Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y. or a veteran

[Larry in Dallas]

Dear Sirs:

     Do my tax returns have to be apostillized when I apply for a marriage visa in the usa at Houston, Texas' embassy?
Also, which agency apostillizes them since it is a federal agency or does just the notary stamp for my state
just need to be notarized?  
    Also, di your fianes or wives have to travel before the marriage with an power of attorney to file paperwork?
Did you have to go to the colombian embassy in the USA to do the power of attorney?

                                                                                 Thanks,

                                                                                 Larry in Dallas

[Pete Eiguren]

... in response to Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y. or a ve..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 3, 2001

Larry,
I took three years tax returns,with W-2's,to the Embassy in Bogota.I had everything stamped by a Notary just in case ,including the returns.When my wife went in for the second interview they told her they needed a separate set of return with original W-2's for her son,who was also getting a visa.I had copies of the returns,but they wanted originals on the W-2's.I also had to do another affidavid of support,which they wanted notarized in the US.Someone later told me that the embassy has people who can notorize4 for you.
So in your case three years returns with original W-2's,notarized(for safety).
I had to go to the first interview with my wife,they wanted to talk to me and also she her son.I don't think you can get around being at the first interview,maybe someone here knows more.
So about your wife traveling,I don't see the point.She can travel to Bogota but I don't think they will start the process without you.
Good luck.There is supposed to be a web site for the Bogota Embassy,I have heard.

Pete

[DCNUPEEddie]

... in response to Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y. or a ve..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 3, 2001

To apply for a marriage visa:
(1) Birth Certificate apostillized/authenicated by the State Sec. Office of your birth State or by a Colombian Consular's office which has jurisdiction in your birth state.
(2) If divorced the same thing applies above.
(3) Notarized letter from your novia with a copy of her cedullar, which states you guys intend to marry.
(4) Notarized letter from you signed by two people that know you an know that you are single and able to marry.
(5) Valid passport

That's the first step.  Next step is the wedding in Colombia.  And then the Embassy visit.

Peace/Cuidate
Eddie

p.d. Howard: I didn't forget about you brah, just been tied up at work.

[Doug Y.]

... in response to Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y. or ..., posted by DCNUPEEddie on May 3, 2001

 That info would have been incomplete in my case at my local Colombian Consulate.  Another reason why I hired an attorney.

 your mileage may vary.......

Doug Y.

[DCNUPEEddie]

... in response to Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y...., posted by Doug Y. on May 3, 2001

Well I'm curious, "in your case" what else was needed?  My information (Wash. DC Consular's Office)has been align with NYC, Houston & Chicago.

peace/cuidate
Eddie

[Doug Y.]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Dou..., posted by DCNUPEEddie on May 3, 2001

 This is the San Francisco consulate:

 1.  Birth Cert. Apost AND Not. 60 days or newer
 2.  Letter of Singlehood Apost and or County Certified and Notarized
 3.  Two passport photos
 4.  Two letters from friends or relatives known over 10 years Apost and Notarized
 5.  My letter of intent to marry notarized in English and or Spanish
 6.  Her letter of intent and cedula copy both notarized
 7.  Valid Passport

 AND at their discretion tax returns, letter of employment,
 bank statements, etc, etc, etc

 Keep in mind that when you notarize documents like birth certificates it renders them null and void to the apostilizer (is that a word).  

 And yes I did butter up the consul general, and she was nice at the end but it certainly wasn't easy........

Regards,
Doug Y.

[Diego A.]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or..., posted by Doug Y. on May 4, 2001

Dear Doug
   soy un amigo de Larry en Dallas,  Please explain
about the Birth Certificate.  Does it have to have a
notary stamp and be apostilized?  Or do you have a separate
letter notorized about your birth certificate?  It's very
confusing for us newbies.
Thanks
D

[Doug Y.]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurie..., posted by Diego A. on May 4, 2001

 Yes Diego, the Colombian Consulate in San Francisco requires a birth certificate that is apostilized AND notarized.  It seems a little overboard, since an apostille is supposed to be of higher authority than a notarization.  Remember apostilize first, notarize second, otherwise the birth certificate is void. Best bet is to call and get a copy of the requirements faxed to you in advance.

BTW: An apostille is a stamp that the Secretary of State uses to authenticate documents

Good Luck, hope this helps

Regards,
Doug Y.

[Doug Y.]

... in response to Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y. or a ve..., posted by Larry in Dallas on May 3, 2001

 Hey Larry,

 I think most of the apostilization and notarization of documents is for the benefit of the Colombian officials.  None of the information I have states that tax returns should be certified in either way (BTW It's 5 years not 3).  Employer, and Bank letter however should be.  That's a different story though. Notarizing a document from someone else (bank official) from across the country?

 Don't know about a "power of attorney" requirement or the necessity of traveling to Bogota prior to arrival.  Is your notary and document translator in Cali?  Does N have any other extenuating circumstances (family) that require special "additional" documentation?

 A guy below asked about gettin' "the skinny" on filing DCF for a Spousal Visa...........ain't nothin' skinny, simple or straight forward about it!  My recommendation is to newbies is to thoroughly research the process AND hire Gary Bala.  Even then it's a docsearchfromhell scavenger hunt!!

Good Luck to All!!

Doug Y.

[DCNUPEEddie]

... in response to Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y. or ..., posted by Doug Y. on May 3, 2001

Last 3 years of tax returns.  You really don't need an attorney to go through the entire process.  Just seek advise from experienced people and read the procedures and follow common sense.

peace/cuidate
Eddie

[Doug Y.]

... in response to Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Doug Y...., posted by DCNUPEEddie on May 3, 2001

 With all due respect Eddie I have done the research forward and back and definitely know my way around a form.  An attorney like Gary Bala has many un-biased references and resources at his fingertips.  Few if any know the US-Bogota-US shuffle like that man does.

 Yes $995 is alot of money.  I've received info from GB that I've not seen on any website or posted anywhere in the archives.  Of course it can be done without an attorney though.

 One thing GB didn't provide me with is the accurate average wait time of guys w/attorney help and w/o.
 
 Definitely would be interested to hear from guys that went to Colombia, completed civil ceremony, filed DCF paperwork in Bogota, got married in a regular church wedding, returned for an interview in Bogota, got visa stamped, and returned home in under 20 days with wife.  That.......gentleman is the hat trick I'm attempting to pull.

 Of course anyone can come out of the woodwork and say they completed the steps above in 2 days and that I'm wasting my money!!  I prefer to call it a bet to increase my odds of accomplishing the objective at hand.  

Best to you and yours Eddie!.....and everyone else.

Regards,
Doug Y

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Dou..., posted by Doug Y. on May 3, 2001

Yo Doug/Eddie....

TWENTY DAYS.... This is the most important number for me, between now & the day me & Stivalis jump over the broom stick. Getting off 2 to 4 weeks from work at one shot is gonna be the hardest thing for me. The money is another issue. I'll get the money, no doubt about it. IT'S THE TIME OFF!!!!! TWENTY DAYS!! If push comes to shove, I may have to come back & get her. Or, let her make the second interview herself & meet her in Miami. DAAAYUUM!!!!

Now, I can't get back to sleep. Just what I get for messing wit y'all this time of night...LOL!!!

Peace....Hoda

[DCNUPEEddie]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Help me!Pete Eugurien or Dou..., posted by Doug Y. on May 3, 2001

Whatever mannnnnn!  All I'm sayn is common sense and attention to details can save you $995!
peace/cuidate
Eddie