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I am looking for a simple translation of all this INS paper work.
I need to know what I have to do to marry my girl in the ukraine and bring her and her daughter here. I know I need the I-130 form and that is what all I have been able to decode from the INS site. I also need to know what papers have to be translated to english and does she need to send me the originals. I also know that I have to file in vermont. Thanks for any help Snowwego

... in response to I need a straight answer, posted by snowwego on Dec 17, 2001

Here are the relevant items you should include (at the very least):

1) Personal check for $110.00 payable to INS
2) Cover letter explaining why the INS is receiving this petition.  Also explains how the enclosed documents are organized.
3) Packet 1:
     Form I-130
     Petitioner's birth certificate (original)
     Marriage certificate (original)
     ADIT photos of petitioner in envelope attached to
         petitioner's signed/completed form G-325 (4 pages)
         ADIT photos should have petitioner's name on back
         written *lightly* in pencil or felt-tip pen
     ADIT photos of beneficiary in envelope attached to
         petitioner's signed/completed form G-325 (4 pages)
         ADIT photos should have beneficiary's name on back
         written *lightly* in pencil or felt-tip pen
     Supplemental documentation:
         1) biographic page from beneficiary's
              international passport
         2) photocopy of beneficiary's birth certificate
              with English translation
4) Packet 2: (copies of all documents in Packet 1; see section 4 of the instruction pages of form I-130 for more specific information).

Personally, I've included a great deal more documentation than what I've listed here but my case is a little different.  In any case, the core of your petition is listed above.  See the Vermont Svc Cnt web page for more specific packing instructions.  If you have any other questions, feel free to email me or, better yet, contact your Service Center directly by phone.

If you go the I-130 route, be sure to read up on the K-3/K-4 visa for your fiancee and daughter.  If the trend continues, the K-3 and K-4 visa processes should be as fast or faster than the K-1 visa process.

Cheers...
DR

... in response to I'm sendin' my I-130 paperwork tomorrow...., posted by DR on Dec 17, 2001

Two guys I know married in Russia, spent a month there, then did DCFs at the embassy and their wives were approved immediately and they flew home together (with green cards to boot, no AOS needed).  No fuss, no muss.  Of course they did have to spend a month in Russia...not necessarily easy for everyone to do considering jobs and everything.

Stevo

... in response to Why didn't you do a DCF?.....I'm curious..., posted by Stevo on Dec 17, 2001

Yo!  I'm doing a PhD/MD program here in Nashville.  1 month in Ukraine!?  Are you joking?!  I was lucky to get a week off to attend the K-1 visa interview.

Anyway, I'm puttin' the final touches on the application now.  My worst fear...three dreaded letters...R-F-E!  (cue Darth Vader or Jaws music here).

Seriously, I would go the DCF if I had the option.  Unfortunately, I'm pressed for time.  :(  Thanks for the suggestion though.

Cheers...
DR

... in response to I need a straight answer, posted by snowwego on Dec 17, 2001

Okay, here you go!!

I-130   (one for your wife, one for her daughter.
G-325A  (one for your wife (4 copies), one for her
       daughter(4 copies), and one for you (8 copies,
       4 for your wife, 4 for her daughter
Photo's (2 Adit for wife, 2 Adit for daughter, 4 passport
       for you. (two for each of your G-325A's)
I-864   You will need letter from your employer plus copies
       of your tax returns for the past three years.

Additional supporting documents...

Your passport or other proof of citizenship
Her passport (with translation)
Police Reports (with translation)
Her Birth Certificate (with translation)
Daughter's Birth Certificate (with translation)
Marriage Certificate (with translation)

I would also recommend having the translated documents
notorized. My wife and I were married in Russia but I am
sure the process is the same for the Embassy in Warsaw.
This is standard procedure for filing a "Petition for
Alien Relative". If you go this route, chances are they,
your wife and daughter, would arrive in the United States
within 3 to 4 weeks from the time you filed your petition.
Also, upon arrivel she will be able to work as well. In
addition, at port of entry they will ask her where she
wishes to have her green card sent. The process is very
easy and elminates much paperwork when compared to the K-1/K-2 or K3/K4 Visa's. Anyway, if you need any help just
let me know!!

John

... in response to Re: I need a straight answer, posted by johnE on Dec 17, 2001

It's been a while since I filed the paper work for my wife, but I think I remember that the INS told me the document translations you mentioned had to be done by a certified translator.  I'd hate to see some guy get translations of all this done and submit it only to have it rejected since the translator wasn't certified.

Was this a requirement for you????

... in response to Certified translator???, posted by Patrick on Dec 18, 2001

Patrick, you're right. They do need to be done by a certified translator. This is a given. But, I forgot to mention that. I think most are. At least the one's I dealt
with anyway. Of course they need to be notorized as well.
I also forgot to mention that ZAGS may required a letter from the American Consulate or Embassy stating that the fiance or groom is free to marry. And, if the man has been married before, he must provide his "notorized" divorce certificate or decree along with an "Apostille" for said document. My wife and I were married November 19th so this
is still quite fresh in my mind. Oh, I haven't mentioned all
the bribes (candy, vodka and yes, money) that it took to accomplish this. It is definately a story in and of itself!!

John

... in response to Re: Certified translator???, posted by johnE on Dec 18, 2001

I didn't find that term in any of my dictionaries or the online dictionary.

... in response to Define Apostille???, posted by BubbaGump on Dec 18, 2001

"Apostille" Authentication Certificate: Article 7 of the Hague Convention , which was signed by 161 countries including Ukraine and Russia, provides for the use of a standardized authentication certificate called an "apostille." In short, it is a standardized, international notary which all countries who signed the Hague Convention recognize. For example, to recieve and "Apostille" stamp for a divorce decress, you must have
a "signed orginal" from the county clerks' office, Office of the courts AND the State Department.

Procedure: Since the authorities designated by the U.S. to affix the apostille can only attest to the validity of certain seals, it may be necessary for you to obtain some intermediate seals on your document, depending on the origin of the document, before the apostille can be affixed. There is no single U.S. competent authority to issue the Convention apostille. There are different authorities for documents originating in state and local jurisdictions, Federal courts and Federal government agencies. Contact the competent local authority who will affix the certification (apostille) on your document. If it is necessary for you to obtain some intermediate seals on your document before obtaining the Convention apostille, consult the appropriate state or federal authority listed.

The apostille consists of the following:

(1) name of country from which the document emanates;
(2) name of person signing the document;
(3) the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted;
(4) in the case of unsigned documents, the name of the authority which has affixed the seal or stamp;
(5) place of certification;
(6) date of certification;
(7) the authority issuing the certificate;
(8) number of certificate;
(9) seal or stamp of authority issuing certificate;
(10) signature of authority issuing certificate.

I hope this helps!!

John

... in response to Re: Define Apostille???, posted by johnE on Dec 18, 2001

200,000 words in the online dictionary and that wasn't one of them.

... in response to Define Apostille???, posted by BubbaGump on Dec 18, 2001

Apostille (french), apostil (english).
A marginal note, comment, annotation,
which completes, makes clear or interpret a text.

... in response to Re: Define Apostille???, posted by micha1 on Dec 18, 2001

GDT Express
Grand Dictionnaire,  no one can beat them.

... in response to Re: I need a straight answer, posted by johnE on Dec 17, 2001

thanks for the info this is what I needed

... in response to Re: I need a straight answer, posted by johnE on Dec 17, 2001

I'm typing away feverishly and you scoop me!  Hehe!  Anyway, with two of us providing the same info, he can't go wrong.

Cheers...
DR