I'm not sure if that's necessary haha.

 

Let me know!

[Chancy 6,241]

21 minutes ago, Rosalea said:

I'm wondering if there's anywhere I (the beneficiary) need to sign other than the letter of intent?

 

Only the letter of intent to marry.  No need for the beneficiary to sign anywhere on the I-129F form or proof of meeting documents.

 

[arken 4,197]

While you can assist your fiance in filling and compiling the package, you, the beneficiary, isn't the one who's submitting i129f package, your fiance is. That's why you don't need to sign anywhere other than the "intent to marry" letter which you have to provide.

 

Technically, if you prepared/filled in the form, you are supposed to fill in and sign  Part 7 on i129F but it's up to you.

Edited July 18, 2021 by arken

[Ontarkie 14,226]

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