Finally filing!!

[KateandNik 0]

Hey Everyone! As the subject states, I'm going to mail my application tomorrow and I just wanted to double check and make sure I have everything I need... As you all know, this is very stressful!!!

Ok, so here goes...

• Check for 455.00$
• Cover letter stating the contents of the packet and what the submission is for
• I-129F form (signed and dated, quadruple checked for accuracy)
• Supplement to I-129F for question #18 (labeled with question #, question, signed and dated)
• Copy of USC Passport to show citizenship
• Letter of intent to marry from me and my fiance (signed and dated)
• G-325A (all 4 sheets) and supplement for USC (signed and dated)
• 2 passport style photos for USC (labeled on the back with my name) in plastic baggie labeled "Photo of *name*" stapled to a piece of paper tabbed "Photo of USC"
• G-325A for beneficiary and 2 passport style photos (same as for USC)
• Evidence of Meeting:
• Copy of USC passport with entry and exit stamps labeled with little post-it flags
• Internet trip itinerary, copies of flight tickets before use, copies of boarding pass stubs and baggage claim tickets for flight
• Certificate from the police depeartment in Macedonia stating I stayed at my fiance's address from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY
• Receipts from ATM withdrawals, purchases, and bank statements from a credit card showing purchases in Macedonia
• Train tickets for both of us for a day trip to a different city
• Additional "for good measure" information:
• Screenshots from email lists showing dates of messages both from USC and beneficiary
• Telephone call log
• Flight Itinerary for future trip to Macedonia for December/January
• 8 Pictures of us with his family and in front of various landmarks (the American Embassy in Skopje, etc.)

Ok, what do you guys think? Did I forget something? Should I take out something? All opinions appreciated!!!

God Bless,

Kate

[mox 298]

Hey Everyone! As the subject states, I'm going to mail my application tomorrow and I just wanted to double check and make sure I have everything I need... As you all know, this is very stressful!!!

Ok, so here goes...

...

Ok, what do you guys think? Did I forget something? Should I take out something? All opinions appreciated!!!

God Bless,

Kate

Looks good to me! I don't see anything you left out, and I certainly wouldn't take anything out. Since it's Sunday and the post office is closed anyway, I'd walk away from it for half the day, then come back and go over the checklist from the K-1 guide one more time. Look over your signature blocks, make sure you signed and dated the check correctly with the right amount, and just generally give it one final going over. Try to look at it like someone who's never seen it is going to look at it. After that, seal it up and breathe a sigh of relief.

[tommyesq73 0]

Hey Everyone! As the subject states, I'm going to mail my application tomorrow and I just wanted to double check and make sure I have everything I need... As you all know, this is very stressful!!!

Ok, so here goes...

• Check for 455.00$
• Cover letter stating the contents of the packet and what the submission is for
• I-129F form (signed and dated, quadruple checked for accuracy)
• Supplement to I-129F for question #18 (labeled with question #, question, signed and dated)
• Copy of USC Passport to show citizenship
• Letter of intent to marry from me and my fiance (signed and dated)
• G-325A (all 4 sheets) and supplement for USC (signed and dated)
• 2 passport style photos for USC (labeled on the back with my name) in plastic baggie labeled "Photo of *name*" stapled to a piece of paper tabbed "Photo of USC"
• G-325A for beneficiary and 2 passport style photos (same as for USC)
• Evidence of Meeting:
• Copy of USC passport with entry and exit stamps labeled with little post-it flags
• Internet trip itinerary, copies of flight tickets before use, copies of boarding pass stubs and baggage claim tickets for flight
• Certificate from the police depeartment in Macedonia stating I stayed at my fiance's address from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY
• Receipts from ATM withdrawals, purchases, and bank statements from a credit card showing purchases in Macedonia
• Train tickets for both of us for a day trip to a different city
• Additional "for good measure" information:
• Screenshots from email lists showing dates of messages both from USC and beneficiary
• Telephone call log
• Flight Itinerary for future trip to Macedonia for December/January
• 8 Pictures of us with his family and in front of various landmarks (the American Embassy in Skopje, etc.)

Ok, what do you guys think? Did I forget something? Should I take out something? All opinions appreciated!!!

God Bless,

Kate

Not sure if u listed this...but dont forget copy of Birth Certificates!!

[rouguewave 7]

Hey Everyone! As the subject states, I'm going to mail my application tomorrow and I just wanted to double check and make sure I have everything I need... As you all know, this is very stressful!!!

Ok, so here goes...

• Check for 455.00$
• Cover letter stating the contents of the packet and what the submission is for
• I-129F form (signed and dated, quadruple checked for accuracy)
• Supplement to I-129F for question #18 (labeled with question #, question, signed and dated)
• Copy of USC Passport to show citizenship
• Letter of intent to marry from me and my fiance (signed and dated)
• G-325A (all 4 sheets) and supplement for USC (signed and dated)
• 2 passport style photos for USC (labeled on the back with my name) in plastic baggie labeled "Photo of *name*" stapled to a piece of paper tabbed "Photo of USC"
• G-325A for beneficiary and 2 passport style photos (same as for USC)
• Evidence of Meeting:
• Copy of USC passport with entry and exit stamps labeled with little post-it flags
• Internet trip itinerary, copies of flight tickets before use, copies of boarding pass stubs and baggage claim tickets for flight
• Certificate from the police depeartment in Macedonia stating I stayed at my fiance's address from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY
• Receipts from ATM withdrawals, purchases, and bank statements from a credit card showing purchases in Macedonia
• Train tickets for both of us for a day trip to a different city
• Additional "for good measure" information:
• Screenshots from email lists showing dates of messages both from USC and beneficiary
• Telephone call log
• Flight Itinerary for future trip to Macedonia for December/January
• 8 Pictures of us with his family and in front of various landmarks (the American Embassy in Skopje, etc.)

Ok, what do you guys think? Did I forget something? Should I take out something? All opinions appreciated!!!

God Bless,

Kate

Have you identified (by name) the people in the pics?

Have you explained how you met thoroughly so the beaurecrats can understand? (I don't recall if this is Q#18)

Did you make copy of ALL pages of US Passport (vice just "important" ones)?

Have you made EXACT copies of the package as you will send it to the USCIS (I made 3).

Some of these are picky, but they are things that I went back and brushed up on, because when I looked at my pkg a second time I thought I should. A recommendation about sending the material is to send it both registered and return-receipt requested. Unless you send it "Express Mail" which accomplishes the same thing. The point is to make sure that you get back documented confirmation from Post Office that they delivered to USCIS. With the delays that are happening in processing NOA1s, it seems this is critical these days so that you can relax a little knowing that its "in the building" even if you don't get confirmation from USCIS about this.

Also, you mentioned "check" but just to be clear, is this a personal check that you can tell (from your bank) when its been cleared? This is another item that people have had problems with on the Forum. They send money orders that can't be tracked, so they get no confirmation from USCIS until they receive NOA1. Its not mandatory, just helps the stress level, I think.

With the copies, I made multiple and sent one off (immediately) to honey ko so that she'd be able to see what it looks like. Of course, its subject to RFE (none yet) and she will need originals of all materials when she goes for interview. But it helped us during our discussions about what's going on and at times when she had to deal with situations regarding her kids.

[ddkm 0]

you dont need birth certificates at this stage if you have the usc passport copied in there somewhere

looks all good to me...im so glad we got ours done when it was only $150 or so!

[Muuuuah 0]

Good luck

[tommyesq73 0]

you dont need birth certificates at this stage if you have the usc passport copied in there somewhere

looks all good to me...im so glad we got ours done when it was only $150 or so!

just make sure the passport is copied completly and has 5 years of validity.

[NCWife 0]

Hey Everyone! As the subject states, I'm going to mail my application tomorrow and I just wanted to double check and make sure I have everything I need... As you all know, this is very stressful!!!

Ok, so here goes...

• Check for 455.00$
• Cover letter stating the contents of the packet and what the submission is for
• I-129F form (signed and dated, quadruple checked for accuracy)
• Supplement to I-129F for question #18 (labeled with question #, question, signed and dated)
• Copy of USC Passport to show citizenship
• Letter of intent to marry from me and my fiance (signed and dated)
• G-325A (all 4 sheets) and supplement for USC (signed and dated)
• 2 passport style photos for USC (labeled on the back with my name) in plastic baggie labeled "Photo of *name*" stapled to a piece of paper tabbed "Photo of USC"
• G-325A for beneficiary and 2 passport style photos (same as for USC)
• Evidence of Meeting:
• Copy of USC passport with entry and exit stamps labeled with little post-it flags
• Internet trip itinerary, copies of flight tickets before use, copies of boarding pass stubs and baggage claim tickets for flight
• Certificate from the police depeartment in Macedonia stating I stayed at my fiance's address from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY
• Receipts from ATM withdrawals, purchases, and bank statements from a credit card showing purchases in Macedonia
• Train tickets for both of us for a day trip to a different city
• Additional "for good measure" information:
• Screenshots from email lists showing dates of messages both from USC and beneficiary
• Telephone call log
• Flight Itinerary for future trip to Macedonia for December/January
• 8 Pictures of us with his family and in front of various landmarks (the American Embassy in Skopje, etc.)

Ok, what do you guys think? Did I forget something? Should I take out something? All opinions appreciated!!!

God Bless,

Kate

Have you identified (by name) the people in the pics?

Have you explained how you met thoroughly so the beaurecrats can understand? (I don't recall if this is Q#18)

Did you make copy of ALL pages of US Passport (vice just "important" ones)?

Have you made EXACT copies of the package as you will send it to the USCIS (I made 3).

Some of these are picky, but they are things that I went back and brushed up on, because when I looked at my pkg a second time I thought I should. A recommendation about sending the material is to send it both registered and return-receipt requested. Unless you send it "Express Mail" which accomplishes the same thing. The point is to make sure that you get back documented confirmation from Post Office that they delivered to USCIS. With the delays that are happening in processing NOA1s, it seems this is critical these days so that you can relax a little knowing that its "in the building" even if you don't get confirmation from USCIS about this.

Also, you mentioned "check" but just to be clear, is this a personal check that you can tell (from your bank) when its been cleared? This is another item that people have had problems with on the Forum. They send money orders that can't be tracked, so they get no confirmation from USCIS until they receive NOA1. Its not mandatory, just helps the stress level, I think.

With the copies, I made multiple and sent one off (immediately) to honey ko so that she'd be able to see what it looks like. Of course, its subject to RFE (none yet) and she will need originals of all materials when she goes for interview. But it helped us during our discussions about what's going on and at times when she had to deal with situations regarding her kids.

Does the USC really need to copy ALL pages of the passport at this stage? I thought just the page with the entry stamp to his fiancee's country or the third country is required.

My fiance is about to send off the petition now and I thought we only need one passport style photograph for each of us instead of two? Okay now I am confused.

Cheers....

[L_n_O 3]

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KateandNik 0]

Does the USC really need to copy ALL pages of the passport at this stage? I thought just the page with the entry stamp to his fiancee's country or the third country is required.

My fiance is about to send off the petition now and I thought we only need one passport style photograph for each of us instead of two? Okay now I am confused.

Cheers....

I just went by the guides here on the forum and the written instructions in the packet... along with whatever I could scrounge up from the Federal Codes... When there was discrepancy or something left up to interpretation I went with the more conservative of the two.

About the copy of ALL pages of the USC passport... I'm using it as proof that I am a citizen of the United States. If you send in your birth certificate to cover that part then you don't need to send in all pages. (Although, I am sending in all pages for the entry and exit stamps too.. overkill probably, but the individual pages don't say that much in my opinion.)

I'm not sure where I read that I needed 2 passport style pictures because here in the guides and in the instructions for the I-129F it says only "a" photo a piece is needed... But I'm almost positive I read it somewhere, so I'm going to keep it at two.

As for the other stuff... Yes, I have ALL pages of my passport, twice. I'm going now to make copies of the thing. One each for me and my fiance as is and then 2 more black and white for good measure. I've labeled the pictures with names as best as I can... some say "Nik's aunt" or "Nik's cousin" etc. I'm using a personal check for 455.00$ with today's date. (The check part was the most nerve wracking for some reason...)

And about mailing... I was going to Express mail it overnight so it would be there Tuesday morning. The USPS makes me nervous too... If I were richer I would fly to Cali and hand deliver it...

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback guys!!! I've been over this like 50 times! I actually finished on Saturday, but have taken the weekend to re-check everything... Gah! So stressful!!!

:star: :star:

Kate (I just now pushed the "show all" button on the smileys... cute stuff!)

[rouguewave 7]

Does the USC really need to copy ALL pages of the passport at this stage? I thought just the page with the entry stamp to his fiancee's country or the third country is required.

My fiance is about to send off the petition now and I thought we only need one passport style photograph for each of us instead of two? Okay now I am confused.

Cheers....

I just checked to make sure and here is what I found on Page 2 of I-129F instructions.

3. What Documents Do You Need to Show That YouAre a U.S. Citizen?

A. If you were born in the United States, give USCIS acopy, front and back, of your birth certificate.

B. If you were naturalized, give USCIS a copy, front andback, of your original Certificate of Naturalization.

C. If you were born outside the United States and you area U.S. citizen through your parents, give USCIS:

1. Your original Certificate of Citizenship, or

2. Your Form FS-240 (Report of Birth Abroad of aUnited States Citizen).

D. In place of any of the above, you may give USCIS acopy of your valid, unexpired U.S. passport issued with a validity period of at least five years. You must submit copies of all pages in the passport.

Maybe its just me, but when they say "all pages in the passport" I send them "all pages in the passport". Even the blank ones. It seemed dopey, but I'd rather give them more than to slow things down with an RFE.

Edited September 30, 2007 by rouguewave

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Hey Everyone! As the subject states, I'm going to mail my application tomorrow and I just wanted to double check and make sure I have everything I need... As you all know, this is very stressful!!!

Ok, so here goes...

• Check for 455.00$
• Cover letter stating the contents of the packet and what the submission is for
• I-129F form (signed and dated, quadruple checked for accuracy)
• Supplement to I-129F for question #18 (labeled with question #, question, signed and dated)
• Copy of USC Passport to show citizenship
• Letter of intent to marry from me and my fiance (signed and dated)
• G-325A (all 4 sheets) and supplement for USC (signed and dated)
• 2 passport style photos for USC (labeled on the back with my name) in plastic baggie labeled "Photo of *name*" stapled to a piece of paper tabbed "Photo of USC"
• G-325A for beneficiary and 2 passport style photos (same as for USC)
• Evidence of Meeting:
• Copy of USC passport with entry and exit stamps labeled with little post-it flags
• Internet trip itinerary, copies of flight tickets before use, copies of boarding pass stubs and baggage claim tickets for flight
• Certificate from the police depeartment in Macedonia stating I stayed at my fiance's address from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY
• Receipts from ATM withdrawals, purchases, and bank statements from a credit card showing purchases in Macedonia
• Train tickets for both of us for a day trip to a different city
• Additional "for good measure" information:
• Screenshots from email lists showing dates of messages both from USC and beneficiary
• Telephone call log
• Flight Itinerary for future trip to Macedonia for December/January
• 8 Pictures of us with his family and in front of various landmarks (the American Embassy in Skopje, etc.)

Ok, what do you guys think? Did I forget something? Should I take out something? All opinions appreciated!!!

God Bless,

Kate

Have you identified (by name) the people in the pics?

Have you explained how you met thoroughly so the beaurecrats can understand? (I don't recall if this is Q#18)

Did you make copy of ALL pages of US Passport (vice just "important" ones)?

Have you made EXACT copies of the package as you will send it to the USCIS (I made 3).

Some of these are picky, but they are things that I went back and brushed up on, because when I looked at my pkg a second time I thought I should. A recommendation about sending the material is to send it both registered and return-receipt requested. Unless you send it "Express Mail" which accomplishes the same thing. The point is to make sure that you get back documented confirmation from Post Office that they delivered to USCIS. With the delays that are happening in processing NOA1s, it seems this is critical these days so that you can relax a little knowing that its "in the building" even if you don't get confirmation from USCIS about this.

Also, you mentioned "check" but just to be clear, is this a personal check that you can tell (from your bank) when its been cleared? This is another item that people have had problems with on the Forum. They send money orders that can't be tracked, so they get no confirmation from USCIS until they receive NOA1. Its not mandatory, just helps the stress level, I think.

With the copies, I made multiple and sent one off (immediately) to honey ko so that she'd be able to see what it looks like. Of course, its subject to RFE (none yet) and she will need originals of all materials when she goes for interview. But it helped us during our discussions about what's going on and at times when she had to deal with situations regarding her kids.

Does the USC really need to copy ALL pages of the passport at this stage? I thought just the page with the entry stamp to his fiancee's country or the third country is required.

My fiance is about to send off the petition now and I thought we only need one passport style photograph for each of us instead of two? Okay now I am confused.

Cheers....

Here is what it says in our starter kit from our immigration lawyer about the passport and passport type photographs:

"You must send us a photocopy of several pages of your passport:

page 1 (showing your signature), page 2 (showing your photo and

citizenship data), and the page(s) where your passport was stamped upon

entering USA (and any other country where you have met Laura)."

"You and Laura must each take passport type photographs for

submission with the USCIS petition.

We recommend that Laura find a local professional company to take the

pictures. We need two photographs from you and two from Laura for the

USCIS petition."

Congratulations and Good Luck!!!!

~Laura

Edited September 30, 2007 by LauraLee

[rouguewave 7]

I'm not sure where I read that I needed 2 passport style pictures because here in the guides and in the instructions for the I-129F it says only "a" photo a piece is needed... But I'm almost positive I read it somewhere, so I'm going to keep it at two.

As for the other stuff... Yes, I have ALL pages of my passport, twice. I'm going now to make copies of the thing. One each for me and my fiance as is and then 2 more black and white for good measure. I've labeled the pictures with names as best as I can... some say "Nik's aunt" or "Nik's cousin" etc. I'm using a personal check for 455.00$ with today's date. (The check part was the most nerve wracking for some reason...)

Instructions ask for "a" photo of petitioner and "a" photo of benefitiary, then later refers to them collectively as "photos". It threw me for a while until I realized they were just combining them in later references (Sheesh!). I think I might have sent them 2 of each just because I had them.

Check part was nerve wracking for me too, but I know why. I've been doing electronic banking for years so I didn't have any checks. When I started reading up on this and thinking it through, I knew that I wanted traceability through my own bank (as explained before). So, I ordered checks (smallest amount) and now they are on the shelf where they will gather dust or I lose them.

[KateandNik 0]

Here is what it says in our starter kit from our immigration lawyer about the passport and passport type photographs:

"You must send us a photocopy of several pages of your passport:

page 1 (showing your signature), page 2 (showing your photo and

citizenship data), and the page(s) where your passport was stamped upon

entering USA (and any other country where you have met Laura)."

"You and Laura must each take passport type photographs for

submission with the USCIS petition.

We recommend that Laura find a local professional company to take the

pictures. We need two photographs from you and two from Laura for the

USCIS petition."

Congratulations and Good Luck!!!!

~Laura

Your lawyer is right if you are also sending in the USC's birth certificate to prove citizenship. If you do not include the USC's birth certificate (as in my case) then you MUST send in ALL pages of the USC's passport. This copy of the USC passport is totally separate from any information sent in as part of evidence of meeting within the past 2 years. To send in the I-129F (and this is just from my own knowledge and I will stand corrected if wrong) you need several things...

1.) To be a U.S. Citizen

2.) To have a fiance(e)

3.) To have met said fiance(e) in the past 2 years.

I used my passport twice, once to prove #1 and once to help prove #3. Some people use their birth cert to prove #1 and then their passport entry and exit stamps to help prove #3 and therefore do not need to send ALL pages of their passport.

On a different note... Kinko's is expensive... I should have just invested in a scanner!!! Probably would have been cheaper! But, can you really put a price on love?

They should make a Mastercard commercial about this process...

$79.82 for copy fees at Kinkos... $455.00 in filing fees for I-129F... $100.00 medical exam fee for fiance... $4000.00 for plane tickets to visit said fiance... The cost of kissing your loved one before going to bed each night... priceless.

I know I'm missing some fees in there, but you get the picture. It could flash to different clips. Standing in line at Kinkos, writing a check to USCIS, sitting next to a screaming baby on an airplane, and finally fade to black on a loving couple in bed. *sniffles* *wipes away tear* *sighs* That was beautiful...

Ok, can you tell I've sort of gone off the deep end?

Happy Sunday everyone!!!

Kate

["rylee" 0]

I'm not sure where I read that I needed 2 passport style pictures because here in the guides and in the instructions for the I-129F it says only "a" photo a piece is needed... But I'm almost positive I read it somewhere, so I'm going to keep it at two.

As for the other stuff... Yes, I have ALL pages of my passport, twice. I'm going now to make copies of the thing. One each for me and my fiance as is and then 2 more black and white for good measure. I've labeled the pictures with names as best as I can... some say "Nik's aunt" or "Nik's cousin" etc. I'm using a personal check for 455.00$ with today's date. (The check part was the most nerve wracking for some reason...)

Instructions ask for "a" photo of petitioner and "a" photo of benefitiary, then later refers to them collectively as "photos". It threw me for a while until I realized they were just combining them in later references (Sheesh!). I think I might have sent them 2 of each just because I had them.

Check part was nerve wracking for me too, but I know why. I've been doing electronic banking for years so I didn't have any checks. When I started reading up on this and thinking it through, I knew that I wanted traceability through my own bank (as explained before). So, I ordered checks (smallest amount) and now they are on the shelf where they will gather dust or I lose them.