I-129F Proof Letter of Intent to Marry
Remember that to be eligible to file the I-129F Petition for your fiance(e)’s K1 visa, you two must promise to marry each other in 90 days of arrival in the US. It’s one of the visa eligibility requirements.
To comply with that requirement, you include some kind of evidence or (statement) letter to prove your intent to marry your fiance(e). It’s a signed document where you promise to marry in the US after your K1 visa is approved.
In Part 8, the “Evidence for Petitions to classify a Fiance(e) as a K-1 nonimmigrant”, instructions list a variety of ways to comply. Most engaged couples will write a simple letter declaring how they both plan to marry each other to comply with the k1 visa requirement. While a letter works most of the time, it’s not the only evidence you can use to convince the USCIS.
Download this I-129F Letter of Intent to Marry
Here’s a sample I-129F Letter of Intent to Marry. This is an example of the format of how your letter should look and what it contains. Typically, you won’t need to get it notarized (unless the USCIS asks with an RFE for you to notarize it).
What to include in the I-129F Letter of Intent to Marry
The purpose of this document is for you to demonstrate to the USCIS that your plans to marry are legitimate. Since this letter will be signed by both you and your fiance(e), it’s a legal statement.
This can be a common piece of paper (probably 8.5×11) where you highlight your commitment to getting married. If you consider it useful, you can attach additional evidence to further justify your case. See the next section for examples.
What other evidence can you use?
The USCIS doesn’t specifically say to write a letter as evidence, even though that’s how most couples interpret it. You can even provide some other types of proof. Think about it, what else can you use to validate your future plans of marriage?
This list shows what else can be accompanied with your I-129F Petition to satisfy the USCIS’s requirement:
- NOT REQUIRED – But helpful to show the following (if you have them)
- 1. Marriage Venue receipts, agreements, pictures, plans, etc.
- 2. Marriage caterer agreement, receipt, agreement, etc.
- 3. DJ, Florist, wedding planner agreement, etc.
- 4. Honeymoon plans
- 5. Communication between each other of plans
In general, a written letter of Intent to marry is usually sufficient evidence. There are several others which you can come up with on your own. If it’s a documented proof of your future plans to get married, then it will probably work.
Does the letter of intent to marry require original signatures?
The official I-129F instructions simply say that the packet must include a signed letter from you two of your intent to marry. It doesn’t clearly say whether or not it must be an original “wet signature”.
If you don’t have an original, should you wait until you get it mailed from your foreign fiance? before submitting the petition. Short answer — NO.
The USCIS accepts forms with signatures which are photocopied, scanned, faxed, emailed, etc. You can easily have your fiance(e) print out and sign the document. Then scan it back to you. You will print out the electronic copy to attach to your I-129F petition.
It’s also advisable to try to get the original letter. The USCIS only requests an original letter if they feel it’s necessary. Otherwise, most won’t see an RFE about it. Just to be safe, have the original mailed to you, so you can respond quickly if you happen to get an RFE.
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October 16, 2017 at 8:37 am on I-129F Evidence of MeetingHi Prem, I'm confused. There's a part in I-129F question...
Prem you said we do not need the receipt from the florist, DJ or caterer and that this letter will be sufficient or do i need some form of evidence that my fiance and I intend to marry with in the 90days of her arrival and if so would I be able to use evidence of our engagement party in her home country as evidence?
Hi Erik,
You do not need to include further proof of “intent to marry” other than the Letter. However, if you have proof/receipts from florists, DJ or caterers, then you may include it for additional support. Although the USCIS says “evidence”, in reality, they expect a letter of intent to marry. Anything else you submit will be additional support.
Hi Prem for the letter of intent it says latest USCIS address is this the USCIS for my local area or a specific one like in California or DC or one of those places?
Hello Erik,
First point: it’s not required to put the address in the LOI. Your letter is part of your petition anyway, so it’ll be sent together. Secondly, if you write the latest USCIS address, it may be the same address that you send your entire packet. I would say, for now, use the lockbox facility’s address in Texas. It really doesn’t have an impact on your paperwork…
-Prem
Thank you I asked cause the letter of intent example you have on your site says it needs a current address for the USCIS
You mentiones that the G325 A form is not required. Are you sure it isn’t required? I’ve seen alot of people use it. Please explain
The G-325A has been eliminated and removed from the requirements to file the I-129F. Instead, the questions are now incorporated into the newer version of the I-129F petition form. This new rule came into effect in June 2017.
What if you don’t plan to have the wedding ceremony right away and just plan to get married. Do you think we would be rejected?
Hi Ed,
That’s not a problem. The main purpose of the evidence of intent to marry is that you intend to get married right away (after arrival into the US). You don’t need to have anything set up or scheduled. It’s perfectly fine to inform the officer that you will get married “as soon as possible”. Also that you didn’t decide on a date because you weren’t sure when the k-1 process would finalize.
Greetings! I submitted my i129f case before the new required form. Do you know where I can find a copy of the old instructions?
I’m worried that I needed to write a letter of intent to marry. My fiance did but I only showed evidence of our upconing wedding receipts. I was very careful. I just want to make sure. Thank you.
Hey,
Yes, the letter of intent to marry was also a requirement in the older form I-129F. You can use the exact same format and question in the I-129F to answer this.
Use the format on this page to draft your letter.
Cheers
-Prem
Hello Prem,
Thank you so much for this site. I am in the process of filing the k1 visa for my fiance and it seems to be taking a toll on me Lol but your site has been helping so far.
I’m in the process of writing the letter of intent to marry and I am stuck as to how I will get my fiance’s signature because he is in his country and I am here in the US, do you think it is safe to write the letter, email it to him to sign and then he scans it back and I sign the document and submit it?
Also, about the G-325A, I know in the instructions it talks about filling out information for both beneficiary and petitioner, is it okay if I sign both the G-325A for the both of us or he would have to sign his too?
Hello Ayomide,
I’m glad you find the website useful. The K-1 takes a toll on everyone, so don’t feel distressed! Let’s see how I can help…
It’s necessary to have both fiances sign the “letter of intent to marry”. There’s no way around it. The requirement is that you have to submit a LOI by both parties, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be on the same piece of paper. You two can write separate LOI and submit them in the same I-129F package.
Read above about whether or not the signature has to be an original “wet signature” or a copy.
The G-325A HAS to be the original “wet signature”. No question about it. The G-325A is no longer required for the I-129F.
email me if you need further help pkumar@visatutor.com
-Prem