ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 birth certificate

originals or certified copies.


Thank you, sorry i freaked out and then carried on reading and realised it said it could be originals too :)
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-09 05:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 birth certificate
On LingChe NVC shortcut it says for the DS-230: Beneficiary’s birth certificate (Certified)

So this means i cant send copys of both my german and british BC's right? Am i allowed to send originals?
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-09 05:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecieved mail from NVC

Pay attention, non-EP NVC noobs. Here's Christeen's time tested formula to get you through NVC in one piece alive:
Petitioner: Get NVC # + give operator your email IDs + receive AOS fee bill + pay 70$ online + wait to show paid + print cover sheet + send I-864 AOS with all documents and case # written on each page.

Beneficiary: Get NVC# + receive DS3032 + send DS3032+ DS3032 accepted + IV fee bill available to be paid + pay & wait to show paid + print IV cover sheet + mail DS230 package with all original/certified documents

= wait for case complete + wait for interview to be scheduled.


Here it says beneficiary pay IV bill and wait..i thought the petitioner has to do this if i put his name on the DS-3032 or does it not matter who pays?
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-09 07:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecieved mail from NVC
So my husband recieved mail yday for paying the AOS bill, i still havent recieved an e-mail from the NVC for the DS-3032. On the NVC flowchart it says the NVC will send me the DS-3032 but does that mean as in paper in the mail or email?? its been over a week since we gave them our email addresses.

Do we have to wait till i have sent the DS-3032 to pay the AOS bill?

Will i be recieving the DS-230 in the mail or can i download it and print it off??

Thanks in advance.
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-09 04:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS 230 download?
Is there anywhere, where i can save a copy of the DS 230 to my computer and type in my info and then save it without it all being gone again. I want to fill it out now but i dont have a printer here. Thanks
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-12 11:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIS this enough to be considered a bonifide marriage
i would say thats enough. All we had was my dependant Id from the military because my husband is in the army, 10 photos of us together from different occasions like wedding, when we first met, when we were together with my family, we sent a copy of the lease for the house we both had signed and also flight itenerarys
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-14 05:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecieved DS 3032 in mail

What type of reply did you get back from the NVC for your initial email? Was it just an auto-reply saying they received your email and they will review it or did it specifically say they accepted your DS-3032. In any case call and talk to NVC and confirm that they received and accepted your your DS-3032.

From what I have read in VJ you are not to send the DS-3032 email until you first get the email from NVC.


This is what it said:

Dear Sir/Madam: Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC has received the Agent of Choice selection. The Immigrant VisaApplication (DS 230) processing fee bill will be sent to the designatedagent on the case. The fee must be paid according to the instructionsbefore the instruction packet will be sent. If a period of one year passes from the last date of contact with theNVC (by email, telephone or mail), all submitted fees and documents willexpire. In that case, your fees will need to be repaid and documentswill need to be resubmitted in order to continue the immigrationprocess. Sincerely,Rose

It was not the autoresponse email and now the IV bill has been generated.

I also thought u have to recieve and email from the NVC first but after waiting 2weeks for a response after i had given them our email addys i got told that i had to send the DS 3032 letter in an email to the NVC and then 2days later i got this reply
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-15 09:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresRecieved DS 3032 in mail
Hey guys quick question. I have already sent DS 3032 Letter in an email and got response back via email from the NVC yesterday. Today i look in the mailbox to find mail from NVC :dance: no big deal i was just excited lol. Well its a letter with the instructions for the DS 3032. Shall i just keep this for my documents with everything else i have to do with my visa seen as they have already recieved the DS 3032 of me?
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-15 05:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQ about I-864 and tax forms
anybody? :(
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-21 00:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQ about I-864 and tax forms
The current income you have to put in is the annual salary per year right??

24. My current annual household income:
b.Income you are using from any other person who was counted in your householdsize, including, in certain conditions, the intending immigrant. (See step-by-stepinstructions.) Please indicate name, relationship and income.

It says in the step by step:
If you included the income of the intending immigrant whois your spouse (he or she would be counted on line 21a),evidence that his/her income will continue from the currentsource after obtaining lawful permanent resident status mustbe provided. He/she does not need to complete FormI-864A unless he/she has accompanying children.

Even though i will not be a source of income once i leave do will still add something here??

On the cover letter example i have there are 1099INT & 1099DIV
- My husband asked at the taxs place that he does not have these as its for people who are self employed and misc. Is this right?

My husband is in the Army and doesnt have a letter of employment, what shall we do?

Thanks in advance
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-20 11:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill this be enough?
Hey everyone im hoping yo get everything squared away today and i just have a question or 2..

Will this be enough for the package, these are the tax documents my husband got from the tax office on base and from the IRS..
- Tax return transcripts 2006-2009
- Paystubs Sep 2009 - March 2010
- W-2's
- Letter from his CO stating that he is currently employed by the U.S. Army

I also have a 1040a, 1040EZ, Form 8879 & Form 8880 from 2009 which was given to us bt the IRS..Im not sure what these documents are, shall i still put them in to the package? The 1040EZ says its a tax return transcript at the top but its not the same as the orther tax return transcripts i have.

On the I-864 Question 25.
I have filed a Federal tax return for each of the three most recent tax years. I haveattached the required photocopy or transcript of my Federal tax return for only themost recent tax year.

My total income (adjusted gross income on IRS Form 1040EZ) as reported on my Federal tax returns for the most recent three years was:

(Optional) I have attached photocopies or transcripts of my Federal tax returns for mysecond and third most recent tax years.

Im confused on which box to tick as we have from 2006-2009 tax return transcripts
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-22 02:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurescover letter for I-864
OK :thumbs: ? Or anything that could do with changing?


(Petitioners Address)

National Visa Center
ATTN: CMR 31 Rochester Ave. Suite 100
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914

Re: Submitting Affidavit of Support I-864 for NVC Case Number ############

To whom it may concern:
Enclosed please find the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support for my spouse, (............) and supporting documents as follows:
• I-864 Coversheet (with barcode)
• Form I-864
• Petitioner’s Birth certificate
• 2009 Tax Return Transcript 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, W2
• 2008 Tax Return Transcript 1040EZ, W2
• 2007 Tax Return Transcript 1040A, W2
• 2006 Tax Return Transcript 1040EZ, W2
• Letter of Employment
• Pay stubs from the most recent six months

Please let me know if you need additional information. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely yours,

Edited by Jonswifey, 22 April 2010 - 02:54 AM.

British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-22 02:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinal touches

1. Yes, Case number should be on each page.
2. Bar code sheet should go on top of all the documents.
3. If you are using a sponsor, make sure you are submitting a copy of his passport/naturalization certificate/birth certificate showing his US Citizenship.

Good luck.


Thanks!!



Does anyone know if its an issue with the size of the paper..i printed all the docs out here in germany and all the documents my husband the petitioner sent me to print out are american paper so when i printed it all out all the writing fits on the page but you can see lines where the paper is smaller.
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-22 11:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFinal touches
So i have everything printed off and ready. Now all we need to do is sign and date.

Does the NVC case number go on the top right of both DS230 & I864?

Do the barcodesheets go right on top?

Any tipps and things we should deff not forget???

So glad we are nearlly done with all this!
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-22 10:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresurgent need help with DS-230 part 1 page 2
im not sure its the right answer but i put all the way from primary school in 1994
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-22 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForm G325a issues
i had the same problem i just left it blank and printed the G-325A off and worte NONE in black pen :)
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-04-24 14:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimpatient..paid IV fee 05.02.2010

Ever think you would be so happy to have someone take your money? :lol:


:lol: your so right but hey anything to be with my husband (L) :D Thank god thats all over and done with, just medical to pay for now *pheeeew*
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 14:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimpatient..paid IV fee 05.02.2010
:dancing: Yaaaay finally showing PAID!!! it actually says
Payment Processed Date: 4-MAY-2010 still didnt show until today...either way its done :)


Thanks for the list of the doctors

Edited by Jonswifey, 06 May 2010 - 01:56 PM.

British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 13:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimpatient..paid IV fee 05.02.2010

same here. i paid the IV bill on may 1st and it's may 5th today and it still shows as in process. the AOS bill showed as paid the next day.



Looks like you got it :thumbs:


Still nothing here :angry: :clock:
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 02:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimpatient..paid IV fee 05.02.2010
thanks for the replys..i read somewhere about the docs that are allowed to do the examinations here in germany..does anyone know if its still up to date as the closiest one to me would be the one in dortmund?

I keep checkin every hour to see if its showing paid :( really missing my husband today and just want to be there..a year ago today we got engaged in gatlinburg,TN (L)
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-05 13:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimpatient..paid IV fee 05.02.2010
Maybe im impatient :huh: but really why is it takin so long for it to be PAID? The AOS fee showed paid the next day and this one just doesnt seem to want to be paid.

Aside from that...As soon as it shows PAID my husband can print out the cover sheet and we can send both the AOS and IV package off right? We are going to send it express and recorded delivery but how do we know the embassy have actually recieved it and started reading it? whats the average time after they have recieved it that it should take till my medical and interview date? I know they do teh interview date, do i book the medical?

Edited by Jonswifey, 05 May 2010 - 12:05 PM.

British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-05 12:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhats packet 4?

Don't worry, that's for K1. Please stop reading. If you really want to read something, read through the Step by Step instructions by the Frankfurt Consulate. The link with the doctor list I gave you is Step 6 :yes:

:lol: sorry! maybe its time to go to bed before i drive myself insane! Thanks for your help
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 16:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhats packet 4?
So i was checking out the info on the embassy in frankfurt and found this:

Issues a Packet 4? Yes
Packet 4 contents (if known): - Appointment letter (be SURE to bring this with you for the interview)
- Interview and medical in Frankfurt, if not taken place yet
- Directions to the consulate (not included in CR1/IR1-packet 4) There is a carpark right across the street.
- Security notice (don’t bring anything that could be used as a weapon, electronic equipment e.g. mobile phones or luggage)
- Payment instructions (€ 107,42 , check for current fee at www.usembassy.de/visa)

Please dont tell me i have to pay more?? i dont have a clue what packet 4 is?


Sorry i have so many questions today
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 15:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUrgh what have i done

I'm thinking RFE for #2. Only because they have your birth certificate and G-325A and will be able to see you have previously used a different name.

Educational institutes are okay if they have gaps. Places of residence are not.

I think you'll be fine leaving the Degree/Diploma blank. Seeing as how I think they'll RFE for you about #2, though, you should still probably fill in something like "None" rather than leaving them blank.

Head it off. Call your husband NOW and tell him not to send it. Overnight a new DS-230 to him TODAY. He'll receive it soon and you can proceed as planned.

Or you can wait and take your chances. Either way, I'd send him a new DS-230. That way, if you don't the the RFE, it's all good. But if you do get the RFE, he's ready to send it out immediately.



i forgot to mention i never changed my name when we got married, i still have the same name as on my birth certificate..
So really i havent used any other names..im just worried because it said in brackets if woman married woman use maiden name. Is that only if you changed it as then it would be another name u used. Does that make sence? lol
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 15:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUrgh what have i done
:bonk: :bonk: i just realised that i put N/A on #2...now after reading the RFE thread i actually saw the (if married woman, give maiden name) :crying: what now??? My husband already has my DS 230.

Also on #33 about the educational institutes
Due my dad being in the military i went to many different schools, first english then german. It asks course of study and then degree or diploma..i didnt write anything because it was just regular school apart from one school where i then put that i studied business studies. i never added anything on the degree or diploma bit as i never finished school.
Will i have any problems?

Also due to moving schools so often we always left before the summer holidays and i didnt start till a month or 2 later when i started a new school so i have 2 or 3 where i have a month gap. what dya think?? RFE? yay or nay?

:blink: this worrying doesnt stop does it
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-06 15:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE question
I was just looking around online at flights..just figuring out how much an extra suitcase would cost and i thought i would check out the flights...One way would cost 3000euros a round trip would cost 960..doesnt make sence to me!

If i booked a return flight could i have problems at the POE? Im not willing to pay 3000 for one flight thats stupid.
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-09 09:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax returns and skype transcripts

thank you. I have an open tourist visa so we wanted to arrange a visit but were not sure if they would let me in. What was your POE?


It always depends on who the person at the POe is too i guess..i tried gettin in line with someone who looked friendly :lol: and it worked!! My POE was Newark..how long are you thinking of going for?? i would deffinatly wait till your NOA1 atleast so you have some sort of proof though
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-09 11:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax returns and skype transcripts

oh btw i see you visited your hubby while processing the CR1. did yiu have nay problems with that?


Nope it went fine! i was mega nervous but for no reason. I took a copy of the NOA1 with me to show that i was doing it the right way and that i was going to the states to live. I also had a letter from the company i work for saying i was due back to work on such a date. I got there and the guy asked me what i was doing in the states, i told him i was visiting my husband. He told me i was pretty young to be married and just wasked how we met and i told him hes in the u.s army and he was in germany until jan 2009. he asked me how that was going to work so i told him that we were in the middle of the visa process. He said congratulations on getting married and good luck with the visa and have fun on my holiday..I think as long as u dont go over for to long and have proof that you are going back no one should have a problem.
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-09 10:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTax returns and skype transcripts
as far as im aware yest it hast to be the last 3 years! we have 2006 too but its not neccesarry.

As for skype im not sure i think it would be ok just like that but i would also maybe do a print screen of somewhere where it has your proper name and then ur nickname, for example where you change it so they can see. Im not sure if that would be enough but i have no idea how else you would prove it
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-09 10:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat happens next
:dance: Packages are finally sent off. What do we do next??
How long will it roughly be till we hear from the NVC or do we call the NVC once we know they have recieved the packages?

I hope everything goes smoothly without any RFEs.
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-11 03:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduressent them together or seperatly
both bills are paid sorry that was meant to say NOW both bills are paid. What addresse did you use if you sent both together???
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-10 01:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduressent them together or seperatly
We will be sending the packages off tomorrow not both bills are paid...do we have to send them off seperatly or can they go in the same envelope?
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-09 14:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresintervew june or july?
The packages were signed for at the embassy on May 11th. Whne should i expect my interview in frankfurt?? June or July?? im really hoping it will be june so i can leave in july. Anybody have an idea??
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-14 09:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresparents age and birthday does not match

i am filling out DS-230 for myself (my husband is petitioning me under IR1), when i noticed that the age of my parents in my birth certificate does not match their actual age. what is the most legal thing to do? really confused here...

i believe for IR1, they would not be asking for my parents birth certificate. my birth certificate does not contain their birthdates only their ages.
my father'a age was adjusted 1 year older while my mother's was adjusted a year younger.


Why would they do that?

im not sure but i these are teh requirements for the Birth certificates:

Beneficiary’s birth certificate (Certified) WARNING - Some birth certificates have an EXPIRATION DATE
Each applicant will need to obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in the country of birth, showing the date and place of birth and the parentage of the alien, based upon the original registration of birth.
The certificate must contain the:
Person’s date of birth
Person’s place of birth
Names of both parents, and
Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records

It doesnt say that it has to have there bith dates just there names. Mine had there birthday dates on my BC but i think there may be a possible RFE as you have to put your parents birth dates on the DS 230 and if whoever reviews it sees there is a difference you may get one.
Maybe you should call the NVC and speak to someone and explain your situation
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-17 11:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurestranslation..

what language is it in? other than english or german?

its in german
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-18 10:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedurestranslation..
i never got by policecertificat translated. i read that it doesnt have to be translated if its in the language you will be having your interview at? OMG i hope i dont get an RFE for it..not that there is much to translate its a green paper that has my name on it and thats about it
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-18 06:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresare the dates on the IM's important
i think it would help seen as it could help with teh evidence showing old and new ones. Why dont you copy and paste the convos into word or actually do print screen shot and paste it into paint so they can actually see where you are printing from if that makes sence
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-19 05:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshelp for Chat Log

Hello, i try to print all the pages but only the first page, the other pages are not printed..i don't know what can I do? I try many times but still same cenario. So I copy then paste in microsoft word but the the printed are not the same...

I want to copy all the pages, all my husband and I conversation the whole day, but sadly only first page printed not the all the pages


oh i see what you mean. i dont think it will a problem if they are not the same. Just put them into word and print them there if it works that way. dont worry about it looking different. if you get asked why it is different just explain. Also i would add a title on the top of the page in word just saying that its a YM conversation
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-19 05:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshelp for Chat Log

yeah i do that.. it is ok if i present our conversation not same in YM chat?


You do that and it still doesnt print the whole convo?

What do you mean with: it is ok if i present our conversation not same in YM chat?

In what way not the same? Also if nothing workis try finding a button on your keyboard that says PrtSc, its should be at the top next to the F buttons. you can press that button when you have opend the chat convo and then you can open paint and press paste and it should come up as a picture then you just scroll down in the convo and do it over again so you have it all
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-19 05:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshelp for Chat Log
copy and paste into word and then print. maybe that will help
British_CupcakeFemaleUnited Kingdom2010-05-19 05:07:00