London Embassy DCF - Help pls
#1
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London Embassy DCF - Help pls
Hi,
I am new to this site and to the process! I'm 32, a USC (born in the UK to a USC dad) and married for 9 years , my wife is British. We have lived in the UK for our 9 years of marriage, I lived in the US for 7 years before that. We now want to move to the States.
Having checked the London US embassy website, right now what I need to do is submit the I-130 and 2 copies of the G-325a form. On the checklist for what I need to send I am told to send different things to what the forum guide here tell me to send so if I could please go through some of my questions one at a time. I have been researchin this the past 5 or so hours and the following questions are where i get stuck!
1) On the I-130 form. Do we put England, UK , GB, or Britain as country?
2) on the I-130 form. Q13 asks about how I gained my US citizenship. I got it through my parent, what does it mean when it asks if I obtained a certificate of citizenship in my own name? Passport?
3) on the i-130 form: Q15 - Who'se employer? Mine or my wifes??
4) on the i-130 - for every box that I dont need to fill in info should i put NA?
5) for the G-325a- it asks for a file number beginiing with an A, what do i put in that box on both forms??
6) for the G-325a - just to clarify - "applicant" refers to me on the form that I fill in and my wife on her form (as opposed to her being the "applicant" on both forms)
7) for the G-325a - again on the bottom it asks for an alien registration number, for the form I would submit I dont need one, and my wofe doesnt have one. ??
8) for the DCF those are the two forms I need to submit: one I-130, 2 G-325a's (it clearly says we should send just ONE copy of each but the guide on this site says I should send 4?!), a credit card payment form, the checklist, my proof os US citizenship (just the photo page of my passport, the guide on this site says I should copy every page??) , marriage certificate (the checklist asks for the original as a copy isnt acceptable but at the same time in another place the checklist says don't send any originals!, the guide on this site says i should send a copy)
9) Nowhere at this stage of the process have we been asked to send a copy of my wife's birth certificate or her passport, or am i missing something?
So, once I know the answers to the above are we ready to get this process started? I know there is a LOAD more stuff for the next stage but I just need to get this stage sorted.
I really apologise for such a long post but I have tried researching the answers and have really struggled. Hope someone can help!
Thanks
I am new to this site and to the process! I'm 32, a USC (born in the UK to a USC dad) and married for 9 years , my wife is British. We have lived in the UK for our 9 years of marriage, I lived in the US for 7 years before that. We now want to move to the States.
Having checked the London US embassy website, right now what I need to do is submit the I-130 and 2 copies of the G-325a form. On the checklist for what I need to send I am told to send different things to what the forum guide here tell me to send so if I could please go through some of my questions one at a time. I have been researchin this the past 5 or so hours and the following questions are where i get stuck!
1) On the I-130 form. Do we put England, UK , GB, or Britain as country?
2) on the I-130 form. Q13 asks about how I gained my US citizenship. I got it through my parent, what does it mean when it asks if I obtained a certificate of citizenship in my own name? Passport?
3) on the i-130 form: Q15 - Who'se employer? Mine or my wifes??
4) on the i-130 - for every box that I dont need to fill in info should i put NA?
5) for the G-325a- it asks for a file number beginiing with an A, what do i put in that box on both forms??
6) for the G-325a - just to clarify - "applicant" refers to me on the form that I fill in and my wife on her form (as opposed to her being the "applicant" on both forms)
7) for the G-325a - again on the bottom it asks for an alien registration number, for the form I would submit I dont need one, and my wofe doesnt have one. ??
8) for the DCF those are the two forms I need to submit: one I-130, 2 G-325a's (it clearly says we should send just ONE copy of each but the guide on this site says I should send 4?!), a credit card payment form, the checklist, my proof os US citizenship (just the photo page of my passport, the guide on this site says I should copy every page??) , marriage certificate (the checklist asks for the original as a copy isnt acceptable but at the same time in another place the checklist says don't send any originals!, the guide on this site says i should send a copy)
9) Nowhere at this stage of the process have we been asked to send a copy of my wife's birth certificate or her passport, or am i missing something?
So, once I know the answers to the above are we ready to get this process started? I know there is a LOAD more stuff for the next stage but I just need to get this stage sorted.
I really apologise for such a long post but I have tried researching the answers and have really struggled. Hope someone can help!
Thanks
#2
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
UK is fine.
2) on the I-130 form. Q13 asks about how I gained my US citizenship. I got it through my parent, what does it mean when it asks if I obtained a certificate of citizenship in my own name? Passport?
3) on the i-130 form: Q15 - Who'se employer? Mine or my wifes??
4) on the i-130 - for every box that I dont need to fill in info should i put NA?
5) for the G-325a- it asks for a file number beginiing with an A, what do i put in that box on both forms??
6) for the G-325a - just to clarify - "applicant" refers to me on the form that I fill in and my wife on her form (as opposed to her being the "applicant" on both forms)
7) for the G-325a - again on the bottom it asks for an alien registration number, for the form I would submit I dont need one, and my wofe doesnt have one. ??
8) for the DCF those are the two forms I need to submit: one I-130, 2 G-325a's (it clearly says we should send just ONE copy of each but the guide on this site says I should send 4?!), a credit card payment form, the checklist, my proof os US citizenship (just the photo page of my passport, the guide on this site says I should copy every page??) , marriage certificate (the checklist asks for the original as a copy isnt acceptable but at the same time in another place the checklist says don't send any originals!, the guide on this site says i should send a copy)
9) Nowhere at this stage of the process have we been asked to send a copy of my wife's birth certificate or her passport, or am i missing something?
Also, you might need to send proof your joint life together (I don't know if this a requirement for DCF or for filing in the USA, or both...but someone will come along to clarify).
I assume you have the issue of intent to domicile in the USA covered, as well as how to complete the I-864 affidavit of support?
Best Wishes,
Rene
Last edited by Noorah101; Sep 17th 2009 at 2:58 pm.
#3
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
To fill in the blanks:
3) Yours. The I-130 form is to be filled in from the point of view of the USC. Hence, the questions are directed at YOU, unless otherwise stated.
4) I put N/A on things that were not applicable like apartment number, but put None for things like names of prior spouses, SSN, Alien Reg Number.
5) We put 'None' on both forms.
8) Photo page only is fine for the passport. Send a copy of the marriage cert with the application. Your wife should take both your passport and the original marriage cert to her interview at the London Embassy.
After 9 years of marriage they won't bat an eye as to whether your marriage is legit or not. If you are worried about it just take a few random bank statements of your joint account. I took three statements, one recent and two others from previous years.
Anything else just ask away, plenty of us on here have done it.
There's more info linked in my signature if you haven't come across those threads already.
Are you up to date with filing your IS taxes with the IRS? How will you satisfy the financial requirement of the I-864?
3) on the i-130 form: Q15 - Who'se employer? Mine or my wifes??
4) on the i-130 - for every box that I dont need to fill in info should i put NA?
5) for the G-325a- it asks for a file number beginiing with an A, what do i put in that box on both forms??
8) ..... my proof os US citizenship (just the photo page of my passport, the guide on this site says I should copy every page??) , marriage certificate (the checklist asks for the original as a copy isnt acceptable but at the same time in another place the checklist says don't send any originals!, the guide on this site says i should send a copy)
4) on the i-130 - for every box that I dont need to fill in info should i put NA?
5) for the G-325a- it asks for a file number beginiing with an A, what do i put in that box on both forms??
8) ..... my proof os US citizenship (just the photo page of my passport, the guide on this site says I should copy every page??) , marriage certificate (the checklist asks for the original as a copy isnt acceptable but at the same time in another place the checklist says don't send any originals!, the guide on this site says i should send a copy)
4) I put N/A on things that were not applicable like apartment number, but put None for things like names of prior spouses, SSN, Alien Reg Number.
5) We put 'None' on both forms.
8) Photo page only is fine for the passport. Send a copy of the marriage cert with the application. Your wife should take both your passport and the original marriage cert to her interview at the London Embassy.
After 9 years of marriage they won't bat an eye as to whether your marriage is legit or not. If you are worried about it just take a few random bank statements of your joint account. I took three statements, one recent and two others from previous years.
Anything else just ask away, plenty of us on here have done it.
There's more info linked in my signature if you haven't come across those threads already.
Are you up to date with filing your IS taxes with the IRS? How will you satisfy the financial requirement of the I-864?
Last edited by BritishGuy36; Sep 17th 2009 at 5:42 pm.
#4
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 217
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
thanks both of you for the replies.
When you ask about me filing the tax returns for the I-864, is that submitted now? Or at a later date?
I was up till about 4am looking through various info on this site and our situation is quite similar to others. I havent filed any taxes in UK or USA for the last 5 years as I have been studying for my doctorate. My parents, (well, father) will act as co sponsor. It is my understanding that I would fill in the I-864 and my father would fill one in too. On my one I will state that I haven't filed taxes as I was a student and had no income. They will then look at my fathers. I do have a few questions about my fathers I-864 but wanted to cross that bridge when I get to it, or at least to get this first part of sending off the I-130 to the embassy and get the process going.
A quick point to ask. My wife and I will be going to the States this coming week (the 24th Sep) for 10 days and again on the 15th Dec for 10 days. I was hoping to send off the I-130 before we go away next week. This will depend on whether or not I need to send in the I-864's now or later! Is that OK? If the embassy is super fast getting back to us and respond before the December trip can we just hold off doing her medical until January?
Thank you again for the help.
When you ask about me filing the tax returns for the I-864, is that submitted now? Or at a later date?
I was up till about 4am looking through various info on this site and our situation is quite similar to others. I havent filed any taxes in UK or USA for the last 5 years as I have been studying for my doctorate. My parents, (well, father) will act as co sponsor. It is my understanding that I would fill in the I-864 and my father would fill one in too. On my one I will state that I haven't filed taxes as I was a student and had no income. They will then look at my fathers. I do have a few questions about my fathers I-864 but wanted to cross that bridge when I get to it, or at least to get this first part of sending off the I-130 to the embassy and get the process going.
A quick point to ask. My wife and I will be going to the States this coming week (the 24th Sep) for 10 days and again on the 15th Dec for 10 days. I was hoping to send off the I-130 before we go away next week. This will depend on whether or not I need to send in the I-864's now or later! Is that OK? If the embassy is super fast getting back to us and respond before the December trip can we just hold off doing her medical until January?
Thank you again for the help.
#5
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 217
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
One extra question. On the Checklist For Petition for Alien Spouse, on the I-130 instructions it says that I should put my email address on the bottom of of page 1, can you advise me where exactly to put it on the bottom of page 1?
#6
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Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
Quote:
2) on the I-130 form. Q13 asks about how I gained my US citizenship. I got it through my parent, what does it mean when it asks if I obtained a certificate of citizenship in my own name? Passport?
Since you became a USC at birth, you do not have a certificate of citizenship. You can just say "birth".
LOoking at the form the options i am given for Q13 are:
If you are a US citizen , comlete the following
My citizenship was acquired through
Birth in the US
Naturalization
Parents. Have yiou obtained a certificate of citizenship in your own name
Now, I am a USC from borth buit not from "Birth in the US", so which box to check?
2) on the I-130 form. Q13 asks about how I gained my US citizenship. I got it through my parent, what does it mean when it asks if I obtained a certificate of citizenship in my own name? Passport?
Since you became a USC at birth, you do not have a certificate of citizenship. You can just say "birth".
LOoking at the form the options i am given for Q13 are:
If you are a US citizen , comlete the following
My citizenship was acquired through
Birth in the US
Naturalization
Parents. Have yiou obtained a certificate of citizenship in your own name
Now, I am a USC from borth buit not from "Birth in the US", so which box to check?
#7
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
Hi Frank, I am currently filing DCF here in London. We've just submitted the DS-230 and DS-2001 so I'm a bit farther than you but not done yet.
The I-864 and tax returns are handed over at the interview. It may be a good idea to file your back taxes even if you didn't have to pay anything, as it's a paper trail that they like to see. You've got the time to do it.
Regarding travel to the US, we avoided having my DH go to America after filing the I-130 but I have heard of other people being able to do it. I don't have details about that but it's on this site somewhere, or maybe on visajourney.com.
I wrote my email address on the bottom of the I-130, in the margin, not on any particular line. They found it, as they did email me to confirm receipt of the form.
Here's one way to get a certificate of citizenship: http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/...rtificate.html - note that that is just off of a google search, I don't know if it's a reputable company or not. It's NOT a US government site.
But if you already have a US passport you may not need one, I don't know.
The I-864 and tax returns are handed over at the interview. It may be a good idea to file your back taxes even if you didn't have to pay anything, as it's a paper trail that they like to see. You've got the time to do it.
Regarding travel to the US, we avoided having my DH go to America after filing the I-130 but I have heard of other people being able to do it. I don't have details about that but it's on this site somewhere, or maybe on visajourney.com.
I wrote my email address on the bottom of the I-130, in the margin, not on any particular line. They found it, as they did email me to confirm receipt of the form.
Here's one way to get a certificate of citizenship: http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/...rtificate.html - note that that is just off of a google search, I don't know if it's a reputable company or not. It's NOT a US government site.
But if you already have a US passport you may not need one, I don't know.
Last edited by avanutria; Sep 17th 2009 at 10:25 pm.
#8
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
LOoking at the form the options i am given for Q13 are:
If you are a US citizen , comlete the following
My citizenship was acquired through
Birth in the US
Naturalization
Parents. Have yiou obtained a certificate of citizenship in your own name
Now, I am a USC from borth buit not from "Birth in the US", so which box to check?
If you are a US citizen , comlete the following
My citizenship was acquired through
Birth in the US
Naturalization
Parents. Have yiou obtained a certificate of citizenship in your own name
Now, I am a USC from borth buit not from "Birth in the US", so which box to check?
Rene
#9
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
A quick point to ask. My wife and I will be going to the States this coming week (the 24th Sep) for 10 days and again on the 15th Dec for 10 days. I was hoping to send off the I-130 before we go away next week. This will depend on whether or not I need to send in the I-864's now or later! Is that OK? If the embassy is super fast getting back to us and respond before the December trip can we just hold off doing her medical until January?
Rene
#10
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Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
Rene - are we safe to post the I-130 on Monday and then go to the States on the Thursday and again in December? From some of the timelines I've seen it can be quite a while to hear anything once the I-130 is posted..
#11
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
You might want to hold off on the December trip until you see how fast your own case is going. It's possible she could have her visa interview by that time, if your case goes extra fast.
Rene
#12
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
a) I haven't filed taxes as I was a student and had no income. They will then look at my fathers.
b) A quick point to ask. My wife and I will be going to the States this coming week (the 24th Sep) for 10 days and again on the 15th Dec for 10 days. I was hoping to send off the I-130 before we go away next week. This will depend on whether or not I need to send in the I-864's now or later! Is that OK? If the embassy is super fast getting back to us and respond before the December trip can we just hold off doing her medical until January?
b) A quick point to ask. My wife and I will be going to the States this coming week (the 24th Sep) for 10 days and again on the 15th Dec for 10 days. I was hoping to send off the I-130 before we go away next week. This will depend on whether or not I need to send in the I-864's now or later! Is that OK? If the embassy is super fast getting back to us and respond before the December trip can we just hold off doing her medical until January?
b) The first trip should be ok because you won't be 'in the system' yet. Having said that, it's possible (although unlikely) that you might be asked a question by the officer at the POE that, if you answer truthfully (and you should!), might make you seem like there's a risk you won't leave. After all, you are planning to move to the US within the next year or so. Personally I would take proof of your wife's intent to leave the US again on both trips (letter from employer stating date due back at work etc), and DEFINITELY on the second one.
Yeah there isn't anywhere for that...some of the forms don't jive with the instructions. Like they aren't making it hard enough, huh?! I didn't bother putting her email address on.
#13
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
BG,
Wrong.
Look at I-130 again, carefully. (You too, f09) The form does clearly indicate whose employment is being asked about.
Regards, JEff
Wrong.
Look at I-130 again, carefully. (You too, f09) The form does clearly indicate whose employment is being asked about.
Regards, JEff
#14
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Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
Yikes Jeff - I see it now, Column C is about my wife not me! So my questions end at 14b and hers go on to 16... Thanks!
#15
Re: London Embassy DCF - Help pls
No, because the full text of the item is "Birth in the US"
f09 is correct that "Parents" is the correct answer.
f09 is correct that "Parents" is the correct answer.