Please advice - Starting DCF Frankfurt

[Oban 1]

Hi all!

We finally got an infopass appointment for Frankfurt. Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about an interview... we "just" want to hand in our I-130. Regarding that a few questions...

- What do we have to bring along? The I-130 + all necessary attachments, right?

- The first part of the DS-230?

- How long are the waiting times? Our appointment is around 10 AM. When should we arrive? Around 9ish? Earlier?

- Do we have to wait in line for non-US-citizen, or can we go into the US-citizen line?

- What do we have to expect at the USCIS? Do we have to walk in and say "we would like to hand in our I-130"?. Or will the officer ask questions, etc etc?

I am a bit nervous. Any advice would be great!

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,

Oban

[Oban 1]

Good morning all!

Please find below a little list of attachments which I will hand in with the I-130. Can somebody give me an advice if something is missing?

1. I-130 Petition for Alien Relatives
2. G-325A Biographic Information for the petitioner
3. G-325A Biographic Information for the beneficiary
4. An ADIT style photograph of the petitioner
5. An ADIT style photograph of the beneficiary
6. Copy of the petitioner's US passport (incl. German residency permit)
7. Copy of the petitioner's birth certificate
8. Copy of the beneficiary's German passport
9. Copy of the beneficiary's birth certificate
10. Certificate of Marriage (copy)
11. Confirmation of marriage registration from the local city (copy)
12. Letter form the city of <city name> registrar's office proving a shared household (stating the same address as well as maritial status)
13. "Affidavits of Personal Relationship" (in English and German) from several relatives and close friends, proving a true and loving relationship
14. Personal pictures of the petitioner and beneficary together (incl. location and date)
15. Statement from the petitioner's / beneficiary's bank proving the existence of a joint bank account

Okay... that's it! Is that enough? Is something missing? In addition I have the DS-230 Part 1 with me to hand it in as well.

Beside that a few general questions:

- How do I "pack" the whole pile of paper? Should I put each paper / attachment in a sheet protector (the little plastic cases), or the whole pile in an envelope? Any ideas?

- Can I attach single pages with a paper-fastener / retaining clip? Or is it better to leave everything as single sheets of paper?

- How should I attach the passport-style pictures?

- What kind of questions will they ask when we go to the consulate?

Thank for reading! Thanks in advance!

Cheers,

Oban

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Well it might be very obvious but worth saying, a credit card or some means of paying the filing fee, and in London they ask for a stamped addressed envelope. You probably don't need it since they haven't asked for it, but might be worth bringing it along anyway.

Also I would bring along all of the originals of the official documents. If you're sending it in the mail, you would send copies, but since you're going in person, I'd think it's worth bringing the originals. (and of course if there are any previous marriages, previous marriage certs and divorce decree)

You might want to ask over in the European Regional forum, but I would say that you will also need translations in to English for all of this paperwork. I might be wrong, but even the German Embassy website is in English, so worth asking about.

Finally make sure you keep a copy of everything you send, exactly as you sent it for yourself. You don't want to wake in the middle of the night and think 'did write that?' 'did I send that?' If you have a perfect copy of everything you had over, you will be able to know for sure.

Definatly don't put the papers in individual plastic pockets. The first thing they will have to do is take them all back out again. Also they probably have their own method of filing them so it's probably best to take them along in one envelope plastic or otherwise.

All of the above is just info that I have picked up from this forum, but as I'm just starting out myself, and doing DCF in London, I have to include a big disclaimer that I don't know the specifics of your application.

[Oban 1]

Understood! Yeah... I will bring the self-addressed envelope. Just to be secure.

Regarding the fee: we will bring the 355 USD in cash. Beside that we have credit cards with us (I assume I am allowed to take my wallet into the embassy?!).

As far as I understood the USCIS Frankfurt, we can present documents in English as well as in German. (????) I assume that (I understood you filed in London?) they just take English documents in the UK, because their own native language is English. In all other countries they take English as well as the native country language (please correct me if I am wrong!!!).

Thanks for your help!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I don't know at all about needing translations, that's why I suggested that you go over to the European section of this forum, and put a thread up there asking about it. There are lots of Germans over there, and you will have a better chance of getting an answer specific to Germany, or even Frankfurt.

All the best,

Poit

Edited October 16, 2007 by Poiteen

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

OK, so I've been looking around, and I found this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=3445&st=0

It lists what other DCF people have sent in their I-130 package, and there are quite a few from Germany.

No one seems to have to sent translations, so looks like you're off the hook on that.

[Oban 1]

Thanks Poiteen!

Meanwhile I started a thread in English in the European Board http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=92083

I just want to be 200% sure before I get my personal "headshot" in Frankfurt.