:
When you get the certified birth/divorce certificates and all the financial statements, GET 3 CERTIFIED
COPIES...that way you got real certified documents to submit, plus you have a copy for you and a copy
for your fiance...it just makes your whole life easier, and you don't have to worry about getting anything
back from anybody, you got it all and so does everybody else. ( I note, however, that you CAN submit
plain photocopies of certified documents, but you MUST have the originals if they ask for them, so if you
submit plain photocopies, then you MUST send originals or certified copies to the fiance for the
interview!)
Do the same with the letters from the employer and the people who hold your assets and debts: ask for
3 signed letters from each (yes, they ask a lot of questions and you end up telling your story about a
thousand times, but it's worth it) so that you don't have to worry about copies and originals.
When you fill out the I-134, fill out the one form, then you can duplicate it to make two copies more, and
sign all 3 in the presence of the notary, that way you end up with 3 certified copies (you can copy this
form, it says so on the instructions.) and you only have to fill it out once.
Make sure that your foreign fiance has certified copies of everything (this is especially important
if you only submitted plain xerox copies with our original petition, as the consulate can DEMAND
to see the original certified copies at the interview): birth certificates, divorce certificates, asset/loan
documents, employer letter, all of it...if you do that, you won't have to worry that he/she doesn't have
what they need when they go to the interview, it will just make everything much less hassle. The only
document they will need after that will be the police record, which is only good for 3 months, and they
can start working on that after you submit the petition.
along with the biographical information form, you will need passport-type (see specification) pictures of both of you. Put
the photo's (write full name on the back) in envelopes (label envelope with your name and date of filing), and paper-clip
each envelope to the corresponding biographical information form. Some folks maintain that you don't need the official
type for the American, only the foreign fiance...however it is definitely recommended to use them for your petition and
for the interview*.
*As a note, in 2004 and later all Consulates are now requiring Full Face Views (front) and NOT "old" ADIT style
for the interview. This is a change from the past where they wanted ADIT. Be aware and if you want to get the
pictures in advance, you should contact the consulate or get both to be safe.
