frank1538

Breathe a sigh or relief. For all intents and purposes, it's over!!!!! Congratulations.

It would be important to know some of the background. Was this a "standard" request for a birth certificate or was this a situation where there were no records or discrpencies in the records? Which City or Province was involved? Did the Notarial Office know the reason for wanting the birth certificate? Did the parents expect to have to pay or were they shocked by the demand? Any other factors? The need for a bribe seems very rare for birth certificates, and 10,000 RMB is a lot of money for a Chinese person to have to pay. Maybe this is one of the more corrupt offices or there was something else going on, but your experience seems more the exception than the rule.

Good news. Could be a happy new year coming up. Good luck.

Also, take a look at http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9078

I don't remember reading that in the instructions. I remember adding a continuation sheet to cover my wife's address in both English and Chinese. That was pointed out in the instructions. 165626[/snapback] Why is it necessary to put this information on the back of the form considering the I-129F already requests this information on item 16, page 2 of the form? "...16. If your fianc¨¦(e)'s native alphabet uses other than Roman letters, write his or her name and address abroad in the native alphabet..."

It's a nice feeling, isn't it? You're now done with USCIS (for a while). Now you get to deal with the Department of State where the fun really begins. Good luck.

Congratulations. This may be the best Christmas present you'll ever get. Good luck.

Light colored eyes (blue, green) give Jingwen the heebie jeebies. Her response is always "ghost" (¹í gui3)

Good news indeed and good luck.

It's been a long time coming, but the end is in sight. Good luck.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

tick tock tick tock

Remember for K-1/K-3, the I-864 is not used until the AOS back in the states.

It's almost over!!! Congratulations. Don't forget to mark your calendar for a year and nine months out to remove the conditions.

Hearty congratulations. All hoops have been cleared. Get the hell outta Dodge.

Congratulations and best wishes. Looking forward to another CFL couple in Atlanta...it's becoming a movement.

Sounds like they're looking for the NOA on the I-485 filed for the daughter. It's a typical Notice of Action/I-797C. It'll have your daughter's identifying information at the top, a receipt number, case type showing "I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status", notice type showing "Receipt Notice" and other miscellaneous information. The first paragraph will read: "The above application has been received. Please notify us immediately if any of the above information is incorrect. If you find it necessary to contact this office in writing, you must include a copy of this receipt notice with your inquiry." The NOA then provides information on scheduling fingerprinting and biometrics. If you got something else from USCIS as proof of receipt, chances are that logic is failing our governmental brethern who seem to be saying: "If it ain't the I-797C Receipt Notice, it ain't for real no matter what your letter says."

You have to remember which government has jurisdiction in immigration mattters. It's only the federal government, not the state, county, or municipal government. When was the last time you were stopped by the federal "police"? Local law enforcement personnel generally have enough on their hands without having to worry whether someone is legal or not and then notifying the feds who probably have an illegal immigration backlog ten years long. I'm sure some information is shared, but I'll bet it's the rare exception.

Ty, I think you're wreaking havoc with these resurrected posts Happy birthday Jenny.

Congratulations!!!! I agree, life is very good. 165055[/snapback] I think Ty pulled a fast one on you. Check the date of Skrunks' post (2003). But, in any event, happy birthday Skrunks.

Jingwen's two teenaged kids came over on a K-2. Other than making sure GZ knew to send three packet 3's to her, the process was routine for the kids since their status was derivative to Jingwen's K-1 status. One thing to remember is that once the case gets transferred to GZ for actual visa processing, you'll have to duplicate just about everything - once for your fiancee's application and again for her daughter's application. This would include, police clearances, medical exams, etc. I have not legally adopted the kids, so they remain my step children. You'll probably need to check with your state's particular laws if you want to legally adopt them. As my step children, Jingwen's kids automatically became eligible to participate in my employer provided medical plan (Aetna) after Jingwen and I were married.

I believe that listing the child on the I-129F is all that is required.

I have a dumb question. Based on your timeline, you are preparing the initial submission, so I'm assuming you're talking about the G-325A when you ask about your SO's signature. Ok, here's my dumb question. Why not have her sign it in Chinese and then print her name in Chinese underneath where it asks for the printed name for non Roman alphabets? - kinda like the way we Americans sign (unintelligible signature and printed name underneath. Jingwen signed her G-325A in Chinese.

As moon says, it's both cultural and human nature. But, I will add this. I have noticed that Chinese women talk about money, wages, salary, etc. as freely as American men talk about cars. Also, I've seen a lot of "oneupsmanship" among the Chinese women. Whether this is human nature or a cultural "face" thing, I really don't know - I suspect a little of both. I joke about this sometimes, but if Jingwen has talked to any Chinese wife currently residing in the US, I could probably tell you how much the husband makes and what he buys for her, and her husband could probably say the same about me.

You got that right. K-1 major steps: Meet in person, File the I-129F with the USCIS Service Center where you have your permanent residence in the US. Wait 10-15 months. Get visa. CR-1 major steps. Get married. File the I-130 usually with the USCIS Service Center where you have your permanent residence in the United States (sometimes you can file with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) overseas office with jurisdiction over your current foreign residence). Wait 10-15 months. Get visa. K-3 major steps. Get married. File the I-130 (see CR-1). Wait for first NOA (Notice of Receipt). File I-129F (see K-1). Wait 10-15 months. Get visa. DCF major steps. Establish residence in China (usually a resident visa is sufficient). Get married. File the I-130 with the consulate with jurisdiction where you now reside in China. Wait 6-12 months. Get visa. Your actual mileage may vary.