ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarriage in dom rep

You can also post this question on DTTUSA they are more likely to have the info you are asking for (name, price etc.).



Yeah, I did already a while ago. I have someone to contact that someone on dttusa suggested. But the more people that respond the merrier so i can have more options to look at :D
Thanks :blush:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-05-27 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarriage in dom rep

I am a US citizen and my husband is from the DR. We married there last September. You have to bring your passport AND an original copy of your birth certificate, translated into Spanish, with an apostille. If you have been married before, you need to bring an original copy of your divorce certificate, translated into Spanish, with an apostille. The apostilles also need to be translated into Spanish.

Besides these civil documents, you also need to bring a letter from the marriage license office (here in the US) indicating that you are single. That also needs to be translated into Spanish.

Remember, they do things differently over there. All information will be written down in a marriage book and that will be taken to the wedding ceremony to be signed and stamped by the judge. Once that is done and registered, then you can obtain a copy of the marriage certificate about a week later.



I thought the single status letter had to be done ONLY in DR? :blink: The reason I ask about only marrying with a passport and not a BC is because it really depends on the person who marries you and SOME don't require the BC. Some places even give you the marriage certificate the same day.

I'm just trying to shop around for the best rates and least amount of work :D
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-05-27 11:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmarriage in dom rep
For DR VJ members, :blush:

For those of you that got married in DR... Were you able to get married WITHOUT a birth certficate and just your passport? I know not all places require a BC, and i'm trying to go that route because i'm gonna have to translate/legalize mine in order to get married over there since i'm American. I would appreciate any info on judges who do this in DR (name, location, price). Preferably Santo Domingo and southern DR.

:whistle:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-05-27 10:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview in Santo Domingo
Make sure you guys are on the same page and don't mess up minor details. Good luck!
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-07-05 18:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow soon is too soon for paperwork?
Thanks bOCACHICA, your answer is just what i was looking for!
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-07-31 13:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow soon is too soon for paperwork?

Don't get anything legalized, I believe that last for 30 days or something. For now, take lots of pics at the wedding and collect all evidence regarding your continuous relationship!!!!!!!!believe me you have lots of time to gather everything b4 and after noa2 :thumbs:



Thanks :thumbs:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-07-30 18:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshow soon is too soon for paperwork?
I'm getting married in about 3 weeks. I plan to file by October 1st for CR-1 visa. I plan to visit again for either Christmas or New Years or both, depends on work. Anyway,

I just wanna know how soon is too soon to get paperwork legalized and ready to be as prepaped as I can for when the NOA2 comes. I know the police certificate is time sensitive (how long is it good for?) so I won't worry about that. But what about the marriage certificate legalization and the beneficiary birth certificate legalization. Should I try to get those documents during the two weeks I'm gonna be there in August? Or should wait to get them in December when I go back? I know I probably won't be approved before December, but I am super organized and anxious, and I want to be as prepared as I can.

I noticed guides say these documents should be legalized AND certified to send to NVC? What do they mean by certified, and where can I do that in DR?

Lastly, when I go in 3 weeks i'm going to make sure to bring back my 1. marriage certificate (I don't think it has to be inextensa yet for I-130 right?), 2. signed G25-A by SO, 3. and passport pictures of SO. This is ALL I will need from DR and my SO right? I don't want to forget anything and risk having to have documents sent through international mail.


THANKS IN ADVANCE
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-07-30 12:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCR1 Approve! Thanks God! Finally…
Congrats! Can't wait to read your review! :thumbs:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-04 11:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAbout the CR1
My point was not to be discouraging. He/she can send as much evidence as they want. My point is being efficient. If people are approved all the time by sending 5 papers instead of sending 25+ then why go all crazy. For DR petitioners, from the tons of info I've read, the interview is the most feared part of the process. This is where you really get roughed up since DR is a high fraud country. Ultimately, the CO at that interview has the decision to your case. It's all up to that one person to decide whether or not your SO will come to the USA. Good luck. There is nothing to lose when you send a ton of evidence for the inital part. My point is people are approved everyday without overloading the I-130.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-09 13:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAbout the CR1

There are people who front loaded with lot of evidence (I added 5 affidavits from relatives, copies of itinerary, 10 photos and an explanation letter of the relationship). It makes sense in that USCIS/ NVC and US Consulate gets to see those details before actual interview. There are additional evidences that can be aquired during the course (like logs of emails/ telephone calls/ regular mail/ ..) that keep getting aquired, which can be added at DS-230 time (I loaded additional evidence at DS-230 level (like copy of 401K beneficiary, lease with wife for the new apartment,....) and ( also taken for the interview (all the subsequent logs, copies of facebook pictures with comments of friends and relatives.....).

Sometimes the CO doesn't have time to check all your additional evidences during interview time. So be deligent but add sufficient evidence at each stage, which shows progress of relationship rather than adding all at one time.



Yes, but I think the ultimate goal is to be approved. So why send excessive information if not totally necessary to be approved. As if this process is not stressful enough don't burden yourself with making more work for yourself. :bonk:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-09 11:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAbout the CR1
Definetely try to open a joint back account in DR. You don't want to send too much with your I-130. Save all the emails, loads of pictures, etc for the interview where more evidence is observed. The marriage certificate, a couple photos, joint account and maybe just one affidavit is more than enough. Some people send less and are approved without any problem.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-09 08:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJoint bank account?
That's weird. My fiance and I opened a JOINT savings account at BAN RESERVAS in early January of this year with NO problems at all. (We went to the office in Azua) They gave us a passbook which says BOTH our names on it. All I needed to open the account was my passport (i'm american), and my fiance needed his cedula. We signed some paperwork and that was it! I'd say try another branch of banreservas and see what they tell you.

We also went to banco popular, and there we were not able to do it because they required a whole bunch of paperowork from the states that we didn't have time or patience to bother with, so we went to banreservas and there we had no issues.


Good luck.

Edited by francis y steph, 10 August 2011 - 07:54 PM.

StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-10 19:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresclarification?

I think that sometimes people send both their birth certificate and copies of all pages of their passport because they would be proving two different purposes with each document; the BC would be to prove their nationality and the passport copies to prove their visits to the beneficiary's country.
Your fiance will eventually need to get his BC inextensa format and you would need a translation of it. You would also need to get a translation of your marriage certificate.


I know the MC must be translated to send with I-130 BUT,
I thought his BC will not need to be translated because when you get to NVC documents can be in the language of the country you petition for? :(
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-15 15:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresclarification?

1) Either passport or BC--stamps are nice proof of relationship if you have them available
2) Not needed until NVC stage

Best wishes



Thanks.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-15 10:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresclarification?
So i've seen this on the checklist of people recently sending their I-130 for their SO. Last time I checked it is NOT necessary for the I-130, so I just want some clarification since I will be filing soon myself, and I don't want to send any extra paperwork.

1. Proof of citizenship. If you were born in the U.S.A (as I) then all you need is your birth certificate? Is it necessary to send a copy of all my passport pages as well? On the instructions on the uscis website, this is not clear, it doesn't say and/or. (This question is strictly to prove citizenship, i know a lot of people send the passport to show stamps)

2. Nowhere on the instructions does it say that if you are petitioning for your SO (unless I missed it), that you need a copy of their BC, i know this is needed for NVC, and used to be required in the past, but not anymore, right?

Thanks in advance..i'm sure I forgot something....
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-15 10:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 Packet

I've been reading on here how many send in a ton of information proving they have a bonafide marriage. On the checklist it said to submit 2 letters from third parties verifying we have a bonafide marriage, which I submitted. I'm thinking now from what I've read on her that sending pictures, phone logs, etc may have been a better bet. I thought all of this proof was more for the actual interview. Did I make a mistake by not submitting these extras? Should I send them in now? Will it make a difference? Please Help!



Did you send a COPY of your marriage certificate, translated to English? This is a must. Like the person above said, people send a lot of evidence, but people are approved all the time with minimal evidence like with just a copy of their marriage certificate. The amount of evidence you send is up to you.

However, on the I-130 instructions it does say send ONE/or more evidence BESIDES marriage certificate. The examples you can use are on the instructions.

*You might want to inform us about what other type of evidence you sent besides the affidavits.*
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-16 14:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureseveryone in dr is a LADRON

Well it should not be a big deal, I got married in the 10th circunscripción that's in la capital, we needed cedulas an birth certificates, took us 10 min about 1000 DR citizens, 5000 foreigners, we had our marriage certificate in hand when we left the office.



Thanks, I will look into this option as well. :blush:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-18 13:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureseveryone in dr is a LADRON

Are you getting married outside of the civil office?



No i plan to get married in the office.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-18 11:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureseveryone in dr is a LADRON
Thank you ladies for the moral support. Deep down, I know it's all going to work out. I just hate waiting till the last minute for everything because i'm a very organized person. My fiance is working on it now, and if he doesn't figure it out by the day I get there, I will do so. I can't believe i'm not even having a ceremony, and I have been so stressed about this whole thing. Mygoshhh. I will update everyone when I am married, hopefully, LOL.

Thanks!
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-18 09:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureseveryone in dr is a LADRON

hahah! sounds sooo familiar. They did the same thing to my husband when he went to get the paperwork done. I was here in the states and he was in Santiago doing everything. When he goes to get everything they give him this story about how he needs to pay more money to expedite the marriage cert approval (keep in mind it was one week away). They had more than enough time to process regularly but he has to pay an extra hundred something dollars for this. I was so upset but there was no going around it with plane tickets bought and reception, food, guests already planned out for the following weekend. I know he did this in Santiago but not sure where .... and he needed his cedula and birth certificate. It's all a big scam to make more money. As bad as it sounds its true.



Yes it is all very frustrating because I have been speaking to this man for months making sure we have everything we need and asking about how much will it be for everything. He's always beating around the bush and, now he says this. It's even more frustrating cause I'm not over there myself to do what I need to do. Even though my fiance is over there and I have friends and family theres no better feeling that doing what you need to do yourself.

I'll keep looking into it! But yes, I rest my case, almost everyone over there is a LADRON!
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-18 09:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureseveryone in dr is a LADRON
So the judge that was gonna marry us is trying to bring up new fees to marry us next week. I have all my paperwork, but now he is saying my fiance also needs a single status letter and some other documents (birth certificate I think). Mind you he never mentioned ANY OF this before (we spoke on phone several times), and he wants to charge us an extra 3, 500 pesos for this service. Supposedly he has to get the letter and go to cancilleria blah blah blah. So in total 10, 500. He never mentioned any of this at the beginning and from get go he has been iffy, so I'm looking for someone else to marry us. Preferably the capital, azua, bani, san cristobal (the south)

Can those of you who were recently married direct me to the office where your fiance only needed a copy of his cedula to get married???

Thanks.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-08-18 09:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325 or G325A

OP: I have noticed no difference between the two forms. With that being said, I suggest sending the form that is called for in the instructions (G-325A). If you send the G-325, you run the risk of receiving an RFE for the G-325A.


Yes, the problem is I saw this on the instructions after I got home with the G-325 signed. Stupid me should have made him sign both. Is calling uscis to inquire about this reliable? Do people do that often and get correct answers?
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-06 19:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325 or G325A

g325a, see Ryan H post on this subject. http://www.visajourn...ent/i130guide1. I was a K1



The link does not work.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-06 19:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresG-325 or G325A
What is the difference between the G-325 and G-325A, are they both the same? I had my husband sign the G-325. On the instructions for filing out I-130 it says make sure to fill out G-325A, but the G-325 looks the exact same. Help? :unsure:

Will it be a problem if I send the G-325 since this is the one I had him sign.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-06 19:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespassport

Sorry I know this may be off topic lol..

Just to let you know his cedula needs to be update if it isn't already.
From SINGLE to MARRIED :)



Ahh yes, I'll keep that in mind, I'll make him do it soon! :star:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 19:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespassport
Thanks.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 19:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurespassport
Hello VJ,
I was just recently married. My husband got a passport before we were married. Nowhere on the passport does it say he is married or single, but he said someone told him that when they scan it all his information comes up. Does this mean he needs to get a new passport before our interview date because he is now married? Is it totally necessary?

P.S. I haven't even filed I-130 yet, but I am curious about this.

Thanks
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 19:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureslived together vs stayed together

"We have not yet lived together" is a proper way to answer this question. N/A means the question itself does not apply, since you two are married, the question does indeed apply.

On my form, I put "We have not yet lived together" and the petition was approved by USCIS with no issues.


This sounds good, I was not sure if I could give answers like that. Thanks.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 21:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureslived together vs stayed together
On question #21 on I-130 if I never actually lived with my husband, but rather stayed with him for no longer than a couple of weeks when I went to visit, should I consider this living together, or should I put N/A on this question. I'm assuming N/A. Correct?
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 20:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresredundant question of married name vs maiden name

K-3 Visa doesn't give you permanent residency (Green Card) like the CR1 does. So after entering US with K-3 visa, one needs to file for adjustment fo status to permanent residency and it involves fee of around 500.

In the past K-3 applications were proceesed quickly and hence people chose that method to come to US and were willing to pay the additional fee. But now the difference between K-3 and CR1 visa approvals/ interviews is almost negligible and hence it is a waste spending that additional fee amount to get the K-3 adjusted to Permanent resident status.

Check this link and you will find the fee differences - the timelines in this link are no more valid but the fee do. http://www.visajourn...content/compare



I am filing for CR-1 though, does this still apply to me?
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-08 09:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresredundant question of married name vs maiden name

We all have two options and both work but plan it before you send I-130 and don't try to change it mid way:


  • Provide the maiden name and use new name in I-130, then get the name on the passport changed in time for filing DS-230. It works fine. No authority is going to question as to why your certificate have maiden name. The one important thing is that the name on the visa and the passport must be same.
  • Use the maiden name in I-130 and continue to use it all the way. Then at the time of removing condition and issuing a new Green Card (after 2 years), get the name changed to avoid fee or change it as soon as you enter US paying the fee (around 500).



Navyk, i'm not sure what this fee you mentioned is about. Can you tell me more, or direct me to a link where I can read more.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-08 08:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresredundant question of married name vs maiden name

I would wait to change your name until the process is over..I am also married and used my maiden name threw-out the whole process. I am sure others have done the same


Hey did you include your married name where it says other names used or not at all?
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 19:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresredundant question of married name vs maiden name

I would wait to change your name until the process is over..I am also married and used my maiden name threw-out the whole process. I am sure others have done the same



I'm leaning more towards this as well. Thanks!! :thumbs:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 19:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresredundant question of married name vs maiden name
I know people ask this all the time, but I forget the answer. I'm in the process of preparing my I-130 for my husband. I plan to take his last name, but I have not started to make any arrangements to change it. I know I have to go to SS office etc, so the question is should I put my married name or maiden name on the documents I am filing out. Does it even matter? I'm thinking I should use my maiden name because it's still my name on everything I belong to or own so it will make it less confusing. :help:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-07 19:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstapled documents acceptable?
I will be sending I-130 in a couple weeks. I heard somewhere that you should not staple any documents, is this true? Can someone give me some tips on the best way to assemble everything. I also heard the passport pictures should be in plastic baggies... Tips/suggestions? :)
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-09 08:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresproblems opening I-130 PDF

Just wondering if anyone else was having problems opening the I-130 pdf petition on the uscis website on their MAC. I have adobe reader, I've unistanlled and reinstalled multiple times and I still can't open it. It says I need a later version of adobe viewer (I have the latest) If anyone else had this issue and fixed it, I could use some help. Thanks.

BTW I opened it on a PC fine, but it won't work on my MAC.



Nevermind the older editions are accepted and happen to open on my mac.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-11 19:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresproblems opening I-130 PDF
Just wondering if anyone else was having problems opening the I-130 pdf petition on the uscis website on their MAC. I have adobe reader, I've unistanlled and reinstalled multiple times and I still can't open it. It says I need a later version of adobe viewer (I have the latest) If anyone else had this issue and fixed it, I could use some help. Thanks.

BTW I opened it on a PC fine, but it won't work on my MAC.
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-11 18:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshelppppppppp
Si puedes ponlo en ingles y entonces asi mas personas te pueden ayudar. Danos mas informacion para poder ayudarte. Hace cuanto metiste la peticion? Te llego el NOA-2??
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-14 19:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 CR1 cover letter sample
I do not see the CR1 cover letter to send with the I-130 anywhere. Am I blind? Can someone please send me the link? Please
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-19 20:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmother did my MC translation.

The translation does not need to be notarized. The translation does need to be certified. There is a big difference between notarizing and certifying a translation. A notarized translation requires a notary public. A certified translation can be done by anyone.

In addition, there is a huge difference between a certified translation and a certified copy from the issuing authority.

To properly certify a translation, the translator must include a certification block. Use the sample provided by USCIS; http://www.uscis.gov...0000ecd190aRCRD

Please submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.

The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________
Date Typed Name
Address


There is a certification similar to this one at the bottom of the translation. Thanks.

I translated my documents and I was told they weren't acceptable because they had to be notarized in the presence of the translator or something absurd like that. But I think you'll be ok. Of course, this info I got did not come from USCIS, but instead word of mouth.....which I learned very quickly from this process is not that great...lol



HAHA, if I went off the things I heard from people's mouth I'd drive myself totally crazy. I know exactly what you mean, thank God we have websites like this to clear things up. :dance:
StephanieMFemaleDominican Republic2011-09-22 14:11:00