sworn affidavits

[AfricanQueen85 3]

I will start my process Friday for my husband. I would like to know if the sworn affidavits means notarize them.

[pushbrk 12,892]

I will start my process Friday for my husband. I would like to know if the sworn affidavits means notarize them.

No, that's not what it means. In most newlywed cases seeking spouse visas, sworn affidavits are pretty useless unless the party is familiar with the actual relationship between the couple and witnessed its evolution. Time to do some reading. There is no K3 visa in your future. CR1 is the currently viable spouse visa process available to you.

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourn...ost__p__3060767

K-3 administratively closed - http://www.visajourn...eived-together/

Edited May 21, 2012 by pushbrk

[AfricanQueen85 3]

Thank you!!! I was reading all last night and I discovered everything you just told me.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K3 Process & Procedures to IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures as this is the path the OP will be on.

[Olomi_811 130]

If you have letters from his family or friends witnessing your wedding they should have those notarized for you to include them in your package for USCIS. You can also wait until the NVC stage (about 5-6 months from when you get your NOA1) to get notarized letters from your family and friends who have spoken to him, talked to you, witnessed occurances and can attest to the validity of the relationship.

[pushbrk 12,892]

If you have letters from his family or friends witnessing your wedding they should have those notarized for you to include them in your package for USCIS. You can also wait until the NVC stage (about 5-6 months from when you get your NOA1) to get notarized letters from your family and friends who have spoken to him, talked to you, witnessed occurances and can attest to the validity of the relationship.

Affidavits should attest to what people know about the evolution of the relationship, not just what they observed during a wedding and/or party. The marriage certificate is all that is needed as evidence the couple are married. Fake relationships have weddings and parties too.

[Olomi_811 130]

If you have letters from his family or friends witnessing your wedding they should have those notarized for you to include them in your package for USCIS. You can also wait until the NVC stage (about 5-6 months from when you get your NOA1) to get notarized letters from your family and friends who have spoken to him, talked to you, witnessed occurances and can attest to the validity of the relationship.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130instr.pdf

Page 4 section D. When I filed I didn't have knowledge of VJ. I followed the USCIS INSTRUCTIONS. Certainly can't go wrong providing what the GOVERNMENT suggests as acceptable proof. This is why I specify as to what YOU can do for USCIS. I discovered VJ about a week after my NOA1, thus telling you what YOU can provide as additional proof at NVC stage.

[pushbrk 12,892]

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-130instr.pdf

Page 4 section D. When I filed I didn't have knowledge of VJ. I followed the USCIS INSTRUCTIONS. Certainly can't go wrong providing what the GOVERNMENT suggests as acceptable proof. This is why I specify as to what YOU can do for USCIS. I discovered VJ about a week after my NOA1, thus telling you what YOU can provide as additional proof at NVC stage.

First, you do not provide "proof". You can provide "evidence". They are not the same thing. Prior to mentioning affidavits, the instructions contain the words, "In addition to the required...." meaning, simply, NOT REQUIRED. Most visa cases submitted by newlyweds concentrate on the last item, the one that starts with the words "Any other...". Generally, it has to do with "evidence" of time spent together and how and how frequently the couple communicates. Most potential affidavits will come from people with little actual knowledge of the "relationship" bona fides. They just attended a ceremony or party or are nothing more than character witnesses. None of that is actually helpful, so not worth the trouble you put your friends or family through.

Note that the I-130 is also used for spouses who have been living together for a long time and adjusting status or moving to the USA together after living abroad. THOSE are the couples where affidavits can be meaningful but even THEN, they usually have other more compelling evidence of bona fides, you know, like actually LIVING together as husband and wife.

[Olomi_811 130]

Skimming that...you really seem like the teacher on Charlie Brown blah blah blah blah blah...

http://thesaurus.com/browse/proof?s=t

"Most" means not all so there are exceptions. You can't say what will be meaningful and what won't especially since you aren't an adjudicator reviewing anything. My reply is based on my experience. If this post was only meant for your to reply it would have shown up in your inbox.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Most potential affidavits will come from people with little actual knowledge of the "relationship" bona fides. They just attended a ceremony or party or are nothing more than character witnesses. None of that is actually helpful, so not worth the trouble you put your friends or family through.

I would think that most sworn affidavits would come from immediate family members or very close friends with first hand knowledge that the relationship is bonafide and true. After all, how many people other than close friends or family are going to take time out of their day to go to a Notary Public and fill out the paper work? Most of the people that are going through this visa process don't have the time or the money for huge wedding ceremonies, so it stands to reason that the people attending the wedding would be immediate family members or very close friends with in depth personal knowledge that the relationship is bona fide. Also a sworn affidavit is something that will hold up in a court of law, why would you think it would not be helpful at a USCIS interview?

Any and ALL evidence of a relationship/marriage is helpful. There is NO right or wrong answer.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Teddy B

[pushbrk 12,892]

I would think that most sworn affidavits would come from immediate family members or very close friends with first hand knowledge that the relationship is bonafide and true. After all, how many people other than close friends or family are going to take time out of their day to go to a Notary Public and fill out the paper work? Most of the people that are going through this visa process don't have the time or the money for huge wedding ceremonies, so it stands to reason that the people attending the wedding would be immediate family members or very close friends with in depth personal knowledge that the relationship is bona fide. Also a sworn affidavit is something that will hold up in a court of law, why would you think it would not be helpful at a USCIS interview?

Any and ALL evidence of a relationship/marriage is helpful. There is NO right or wrong answer.

All opinions are welcome. Their value can only be judged by those who rely on them.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I will start my process Friday for my husband. I would like to know if the sworn affidavits means notarize them.

Yes that is what a sworn affidavit is, contrary to what you were told in a previous post.

[Teddy B 17,252]

All opinions are welcome. Their value can only be judged by those who rely on them.

The value of opinions can be judged by anyone using logic and reason.

[trojam227 18]

I will start my process Friday for my husband. I would like to know if the sworn affidavits means notarize them.

Affidavits do not have to be notarized. Your family/friends can do that if they want, but not a requirement. The instructions do say what information needs to be included in the affidavits though.

Here is one of the affidavits I sent:

USCIS

PO BOX 804625

Chicago, IL 60680

Date

Name

Address

Dear Sir/Madame,

My name is "Slim E. Shady". I live at 154 Trailer Park Way, London, England ABC123. I was born at St. Luke's Hospital in London on the 31st of April, 1902 and I am an English Citizen. I have resided in London all my life. I am writing you today to affirm that I was Best Man at the wedding of Mr."West Ham United" to Mrs. "New York Yankee" and was also a sworn witness to the marriage on the 3rd of September, 2010 at Artington House, Guildford, Surrey UK.

I have known West Ham United for seven years now, as he is my fiance's brother. I first met Mrs. Yankee in February 2008, when I accompanied Mr. United to Heathrow Airport to pick up Mrs. Yankee. Since then I have spent a lot of time with both of them whenever Mrs. Yankee comes to visit. They are a great couple. When Mrs. Yankee visits, she stays with Mr. United at his home on 79 Trailer Park Way, London, England which is just down the road from me.

Sincerely,

Slim E. Shady

[Teddy B 17,252]

Affidavits do not have to be notarized. Your family/friends can do that if they want, but not a requirement. The instructions do say what information needs to be included in the affidavits though.

The instruction sheet for form I-130 specifically states that "affidavits sworn to or affirmed by a third party". I'm sure you can turn in an affidavit that is not sworn, but I doubt it would be as meaningful as one that is.