I-129F Proof Letter of Intent to Marry
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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.
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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.
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Download this I-129F Letter of Intent to Marry
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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).
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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.
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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:
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NOT REQUIRED – But helpful to show the following (if you have them)
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- 1. Marriage Venue receipts, agreements, pictures, plans, etc.
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- 2. Marriage caterer agreement, receipt, agreement, etc.
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- 3. DJ, Florist, wedding planner agreement, etc.
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- 4. Honeymoon plans
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- 5. Communication between each other of plans
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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.
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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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Hello Visa Tutor,
I met my fiance 3 years ago. We’ve met in person multiple times in the past 3 years. We’ve met in person over 6 times in the past 2 years. If following the sample I-129F 54 Supplement Letter provided, should I list all of the times we’ve met in the past two years? Basically, I’m trying to figure out what is too much information, and what is too little.
Thank you for any advice.
Your having met your fiancé multiple times is a great thing to make your case strong.
What counts most is the in-person meeting in the last two years despite how long you’ve known each other. You should separate out the different occasions during which you’ve met (we teach you this in detail in our I-129f course).
While talking about the first time, it’d be a good idea to highlight why you two decided to move on with the relationship, what made you be sure you felt like being together.
When you talk about the last visit, it’d be great to let the officers understand the reason you decided to get married and start a family.
I’d say you have plenty of stories and proofs to show the USCIS that your case is strong and bona fide.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
hello,
we just submitted our petition but my fiance only provided an intent to marry only signed by him, should i expect RFE?
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for writing in. Yes, it’s possible, and likely, that the USCIS may issue an RFE to request a signature from both of you.
-Prem
Hello,
Thank you for providing a sample Letter of Intent Marry, it’s very helpful.
My one question is, if we don’t provide further evidence other than the LOI, such as Receipts of the Caterer, DJ, and Florist, and/or Sample wedding invitation cards, does that put us at risk for a RFE? Just seems difficult to provide evidence for a wedding, or plan for a wedding, if you don’t even know if you’ll be approved for the K-1 visa.
Alex, thanks for writing in.
Most of times, the officers know how hard it is to plan a wedding ceremony ahead of time when so many things may get in the way until you both have a definitive date from the Embassy.
However, discussing some plans and even having proofs of estimates to arrange the party, for example, may be a good idea to reinforce your true intentions of getting married.
If you can do that, go ahead and gather those and forward them in your packet.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello Visa Tutor Team!
Could you please help me!
My application for the K1 visa denied. I have about one month to appeal. The reason is in the following:
“You did not submit the couple’s intent to marry within 90 days of the beneficiary’s admission to the United States Based upon the record, you have not established your and the beneficiary’s intent to marry under section 214 ( d ) of the Act, thus you have not established eligibility for the benefit sought within the meaning of section 101 ( a ) ( 15 ) ( K ) of the Act. You have not established eligibility for the benefit sought within the meaning of section 101 ( a ) ( 15 ) ( K ) of the Act. Therefore, the petition is denied. ”
I will fill the form i-290b. Could you please help me, what documents I would attach to this form, except 675$ fee?
Thanks,
Sogol
Hi Sogol, we’ve received your email and have replied. Please take a look in your inbox.
-Prem
Hi my fiance and I both sent the I 129F. We both printed our names, signed, and dated our letter of intent to marry. However we did not put our addresses down and not USCIS lockbox address. Only addressed the letter to USCIS. Is this something to be concerned about? Thanks, Wesley
Wesley, thanks for writing us.
It won’t be a problem since you had this letter of intent forwarded with the rest of the packet.
This being said, you don’t have to label the address for each document.
As long as your petition reached the USCIS correctly, no individual address label is necessary for each letter you include in the packet.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello,
My fiance wrote and signed the letter of intent to marry, but put the wrong lockbox address. He mailed it to me, so I am not sure how to proceed. Should I just cross the address out? leave it as it is? or should I have him scan a new and email it to me? Does USCIS accept scanned signatures? ( I don’t prefer to have him mail it again because it will take a couple of weeks to get here)
Daphne,
That shouldn’t be a problem. You can keep the one with the incorrect lockbox address. The USCIS doesn’t go by that. Also, as you may have read from the article, the USCIS does accept scanned signatures.
-Prem
Hello i was a list of things needed from my fiance lawyer and i do like a sample or an explanation more, Am from nigeria and she in the US now this about intent i need sample ( signed, notarized letter from foreign fiance stating the intent to marry between 90days from the time entered US and explanation of how the couple met and brief description of relationship )
Hello Ezekiel,
Thanks for writing us.
In these two links you are going to find the samples for the letters you need to forward.
Intent to marry:
https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-evidence-of-intent-to-marry/
Circumstances of meeting:
https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-54-or-34a-circumstances-of-meeting/
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello,
I received rfe intent to marry submit beneficiaries intent to marry statement such evidence may include ongoing communication, friends and family aware of relationship, subsequent meetings, engagement ceremony, marriage plans , any evidence that might shred light in intent to marry… we dint plan wedding so my question is since she lives oversea can she sight the letter intend to merry and email me and i can print out sign that way its much faster but would they accept the letter like that? and only other proof i can send is phone log and messages that we are talking every day but they are all on my home language do i have to translate the messages as well? any advice please
Hello Dzemal,
Thanks for writing us.
Wedding plans are always something hard to present and they know it because the unpredictability of the visa approval.
For the letter of intent, photoscans are acceptable. So, she can sign, scan and forward it to you and then you sign too.
As for the phone messages, if the language is other than English, then, yes, you have to translate those.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello, can I add a letter from my mother in law as evidence of our intentions? She’s super supportive and she fully approves of us. Would that be of any help?
Hello Brenda,
The idea of having your mother in law writing a letter is great, however you should consider this as a letter of witness and not a letter of intent to marry. The letter of witness is more like someone showing support to the relationship and a letter of intent has to be signed by both you and your fiancé saying you promise to marry each other in 90 days.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello Prem,
I am in the early stages of the K1. In regards to the intent to marry should both of us write a statement each or should it be 1 statement signed by us both. Also, how can I submit intent to marry proof will emails requesting quotes suffice? I just think it’s hard to hire people and plan a wedding without a set wedding date. Thanks.
Patrice
Hi Patrice,
The letter of intent to marry must be signed by both of you (not necessarily on different sheets of paper). If you read the full page here, having wedding plans aren’t required, but IF you have them, you can include them for extra support.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
My fiancé and I submitted our I129-F recently. We received a letter verifying that it was received which we are happy about. However, I made typos on my letter of intent to marry him and wrote his name wrong in one of the parts of the letter. He signed his name correctly and his name is correct on every other form that we submitted. Should I be looking into an RFE? or should I just wait to hear back from the USCIS?
Thank you so much!
-Dora
Hello Dora,
This is a hard one to predict, unfortunately.
Our recommendation is to be on the look out and respond to any possible RFE (if they ever send it) in no time.
But it’s most likely it will not be a problem as long as the I-129F form had the correct spelling.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hi Prem
I got pictures. With my fiancr in 3. Diff outfits on diff dates and occasions. They oll look similar … and also some familly pics. How many they prefer
Hey Jamal,
There isn’t an exact number for how many photos you must include in the packet.
It may be a good ideia to keep it proportional to the length of visit and select the ones you have family, friends and special occasions like a family reunion, an engagement celebration.
I’d invite you to read the entire proof of relationship article and download the guide Prem prepared.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello guys i recived rfe intent to marry submit beneficiaries intent to marry statment such evidence may include ongoing communication, frends and family aware of relationship, subsewuent meetings, engadement ceremony, marriage plans , any evidence that might shred light in intent to marry … whats being asked from me and how i reply to this
Hello Elma,
Please see here for a full tutorial on how to prepare your proof of relationship https://www.visatutor.com/proof-of-relationship-guide/
-Prem
Dear Sir;
I am living in Germany and my girlfriend is US citizen. We are planning to apply for fiancee VISA. Is it possible to send my letter of intent through my email address? Does a single picture count to discribe that you have meet within two years fiancee?
Hello Ibrahim,
The letter of intent to marry has to be signed and dated by both of you.
A single picture is not good enough proof to show you have a bona fide relationship.
The more advisable would be gather more photos and other types of proofs to forward with your petition and guarantee a strong packet.
I’ll give you the link for one of the great articles Prem wrote about this topic:
https://www.visatutor.com/proof-of-relationship-guide/
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Does intent letter need to be in english from beneficiary or can it be in native anguage with xertified translation
Danya,
another language is fine as long as you accompany the letter with a certified translation.
-Prem
Who can translate beneficiaries intent letter
Hello Dana,
Any person with the proper competence to translate can do it.
We teach how to self translate and “stamp” the translation in our I-129F course
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Does my fiances intent letter has to be english or does he. Needs in his native languge and who xan translate it
Hello Dalia,
You may submit a letter of intent to marry in another language as long as a translation is provided and the original letter is signed.
You or your petitioner can translate it yourselves, if you are competent for that.
If not, you hire someone with such ability.
We teach how to self translate and “stamp” the translation in our I-129F course
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello Visa Tutor Team!
We’re in NOA2-NVC stage. Our process has been so long and frustrating and we didn’t expect it to be this way when we wrote our intents to marry. Our letters include a date of wedding that already passed, that was our plan :(. Of course, we didn’t get married and we had to change plans, as we’re still waiting… Do you think it could be a problem? I’m so afraid! Any advice?
Hello Liza,
Thanks for writing to us. It seems like you wrote a tentative date of marriage in your Letter of intent but due to the timeline, it didn’t pan through. That’s fine. First and foremost, the Letter of intent doesn’t require you to estimate a date of when you’ll get married. Secondly, if you do write a date in, it will not be held against you in any way. Quite frankly, I believe they will ignore any dates you write, because you’ll only get married after you’re approved. So, don’t worry about it, it shouldn’t be a problem.
-Prem
Hi,
Any advice on when to have a prenuptial agreement signed? We are still in the beginning phase of the K1 process. My fiancé lives in another country so I will need it translated and have him review before he comes to the States. Not something I want him to review once he arrives on the K1 visa.
Hello Jessica.
As a prenup is a very private matter, the best advice would be seek for legal help to discuss each detail and decide what’s best to do.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hi Prem,
I recently submitted our 129-f application and was assigned to the processing center in California. But I have a concern about my Intent to marry portion of my application. In my application I didn’t include a letter signed by both of us. I just wrote a letter with the details of our engagement and included photos from the engagement. (Me kneeling with the ring, a group photo of almost 30 members of both of our families) I also wrote that we plan to marry, but my fiancé never actually signed anything. In the photos, it is clear that we are engaged. I also included a printout of us announcing our engagement to family and friends on Facebook. Does this sound like sufficient evidence to prove intent to marry without having her signature?
Thanks,
Corey
Hi Corey,
The evidence you submitted is a great proof of relationship. They may still want to have a formal document signed by both of you regarding your intent to marry within 90 days, as stated in the instructions.
If they feel they still need to see that, they’ll send you an RFE soon.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hi Prem,
Thank you so much for all this helpful information!
My fiance and I intend to have a small religious ceremony in my home country in October this year. We have all the invitations and receipts and venue booking details. The ceremony will be purely symbolic and does not legally bind us in any way. We fully intend to get married in the US after my K1 is processed.
Do you recommend that we include details/invitation of this religious wedding ceremony along with clear details of it being purely symbolic in our letter of intent to marry? Or do you see it being misconstrued as a foreign marriage?
Thanks again for you help!
Hello, Malavika,
It’s highly recommended that you not show any photos or anything that may give them the impression you both are already married.
And since it’s a symbolic ceremony, with no legal validation, I personally wouldn’t include any of that neither in your I-129F packet nor bring any photos of that ceremony with you on the day of the interview.
You may, if you so choose, show them any plans for a future wedding for after you get your visa approved. Other than that, you might convey the wrong message and we don’t want that, right?
Even for engagement ceremonies, it’s advisable to keep everything discreet, like not dressing like a bride, gowns, for instance.
The US considers it a valid marriage if it’s valid in the host country. So, for some countries a religious ceremony is considered legally valid, for such cases, the US would also consider it legally binding.
I’d invite you to check a very informative post Prem wrote some time ago:
https://www.visatutor.com/can-k-1-fiance-marry-coming-us/
It’s up to you to have a symbolic ceremony for family and friends in your country that you want to share the moment with and who may not make it to the US to see your formal wedding ceremony, for example. However, just watch for what you choose to show them.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hi Prem,
I received the letter of intent to marry within 90 days for my fiancee to enter the United States. We haven’t made any plans because we do not know when it would be approved. We plan to do a small ceremony at the court house once she enters the country. However we are planning on doing a symbolic ceremony for the family in the home country. What do you advise us to do? do you think it’s a good idea to include the symbolic ceremony ? I am just afraid they might misunderstand. We honestly do not have anything in mind once she comes because of the uncertainty of the situation of not having a set date.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Hello Jesus!
Not having a big wedding ceremony planned is not really an issue. However, they may ask your fiancée for proofs of a wedding plan on the day of the interview.
We can not preview that. It all depends on the officers’ decision to use their discretion at the moment they’re face to face to the beneficiary.
Since you are planning to get married at the court house and have a future ceremony in her home country, I would suggest you have messages or any other proof about those plans to show them, just in case.
Be over-prepared and bring anything possible to convince the consular officer that your intentions are good.
Once again, have those proofs, but give them up only if asked.
You don’t want to have your case in an administrative hold after all those months waiting for this opportunity to show you have a bona fide relationship, right?
Exercise your due diligence and everything will be fine.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Hello Prem,
Thank you for the website and all this information. I am in the process of a K1 visa and have applied since October. I had an address change in February, and were not receiving any letters from USCIS. In june i spoke to e level 2 agent and found out i had been sent an RFE that had expired on may 19. i submitted e request for it to be sent again and USCIS sent me the original. I am just now responding to the request but i am scared that they might reject my application. Have you come across a case like this? what to do in this situation?
Hello Nadia,
Since you contacted the USCIS asking them to resend your RFE note, it sounds like they’re willing to help you. So, from now on, take action more quickly and if you haven’t done that yet, visit the USCIS website and update your address just in case they need to get in touch again for some reason.
Follow their instructions closely and keep in mind that you must pay attention to the validity on each note you are sent, ok?
If they gave you this opportunity to respond to an RFE it’s certainly because they want to help you.
-Cris (Visa Tutor Team)
Prem,
Your website has helped tremendously as my fiance and I are beginning the first stages in the K1 Visa process. I can’t thank you enough. I do have a question though, with probably more to follow. As we know its a little risky planning for a wedding in the States with the ambiguity of the K1 visa. However we do plan on getting married in my fiances home country early next year, per her parents. Because this is more certain, and we are planning for it now, would including our intent to marry in my fiance in her home country in the letter of intent to marry, be helpful?
Hey Dan,
Thanks for reading the site. I’m glad I caught you before you may have made a mistake. You see, K visa applicants aren’t allowed to marry outside the US, before or after approval.
A k-1 visa applicant has to be free to marry (single) at the time of the interview. The applicant must marry inside the US with the US petitioner. That’s the rule. So you cannot marry your fiance before / after the K visa unless you do it within the US otherwise you will void the K visa.
It will be an immediate grounds for denial if you state you will marry your fiance in her home country. You can read full details here https://www.visatutor.com/can-k-1-fiance-marry-coming-us/
In addition, we can talk offline about this or I suggest you take a look into my I-129F step by step course where I teach you exactly how to fill these details out so you don’t make a mistake: https://visatutor.thinkific.com/courses/i-129f-step-by-step
-Prem
Good day, Prem,
I am in the process of writing the letter of intent to marry. Having a tough time as, well, this process can take an undetermined amount of time, therefore we are not able to make plans; venue, date, etc. with in mind, I can only make it a short sentence.. any thoughts?
thank you!
Tony R.
Tony,
As you may have read in the post, it’s not required to show plans for marriage venue, date, etc. It’s good to have, but it’s understandable if you don’t want to risk predicting dates. Having one single line promising to marry one another in 90 days is perfectly fine to write in this statement.
-Prem
Hi,
If I’m filing for my fiancee abroad, I’m in the USA but I can’t find evidence of my naturalization “Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship” what do I do?
Does my passport alone count, and if so what do I write in boxes 42-a-c?
Hey Ben,
You need to prove citizenship. Your options (among others) are: passport copy, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, etc. One of these is enough as long as the document is valid and unexpired. If you have a US passport, then that serves as proof of citizenship.
-Prem
Hello good day!
This is my first time here and found your blog really useful. I have a question about letter of intent to marry. My fiance does live with me temporarily in the Philippines. Should he put his u.s adress in the letter of intent or his temporary address here in the Philippines.thanks.
Thanks Liezel,
An address is not required in the letter of intent to marry. If he wants, he can use his US home address if that’s his permanent address.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
My fianceé and I have been in a relationship for 15 years already. We lived together in the US while she was under a J-1 Visa. A few years ago we had a wedding ceremony for family and friends, however, we were not legally bound in any way. It was purely spiritual and we intend to indicate this clearly in our application, considering that we are filing this petition to legally follow-up on the promises made that day.
We have a few questions regarding this issue.
1. Would a written statement (signed by both of us) explaining the situation be helpful?
2. Would you recommend us including more information regarding the ceremony?
3. Do you anticipate this being a red flag in any way?
Thank you,
David
Hi Prem,
I have recently been reading on forums that people are getting RFE
since they did not do separate letter of intents. Should I be worried?
Hey G,
Hmm, that’s sort of hard to believe. The reason for the RFE (I’m positive) is not that there were two signatures instead of one per page. I suspect the real reason for RFE was something else (unknown) that the applicant didn’t reveal. I don’t think you should be worried. The USCIS doesn’t explicitly say to have separate LOI statements. In the past no one else has had this problem.
-Prem
Please i want to ask about the new adress of USCIS.. the adress im going to put in the letter of intent to marry? Thank you
Hello Sanae,
The address of the USCIS you put in the Letter of Intent to marry does not matter. It will not be mailed separately, so you could even leave the address out if you wanted to. This letter will be placed within your overall I-129F packet.
-Prem
Hello
I got RFE for more evidence that i will marry within 90 days . I rote letter and i promise that i will marry within 90 days . My question original signature on the letter is must or enough to sighn on the letter and scanned and send to my fiance secend questions sighnture with blue or black ink
Hello Mina,
The USCIS accepts a scanned copy of your signature in the Letter of Intent to marry.
-Prem
hello ,
my name is mina as beneficiary from Egypt and my fiance us citizens and she live in California . she received
a request for evidence directed to me (intent to marry) submit from mina that he plans to marry you within 90 days of his admission to the united state .evidence of the beneficiary is intent may be a statement , wedding preparations or other deviance that clearly establishes his intent to marry within 90 days . but we already sent the letter with all documents and forms when we first applied . my question is why they send again that they need it if we are signed the letter before that we will marry within 90 days . and how to handle this situation ? thank you very much
Hello Mina,
You received an RFE for not providing evidence that you two intend to get married in the US within 90 days of your entry. I’m sure you’ve sent the documents in your original petition. However, it’s common for the USCIS to ask for documents — which I’m assuming means they may have lost them. Don’t worry, your best solution is to simply send the letter of intent to marry along with a few other proof to confirm that you’ll get married.
-Prem
heloo im tunisian and my fiance is a yamani lives in the US .. were trying to apply the petion.. anyway my question is how he s gonna plan for the marriage and we are intending to marry as soon as i arrive to the US … and we still dont know when the visa will be approved i mean how he s gonna contact..pay and plan dates n we still dont know how much this procces will take ?
thank you for helping all apreciations .
Hello Rahmmah,
I agree with your frustration. It’s almost impossible to predict when you’ll be approved. On top of that the Officers sometimes want to see that you’ve fixed a date and planned a venue. The best you can do is try your best to plan a venue. If the officers want to see an actual date fixed, then you can take the next step and fix a date. Otherwise, it’s impractical to take further steps. Wouldn’t you agree?
-Prem
Hello Prem
Thank you sp much for that web sit it helps me a lot but I still need some help could you pleaaaaase help me my fiance is from USA and me from Morocco he asked me to write a tatement of my intention that I will marry him when I go to USA and I don t know how to writ that can you please help me
Hello Chaimaee,
You can download the template from above and insert your own names. Then print out the document and sign it. That’s it.
-Prem
Hi Prem, thank you for your help. I am the beneficiary and want to know if I need to sign the I-129 form or any other document, can you please help me? Blessings.
Hello Sofia,
Thanks for stopping by. For the most part, the only thing that a beneficiary does is to sign the letter of intent to marry. There might be other rare situations where you have to sign a document (for example, a translation if required for particular things). Other than that, the beneficiary isn’t required to sign anything else. Unless of course, the USCIS asks you for something which requires your signature later on.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
Do our letters of intent need to be notarized?
I the beneficiary am in the Uk and my fiance the petitioner is in the US. Any advice on how to get our individual letters notarized if required/ preferred?
Would appreciate your advice
Kind regards,
Anna
Hello Anna,
The Letter of Intent to Marry does not need to be notarized for your I-129F petition. You must simply sign and date it. That’s it. You should copy the exact template I’ve provided here and just insert your names. That will do it.
Cheers
-Prem
Does the letter of intent need to be one document signed by both parties, or can we each write and sign our own letters?
Hello MA,
You can each have a separate letter or sign one letter, it doesn’t matter. I suggest having both signatures on the same letter because it saves the headache of two separate identical letters.
-Prem
Hi Visa Tutor!
I know I have to put a date on the intent later. But I will be shipping the letter to the US and it might take atleast 5 days before it reaches the US, and we wont be submitting the i-129f package until a week later after the intent letter reaches the US.. What date should I be putting on the letter of intent? Does it matter?
Hello Ella,
It won’t affect your letter if it’s dated a few days before you send it by mail. There’s no policy/law on the actual date. However, I would say that if it’s within the last 3 months, then it’s acceptable to use.
-Prem
Hi Prem
What if my fiance and I don’t have any big wedding plans? We are just planning to marry at a courthouse with a few family members. What should I be writing in my intent of marry?
Hello Tatiana,
There’s no requirement for a wedding plan during your K-1 process. It’s great if you planned one but it’s not necessary. Getting married at a courthouse is more than enough to satisfy requirements. In fact, that’s exactly the path I and my fiance took. We married at the courthouse and had a reception party later on.
In your letter of intent to marry, you will simply say that you ‘intend to marry within 90 days of arrival in the US”. No need to explain further. However, at the k-1 interview they may ask the beneficiary if there are any plans. Just be honest and say if there are or not. Consular officers are well aware that the K-1 timeline is unpredictable and that’s why most people don’t set wedding plans.
-Prem
Hi Prem,
I’m really thankful for your website, it’s been incredibly helpful. My fiancé and I are hoping to send out the I-129F within the next week or two.
Just a quick question of a couple of things things that aren’t completely clear to me: If we didn’t meet through marriage broker, do we still need to send our criminal records?
Also, with the I-129F do we need to send medical check-up information?
I’m the non US citizen. Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Gabriel
Hello Gabriel,
I’m glad my site is helpful to you.
Criminal history is required to be disclosed regardless if you met through an IMB or not.
There is no medical report required as part of your I-129F submission. That’s done later in the K-1 interview stage.
Good luck in your case.
Hi Prem,
So me and my fiance have not looked at wedding venues here in the US, but we have looked at a few in the Dominican Republic (where we also want to have a wedding ceremony for his family). Do you recommend we include that? It’s evidence of our on-going plans to marry, but not here in the US. So, I’m not sure if that’s relevant, helpful, or if it might mislead the USCIS to think we don’t plan on getting married in the US as well. I’m concerned that may hurt, rather than help.
Thanks!
Hi Vanessa,
As you know, you and your fiance must get married in the US within 90 days after arrival into US. You’re not allowed to get married outside the US. I definitely don’t suggest you include any proof of marriage plans outside the US. It will lead them to reject you.
You must get married in the US. But you do have the option to hold small ceremonies in your country. In fact, I wrote an entire article explaining the situation. Read it here:
https://www.visatutor.com/can-k-1-fiance-marry-coming-us/
-Prem
Hello Prem,
My fiance and I have not yet started to plan our wedding, but will be doing so in the months after we send our I-129F form. At this point, we would like to do something simple involving just our families, as he has relatives in the states as well. Do you recommend attaching a document describing an outline of our plans once my fiance’s visa is approved, or should we just send the letter?
Thanks,
Phoebe
Hi Phoebe,
That’s not necessary. You’re not under any obligation to plan your wedding to inform the USCIS of your plans. You can if you want, but it’s not required.
Although, it’s a good addition to your case and will help a bit in terms of proof of relationship.
You’re well eligible if you simply state the facts that you’re going to get married within the required 90 days after arrival into the US. Play it safe and just use the same outline that I’ve provided for the letter of intent to marry. Plain and simple!
-Prem
Hello,
My fiance is from the UK and I am a US citizen. We plan to marry this year in July. We looked into the documents and visa, but he does not intend to stay as we are planning to live in the UK. How can we handle his visit? Does he need the K1 Visa I129? He is only planning to stay two weeks he is back to get things settled for me and go back to work. What can we do to avoid issues?
Kindest regards,
Yvette Hernandez
Hi Yvette,
So, let me know if I understand your question correctly. Your fiance is in the UK and you plan to marry in July. You’re both going to permanently live in the UK after marriage? but you two want to get married in the US?
If so, then a tourist (or ESTA) can be used for marriage purposes granted that the foreigner doesn’t adjust status in the US. In other words, anyone in the world is allowed to get married in the US on a tourist visa. However, they’re not allowed to claim any legal residences afterwards and can’t adjust status for a Green Card. Do you follow?
It’s perfectly legal for your fiance to come to the US on a tourist visa, or ESTA, and marry you here. Then you two can leave the US to live permanently in the UK. Granted your fiance doesn’t overstay his Tourist or ESTA. In this case, he doesn’t need a special visa (fiance, spousal, etc.) to marry you here.
Hope all of this makes sense. Let me know if you have further questions
-Prem
Hello, me and fiancé applied for the K-1 visa. He just recently sent me the letter of intent with his original signature but did not date it. Is that going to be a problem regarding the date ? Or Can I date it ?
Hi Dalia,
I wouldn’t think twice about it. Just put in the date yourself. Get his verbal permission and I think you’ll be set. As long as the signature matches, you should be good to go.
-Prem
My fiancé lives in Colombia. I’m afraid it could take longer than expected for his letter of intent to arrive. Is it best to wait for the original copy or to use a scanned version sent through e-mail?
Hi Clara,
The USCIS typically accepts photocopy of the signed statement. However, I’ve noticed they sometimes don’t follow their own policy. You can decide for yourself
option (1) send in the photocopy of the signed LOI. Then hold on to the originals, in case the USCIS issues an RFE asking for the original; or
option (2) wait until your fiance sends you the original and send that in your I-129F.
What do you think?
-Prem
My fiancé is Dominican and speaks Spanish. For the letter of intent can i write up a letter in Spanish and then another in English and have him sign both? or what is the best way to do this? and if i am not able to get the original of his signature back right away – it is ok just to send the “copy” of the letter in the packet? but have the original for the interview?
Hello Darci,
That’s an interesting question. Here are a few ideas
Option (1) He doesn’t need to speak English in order to sign his name on the LOI. You can draft the statement in English and he can sign it. The language of a signature doesn’t affect your eligibility or paperwork!
Option (2) He can draft a statement in Spanish and then sign it. When he sends that to you, you can translate it. In your I-129F packet, you will submit both documents (the Spanish one and the translated one). It’ll be helpful if the translated has his signature.
You’re allowed to submit copies of a signed statement and it constitutes as an acceptable document. However, I’ve seen the USCIS not be consistent with that policy. Sometimes they send RFEs for copies and other times they accept photocopies signatures. So, my advice is to get the original but if you cannot, then you can send in a copy. Keep the originals as backup in case they request it.
Great question.
-Prem
How can I write letter of intent pls help I need to write it today
Hi,
You can download the template here and insert your own name.
-Prem
I noticed your letter above includes both signatures. I’m questioning it because other websites suggest 2 separate letters for each. I am not sure if that was the old ways and now we can combine 2 letters into 1? I just want to make sure i submit the correct way they are asking. Which one would you suggest based on the 2017 form? and I don’t see anywhere saying if they need a copy or the original letter?
Hi Joulie,
That’s a very good question.
You’re allowed to do it either way. Whether you want to sign it together on the same paper or do it separately on different sheets. It’s absolutely no problem and both ways are accepted by the USCIS. It depends on your preference. The reason I recommend it on one page is to save you the trouble of submitting two different ones. That’s really it.
In theory, the USCIS policy says that they accept copies of signed letter of intents. But, honestly many times they don’t live by their own policy. So, I suggest you submit the original so you don’t risk it. Also, keep a copy for yourself.
-Prem
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