Jon & Jas

Happy homecoming! And your signature should read "Here in the U.S. with my darling

An affidavit is a "written statement of facts voluntarily made by an affiant under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law (from legal dictionary)." In most cases, a notary public is authorized to affirm an oath for an affidavit. The power of a notary public differs from state to state. In some states, notaries are allowed to authenticate documents while in others, they simply act as witnesses to a signature. You may want to check what the power of a notary is where you are going to get the guest book notarized. However, I am not sure how a notary can authenticate a signed guest book without witnessing each guest signing it. Unless you decide to invite the notary to your party, you may have to make a declaration such as "I certify that the signatures from this book are authentic" and sign your name to that declaration and have the notary notarize your signature. In that case, it's just you making an affidavit that the signatures are authentic. Once again, check with the local rules and regulations. Another option for you may be to pick a handful of friends and relatives, and ask each of them to write a letter, signed in front of the notary, declaring that they believe the marriage to be authentic. I say a handful because I'm not sure how much weight the VO would place on just one or two affidavits...

Thanks!

I was just asking a question that came up as a result of an answer to the question in the original post. I know our problem is going to be when the visa will be ready (if we get pick pink, *knock on wood*). I'm trying to decide if my LP should make another trip down to GZ to pick up the packet when it becomes ready or if we should ask them to mail it to my cousins. Sorry if it's slightly off topic...

GZ is in Guangdong Province. The US Consulate in Guangzhou will mail out the visa packet to any address in guangdong Province. They don't just 'use' that 'one' post office for 'receiving'. I suggest you don't have your cousins 'pick it up'; instead, I suggest that you write down the cousins' address in the EMS mailing label. The US Consulate will send it to 'that post office' as a courtesy to those who do NOT live in Guangdong Province, with the expectation that these 'people' are waiting for the visa to be delivered. Since they have a Guangdong province address already, use your cousins address, save the hassle. I pray this is easy for you to to understand. Thanks, Darnell. I think I do. The only thing I don't quite know is the EMS label. Jas prepared the necessary items for the mailings (I tried to ask her to explain the EMS system to me once, she gave up after 2 minutes ). Is this something we prepare before going to the consulate or is this something to be done at the post desk at the consulate? Thanks again! Jon

How would one go about arranging this? At the post office or with the consulate? 1.At the post office desk inside the consulate after the interview. 2. by talking with the" Yangs" So anyone can go and pick up the packet, without having to prove that they have the authority to do so? Our interview date is scheduled on the 22nd. With the consulate closed from 23rd to 28th, the visa may not be ready until February. We have cousins living in GZ, and may ask them to pick it up. I just want to know if there are any special procedures that needs to be followed to allow someone other than the beneficiary to pick up the visa.

How would one go about arranging this? At the post office or with the consulate?

Ahh, crap... Our interview is scheduled on the 22nd... This is going to be bad...

Granted, the entire questioning process was bad from the start, but why would the VO say "Have you looked at the letter of employment"? Was there anything on that letter that contradicted what she said? The flat out accusation of lying seems to be very rare.

Good luck Stepbrow, and please keep us updated on your situation.

For me, the point is not about being pessimistic but about being prepared. I believe there is no reason whatsoever why they should reject my case, but I am a little worried that I don't have a backup plan ready should the unthinkable occur. Time to browse that pinned "denial" thread...

Just curious, was this a Chinese lawyer?

ÃÀÊõ (ûÊ÷) ͦÁé»îµÄÄÔ×Ó£¬Ä㣡 ²»ÊÇ¡£ ÊÇ£º Ҳû»¨ £¨Ò°Ý®»¨£© ÃÀ椣¨Ã»Å££© okay, that's pushing it a little...

Congrats!!!

Yes, I think we'll follow the BEST strategy of being there when you are supposed to be there. It'd be a tragedy to try to save a few hours only to lose a few months if something goes wrong. I will also ask my SO to confirm whether the PO is open during the Chinese New Year.

I shudder to think how much cosmetic products Jas'll be packing when she comes over *knock on wood*... BTW, e-dictionary is definitely useful for the first few years in the States. I know someone who brought along two, one for backup, when she came to the States for her graduate studies. BTW2, Ling is a rather unusual English name and is usually associated with Chinese names. Were you thinking Lynn instead?

Sorry about the late reply. I believe the PO is open on Saturday the 24th. We are just hoping and praying that it would be ready on the 24th. Most likely my SO'll head home for the New Year if she doesn't get it by then and try to make another trip out once it's ready...

Good points, Steve. Thanks!

And what is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Okay, my head is spinning now... Didn't I read in the FAQ (or was that the VJ FAQ) that it's a good idea to wear an engagement ring to the interview? And our "wedding album" has nothing resembling an actual wedding. It's just a bunch of portraits taken in a studio, with nothing that would suggest a ceremony, and certainly no family. Although she was wearing a wedding gown in some of the pictures... It is a standard practice in China for couples to take pictures for the album up to a year before the actual wedding. It's not that unusual in the States either. Are we supposed to assume the worse when it comes to dealing with these VOs? *sigh* I think I'm getting paranoid now...

Thank You, rather safe than sorry, LiuYings' unmairried certificate is from Oct 2008 but, they may ask me to prove I was not married in China. delay, delay etc. It is only one page in our Special Album but the only page that shows her entire family with us together. I will remove the page and keep for "backup". Okay, I must be getting more nervous now that we have an interview date (for K-1). I traveled to China two months ago and we took professional photographs for a wedding portrait album. Would the album be a good thing to bring as proof of relationship? Or would this somehow raise up the question of "already-married"? Her unmarried certificate is from last month. Also, they won't need to keep the album if she brings it, would they?

Good tips, Tom. Thanks and congrats!

This is off topic, but yes, cosmetics, especially. A lot of Asian women complain about how the cosmetic products here in the States are not formulated for Asian skin. If you have a favorite brand, stock up. Congrats, btw! Oh yeah, it's probably best to pack cosmetics in your check-in bags to avoid any problems with liquid bottle sizes for carry-on luggage.

Congratulations!!!

Congrats Lili. My fiance just got hers as well. 1/22. Now a whole another set of worries: 1) Her interview time is around 7AM. Is it typical to have interviews that early? 2) 1/22 is a Thursday right before Chinese New Year (which is Monday the week after). Should I be worried about the visa pick up process due to the holiday? Thanks! Jon