Review of I-130 Process

[efyl]

Hi, I am a natural-born US Citizen married to a woman from El Salvador. She currently resides in her country and although I´m visiting her at the moment, my permanent residence is in the US. Although I´ve talked to a number of people and made various calls, for some reason I haven´t gotten straight answers on the start of the process. Can someone please confirm if my following understanding is correct?

First Stage
- File I-130 form together with ...
- G-325a for me
- G-325a for her
- $355 fee

Then, if I understand correctly, within a few weeks I´ll get notification of receipt of the form at which point I then file the Affidavit of Support. Is that correct?

Thank you for your help,

Jon

PS. Also, it´s confusing to me at the bottom of the G-325a if I select "Naturalization", "Status as Permanent Resident" or "Other". I saw one post where someone suggested "Other" and then write in I-130 but I don´t know if that applies for our case as well.

[BigJoe5]

You file an I-130 at the Chicago lockbox.

The I-130 requires proof of relationship and proof of your status.

You show proof of U.S. Citizenship (U.S. birth certificate or passport) and proof of termination of any prior marriage. She shows birth certificate and proof of termination of any prior marriage. If she has any kids under 18 when you married, they are your stepchildren and if you want to immigrate them, they need individual I-130's.

You are the petitioner, she is the beneficiary.

After proving your status and relationship, the I-130 is approved and you are notified.

She is then contacted and told to apply for an Immigrant Visa. You will be contacted regarding the I-864, Affidavit of Support.

The G-325A biographical forms are secondary information included in the whole immigrant visa application process. She is seeking status as a permanent resident. You are other--petitioner.

Double check current fees online, they changed 11/23/10.

[efyl]

Birth Certificate?

Thanks for the information, especially about the new fee change!

> She shows birth certificate
Are you sure though that we need to submit her birth certificate with the I-130? I noticed that in other posts people mentioned that it´s not required for the beneficiary at the time of filing the I-130 nor did I see it mentioned in reviewing the I-130 directions again.

Thanks!

[BigJoe5]

You be the tester on that. Leave out her birth cert and let us know how that turns out.