Question about CR1 Process and Online Marriage

[James1223 1]

Hello again. Had a few follow up questions since my last post.

 

My partner and I decided to proceed with the online marriage. We filled out the online marriage certificate but I think we may have messed up the form for his current address since we had to translate it from a Chinese address to an English address. Instead of putting the district on the "Address" line, we put it on the "State/Province" line, and then put Beijing for the city. I think the "correct" way of doing it would be to put the district on the address line and Beijing on BOTH the State/Province and City line, since it appears Beijing is both a city and a province. All the information is there, it may just be in slightly incorrect boxes. I was wondering if this would cause any problems with the marriage ceremony or if it is okay to keep it as is. The physical certificate will be mailed to my US address, and that has no issues.

 

I had some other questions regarding the CR1 process -

1. I read the guide and it said that after receiving the second NOA, my significant other will receive a packet of forms to fill out. Since my SO is located in China, does that mean that they will ship it abroad to him? It also seems like the I-864 form is sent in this packet, but I (the petitioner) live in the US. Does that mean after he receives the packet in China, he will have to mail it to me and then I fill it out and send it out from America? It just seems like a lot of back and forth mailing between my partner and I since we do not live in the same country. In addition, after completing the packet, where will my partner have to send the information to? Would it be back to the US or to the US consulate in his country?

 

2. It seems like there are a number of pre-interview forms that may be requested to be sent. However, it seems like many of these forms want the original version. How do we know who will be expected to send what. If my partner is in China and he gets requested to send in my original birth certificate - does that mean I will need to send him my certificate from the US and then he send that over? Similarly to the tax forms for the previous 3 days. It just seems like there may be a lot of delays. Is there a way for us to prep for this ahead of time?

 

3. Similarly to the previous question, the guide says that for the interview, he will be expected to bring copies of various tax forms/birth certificates/passport/etc. How can we prepare for this accordingly? Is he expected to be holding onto my passport until he gets the interview? How can I get him an extra copy of my birth certificate? Do I need to mail him my tax records since there will probably be 2022, 2023 tax forms by the item he gets invited?

 

4. Lastly, to prove a bona fide marriage, do we need to send in original copies of boarding passes and tickets, or can scanned copies/receipts of tickets work? In addition, since my partner and I chat in both English and Chinese, for any chatlogs - are translations highly recommended?

 

Thank you for the help!

 

[Crazy Cat 41,806]

Have you both actually been in the same place either during or after the marriage?  You cannot start the process until then.

 

1.  He will not receive anything at his address until the visa is issued.  All correspondence will be via email.

2.  Do not send original document to USCIS or NVC unless directed to do so.

3.  He will need his original civil documents for the interview.

4.  See #2 above.

 

[James1223 1]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Have you both actually been in the same place either during or after the marriage?  You cannot start the process until then.

 

1.  He will not receive anything at his address until the visa is issued.  All correspondence will be via email.

2.  Do not send original document to USCIS or NVC unless directed to do so.

3.  He will need his original civil documents for the interview.

4.  See #2 above.

 

Yes, we are planning on meeting in person in January and starting the process afterwards. That's why we're trying to figure out if there are any documents I should give him or he should give me during this time, so we can save on shipping/mailing times later.

 

1. So all the forms for the NOAs and interview prep will be done via email? The only thing he will get in the mail would be the visa after passing the interview?

2. I understand - however, if he is requested to send an original copy of my paperwork - does that mean I will need to first mail it to him and then he ships it to USCIS/NVC? Or on the flip side if they request from me his paperwork, he needs to first send it to me then I send to them? We're just trying to minimize potential delays in shipping (and potential losing) of documents.

3. The guide says that "9.I-864 Affidavit of Support Form along with past 3 year U.S tax returns (or transcripts) and any other financial documents required. (see poverty limits here)" are required for the interview. Would this not include tax returns on my end?

 

Thank you!

[Crazy Cat 41,806]

1 minute ago, James1223 said:

Yes, we are planning on meeting in person in January and starting the process afterwards. That's why we're trying to figure out if there are any documents I should give him or he should give me during this time, so we can save on shipping/mailing times later.

 

1. So all the forms for the NOAs and interview prep will be done via email? The only thing he will get in the mail would be the visa after passing the interview?

2. I understand - however, if he is requested to send an original copy of my paperwork - does that mean I will need to first mail it to him and then he ships it to USCIS/NVC? Or on the flip side if they request from me his paperwork, he needs to first send it to me then I send to them? We're just trying to minimize potential delays in shipping (and potential losing) of documents.

3. The guide says that "9.I-864 Affidavit of Support Form along with past 3 year U.S tax returns (or transcripts) and any other financial documents required. (see poverty limits here)" are required for the interview. Would this not include tax returns on my end?

 

Thank you!

1.  Correspondence will be via email.  Document copies will be uploaded online unless you mail them. 

2,  I have never seen them ask for original documents until the interview.  Normally, he will need HIS original civil documents.

3.  The only tax documents will be YOUR US taxes.  They will be uploaded along with your I-864.  He should also take copies of those documents to the interview if required by the consulate.  

[James1223 1]

Ah okay thanks for the help. It helps to know that they will accept copies of the tax forms and that most of the documentation is uploaded online.

 

Do you know anything about the address and the marriage certificate? If not - no worries! Thank you again.

[pushbrk 12,868]

5 hours ago, James1223 said:

Ah okay thanks for the help. It helps to know that they will accept copies of the tax forms and that most of the documentation is uploaded online.

 

Do you know anything about the address and the marriage certificate? If not - no worries! Thank you again.

As long as you actually receive the certificate by mail to your US address, it doesn't matter.  Transliterated the Chinese address properly on the immigration forms.  Sounds like you have plenty of time to study the guides, here, download the I-130 and its instructions and become and A-Student before you actually need to file anything.