Sending in I-130 & I-485. Do we have everything?

[sdadams 8]

Hi all,

I appreciate your responses, and wondering if someone would take another glance at our completed packet. Do we have everything? (I think we do, but my eyes are crossed at this point!)

I-130 Packet

1. G-1145
2. I-130
3. Check for $420
4. Copy of U.S. Birth Certificate of U.S. Citizen Petitioner (me)
5. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
6. Copy of U.K. Birth Certificate of Alien Spouse Beneficiary (husband)
7. One passport-type photo of U.S. Citizen Petitioner
8. One passport-type photo of Alien Spouse Beneficiary
9. G-325 A completed by U.S. Citizen Petitioner
10. G-325 A completed by Alien Spouse Beneficiary
11. Evidence of Bonafide Marriage:
    1. Bank statement with our names on shared account
    2. Photographs of relationship timeline

I-485 Packet

1. G-1145
2. I-485
3. Check for $1070
4. Copy of Alien Spouse Beneficiary's Passport (all pages)
5. Copy of Alien Spouse Beneficiary's Passport (front and back)
6. Copy of U.K. Birth Certificate of Alien Spouse Beneficiary
7. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
8. Two passport-type photos of Alien Spouse Beneficiary
9. G-325 A completed by U.S. Citizen Petitioner
10. G-325 A completed by Alien Spouse Beneficiary
11. I-864:
    1. 2012 Tax Returns of U.S. Citizen Petitioner
    2. Letter from employer of U.S. Citizen Petitioner
12. I-693
13. I-765

It might be overkill to send two G-1145s but, I just want to be totally sure.

[Leo7777 243]

Wow, sd, you are very organized and thorough. I am impressed!!

My notes: Why don't you send in I-131 even if you don't think you will need it. It is free when submitted with the packet?

Are birth certificates really required? I thought passports with date of birth shown would suffice.

What is the difference between your items 4 and 5? Doesn't 'all pages' include 'front and back?'

Why two sets of G-325 when they will all be in the same envelope?

Edited October 25, 2013 by Leo7777

[newacct 688]

I-485 just needs one G-325A from the beneficiary.

There should be one G-1145 that goes on the front of everything.

Why two sets of G-325 when they will all be in the same envelope?

That's what the forms require. I-130 for spouse requires a G-325a each for the petitioner and beneficiary. I-485 requries a G-325a for the applicant.

[sdadams 8]

Wow, sd, you are very organized and thorough. I am impressed!!

My notes: Why don't you send in I-131 even if you don't think you will need it. It is free when submitted with the packet?

Are birth certificates really required? I thought passports with date of birth shown would suffice.

What is the difference between your items 4 and 5? Doesn't 'all pages' include 'front and back?'

Why two sets of G-325 when they will all be in the same envelope?

Eagle eyes, Leo7777!

I think for the I-131, you have to specify where you will go and when-- since we don't have any int'l travel planned, we are okay to wait. Hopefully that doesn't change!

I could have photocopied every page of my passport, but it just seemed to be a lot of paper when it says to submit my U.S. birth certificate *or* all pages of my passport.

His U.K. birth certificate is def required.

1-485 #5 should said: Copies of the I-94 in passport (front and back of card)

I know. The two sets of G-325s are a bit overkill, I just wanted each file to stand alone if need be. I'm a bit OCD!

[newacct 688]

I think for the I-131, you have to specify where you will go and when-- since we don't have any int'l travel planned, we are okay to wait. Hopefully that doesn't change!

It does not ask you for where you will go, and you can put "unknown" for when.

[Hypnos 6,577]

There's really no downside to applying for an I-131 now, instead of waiting for when you might need it. Provided you have no inadmissibility issues (such as 180 days of overstay) then you should be fine to use it. Don't forget, there is no charge for it.

Edited October 25, 2013 by Hypnos

[Leo7777 243]

It does not ask you for where you will go, and you can put "unknown" for when.

Actually it does ask in Part 4. Where are you going and what is the purpose of trip.

For when, the typed PDF form only allows for choosing calendar dates. You cannot type in 'unknown.' For those who have done it, I suppose they hand write in 'unknown.'

Surprisingly, to me, I found the Form I-131 to give me more fits in trying to complete than any of the other forms. Just too many sections that don't seem to apply to 'normal' situations, too many questions that result in unknown answers, and I don't really understand Parts 5 and 7.

[newacct 688]

Actually it does ask in Part 4. Where are you going and what is the purpose of trip.

For when, the typed PDF form only allows for choosing calendar dates. You cannot type in 'unknown.' For those who have done it, I suppose they hand write in 'unknown.'

Surprisingly, to me, I found the Form I-131 to give me more fits in trying to complete than any of the other forms. Just too many sections that don't seem to apply to 'normal' situations, too many questions that result in unknown answers, and I don't really understand Parts 5 and 7.

You are supposed to skip from Part 3 question 3 to Part 7.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Actually it does ask in Part 4. Where are you going and what is the purpose of trip.

For when, the typed PDF form only allows for choosing calendar dates. You cannot type in 'unknown.' For those who have done it, I suppose they hand write in 'unknown.'

Surprisingly, to me, I found the Form I-131 to give me more fits in trying to complete than any of the other forms. Just too many sections that don't seem to apply to 'normal' situations, too many questions that result in unknown answers, and I don't really understand Parts 5 and 7.

Please read the complete instructions before giving advice.

You do not need firm travel plans to get an AP based on a pending I-485. And you don't fill out many of the parts that confused you.

OP: Where is your spouse's proof of legal entry? I guess no I-94, but have you made a nice copy of the passport stamp (this is if he entered on VWP).

Edited October 26, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[sdadams 8]

OP: Where is your spouse's proof of legal entry? I guess no I-94, but have you made a nice copy of the passport stamp (this is if he entered on VWP).

We have his 1-94, with a clear stamp of arrival, and copies of every stamp in his passport (we photocopied every. single. page.)

(Thanks for asking-- I originally didn't put I-94 on the first post of this, even though it's in our packet.Virtual gold star for your eagle eyes!)

[sdadams 8]

Thanks for all your feedback! Here's my adjusted packet:

I-130:

1. Completed Form G-1145

2. Completed Form I-130

3. Check enclosed for the amount of $420.00

4. Copy of U.S Birth Certificate of U.S. Citizen Petitioner

5. Certified copy of Marriage Certificate

6. Copy of U.K. Birth Certificate of Alien Spouse Beneficiary

7. G-325A completed and signed by U.S. Citizen Petitioner

a. One passport-type photo of U.S. Citizen Petitioner

8. G-325A completed and signed by Alien Spouse Beneficiary

a. One passport-type photo of Alien Spouse Beneficiary

9. Evidence of Bonafide Marriage:

a. Documentation of co-mingling of financial resources (copies of Well Fargo bank statements)

b. Documentation of co-habitation (lease in U.S. Citizen Petitioner’s name, utility bill in Alien Spouse Beneficiary’s name, renter’s insurance in both names)

c. Photographs of relationship timeline.

I-485

1. Completed Form G-1145

2. Completed Form I-485

3. Check enclosed for the amount of $1070.00

4. Copy of Alien Spouse Beneficiary’s Passport

5. Copy of Alien Spouse Beneficiary’s valid I-94

6. Copy of Alien Spouse Beneficiary’s valid I-20

7. Copy of U.K. Birth Certificate of Alien Spouse Beneficiary

8. Certified copy of marriage certificate

9. G-325A completed and signed by Alien Spouse Beneficiary

a. Two passport-type photos of Alien Spouse Beneficiary

10. I-864, Affidavit of Support of U.S. Citizen Petitioner

a. Copy of 2012 Tax Returns of U.S. Citizen Petitioner

b. Letter from employer of U.S. Citizen Petitioner verifying employment and income

11. I-693, Medical Examination of Alien Spouse Beneficiary

12. I-765 Application for Employment Authorization for Alien Spouse Beneficiary

a. Copy of Alien Spouse Beneficiary’s biographical page of Passport

b. Two passport-type photos of Alien Spouse Beneficiary

Mailing packet on Thursday, so please speak up if you see anything amiss!

[sdadams 8]

I mailed our entire packet this morning- it should arrive to Chicago by noon tomorrow.

FYI- I mailed it USPS Express (with the provided thin envelope) with overnight delivery. The stack of papers weighed 1lb, and it cost $30.85.

Remember to mail it to this address if you're using USPS Express or courier services:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Attn: FBAS

131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517

....Now begins an exercise in patience!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Good luck!

[sdadams 8]

Good luck!

Thank you!!