US Citizen Filing for Mother's Green Card through Consular Processing-Venezuela 2015

[Venezuelan-UScitizen]

Hello everyone,

I sent a package, which the USCIS Location in Phoenix, AZ received on Saturday, March 14th 2015, that contained the following:

- Check for $420 to U. S. Department of Homeland Security
- Form G-1145, e-Notification of Application / Petition Acceptance
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- My Certificate of Naturalization (Copy)
- My Passport (Copy)
- My Passport Card (Copy)
- My Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
- My Mother's Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
- My Marriage Certificate (Copy)

I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this same process doing the Consular Processing in Venezuela, and if they can help me with the following questions:

Q1. How long did it take from the moment you filed the I-130, until your parent was in the U.S. legally and ready to work.

Q2. Once the I-130 is approved, what comes next? Do you need a lawyer? Do you recommend to get a lawyer?

Q3. How much are the fees for DS-260, and I-864? Can they be paid by me in the US, and not by my mother in Venezuela?

Q4. What are the documents required for the DS-260? I got this list from a lawyer, can someone verify these:
• My Mother's Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• My Mother's Divorce Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• Copy of all the pages of My Mother's Passport, which has to be valid for at least 12 more months.
• 2 Passport Photos
• This is in Spanish: Certificado policial de TODOS los lugares en donde usted ha vivido por más de 6 meses desde la edad de los 16 años. Éstos certificados policiales tienen que ser certificados por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. What does this mean? what kind of papers are these? where to get them in Venezuela?
• This is in Spanish: Documentos de prisión y corte (si aplica). What does this mean? what kind of papers are these? where to get them in Venezuela?
• Medical Exam, which needs to be done once you get the instructions. Does anyone know of a doctor that provides these services in Venezuela that you can recommend?
• My Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• My Certificate of Naturalization (Copy)
• My Marriage Certificate (Copy)

Q5. What is the filing fee for the I-864 when done through Consular Processing in Venezuela? Are these all the documents I am going to need?
• My 3 most recent Taxes.
• Letter from my employer on their letterhead as proof of employment with current title and salary.
• Paid stubs from the last year.

Q6. Anything else you might know about the process in Venezuela? What is the process like, how long does it take? what is the interview like?

_____

Update:

Wed March 19 2015 - Received Text Message from USCIS stating case was received, and Receipt #. Received E-mail from USCIS stating case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center for processing. Official Receipt was sent, will receive within 7-10 days my standard mail. Then you can use the My Case Status on uscis.gov website with Receipt Number. Opened account on USCIS.gov.

Mon March 23 2015 - Received the Form I-797C Notice of Action by Mail.

Thu Aug 11 2015 - Received e-mail notice that RFE Letter (Request For Evidence) would be sent.

Mon Aug 10 2015 - Received RFE by Mail:

PROOF OF NAME CHANGE
Submit evidence showing that (Mom's Maiden Name) and (Mom's Married Name) are two names used for the same person. You must show how the beneficiary acquired the last name of (Mom's Married Name) which is listed on your birth certificate.

Evidence of a name change may include, but is not limited to, a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate (of the spouse whose name you used), adoption decree, or court order. The evidence must be registered with a civil authority. Using a modified version of your name for an extended period of time is not acceptable proof of a name change.

Note: Affidavits will not be considered primary evidence in order to establish a name change.

--

In my country you have 4 parts to your official legal name, which are Name MiddleName Dad'sLasname Mom'sLastname, for example: Jane Jill Doe Smith. When you get married, if you legally change your name, your name would usually be: Jane Jill Doe of Johnson, removing your 2nd last name and changing it to your new husband's lastname. The 'of Johnson' part signifies you are married to Johnson and are 'of' Johnson, or whatever. My mother never legally changed her name, therefore she always remained "Jane Jill Doe Smith". However, when I was born somehow they put my mother's name as 'Jane Jill Doe of Johnson' in my birth certificate. So now USCIS wants proof that my mom used both names, because that is what it says in my birth certificate. But she never legally changed it. I will submit my mother's marriage certificate, which I guess proofs that she could've changed her name to "Jane Jill Doe of Johnson", and then her divorce certificate, which I guess proofs that she was no longer "Jane Jill Doe of Johnson", but none of these actually say "Jane Jill Doe of Johnson" anywhere.

Q7: I was just wondering if this evidence would be sufficient enough and if anyone here has had a similar issue.

Thank you for any response you might have.

[f2a]

Hello everyone,

I sent a package, which the USCIS Location in Phoenix, AZ received on Saturday, March 14th 2015, that contained the following:

- Check for $420 to U. S. Department of Homeland Security
- Form G-1145, e-Notification of Application / Petition Acceptance
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- My Certificate of Naturalization (Copy)
- My Passport (Copy)
- My Passport Card (Copy)
- My Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
- My Mother's Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
- My Marriage Certificate (Copy)

I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this same process doing the Consular Processing in Venezuela, and if they can help me with the following questions:

Q1. How long did it take from the moment you filed the I-130, until your parent was in the U.S. legally and ready to work.

Q2. Once the I-130 is approved, what comes next? Do you need a lawyer? Do you recommend to get a lawyer?

Q3. How much are the fees for DS-260, and I-864? Can they be paid by me in the US, and not by my mother in Venezuela?

Q4. What are the documents required for the DS-260? I got this list from a lawyer, can someone verify these:
• My Mother's Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• My Mother's Divorce Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• Copy of all the pages of My Mother's Passport, which has to be valid for at least 12 more months.
• 2 Passport Photos
• This is in Spanish: Certificado policial de TODOS los lugares en donde usted ha vivido por más de 6 meses desde la edad de los 16 años. Éstos certificados policiales tienen que ser certificados por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. What does this mean? what kind of papers are these? where to get them in Venezuela?
• This is in Spanish: Documentos de prisión y corte (si aplica). What does this mean? what kind of papers are these? where to get them in Venezuela?
• Medical Exam, which needs to be done once you get the instructions. Does anyone know of a doctor that provides these services in Venezuela that you can recommend?
• My Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• My Certificate of Naturalization (Copy)
• My Marriage Certificate (Copy)

Q5. What is the filing fee for the I-864 when done through Consular Processing in Venezuela? Are these all the documents I am going to need?
• My 3 most recent Taxes.
• Letter from my employer on their letterhead as proof of employment with current title and salary.
• Paid stubs from the last year.

Q6. Anything else you might know about the process in Venezuela? What is the process like, how long does it take? what is the interview like?

_____

Update:

Wed March 19 2015 - Received Text Message from USCIS stating case was received, and Receipt #. Received E-mail from USCIS stating case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center for processing. Official Receipt was sent, will receive within 7-10 days my standard mail. Then you can use the My Case Status on uscis.gov website with Receipt Number. Opened account on USCIS.gov.

Mon March 23 2015 - Received the Form I-797C Notice of Action by Mail.

Thu Aug 11 2015 - Received e-mail notice that RFE Letter (Request For Evidence) would be sent.

Mon Aug 10 2015 - Received RFE by Mail:

PROOF OF NAME CHANGE
Submit evidence showing that (Mom's Maiden Name) and (Mom's Married Name) are two names used for the same person. You must show how the beneficiary acquired the last name of (Mom's Married Name) which is listed on your birth certificate.

Evidence of a name change may include, but is not limited to, a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate (of the spouse whose name you used), adoption decree, or court order. The evidence must be registered with a civil authority. Using a modified version of your name for an extended period of time is not acceptable proof of a name change.

Note: Affidavits will not be considered primary evidence in order to establish a name change.

--

In my country you have 4 parts to your official legal name, which are Name MiddleName Dad'sLasname Mom'sLastname, for example: Jane Jill Doe Smith. When you get married, if you legally change your name, your name would usually be: Jane Jill Doe of Johnson, removing your 2nd last name and changing it to your new husband's lastname. The 'of Johnson' part signifies you are married to Johnson and are 'of' Johnson, or whatever. My mother never legally changed her name, therefore she always remained "Jane Jill Doe Smith". However, when I was born somehow they put my mother's name as 'Jane Jill Doe of Johnson' in my birth certificate. So now USCIS wants proof that my mom used both names, because that is what it says in my birth certificate. But she never legally changed it. I will submit my mother's marriage certificate, which I guess proofs that she could've changed her name to "Jane Jill Doe of Johnson", and then her divorce certificate, which I guess proofs that she was no longer "Jane Jill Doe of Johnson", but none of these actually say "Jane Jill Doe of Johnson" anywhere.

Q7: I was just wondering if this evidence would be sufficient enough and if anyone here has had a similar issue.

Thank you for any response you might have.

I have no answers or advices for you but your case resonates with mine. It seems like your I-130 was approved fairly quickly.

[Venezuelan-UScitizen]

I have no answers or advices for you but your case resonates with mine. It seems like your I-130 was approved fairly quickly.

My case has not been approved yet, it is pending due to the request for an RFE.

[Venezuelan-UScitizen]

I-130 US Citizen Petitioner for Mom in Venezuela - Case Approved... What next??

US Citizen Filing for Mother's Green Card through Consular Processing - Venezuela 2015 - APPROVED... WHAT NEXT?

Hello everyone,

Here is my entire timeline:

FRI MAR 13 2015 ----- Sent I-130 Package VIA USPS Priority Mail Express To Phoenix, AZ
Package Contents:
- Check for $420 to U. S. Department of Homeland Security
- Form G-1145, e-Notification of Application / Petition Acceptance
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- My Certificate of Naturalization (Copy)
- My Passport (Copy)
- My Passport Card (Copy)
- My Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
- My Mother's Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
- My Marriage Certificate (Copy)

SAT MAR 14 2015 ---- Package Delivered at 10:17 to Chase Bank Bldg. Signed for by J LOPEZ
WED MAR 19 2015 --- Received Text Message from USCIS stating case was received, and Receipt #.
WED MAR 19 2015 --- Received E-mail from USCIS stating case has been accepted and routed to the
USCIS Nebraska Service Center for processing. Official Receipt was sent, will receive within 7-10 days by standard mail. Then you can use the My Case Status on uscis.gov website with Receipt Number.
WED MAR 19 2015 -- Opened account on USCIS.gov to check case status.

MON MAR 23 2015 -- Received the Form I-797C Notice of Action by Mail, Priority Date March 16th, 2015.
THU AUG 06 2015 --- Received e-mail notice that RFE Letter (Request For Evidence) would be sent.
MON AUG 10 2015 --- Received RFE by Mail:
PROOF OF NAME CHANGE
Submit evidence showing that (Name Middle Lastname1 Lastname2) and (Name Middle Lastname1 of Lastname3) are two names used for the same person. You must show how the beneficiary acquired the last name of (Lastname1 of Lastname3) which is listed on your birth certificate.
Evidence of a name change may include, but is not limited to, a marriage certificate, divorce decree, death certificate (of the spouse whose name you used), adoption decree, or court order. The evidence must be registered with a civil authority. Using a modified version of your name for an extended period of time is not acceptable proof of a name change.
Note: Affidavits will not be considered primary evidence in order to establish a name change.

WED AUG 19 2015 --- Sent RFE Response via USPS.
FRI AUG 21 2015 ----- USCIS Received my response to the RFE.
FRI AUG 21 2015 ----- Received e-mail notice that "Your Case Status: Request for Evidence Response Review"
TUE SEP 01 2015 ----- Received e-mail that I-130 was approved:
Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity
On September 1, 2015, we approved your Form I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN, Receipt Number ###. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

As of today I have not received anything by mail... (12 days later)

I-130 Approved in 172 days - 5.65 Months

Q1: When should I expect something in the mail, how long does it take for USCIS to mail me the approval by mail? will I be the one receiving this as the petitioner, or will it go directly to my mother in Venezuela (the mail system over there is not good at all)? what will be the instructions in this approval notice?

I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this same process doing the Consular Processing in Venezuela, and if they can help me with the following questions:

Q2: How long did it take from the moment you filed the I-130, until your parent was in the U.S. legally and ready to work.

Q3: Once the I-130 is approved, what comes next? Do you need a lawyer? Do you recommend to get a lawyer?

Q4: How much are the fees for DS-260, and I-864? Can they be paid by me in the US, and not by my mother in Venezuela?

Q5: What are the documents required for the DS-260? I got this list from a lawyer, can someone verify these:
• My Mother's Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Spanish (All Copies)
• My Mother's Divorce Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Spanish (All Copies)
• Copy of all the pages of My Mother's Passport, which has to be valid for at least 12 more months.
• 2 Passport Photos
• This is in Spanish: Certificado policial de TODOS los lugares en donde usted ha vivido por más de 6 meses desde la edad de los 16 años. Éstos certificados policiales tienen que ser certificados por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. What does this mean? what kind of papers are these? where to get them in Venezuela?
• This is in Spanish: Documentos de prisión y corte (si aplica). What does this mean? what kind of papers are these? where to get them in Venezuela?
• Medical Exam, which needs to be done once you get the instructions. Does anyone know of a doctor that provides these services in Venezuela that you can recommend?
• My Birth Certificate (Translation) + Certification + Notarization + Original (All Copies)
• My Certificate of Naturalization (Copy)
• My Marriage Certificate (Copy)

Q6: What is the filing fee for the I-864 when done through Consular Processing in Venezuela? Are these all the documents I am going to need?
• My 3 most recent Taxes.
• Letter from my employer on their letterhead as proof of employment with current title and salary.
• Paid stubs from the last year.

Q7: Anything else you might know about the process in Venezuela? What is the process like, how long does it take? what is the interview like?

Thank you to anyone who might have any information to share (even if you are not from Venezuela).