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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Hi, I’m Prem…
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Hi. My fiance and I are processing our K1 fiance visa and before we pass the packet. We are wondering if we can get married in the Philippines while applying for k1 visa. Need your help.
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.
hello,
we just submitted our petition but my fiance only provided an intent to marry only signed by him, should i expect RFE?
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.
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 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
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)
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,
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, 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 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 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
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
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
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?
Does intent letter need to be in english from beneficiary or can it be in native anguage with xertified translation
Who can translate beneficiaries intent letter
Does my fiances intent letter has to be english or does he. Needs in his native languge and who xan translate it
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?
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.
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 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!
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 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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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
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 ,
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
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 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
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.
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
Does the letter of intent need to be one document signed by both parties, or can we each write and sign our own letters?
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?
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?
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
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!
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
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
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 ?
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?
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?
How can I write letter of intent pls help I need to write it today
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?
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 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?
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
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?
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.
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?