Here's what we have for the marriage visa so far!!

(Posting this again because it said I posted it once when I clicked it, but it didn't show up on the forum so hoping this isn't a double-post)

Ok, we still have about 24 days to go until we send off for the visa, but I want to show everyone my list of what we have to make sure we are on the right track.

Here's what we are sending them (all in a folder and divided into sections):

Cover letter expressing my wish to settle in the UK with my husband (still fiance as of now but will be husband when sending for visa) and a list of what's included in the folder.  I also ask to please note our return flight dates, and to please send my visa back before the flight date.
Letter from my husband stating he wishes for me to reside in the UK with him, and will support me without recourse to public funds.
Identification
My passport and one passport photo (or should it be 2?)
His original passport or copy signed by solicitor (still deciding what to do here, have another topic posted on this as to whether a copy will be ok)
My long-form birth certificate
His long-form birth certificate
Marriage and Divorce Documentation
Certified copy of marriage certificate
His divorce certificate (decree absolute)
Employment and Finances
A letter from his employer stating he is employed full-time and for how long he has been employed there
Wage slips from his place of employment for the last 6 months
Bank statements for the last 5 months
My CV
1 reference from my last employer
My university transcripts showing 3 years completed
A projected monthly budget of our rent, utilities, bills, etc.
Accomodation
Original lease, which was expired in July
Letter from landlord, stating that although the lease expired in July, we are now allowed to live there on a monthly basis, until we decide to move.  This letter also grants my permission to live there with my fiance.
Co-Sponsor Information
Letter from his father and step-mother, both UK citizens, stating they are willing to help us out financially if needed and for however long we will need it.
3 months of bank statements from their joint account
1 month of bank statements from their joint savings account
1 wage slip from each of them
Letter from my mother, US citizen, stating she is happy about our marriage and is willing to help us out finanically indefinitely.
3 months of bank statements from her checking account
Relationship Documentation
10 pictures of us together, will also include 1 on our wedding day
My plane ticket from when I came to England in March
10 e-mails I've sent him, and he's sent me
1 IM chat session
3 envelopes of letters we sent back and forth
1 reciept of a package he sent to me in January
several phone-cards
1 reciept of a package my mother sent to me while I was here with him
2 e-mails my mother sent me while I was here with him
Extra
1 copy of our flight itinerary, with the return dates highlighted to prove we need the visa back before that date, if possible. 


I hope I'm not forgetting anything.  Fiance took the folder with him to work tonight to finish attaching the photos to paper, so I'm going by memory.  I'm just starting to get into the stress-out phase and wanting to be very organized and thorough.  Do we look ok or am I missing anything? 

Thanks!!!

That should do it. If nothing else, they will accept you for drowning them in paperwork. LOL! I did the same thing, anything and everything, is what I included.

Good Luck.

I know, I figure there's no such thing as too much!  But I want to be covered on everything.  Also meant to add we are going the fast-track route and will be paying for the visa online.  Am I supposed to include a printed copy of the application with the folder as well?

I also ask to please note our return flight dates, and to please send my visa back before the flight date.

Be sure you leave plenty of time to get the visa before you plan on flying out because to be honest, they're really not going to care that you already bought your tickets and certainly aren't going to hurry in any way to get your visa to you before that date.

I bought my ticket before my visa was issued and I really got bitched at for it. They told me I shouldn't have bought my ticket before getting the visa. I had a small issue with my visa app and wasn't able to get it the same day I applied in person like people usually do.

Looks like you're prepared though! Good that you've got a folder for it and are organizing it nicely. The one nice thing the woman said to me at the consulate was that I had the best presented application she had ever seen. I think it helps.

Good luck! I think you should be fine.

You need 2 passport size photos

We're overnighting it to them the 20th of September and not flying out till the 4th of October...someone else gave me the advice of asking the consulate to honour our return flight dates.  Hmm, maybe I shouldn't bother...I certainly don't want them to get mad about it.  And thanks for telling me its 2 passport photos!   

We're overnighting it to them the 20th of September and not flying out till the 4th of October...someone else gave me the advice of asking the consulate to honour our return flight dates.  Hmm, maybe I shouldn't bother...I certainly don't want them to get mad about it.  And thanks for telling me its 2 passport photos!   

That was just my experience. Someone here might say otherwise. And, I'm not saying it's going to make them mad.

I applied in person so I don't know how long it usually takes by mail. I thought the standard was 2 weeks. The 4th is exactly 2 weeks from the 20th. If you're overnighting it on the 20th then they're getting it on the 21st and they'll have to get it back to you before the 4th when you fly out. That's less than two weeks. Sounds like it's going to be really tight. You might want to ask other people here how long it took to get theirs back.

Your application will breeze thorugh with all this.  But I wouldn't send a few things because I think it's a bit overkill.  First of all, email transcripts and ICQ logs aren't accepted as proof of relationship anyway because they can be "doctored" etc.  So I wouldn't send anything like that.  And 11 photos is unnecessary.  Just two or three will be plenty.  Your tickets from your visit will also be fine, but I wouldn't bother with and receipts from your packages and stuff from your mom.  All that stuff really isn't necessary and you'll save postage if you lighten the application a bit.   

I also don't think you are likely to need one co-sponsor, let alone 3.  If your husband has a job and has a lease he's been paying, and you have a cv and references, it is highly unlikely that they'll question your ability to take care of yourselves.  This is especially true for the visa you are seeking because you'll be able to work the moment you step off the plane.  With fiance visas, this is more important because the sponsor has to prove he/she can support another person up to six months.  You won't have that added burden.

Overall, I think you're going to breeze through this.  But I would lighten the application a bit so it's easier for them to find the stuff they need.  Your marriage certificate and bank statements really are the important bit here.

Good luck! 

Yeah, I just read in the "Share your visa stories" topic that someone also Fed-Ex'd their documents to the LA consulate and was bitched at for sending way too much stuff.  The lady at the consulate even said "I don't know how I'm going to get all your documents back to you."  !!!  I thought there was no such thing as too much, but now I'm trying to think of what I should eliminate.  Anyone have any ideas from my list as to what we absolutely won't need, aside from the emails and IM chats.  Thanks! 

I'd leave the phone cards out as well.  Putting everything but the kitchen sink may make you feel better but it's sure going to make your wallet go ouch!  Mine cost $50.19 to FedEx overnight to NY last week!

Mine cost $50.19 to FedEx overnight to NY last week!

 

It only cost Dale £20 to send documents overnight fedex from UK to NYC,