How to: I-129F Visa

Hello all.

Well, I suppose it is time to begin the paper work, as we will be getting married in the Spring and plan to settle in the states to start.

I know that we need the I-129F visa, and the G325A forms to go along with it.  But here are some questions that I'm hoping those in the know will shed some light on for me...

How long does it take?  If we send everything in mid-November, is that enough time for a May 21 wedding?

I know they only say "copies" but just incase, should I have all copies notorised?

For the bit where they ask for statements from us and any other evidence of our intent to wed within the 90 days, is something from the Priest acceptable for additional "proof"?

Do I need to mail it all off to the location given (mine would be Nebraska) or can I go in and do it in person at the Seattle immigration office?

Finally...can you share a bit of your own experiences?  What worked well, what delayed things and all of that.

Thank you!!

Frances

My fiancée and I are in the process of an I-129F too. Fun, huh?! 

While the official website says the process can take anywhere from 6-12 months for the visa to be issued, it is moving along a bit quicker for us. If you want to know the details, check out my post under "Visas" and the Message "American vs. British Fiancee/Spousal Visas."

The only "copy" I sent in was my birth certificate. It was not notarized. They accepted our petition. I am not sure about other copies you are sending in {if you have children or divorces involved} so someone else here will able to help you on that one hopefully.

I am not sure how long your process will take; it all depends on your circumstances.... We do not have children, have never been married, do not have any police records, etc. Also, my fiancée has a SS# from working here in America for 1 year so maybe that's a bit of a help on our side.

On the official website, it says you can ask how long your process will take in a covering letter. We asked in our cover letter and of course, did not get a response.

Your statement of intent: We sent in a one page statement of our intent to marry, our plans to marry, where we would live, etc. In other words, a lot of mumbo jumbo.... Again, they accepted our case. We did not {and still don't} have an official person marrying us yet.

Check into the website of where you must file-- it will give details whether or not you can do it in person. Our location to file {I live in NY} was VT. We sent our package in and got a receipt of acknowledgment that they received our package and money order.

You can call the National Customer Service Call Center {from the US}: 1800 375 5283 and ask the questions about filing in person, a letter from the priest, etc. We called twice and had a list of Q's written prior to the call. Plan on waiting at least 30 minutes for someone to answer your call. {If you're in the UK-- maybe someone here can call on your behalf??}

And again-- I have details about the process we are in under the "visa" section if you want to take a look.

These sights have helped me:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants_types_marriage2.html#1d

And once the paper work is done on this side, it will be forwarded to the UK-- we are going thru the American Embassy in London:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/fiance.htm

Best wishes and keep us up to date with your journey. The people here have been a great help with info and support. 

edit: spelling

www.visajourney.com is filled with people who are applying for Fiance(e) visas to the United States.

Good luck!

Nice link! There is a story about a UK/US couple on 'page 4.'

First off just let me say 'Don't worry' !!!! My british DH just got his green card a the summer through the fianse vias process.  I told most of my story in a previous thread, but since it's come up again, I've checked my records to verify dates and my individual time line.

Hello all.
I know that we need the I-129F visa, and the G325A forms to go along with it. But here are some questions that I'm hoping those in the know will shed some light on for me...

How long does it take? If we send everything in mid-November, is that enough time for a May 21 wedding?

We filed the I-129F form and associated stuff at the end of August.  My DH received his packed in Feburary, but we had downloaded the forms and mailed them in November already.  This seemed to make everything move faster because he was originally given an interview date for the first week in March.  We had to have it changed because he was going to be out of the country on that date.  We asked for mid April and got it.  We were married May 3.  When we filed in 2002 it was supposed to take upto 100 days.  Mid processing they ammended it to 150-175 days.

I know they only say "copies" but just incase, should I have all copies notorised?

The only thing we ever got noterised was the afidavid of support, and you don't need to file that until you get married and file for the green card.

For the bit where they ask for statements from us and any other evidence of our intent to wed within the 90 days, is something from the Priest acceptable for additional "proof"?

For our statement I sent in a little letter stating how and where we met.  How we had been keeping in touch.  And outlined our plan for settlement; where we were going to live and what work my DH was going to do.  And lastly I listed our wedding date.  Then signed and stated that it was all truthfull.  As for reciepts and stuff, we hadn't actually started planning the wedding, but we did have out wedding rings.  So I sent in a copy of that reciept.  It was enough for us, so you don't need much, just something.

Do I need to mail it all off to the location given (mine would be Nebraska) or can I go in and do it in person at the Seattle immigration office?

Not sure, I think you have to mail it.  I'm prety sure that only the regional service centers process the fiance vias paperwork, but I'd check the web site www.uscis.gov for that one.

Finally...can you share a bit of your own experiences? What worked well, what delayed things and all of that.

Thank you!!

Frances

We had the unique situation that my DH didn't have a home.  He'd been living on various boats and rigs after his ex through him out.  We used my address as a c/o address on all of the paperwork and everything was sent to me, even his embasy stuff.  As for advice, you can never send to much.  Always send copies, we never recieved anything back (they still have our pictures).  Be prepared, you need a copy of everything you've ever sent everytime you interview with someone, even though they never ask for it.  

We used the book Fiance and Marriage Visas.  The prices and forms were out of date when we used it, but the lists were extremely helpful and she includes examples of how to write up statements and lists of things accepted as proof for each step of the way.  We got all of the forms and upto date information off the INS web site.  Once you figure out how to navigate it, it's very informative.

Good Luck.  If you have anymore questions, just ask.  It's all still quite fresh in my mind.