US citizen, UK spouse visa steps

[Stumped]

Originally Posted by Stumped

I am a US citizen living in the UK, and I will shortly apply for a residence card -- the EEA(2) form, since my wife here in the UK is an EEA citizen (but not fully settled....she's exercising her Polish citizenship rights to reside here).

By the way, I applied for the EEA(2) in January, and received my successful stamp in March. So the application didn't take very long at all to go through.

Thanks to all for the advice here, especially Joppa.

[lnxjenn]

Does the marriage certificate have to be the original? Or is a certified copy enough? I ordered a certified copy but have my original in a folder with the rest of my documents. I think my husband is leery of sending it away with my packet.

Also, I have my bachelor's degree copied as well, placed in my folder, but do i need to send the original? folder and all? or just a copy will do?

Sorry for stupid questions. I just don't want to be out money or originals of things I do actually need. We did go through the folder and mark a lot of stuff original or copy. So should I do that with the marriage certificate and my bachelor's degree?

I just have a few more things (like passport photos to get done, reference letter from my boss, and the money!) and mine is ready to get sent in! hoping to do that this weekend.

[teuchter]

Originally Posted by lnxjenn

Does the marriage certificate have to be the original? Or is a certified copy enough? I ordered a certified copy but have my original in a folder with the rest of my documents. I think my husband is leery of sending it away with my packet.

Also, I have my bachelor's degree copied as well, placed in my folder, but do i need to send the original? folder and all? or just a copy will do?

Sorry for stupid questions. I just don't want to be out money or originals of things I do actually need. We did go through the folder and mark a lot of stuff original or copy. So should I do that with the marriage certificate and my bachelor's degree?

I just have a few more things (like passport photos to get done, reference letter from my boss, and the money!) and mine is ready to get sent in! hoping to do that this weekend.

You need to send the originals of all documents, plus copies of same if you want the originals to be sent back to you. See: UK Border Agency | Documents required

Quote: "All supporting documents must be originals, not copies."

teuchter

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by lnxjenn

Does the marriage certificate have to be the original? Or is a certified copy enough? I ordered a certified copy but have my original in a folder with the rest of my documents. I think my husband is leery of sending it away with my packet.

What do you mean by original certificate? The one bearing your handwritten signature? You can send a certified copy of entry in the marriage register. In UK, when you get married, you will be given a certificate there and then by the registrar or by officiating clergy (which I would call original) usually but not inevitably bearing your and your winesses' handwritten signature, but you can ask for further certified copies at the same time for a fee (not bearing your handwritten signature), I would send one of those for visa application.

I don't know enough about US marriage certificate to be sure, but you must send a state-certified marriage certificate to UKBA in NYC, which takes a few days to a week to organise, and not any paper given to you by the officiant (purely church certificate, for example).

[uswruk]

This thread is so helpful. I'm concerned re supporting documents as I have moved country (from US to UK to US to UK and back to US) frequently in last 3 years and I'm not a ticket stub collector anyway.

I have photos of us together back from 2009 when we met and were just friends/roommates but no datestamps or ways of proving when the photos were taken. (It lists it on my computer file but can't figure out how to print that out.)

I have also deleted many emails. I have a few emails I have sent to other people in which I talk about partner and starting a romantic relationship. He does not say much in emails. A few that say things like "Did my eyedrops fall near my side of the bed?"

I have Facebook albums (which show the date)from August 2010 but wasn't planning to include each and every one in which we vacationed together. The "engagement trip" includes congrats from friends with dates.

I've read about putting in your skype history. All I could do was copy it and paste it into a word document. Don't know if that helps.

Do I need his flight stubs from every visit?

I can't imagine the UKBA staff want to see snaps from every holiday we've taken together.

[geishaborealis]

Originally Posted by uswruk

This thread is so helpful. I'm concerned re supporting documents as I have moved country (from US to UK to US to UK and back to US) frequently in last 3 years and I'm not a ticket stub collector anyway.

I have photos of us together back from 2009 when we met and were just friends/roommates but no datestamps or ways of proving when the photos were taken. (It lists it on my computer file but can't figure out how to print that out.)

I have also deleted many emails. I have a few emails I have sent to other people in which I talk about partner and starting a romantic relationship. He does not say much in emails. A few that say things like "Did my eyedrops fall near my side of the bed?"

I have Facebook albums (which show the date)from August 2010 but wasn't planning to include each and every one in which we vacationed together. The "engagement trip" includes congrats from friends with dates.

I've read about putting in your skype history. All I could do was copy it and paste it into a word document. Don't know if that helps.

Do I need his flight stubs from every visit?

I can't imagine the UKBA staff want to see snaps from every holiday we've taken together.

I only sent in a few pictures like maybe 3. I didn't have all my ticket stubs either I don't think they are as picky as most people think they really just want to make sure you have enough income and it's legitimate. So of course bank statements from both sides I wrote a timeline out of when we met and started dating and up to the wedding. Also none of the oictures were dated I think as long as you have pictures that show you are thogether you should be fine. I sent in like two cards from family for congratulations. I sent in two emails one from the beginng and one towards the middle of the relationshop they mainly want to see you are contacting. Try not to be nervous it's overwhelming but it's not as bad as I had thought. Wish you the best of luck

[lnxjenn]

I put about 10 pictures. two from way olden days when i met him in 1999 and a few from my trip to England, and wedding pictures. My husband went through the vast amounts of emails we've had over the years and picked some appropriate ones for other eyes to read from various points since 1999 until now... And we have the skype log in there. I even put a couple from our recent trip to Zion too! I look terrible in the picture but we just hiked up a mountain for like 3 miles! Oh well. I have bout 4 from our wedding. Showing the ring exchange, the kiss and happy, and one with the officiator. (since we eloped!)

I'm sure you'll be okay. Mine is on its way to NY for it's official application... i'm nervous.

[uswruk]

Good luck

[nwiseman]

Hi guys

Wife today got her UK spouse visa ! But...all we got back was her passport with stamp in it , with dates valid from and to....
Do we have to enter the UK by a certain date to validate the visa ? And is there a certain amount of days she has to stay in the UK each year ?
Sorry for the questions but no information was given with it !


Thanks

[JHoward]

All of the info you need to know about the spouse visa rules are located on the UKBA website under the side tab "if you have been
issues a UK visa". http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/co...e=UK%20English