ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNotarize or apostille?
My wife is collecting documents for our visa application, and we are running into a vocabulary issue. She tells me that we need to have the documents (police, marriage, divorce, etc) certified with an apostille, and as I'm reading the instructions I'm seeing the word certified or notarized. Can someone shed light for me? Is an apostille needed? Some of these documents are from Russia, and others from the Republic of Georgia.

Thanks for your help!
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-04-17 07:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Delivered Sooner Than Expected

So we should get the e-Notification before they even attempt to cash the check? Meaning they probably won't attempt to cash it until the earliest of Tuesday? So we should be okay as long as we get the money in the account tonight/tomorrow?

Not sure if anyone can say with certainty, but if you look in my timeline below, you'll see how it went for me last week. I sent a personal check.
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-02-17 23:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Delivered Sooner Than Expected
From the uscis

Electronic Deposit of Checks – If you are paying your fees by check to the cashier, we will convert your check into an electronic fund transfer. When you hand your signed check to the cashier, we will scan your check and retain it. We will then use the account information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer from your checking account for the amount of the check.
Insufficient Funds – Please note that the electronic fund transfer from your account can occur faster than normal processing of a paper check. If we cannot complete the electronic fund transfer because your account has insufficient funds, we will try to make the transfer up to two more times. If your account still lacks sufficient funds, you will be billed the original check amount and a one-time administrative fee by USCIS.
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-02-17 21:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Delivered Sooner Than Expected
I think you should be ok. I don't know banking practices well, but at least mine never does business on the weekend or holidays. If yours is the same, the timing should work out.
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-02-17 21:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F Delivered Sooner Than Expected

So we mailed our petition off on the 15th, USPS says it was delivered on the 17th. Now, normally I'd be fine with this because anything going quickly during this process is more than welcomed. The issue, however, is that I sent some money to my fiance via Paypal to help cover some of the filing fee. We didn't realise that PayPal has a 3-5 business day waiting period on transferring funds to a bank account. Our worry is that USCIS will attempt to cash the check before the PayPal money goes in, leaving us with an insufficient amount.

I was just wondering if anyone knew how soon they attempt to cash a check after the packet arrives at the lockbox, and what happens if there isn't enough in the person's account when they do try.

Thanks.


I know only that my petition was received Feb 8, and check was cashed Feb 13. No idea if that is standard.
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-02-17 19:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage Broker Question

BRc - I noticed you have Phoenix, AZ Lockbox....I'm confused..I thought all petitions have to go through the Texas lockbox....can you elaborate on this? I'm in NY and everything I read says send to the Texas lockbox.


The fiancé petition you are filing goes to Texas. But other petitions, such as the I-130, go to other locations.
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-02-17 22:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMarriage Broker Question
I'm not able to comment well on law as it pertains to this area. And I didn't go through a marriage broker. But, I did a lot of reading on the two types early on, and both my wife and I agreed that getting married in her country was just a better way to go in terms of our relationship. Yes, a few more months of separation may be involved. But as we are both middle-aged, and family is so important to both of us, we wanted her to be able to travel when needed, and a few months more is really a drop in the bucket. Getting married in her tradition and with her family was a wonderful experience. We will have another ceremony when she is in the US. For what it's worth, and I can't remember where I read this, there seems to be some indication that divorce rates for those that went the fiancé visa route are somewhat higher. How reliable that is I don't know. Might be bunk.

At any rate, being part of her family, and having her family and friends be a part of our union, was the right move. Something to consider.
BrcMaleGeorgia2013-02-17 22:24:00