biggish data

Marriage in another Country - Apostile on Documents

Further info: the apostille is generally required by the foreign state, not our country (US). Not all countries are signatories to the Hague convention and require other processes. For example. I had to send a document to Colombia, and only needed to get the apostille and then send it to Colombia. For Peru, however, I have to get a a certificate (instead of an apostille) for some documents (others, they were okay with just certification without any need for the certificate). But, for Peru, all documents had to go through the consulate for legalization before sending them to Peru.

So, the long and short is to check with the country you are trying to do your paperwork in and find out what process they require.

Just adding this for future information searches, so please correct or add to this thread as you deem appropriate.

Mark

PS. I just finished my odyssey and am off to Lima next week to get married on the 31st

Edited by mlybrand, 17 July 2009 - 12:31 AM.

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-07-17 00:31:00

I-130 Question 15

Probably a dumb question, but...

In the document flow, it would appear that question 15 is about the employment of the person (my wife) I am soliciting for, but I starting second-guessing myself (especially since there is no similar question for me). Am I right that this about her employment?

TIA

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-05 23:47:00

Applicant on G-325A

Another dumb question (sorry). When they talk about "applicant" they mean me (USC) on mine and her (non-USC) on hers, right? Or do they mean her on both (as the person who will be applying for a visa once my petition is accepted)?

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-07 01:25:00

cr-2

QUOTE (Babs0324 @ Aug 7 2009, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (canadiandgal @ Aug 7 2009, 03:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes It is a step parent relationship,

The cr-2 will be sent with the cr-1

If this is a step-parent relationship, you should at least send in the following: (1) proof of your status (US citizen birth certificate/passport, LPR greencard), (2) copy of marriage certificate to the beneficiary's father, (3) the childrens' birth certificates with his name on it. Also, it is important to obtain a notarized letter from the other parent allowing them to immigrate to the US.

If the children were born out of wedlock, then additional evidence of an actual relationship between the father and the children are required. This can be in the forms of pictures, letters to each other, letters from family members that were around when the children were born, medical records, school enrollment documents, etc.

Regardless, it doesn't hurt to include any additional evidence of a relationship between the beneficiaries, their father, and you. If you provide enough evidence it is less likely that they would require a DNA test, which saves time and money. But double check with the I-130 instructions. They provide a great checklist to go by.

The instructions do not mention the "notarized letter" from the other parent. Why do you mention this is important? The other stuff you mention isn't necessary in my case, since my step-son is my wife's child, but canadiangirl's sitch may be different.

Thanks.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-07 14:58:00

IRS & SSA questions...

QUOTE (Pooh and Piglet @ Aug 7 2009, 04:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Filing status depends on your choice of treating your spouse as Resident Alien or Non-Resident Alien. Likely choices would be married filing joint & Resident Alien or married filing seperate & Non-resident alien. The choice to make would be based on the calculation whether its better to include her and step-son AND her income or file seperate and not include income and NOT include dependents.

Although since she is in Peru and therefore non-resident, can I still claim that she is "resident". It seems unlikely that she would be here before the end of the year, so next year, when she is with me, I may have to make a different decision (although then I would have socials, so it would just be about the income at that point). Am I seeing this correctly?

If I go married, filing separately, will I still need TINs for her and my step-son?

Thanks again for the input.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-07 20:52:00

IRS & SSA questions...

Hi again,

I will be directing my questions to SSA and IRS in the next week or so, but I was sure many of you have had experience with this. I just got married to my lovely wife on 07/31, but she is still in Peru and will remain there until we get the visa situation sorted out. My concerns are the following:

1. What is my IRS filing situation? Do I claim her and my step-son? How do I treat her income? What documentation do I provide to the IRS regarding her, my step-son, her income?

2. Will the SSA issue SSNs for her and my step-son, for the purposes of adding her to my bank accounts, making her the beneficiary on my retirement and life insurance, for tax filing, etc? And will I be able to request the number for her? If so, what documentation will I need to provide?

3. Assuming I get the above numbers, will this complicate matters when we get the visa approval stage (since my understanding is that part of the process involves the information being sent to SSA for an issuance of SSNs)? What can I do to ease and mitigate any issues with a pre-existing number? Is it relatively easy to remove the "not for employment purposes" on such an SSN?

I will follow up here as I get more info, but would appreciate any experiences you guys can share with me.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-07 11:28:00

I-130 questions.

QUOTE

Sorry Got a #3 question as well.

My son is only three Who would sign the bottom of his G325a

Me or my husband the petitioner?

The guide doesn\'t mention anything about a G325a for anyone but spouses. Do you also file a G325a for children?

Edited by mlybrand, 07 August 2009 - 12:41 PM.

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-07 12:40:00

cr-1/cr-2

Good idea on the blue ink, but I was talking about originals/copies of documents such as marriage certs, divorce cert, birth certs, etc.

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-09 00:25:00

cr-1/cr-2

So, it is best to only send copies with I-130 packet and hold on to originals for later?

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-08 21:42:00

Plus 4 wrong for Lockbox

FYI folks. According to USCIS site the plus four on the zip for the lockbox should be 4107 not 1029. The page for USCIS is here:

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

The VJ Guide this information is incorrect in is here:

http://www.visajourn...page=i130guide1

If someone can actually make changes to the site, then they should update this (as well as updated info regarding the changed G-325a).

Cheers,

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-09 23:02:00

Multiple Timelines??

Thanks, y'all. I will do this...

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-10 00:36:00

Multiple Timelines??

How can I have multiple timelines here on VJ? I need one for my wife and one for my stepson....

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-10 00:08:00

I-130 & I-129F

QUOTE (m_m @ Aug 9 2009, 08:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have applied both I-130 & I-129F and got NOA1 for both from CSC

On I-130, Section C, question 22, "Complete the information below if your relative is in the United States", since spouse is living abroad, I did not fill in this question.

I recently found that subsection in question 22 ask for "Consular Post".

My question is, since I did not answer this question, but on I-129F, I indicated the consular post, will I-130 be sent to NVC on approval or can i expect RFE to complete that information?

Should I send this missing information in seperate mail indicating receipt notice?

Thanks in advance

I wrote in "N/A" in this, since question 22 clearly states to fill it out only if the non-citizen is in the US. I understand the part you refer to to mean that the non-citizen would go abroad to complete the process, and you could request where you would like that to be (whether the home country or some third country... i.e. in my case, if my wife were here I could either put the consulate in Lima, or I could choose some other country like, say, Mexico. The text in 22 indicates that they do not have to honor this request.

In any event, it sounds like your sitch is like mine in that your love is still in her home country. If this is the case, 22 does not apply to you.

If I am mistaken, I hope others more knowledgeable than me will step in and set me straight.

Good luck.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-09 23:21:00

Photos of couples together for Interview

On a "somewhat" related note, what is the verdict on sending videos? I have a DVD of my wedding (from the blessings from my in-laws, through going to the municipality, the whole affair, the photos afterwards, the waltz, the reception, etc, etc) and would be more than happy to make a copy, but won't if it is just a useless endeavor....

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-10 00:01:00

American girl & Belgian guy...

QUOTE (M_n_M @ Aug 11 2009, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And from what I know, once you start either process, you will not be able to go visit her there, she'll have to visit you in Belgium.

Is this true? My wife has her tourist visa (as does my step-son); will they not be able to come visit while their residence visas are in process? Is this officially stated somewhere?

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-11 13:54:00

Personal Check or Money Order or Other with I-130??

What is the general opinion of which is best to use for the I-130 filing fee: personal check, money order, cashier's check, buckskin??

I am planning on using a personal check, since I get to see it immediately online when it clears, but if others believe I will experience less hassle with some other instrument, I will re-evaluate...

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-11 23:18:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 12 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Awww, you're so lucky! I haven't seen my hubby for three weeks...I guess I shouldn't be whining yet! I'm such a newlywed. I may not see him until Xmas, which will be the longest we will go between trips. I'm also planning on going to his embassy interview, then bringing home on another trip, so I need to stay home for a few months. I bet you can't wait!

I haven't seen my wife in just over a week, so I understand the whining. October is probably the last time before the interview, but we'll see how the timelines are looking. I am watching my leave like a hawk. I am only going for a week, but with creative comp time, I can manage to do it with just 3 days leave. Then, of course, there's the money... It's too bad I don't live in Miami where I could get cheaper flights to Lima...

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-13 00:40:00

Going to visit my lovely wife in October!!! E-tix in hand (well, in in-box)!!

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-12 22:50:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 12 2009, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Mark! Didn't mean to "freak" you out! I was just telling you what I was told. Glad Imaisha was able to straighten me out!

No worries. Not freaked. But it is better safe than sorry. It never even occurred to me that they might stop her at the POE. Hopefully my mom won't have to wait too long

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-12 21:58:00

QUOTE (john1759 @ Aug 12 2009, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (mlybrand @ Aug 12 2009, 12:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (john1759 @ Aug 12 2009, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i recall reading somewhere that once you file for immigrant visa to seek to obtain a tourist visa is illegal.

i will see if i can find that reference......(internet somewhere)

In our case, she and step-son already have their tourist visas (she four 10 years, he for 5).

Mark

i cannot find the reference to the no tourist visa while IV is pending.....
without supporting documentation to clarify supporting or denying a tourist visa while a IV is pending....ask yourself...IF it later becomes an issue...which is the most conservative approach?
play it safe...IMO

Yeah. I was just providing clarifying information. But my wife and I are pretty much decided that we are going to play it safe (my mom is going to be unhappy, but she'll get over it in the long term).

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-12 13:05:00

QUOTE (john1759 @ Aug 12 2009, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i recall reading somewhere that once you file for immigrant visa to seek to obtain a tourist visa is illegal.

i will see if i can find that reference......(internet somewhere)

In our case, she and step-son already have their tourist visas (she four 10 years, he for 5).

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-12 12:42:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 11 2009, 09:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey neighbor! I consulted an immigration attorney before I married my Finn Man (though I'm filing without the attorney!), and he said that my husband absolutely cannot visit during the proceedings. I've read elsewhere on the board that they can try, but can be banned (probably not the right word but I'm tired) from the US for ten years. Maybe I have that wrong? But anyway, just assume that ICE looks at all of us as marriage fraud, and it's up to us to prove there's no fraud. Your wife would have to convince them that she's not going to stay but will be returning to her country (by showing evidence such as return ticket, etc...). I'm sure people have done that, but it's not worth the risk! I'm also sure people who want to stay would buy a return ticket just to defraud. Just my two cents! I'm planning on doing all the visiting during our process. It sucks, but that's the way it is...My husband visited in May to meet my family, knowing that his next visit would be permanent after he's approved for his visa!

Thanks, FinnLove, this will definitely affect how we approach visits. I hope others chime in with their experience and knowledge....

BTW, where are you? I am down in Oly.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-11 23:52:00

I asked this as part of another thread (probably guilty of hijacking... sorry). My wife and my step-son both have tourist visas. Will they be able to come and visit the US while the CR1 process is underway? If not, is there somewhere where this is spelled out?

We were planning a visit either in October or January (my parents love my wife and are anxious to meet their new grandson), so this affects our planning.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-11 22:20:00

cr-1

I plan to be with my wife if they will let me (maybe OP and I will be at the embassy in Lima the same day

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-12 12:44:00

The stupid plus signs on the I-130...HELP!

I am doing as Otto and/or Karin suggest and leaving blank and hand-writing the information in...

Mark

Oh, and Finn, you are going to beat me on mailing your packet. I am still waiting on translations and the signed G-325a from my wife. I should be sending mine in next week.

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-13 11:59:00

I Did It!!!!!!!

Good luck, Finn. But now I am feeling left behind and all alone

Don't worry, I'll be right behind you

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-13 17:38:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 13 2009, 10:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you need a babysitter, just let me know! My daughter is great! haha

I know the feeling...I can't wait for my Finn to get here! Our families may just get here around the same time actually!

Long commute for a babysitter (even if it is just Seattle to Oly-Town). I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed that they both get here soon. If they do we should get together and celebrate. Bessalamati and all that (I think that is "cheers" in Finnish... but it has been ages since I spoke with any Finnish people. Yksi kaksi kolma nelia ... I used to be able to count to ten).

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-14 00:28:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 13 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mark, if you get along well with him, you'll be fine! He's at a good age for all of this. My daughter? Well, she's a teenager. Enough said! haha I can imagine it might be a bit difficult when your stepson moves here though...but then again, maybe not! It'll be an adventure!

I expect a period of adjustment. With love and patience I am thinking we will be okay. I can't wait to have my family with me!!

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-14 00:08:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 13 2009, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

MsSheka, that's perfect!

So Mark, are you going the "binder route?" I also added forms from work in which I put my husband as the beneficiary. Even if I went way overboard, I'm just so relieved it's in the mail!!!

Oh, a stepson-how fun! My husband never got married and has no kids. I have a teenage daughter though! She flew to Finland for our wedding-it was so great to have her there!!!! If only my hubby had taken me home after Australia... I'd probably have five Finnish kids by now! But then again, then I wouldn't have my daughter. Hey, everything happens for a reason. Wow, I'm babbling.

As for the binder: we'll see how much is there when I provide a cross section of us meeting to marrying to now...

step-son: nine years old and we get along great. So, yeah, it's all good. I have no kids from my first marriage, so I hope I do okay...

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-13 23:18:00

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 13 2009, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey ML, you're right-send photocopies this round! You sound like me-receipts, emails, greeting cards, etc...I'm not even sure if I mentioned that I sent greeting cards! ha! If they ask for more from me, I have nothing more! I don't know about the laser prints. I haven't seen that mentioned yet.

Are you filing next week???? Hey, great wedding pic in your profile!!!!

Thanks. That is our favorite pic.

The plan is to file next week. I should have my translations tomorrow or Saturday. Then middle to end of next week I should get my wife's passport photo and signed G-325a. This weekend I am putting together all the stuff for the bona fide marriage proof.

Funny thing is, as soon as the translations are here I am ready to file for my step-son... I will wait though and send both at the same time.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-13 22:50:00

I was planning on sending photocopies of everything, or laser prints. So, there will labeled laser prints (color) of the photos. Black and white copies of receipts, email, envelopes, greeting cards, etc etc. I will reconsider this course of action if veterans advise against it.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-13 22:18:00

Hi MsSheka. I hope to be among the August filers. Just waiting on a couple of items that I expect to have this week. So keep your fingers crossed...

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-15 14:25:00

QUOTE (Chris and Ani @ Aug 14 2009, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (MsSheka @ Aug 15 2009, 02:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does anyone know if there is a weed test for Jamaica?

another jamaican member just posted few days ago a topic about it. her husband didn't know he'd be tested for that and he smoked weed on a party before medical and he got rejected or banned if i remember well. browse a little and you'll find it...

I think that guy was in Central America, though. Nonetheless, I think others have said that drug testing is part of the exam. Since you are just now putting in your I-130, now would be the time to go dry out a bit; maybe there is enough time between now and the medical exam to get a good clean bill of health.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-14 18:49:00

Beneficiary Employed in Home Country. Beneficial or Detrimental

QUOTE (lgg @ Aug 17 2009, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Am I your arch nemesis now?

Cuz that would sort of be cool.

or, I could just take all the black jube jubes and jelly beans and you can have all the stupid green ones.

Good luck with your journey, you and your wife will be A Okay...

Bring it on! We need a little drama.

But I do like the green ones.

And how do you expect us to be enemies is you are wishing me luck and consoling about my situation? I am getting mixed signals.

In all seriousness, thanks for the well-wishing and I have faith that this will all turn out well. I hope all your journeys are equally painless.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-17 21:45:00

Beneficiary Employed in Home Country. Beneficial or Detrimental

QUOTE (lgg @ Aug 17 2009, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And Finn... the black Jube-jubes are the best, they're anise flavoured...

Well now you just crossed the line! The first thing I do with Juju beans and jelly beans is pick out the black ones and throw them away. Anise was only ever meant for alcohol.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-17 21:31:00

Beneficiary Employed in Home Country. Beneficial or Detrimental

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 17 2009, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ha Mark! There's no such thing as a blue jube-jube. You can't fool us!

Which is exactly why I argued that my government was suspicious of them.

QUOTE (FinnLove @ Aug 17 2009, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are we going to be broke once our spouses get here??!!!

Why? Are the yellow jube-jubes expensive? Or is because of the ensuing dental care?

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-17 21:26:00

Beneficiary Employed in Home Country. Beneficial or Detrimental

QUOTE (PeruvyandGringa @ Aug 17 2009, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stop stressing and send your packet in! I can say this because I AGONIZED over every last little thing for a month. Now I wish I would not have as that is another month we will be apart. No matter if she is working or not now, they assume she won't work at all once she arrives and that you must be able to support her without any income on her part (or find a co-sponsor). Trust me, you will feel much better once you have sent it in!

Thankfully, income is definitely not anything I have to worry about... Wait? Are you saying that I should worry about that now too?

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-17 21:19:00

Beneficiary Employed in Home Country. Beneficial or Detrimental

Damn! It's the yellow jube-jube's! There I was telling her that it was only the blue ones my government cared about.

Finn, we may not be the big city, but we sure are pretty. Especially now that the weather is starting to cooperate again.

Hopefully you won't be trapped indoors all that day. Where in Oly is your meeting?

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-17 21:15:00

Beneficiary Employed in Home Country. Beneficial or Detrimental

Since I am basically ready to go with my I-130 packets (just waiting on a few documents to complete my wife's packet), and I am sick and tired of reviewing the paperwork, stressing and second guessing, I thought I would take my fears and concerns off into a new direction:

My wife is employed as an administrative legal analyst at a government entity in Peru. I would assume that this situation is beneficial to the process, but the second guessing crept in and I started wondering if maybe it was in fact detrimental. Then again it's probably neither and it is just a neutral data point. What is the general thought of the beneficiary being employed? Does the type of employment matter? Does this spark any avenues of questioning later in the process that we should be aware of? Should I just shut up, sit back and stop stressing?

Thanks.

Mark

mlybrand

Male

Peru

2009-08-17 20:48:00