I-751 Initial Evidence

[lswote]

From those of you who have been through this, under I-751 1initial evidence they list birth certificates as an example of what can be provided to show evidence the relationship is entered in "good faith".  Is the Consular Report of Birth Abroad enough?  Can I enclose the birth certificate also, but not get it translated, since it is in Spanish?  I know they say to get it translated but are they really holding you to that when there is other ancillary evidence of the birth as well?

How much supporting evidence is likely enough?  I realize more is always better, but translating the birth certificate is going to be a bit of a pain and getting sworn affidavits from friends is also a bit of a pain so I just wanted to include those documents which I can provide easily, which is Colombian birth certificate for my son, Consular Report of Birth Abroad for my son which is in English, copy of my son's American Passport and US Tax Return for 2003.

Based on other people's experience would that be adequate for now or is it really going to be necessary for more?

[Pete E]

... in response to I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by lswote on Dec 15, 2004

They like things like joint bank accounts,utility serviceswith her name on them ect.I had none of those.Are bank accountswere seperaste.Everything else was in my name.We gave them copies of her drivers licence,ect.
The birth certificate would be good,even if not translated.
That would pretty much nail it down I would think.
We also had to give them 2 sworn statements by people we new,in our case our neighbors,that we were living together as husband and wife.
We had an interview 9 months after the application.They said we calledyou in for an interview becausetherewas insufficient evidence from the papersyou submitted.But I think they do it every time.We showed them lots of albums of photographs.No problem,she was in.
If you are legit you can give them enough evidence.I have never heard of anybody failing this process,even people who do not live together,but it might happen in a case like that.It was easy.We were out in 40 miniutes.Had a special appointment didn't need to wait in the hours no appointment line.We were in in 2 miniutes.

Pete

[Ray]

... in response to I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by lswote on Dec 15, 2004

Don’t submit anything that isn’t in English if you want them to consider it. Don’t worry about the birth certificate. A copy of the FS-240 will be fine. They just want an official document that shows you two have a child together, which is probably your best evidence of a valid marriage.

Tax returns are great IF they are joint returns. You don’t need actual affidavits, but simple letters from a couple of close friends or neighbors who can vouch for the fact that you are living together as man and wife. You can type up the letters for them and have them sign and date them before you mail them. You can also include copies of any documents that show that you and your wife reside at the same address.

There is a very good chance that you won’t need to attend an interview if your evidence is solid.

Ray

[papi]

... in response to Re: I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by Ray on Dec 15, 2004

Ray, you seem to know what you are talking about. Are you an attorney?  Question on the translations for the K1...I also read that documents need to be translated into English.  But what documents would be in Spanish that they are referring to if I fill out all the forms??  I am assuming that my novia’s birth and police certificates and passport do not need to be translated and are only needed at the interview

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by papi on Dec 15, 2004

No, I’m not an attorney. I’m just an average Joe who has done most of this stuff twice. I have petitioned two foreign wives over the years and have recently gone through many of these procedures, including the I-751 earlier this year.

For documents you submit to CIS, they require that anything in a foreign language be accompanied by an English translation. For documents submitted to the embassy, follow their local requirements.

It is my opinion that a lot of people have trouble with the immigration process primarily because the instructions and procedures are often vague and ever changing. I guess that invariably happens when the immigration laws, forms, and instructions are written by lawyers and government bureaucrats.

Ray

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Re: I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by papi on Dec 15, 2004

He isn't saying the document shouldn't be translated.  He is saying DON'T SUBMIT THE DOCUMENT AT ALL.  I have a document in English called the "Consular Report of Birth Abroad" that I can use in leiu of the birth certificate therefore I can forego translating it into English.  Correct me if I misunderstood you Ray.

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by lswote on Dec 15, 2004

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[Gator]

... in response to I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by lswote on Dec 15, 2004

Anything they say to DO, do.  Better safe and inconvienced that sorry

[Hoda]

... in response to I-751 Initial Evidence, posted by lswote on Dec 15, 2004


We just filed ours in September. We sent our son's birth certificate, 2 years of tax returns, a copy of our joint Bank account statements & a photo copy of my wife's 2 year green card. I would translate the birth Certificate, just to be safe & no...we didn't submit an affidavit. We received our reply in about 7 business days. The check we sent them was cashed in 2 business days :-D

Best of luck to you & yours....