Sworn Affidavits of Marriage question

[Griffon76 0]

Hi all! As I was getting the paperwork to send out, I re-read everything on the guides and had forgotten about the affidavits that must be sent with the I-130 confirming our marriage and relationship. According to the copied statement below, who does one use as a third party to affirm their statement? My mother and one of my Uncles want to do this but do they write their statement, and sign in the presence of each other? Is that what that means?

Thanks again for your help!

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage);

[Dr_LHA 3]

Anyone can be a third party, they just have to know you.

As far as how its signed, I don't believe they have to be notarized, so the affidavit merely should be signed by the person themselves. I don't believe a witness is required.

[Urge To Race 2]

Hi all! As I was getting the paperwork to send out, I re-read everything on the guides and had forgotten about the affidavits that must be sent with the I-130 confirming our marriage and relationship. According to the copied statement below, who does one use as a third party to affirm their statement? My mother and one of my Uncles want to do this but do they write their statement, and sign in the presence of each other? Is that what that means?

Thanks again for your help!

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage);

I would get them notarized to be safe. But, that is not required. Some members have submitted a simple sworn statement.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I would get them notarized to be safe. But, that is not required.

If it is not required (and it is not), then why waste money doing it?

[Griffon76 0]

Thanks for your fast replies!! That makes it so much easier to get them back ASAP since they live in another state. They wanted to fax them back...The other is our banker will write a statement on letterhead as well. He became friends with my hubby

[Yodrak 7]

Griffon,

Point of clarification: such affidavits are optional, they are not a "must".

Yodrak

Hi all! As I was getting the paperwork to send out, I re-read everything on the guides and had forgotten about the affidavits that must be sent with the I-130 confirming our marriage and relationship. .....

[Dr_LHA 3]

Griffon,

Point of clarification: such affidavits are optional, they are not a "must".

Yodrak

Yodrak, the I-130 changed recently to include these. I quote:

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed in 1) through 4) above, you should submit one or more of the

following types of documentation that may evidence that bona fides of your marriage:

1) Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2) A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3) Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or

4) Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

5) Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

6) Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

Although the wording is loose, it certainly implies that you should send these if you can. This language was not present on the previous I-130 which only asked for affidavits if you didn't have a marriage certificate.

Edited July 10, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[Yodrak 7]

Dr_LHA,

Thanks for posting that reference, your quote confirms what I wrote - affidavits are not a requirement.

Yodrak

Griffon,

Point of clarification: such affidavits are optional, they are not a "must".

Yodrak

Yodrak, the I-130 changed recently to include these. I quote:

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed in 1) through 4) above, you should submit one or more of the

following types of documentation that may evidence that bona fides of your marriage:

1) Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2) A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3) Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or

4) Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

5) Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

6) Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

Although the wording is loose, it certainly implies that you should send these if you can. This language was not present on the previous I-130 which only asked for affidavits if you didn't have a marriage certificate.

Edited July 10, 2007 by Yodrak

[Dr_LHA 3]

Dr_LHA,

Thanks for posting that, your quote confirms what I wrote - affidavits are not a requirement.

Yodrak

They're not a requirement if you can submit the other documentation that USCIS requests. However I would personally recommend people to submit them. I'm sure USCIS added this requirement for extra evidence to the I-130 for a reason (it certainly wasn't there when I submitted a I-130 before).