I-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??

[celtichobbit 0]

My Husband and I don't actually own anything together since he's over in England and I'm here in Alaska, so I suppose I'm gonna have to figure out the affidavit of proof of relationship from a few family members/friends, but can anyone tell me the requirements for those? what it looks like and if we need it notarized, I can't find anything about it on the USCIS website which is weird.

It only mentions it in the I-130 petition form instructions. On the page where you get the pdf for the form it has a list of required documentation but an affidavit from someone stating our relationship is genuine isn't one of them...really confused!

Also, can I just send in my regular Consular Report of Birth Abroad? or do I need to get it copied and certified or do I have to order a new one or something? confused on that one as well.

Thanks!

-Rebecca

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My Husband and I don't actually own anything together since he's over in England and I'm here in Alaska, so I suppose I'm gonna have to figure out the affidavit of proof of relationship from a few family members/friends, but can anyone tell me the requirements for those? what it looks like and if we need it notarized, I can't find anything about it on the USCIS website which is weird.

Try the VJ Example Forms page (in the lighter blue menu bar above) Affidavits are under Lifting Conditions. You have a marriage certificate to prove you married. You haven't had time to establish much together in the short time and with him being abroad. They know that.

Also, can I just send in my regular Consular Report of Birth Abroad? or do I need to get it copied and certified or do I have to order a new one or something? confused on that one as well.

Thanks!

Send a photocopy of the one you have.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

*** Moving from AOS to CR-2 spousal visa forum ****

[celtichobbit 0]

Okay, so I found the Affidavit one, and filled one out for my Mom and one for my brother. I'm attaching the one for my mom with this, if someone could look it over and let me know if that's fine or if I should change anything that would be great. The thing I'm not sure about is the number at the top of the page and also to for the purpose of section.

[celtichobbit 0]

That's weird, I attached it but I don't see it..haven't used that feature yet..

Affidavit from Marilynn Methven.doc

[Darnell 8,478]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218775&st=0&p=3324240&hl=Rusticentry3324240

Mine's a bit extreme, as it's headed to a high fraud country.

[celtichobbit 0]

okay, awesome thanks! is there a particular way I need to put this together? some kind of layering process or a cover letter or anything? I'm really very new at this and don't want to mess it up.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That's weird, I attached it but I don't see it..haven't used that feature yet..

The attached letter from your mother states she is your brother.

The A# at the top is an example where an alien's A# would be entered. 1 2 3 4 ....is an example. Your husband doesn't have an A# yet.

It's way too formal. My opinion is that your mother's own words would be more believeable to USCIS. It doesn't have to be in legalese.

Do you have photos from the wedding of theses affidavit writers with you and your husband that you could label with their names? Do you have boarding passes and passport stamps showing your fiance arriving in the US prior to the wedding date, as well as the same for leaving after? You could note at the bottom your husband left ? days after the wedding to further establish you can't show joint items because you were only married ? days before being separated.

Read the guides provided by Visa Journey. Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for a IR-1 / CR-1 Visa for a Foreign Spouse. Read the instructions for each form over and over until it makes sense to you. Read the forums for mistakes others have made, so you don't do the same thing. THEN you will be ready to file without messing up.

[Ryan H 3,812]

It's way too formal. My opinion is that your mother's own words would be more believeable to USCIS. It doesn't have to be in legalese.

Wholeheartedly agree with this. :thumbs:

[PMartin37 161]

My Husband and I don't actually own anything together since he's over in England and I'm here in Alaska, so I suppose I'm gonna have to figure out the affidavit of proof of relationship from a few family members/friends, but can anyone tell me the requirements for those? what it looks like and if we need it notarized, I can't find anything about it on the USCIS website which is weird.

It only mentions it in the I-130 petition form instructions. On the page where you get the pdf for the form it has a list of required documentation but an affidavit from someone stating our relationship is genuine isn't one of them...really confused!

Also, can I just send in my regular Consular Report of Birth Abroad? or do I need to get it copied and certified or do I have to order a new one or something? confused on that one as well.

Thanks!

-Rebecca

It's no surprise you don't find it on the instructions. Sometimes, I really believe they want to make it necessary for you to hire a lawyer to do the process right. It was maddening and frustrating speaking with representatives that would give different answers on this to me However, VJ makes it so much easier.

I would advise you to have them notarized for sure.. if you don't have strong physical evidence such as joint account, property, blah blah.

I'm looking around for a good blank example for you. I'm sure other members also can give you tons. You just have to make sure that the following information is there:

Full name

DOB

Place of birth

Their address and other contact info

(I think that's about all) and signature and notary seal and credentials of course.

It's good if they relate their observances of the two of you together (you seem crazy about each other, affectionate, etc) where and when they spent time with you. What all do they know about your relationship. I think they should write all that they know about you, but don't repeat themselves.

I hope that helps!!

[PMartin37 161]

Okay, so I found the Affidavit one, and filled one out for my Mom and one for my brother. I'm attaching the one for my mom with this, if someone could look it over and let me know if that's fine or if I should change anything that would be great. The thing I'm not sure about is the number at the top of the page and also to for the purpose of section.

Darnell gave you some great stuff. He always does

I would also like to recommend that you get as many sworn affidavits as possible, since you're like me and don't have many of the primary evidence items they list on instructions. Get ALOT!! More is More in my opinion where these are concerned.

[AandJ 3]

Rebecca,

I'll send you a private message with the one we sent.

Hope it helps!

Amanda

Edited May 19, 2012 by AandJ

[cathy2904 97]

We were in exactly the same position as you. We just sent three affidavits: one from a female friend who has shared all Trevor's sob stories while we have been apart (nice and gushing), another from a male friend (quite matter of fact) and the third from another friend who had also happened to be Trevor's boss at one point (fairly formal). I have attached that one. We wrote them all and just asked our friends to edit them as they felt appropriate and then sign them. Let me know if you would like to see any of the wording of the other two.

Keith.rtf

Edited May 19, 2012 by cathy2904

[celtichobbit 0]

Thank you all SO much for the help.

We haven't actually had the wedding ceremony yet, just did the court house marriage thing. We were going to have the ceremony this summer but plans changed a bit, my Dad has a weird schedule for work and is gone for months at a time so we're gonna wait till my husband is over here then we'll have the actual ceremony so I can't include any of those pictures, you don't think this will be an issue, will it? I have a few pictures of him with my younger sisters when we were all hanging out, but they are under 18 so I'm guessing they're too young for affidavits? or is there an age limit?

Also, how am I supposed to pay the fee for the petition? just a check? also, can the check be from someone else or does it need to be me? my parents are loaning me the money for it until I get my paycheck from my job so I can pay them back, so I was wondering if a check from them would be alright or if they need to transfer the money to me and I can write a check myself.

Once again guys, thanks so much for the help!

[cathy2904 97]

We didn't send any photographs - we had a courthouse wedding and Trevor's daughter was the only person there, so she was behind the camera!

Just get two or three affidavits from people who know you as a couple. I don't think it matters if they witnessed your marriage or not. The affidavits were the only bits of evidence of the relationship that we sent. We had nothing else. We collected more for the interview but being London, it wasn't asked for or looked at.

Your parents can write the cheque/check.

Edited May 21, 2012 by cathy2904