ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is a "certified copy" of divorce decree?

This doesn't make sense. I highly doubt you could get it notarized as the notarization is an authorized person (notary public) witnessing the signature put on the document. There is usually not a signature being put on, although in my case the court officer did sign it, there wasn't anyone around to witness the signature therefore it cannot be notarized.

You can take it out of the courthouse to get it notarized, but then the notary public will not notarize it as they did not witness the signature.

Reading this site I have come to realize notaries and notarization has to be one of the most misunderstood concepts in the USA.



Yeah, I see it misused a few time here on VJ. A notary is only an official witness that the person who signs a document IS the person that signed the document AT the time of signing. Doesn't do any good for example in the case of a 10 yr old divorce document. It must be Certified, in this case, Certified means that the state or county has certifed the document to be true and legal, and usually has a state seal or stamp.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-02 18:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is a "certified copy" of divorce decree?

The certified copy of my divorce decree came from the courthouse where the divorce was finalized. It has a raised seal (like they do on birth certificates and marriage licenses) for the county we divorced in, and has an extra page attached at the end stating that the previous 30+ pages are a true and accurate copy of the county's records.

Check at the secretary of state for your state's website. They'll have guidelines about what can and cannot be notarized and what does and does not constitute a certified copy for that state.



I never got the "divorce certifciate" when I was divorced. Just a court signed copy of the decree. I ordered the official divorce certificate, which looks really nice as you described.. It's embossed and has seals and looks like something you want to frame and put on the wall...like uhhh diploma or something.... :whistle:

Edited by duplantisjj, 02 March 2010 - 05:41 PM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-02 17:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is a "certified copy" of divorce decree?
It's an official stamped version from your state and court that held the divorce. I had to get one too as I only had a copy of the court divorce decree. You can get a certified divorce certificate from this site if your state/county participates.

http://www.vitalrec.com/

But warning.....I paid $49 for mine but, you can likely get cheaper by just going directly to county clerk office.

Edited by duplantisjj, 02 March 2010 - 04:54 PM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-02 16:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresneed help on the last step of the I-129F
Yep, send everything you got. And they'll probably give her a bunch of shots anyway, I hear they like giving out shots at St Lukes... :whistle:

Good Luck!
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-16 02:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDivorce Decree or Divorce Cert

Thank you guys..

In Brazil we have only one single paper with the stamp and the seal from the oficial translator..

My American fiance sent his with several pages..but with no stamp/seal on the last page. It was signed by the judge and filed with the County Clerk of the County where the decree was issued.
We fear we will get a RFE since there were no stamps on it.
He decided to request one month ago the final decree from the court in CT..hope this one will work. I heard also that this doc has to be certified..question is since this is coming from the court isnt it certified already..???
I am sooooo confused....



That's exactly what I used. Just a 4 page decree with a Judge's signature and dates on the last page. No special seals or anything. I ordered a certifcate last month from the State's vital records office, after I filed the I-129F. Didn't get an RFE. I never got a "certifcate" when I was divorced, just the decree. We didn't even know certifcates were available. So, I'll send decree and certifcate to my fiancee for her interview in case they ask her for it.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-15 17:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDivorce Decree or Divorce Cert
Either one works for USCIS. I sent a copy of the divorce decree, mine was only 4 pages. I also just received an official divorce certifcate and will send that to my fiancee so she can have at the interview, just in case they ask for it.

Good luck !
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-15 13:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow to check case online before NOA1?

Don't do it!!! You'll get immediate gratification when you can see things start and then you spend the next month and 8 days glaring at the lack of updates. Not that I am checking them at all...

;)


It will drive you bonkers!!! You will wake at 3am and wonder if you've been updated. You will rush home from work just to see if you been updated. You will stare forverer at that evil "dashboard" and be mesmerized by that little blue dot that NEVER moves!! Hoping that magically it will move for you. Please litte dot just move for me, please, and please don't move to the RFE circle.......Day after day! Night after Night!!! Ohhhh the madness!!! Don't do it!! :bonk:


Oh I'm sorry...was that out loud? Just look on back your check and get you WAC number. :whistle:

Edited by ~Johnny~, 17 March 2010 - 10:42 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-17 10:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTrack case from NVC to Embassy

you say ur case left NVC on 03-06

so the track number entered must be : "EXP 05 MAR 2010A"
date range must be 03-06-2010 and today

I tried it for you, and there was 1 shipement delivered to MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION on 3/10/2010 4:57 pm

hoping it's yours :thumbs:

sometimes is difficult, and the search only works well with Internet explorer. As Drue & Naddy says maybe your case already is in the embassy.



That's correct. The spaces are critical for some reason in the tracking reference date.. Just worked for me as well. :thumbs:

Edited by ~Johnny~, 16 March 2010 - 11:38 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-16 11:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTrack case from NVC to Embassy

Does anybody know a good way how to track your case from National Visa Center to Embassy?    :help:



Well...besides the telephone there's not really a tracking system in place. If you know the week that NVC sent your case to the embassy then you can go DHL and track to see when that packet arrives. Typcially, NVC sends one batch a week to each embassy, unless it's been a really busy week.

You can track packages that leave NVC using the method described.

http://www.visajourn..._hl__NVC Letter
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-15 21:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPaycheck stubs for affidavit of support

I swear, I have spent the past hour searching. I cannot find the answer. -_- I am sure it has been asked before, I just can't find it.

Is it okay to print these off of the internet? I don't even get a paper copy... just direct deposit, and access to them online. I'm unsure if I can "order" them through work.

The other things I have for proof are (for both myself and my co-sponsor) the completed I-134s, 5 printed from the internet detailed paycheck stub records, 3 years of tax transcripts from the IRS, and a signed letter from our employers with all the necessary information.

I've already mailed all of this off to my fiance. The NVC should be getting out packet any day now, so if I have to figure something else out, I am in trouble.

Thanks


Net paystubs are fine, and you have tax transcripts and employee letter. W2s would seal the deal. You should just make sure everything else is in order and stop worrying about this one.... :thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-17 10:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Visa Vs. Visitation/Sponsored Visa
The vistitor visa in the Philippines is very difficult to get. And you still have to pay for it even if you're denied. Best bet is, as been said before, have your guy study the K1 process and go that route. It's easiest for him to visit you. Your chance of success with a visitor visa is very low. Two of my fiancee's aunts were denied visitor Visas to attend their nephew's wedding in the US. And they both have good jobs, homes and family, and a reason to return to PH. A single female without much ties to PH has a really hard time getting this visa.

Edited by ~Johnny~, 15 March 2010 - 11:32 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-15 11:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWHAT TO DO TO BE ABLE TO KNOW IF THE NVC ALREADY SEND THE APPROVED ALPPLICATION OF K1
You need to first confirm that NVC actually sent your file to USEM Manila. They sent me a letter as well, but when I called to see when it shipped, they said our petition is in what they call Additional Processing and will be stuck at NVC until they do whatever is they do under AP. But you must call NVC and confirm your file has been shipped and get the date it was shipped. Call the embassy about a week after the file has been shipped and ask to get an interview appointment.

Since you have your NVC letter and therefore have your MNL case number? If so, you can go take your advance medical exam at St Lukes. No appointment needed for that.

The embassy in Manila does not send out a packet. It's online. You need to gather all your papers and such for the interview.

Good Luck!

Edited by ~Johnny~, 22 March 2010 - 02:38 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-22 02:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG325A help! can't remember my ex wife's birthdate

hi everyone!

wish you can help me.

im filling out my G325a form and i am stumped on the item that asks for prevoius wife's birthdate and marriage date.

i HONESTLY CAN NOT REMEMBER her birthdate and the date we were married (10 yrs ago) and i cant go forward with my appication.

is it ok if i just answer the item as "FORGOTTEN" ? will this have a bad effect on our application?

would u know if there's an office or a number i can inquire of my ex wife's birthdate and date of my previous marriage?

thanks, really appreciate it.



Maybe that's why she's your ex wife..... kept forgetting her birthday... :rofl:

Seriously, I think the proper response is "unknown."
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-23 09:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresstill in ap,planning another trip

well me and my fiance are still in ap,it will be one year as of july 6 that she went for interview in abu dhabi and recieved blue slip,we constantly write and email the embassy for news but always the same reply"your case is still under review :( ",we are so tired of being apart we plan to see each other soon in germany,it will be such a relief to hold my wife in my arms again yet only for a little while,it will give us an opurtunity to get lots more pictures to send to the embassy,I hope this nightmare of waiting comes to and end soon,I just don't understand why this has taken so long,I get the feeling they think we are not serious or somthing and it really makes us so mad,I wait for 20 years to finally meet the girl I want to marry and we have to go thru all this hell,is it just me or does the visa immigration process seem like utter kaos to anybody else also?,I have this horrible picture in my mind of a cluttered up office with papers scattered about with peoples lives depending on those papers just being thrown about,lost,put in the trash,when I call the embassy they always seem rude and confused,I have no faith in this process,only faith in god because he is the only one who is going to help us,please keep us in your prayers,some times the days seem so long and the nights so dark,bless all those in love who are going thru this same dilema.


What??? You been in consulate AP for a year?? At least contact your Senator or Congressman and have them check on it. I'm stuck in NVC's AP jail right now. But only two weeks and I'm going crazy because they have no status to give and no timeline. It's frustrating.....you guys must have a really good and true love to have survived over a year of this madness!! Go to your Senator or Congressman's website. They should have a link for government services. You may have fill out a authorization form to allow them to write a letter and freedom of information request on your behalf. Good luck and God Bless!! :thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-25 01:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresG-325a please help

No, you don't need 4 copies. You need 2 of each for the beneficiary and the petitioner. Only the petitioner's birth cert or full US passport copy needs to be provided with the petition. All the beneficiary's documents are provided later, after the petition is approved, during the visa application process (usually at interview).



2 for beneficiary and 2 for petitioner... agree with the passport and bc as well....:thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-27 14:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresis there a new G325 form for the fiance visa?
Based on Gary's talk with the VSC Director, the mentioned number is 2 copies for each person (2 for the Petitioner and 2 for the Beneficiary). I sent in two for each with my petition and didn't haven't any issues.

http://www.visajourn...on-information/
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-28 22:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTouched?

Many people never get touched before approval.



Some us get touched a lot before approval...and we like it... :rofl:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-30 14:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow did you send in the petition?
USPS Priority Mail envelope. Arrived at USCIS next day, but I only live about 60 miles away.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-28 21:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresJust Starting
Yeah, you'll need to send in originals. Also, this may sound odd...but you might want to ask her to work on her signature. My girl didn't really have a signature as they don't really signatures out there for everything like we do here in the States. She practiced her signature for hours before she actually signed the 325 and letter of intent.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-27 03:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInclusion of I-129F Cover Letter and Check
I hole punched the entire packet. And stapled the check to the cover letter.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-03-29 02:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresClarification for K-1 visa fees
We just got a K1 Visa Appointment Confirmation email yesterday from Manila embassy. They said fee was $131, I imagine since it's a US Dept of State, cross the board fee, then it will hit all embassies at the same time when DoS implements. Which I hope they wait just a lil bit longer... :whistle:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-06 02:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee take her Medical Exam before the Embassy mails out her letter?
Just scan in her NOA2 and email that to her and get her the MNL case number. She can take medical with those two items.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-08 21:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCHEAP passport photos!
I was thinking about doing these myself, but last time I visited my girl in PH, we went to a local Kodak photoshop and the local rate for eight 2x2 photos, for both of us, was 180 pesos total (about $4) for 16 photos. That included intital photography fee for both of us. I told them to print an extra set for my girl for another $1 and they gave us a CD with the electronic proofs for more printing later! Kinkos here in San Diego is $15.95 for 2 photos! And Kinkos $15.95 for EVERY order of two photos! So...24 photos cost me $5 in PH and would have cost almost $200 at Kinkos :bonk:

Edited by ~Johnny~, 07 April 2010 - 04:42 PM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-07 16:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is fiancee considered after marriage on K1 visa?

Interesting :unsure:
Is that the reason why i found myself agreeing with her decisions? :yes:


I've learned my lesson with my previous marriage....it's always easier to agree than disagree.... :whistle:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-09 19:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat is fiancee considered after marriage on K1 visa?
She becomes the boss and ruler of the house controller of your universe!! :thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-08 19:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWho do I write the check to? :P
It's in big bold letters in the instructions for filing your I-129F.

http://www.uscis.gov...0004718190aRCRD


2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, unless:

Edited by ~Johnny~, 10 April 2010 - 10:33 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-10 10:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCriminal checks

Typically, the NOA1 would only indicate that the USCIS received your petition and it should arrive within a week of you having submitted it. Was the check cashed?

The NOA2 would be issued upon approval. If you have not physically received the NOA1, yet your case number pulls up in the USCIS web portal -- and says it is under "Initial Review" -- then they must have gotten it. Again, the check being cashed would be another good indicator of that. When was the last touch?

As for the background check, or whatever else is done with the petition, you can read endless accounts of people attesting to the variability of that. Some move quickly, some not so much. Regardless of his criminal history, you are very early in the process and will have to wait a few months to see what develops.

Good luck.


Correct. And they can also initiate a background check at any phase of the process, even during the interview and put you into additional processing.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-10 09:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresstapling pages k1 visa
Yep, like has been said, the only thing that should be stapled are the ziploc bags (that carry 2x2 passport photos) onto a blank sheet of paper.

You can staple some things together but they don't really like that at USCIS and it creates more work for them having to remove staples. So, you have to ask yourself the question: "do you really want to ruin some clerks day by putting in staples?" As your reward for removing staples in your petition, the clerk then politely shifts your petition to a pile that goes to the slowest adjudicator...... :whistle:

Edited by ~Johnny~, 10 April 2010 - 09:38 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-10 09:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWho is the best K1 visa lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer at this point will not be much of a benefit, unless you have issues filling out forms and reading instructions. You do know that the lawyer will not be able to attend the interview? Your fiancee will still be on her own at the interview. The only consolation will be if you use an experienced lawyer, then your forms will be filled out correctly. Of course you and your fiancee must provide the same information that you must provide with or without a lawyer.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-11 00:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresa friend of us wrote letter for us, need original signature? scan and print the letter with his signature is ok?
I echo exactly what's been said. You don't need to worry about a letter from your friend as proof of meeting in person. Just read the guides and put in solid evidence of meeting in person. Good luck on your petition!
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-12 01:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWedding after visa in hand

Your fiance needs to enter the US with the K1 visa (otherwise known as "POE") and then you can get married anywhere you want in America.


Yep, what he said.. :thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-12 00:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan i send money to my fiancee?
The Manila consulate has a habit of asking benificiaries for proof of fiancial support from their petitioners.

But as previously mentioned, the DoS doesn't monitor Western Union or banking transactions. Unless you told them you sent money, they would not know. Good luck.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-16 15:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk-1 visa original documents

:unsure: :unsure: :unsure: :unsure:

of course u need to send all orig. doc. with signature, dated, but its up to u if u will send to USCIS xerox copy of BC, but on interview day u should bring the orig. docus. for u to show at the CO...


Yep, best for your fiance to have those originals as backup. :thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-18 11:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew to Processing K-1 Pls advice

Just submit only your fiancee's G-325A, I-129F, $$$ fee, your fiancee's 2x2 pictures,supporting documents of bonafide relationship like pictures,e-mails, call and chat logs etc...
Affidavit of support is not needed yet. Your fiancee must bring AoS during the visa interview..

Just wait for other replies from VJ's..



You need to submit G-325A for BOTH the Petitioner and Beneficiary. That is in the VJ guides and on the VJ example cover letter AND in the I-129F instructions.

Evidence of relationship is not required at this phase. The only required part at this phase is to provide evidence of meeting at least once in person. The evidence of bonafide relationship will be needed at the interview phase.

OP....as Otto and Karen said ... PLEASE familiarize yourself with the excellent guides and example form here on VJ. They will save you lots of time and will increase your chances for success.

Edited by ~Johnny~, 18 April 2010 - 10:46 AM.

~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-18 10:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEvidences for K1 Visa
Unless you're frontloading (adding data and info that is more relevant to the interview) for your particular embassy, evidence of the "relationship" is not really necessary for the I-129F Petition. The only required evidence is proof of physically meeting once in 2 years prior to filing the petition. Primary evidence would be airline boarding passes with dates/names, passport country entry stamps, receipts that establish you at the beneficiary's country, etc... Secondary evidence usually involves photos of you two together.....

Good luck... and welcome to VJ! Good place to start is by reading the K1 guides which you can find in the menu bar up at the top of the page.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-20 02:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresk-1 visa evidence of relationship
Probably not. They tell you to only send copies and you are supposed to hang onto originals for supporting evidence in case they are asked for at the interview.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-14 14:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich, if any, ORIGINAL documents does my fiancee need for the K-1 visa interview?

Do you need both a Police clearance for living in the Philippines as well as an NBI clearance?



The NBI is the police clearance (or really it's the criminal background investigation) for the Philippines. If you visited or worked in any other country for more than 6 months then you would need a police clearance from each one of those other countries. If you stayed in PH all your life then all you need is the NBI certificate.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-22 09:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich, if any, ORIGINAL documents does my fiancee need for the K-1 visa interview?
Hey Jay,
Yeah I sent WIlma some gifts last November for her birthday via USPS Global Express. The items never made it and I never used USPS for shipments to PH again. The regular postal system in PH really sucks. I just sent her a package with FEDEX with all the necessary documents and originals. It cost $75 and was there in 3 days and I actually tracked it along the mighty Fedex system...which was comforting. USPS still says....."package enroute" for her bday present sent last November... :angry:

The reason for the original birth certificate was just in case they ask her for it. According to the instructions, you could be asked at any time to provide originals as backup for any copies you submitted. I sent her originals via dependable Fedex so I wasn't so nervous about loosing anything and I'll get them all back... hand delivered by a beautiful Pinay in a few weeks.... :yes:

I sent a total of 32 photos printed on photo paper, two pics per sheet. Probably overkill but I printed them at home and didn't cost much.

Not sure if you really need to send the original I-134....I think it's more important that you can establish solid financials and show that you have adequate income to take care of yourself and Karen.
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-18 22:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich, if any, ORIGINAL documents does my fiancee need for the K-1 visa interview?
Jay,

I sent all original forms to Wilma in case the consulate asks for the backup. I sent by FEDEX (I hope you didn't send USPS..they loose things in PH)....but I sent originals as follows:

Original Birth Certificate for me
"" signed I-134 and original 1040, W2s, letter from my company
"" Divorce Certificate
"" receipts to backup I-129F (boarding passes, ferry tickets, hotel receipts, etc)
"" photos of us printed on photo paper
"" all her 156, 156K and 157 forms filled out with photos attached to 156
"" my signed letter of intent to marry (embassy addressed)....and printed one for her to sign

She'll need originals (not copies) of the following:
NSO Birth Certificate printed on NSO paper
NBI Clearance Certificate
CENOMAR

And she'll need evidence of the relationship:
emails, letters, photos, engagement ring, chat logs, letters of intent to marry, evidence of support, etc.

I got Wilma a file folder wallet to keep all this stuff organized and look more professional during the interview. Like this one:

http://www.smead.com....asp?NodeId=951

Goodluck
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-18 11:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresShould I Call USCIS?
And please fill in you timeline. :thumbs:
~Johnny~MaleUkraine2010-04-21 17:12:00