Here's the process based on my experience. ( by sis Kaizen)
1. SEND I-130 form to Service Center - Service Center will depend where your petitioner is, as for mine, we submitted it to California Service Center
2. NOTICE OF ACTION 1 (NOA1) - This will be coming from the Department of Homeland Securities. NOA1 is an acknowledgement receipt that they received your I-130 form, usually you'll get it a week after you submitted the I-130.
3. NOTICE OF ACTION 2 (NOA2) - Notice if the petition filed is approved or not. Length of time you'll receive this may vary from 2 - 8 months, depends on the Service Center
4. CASE NUMBER - If you're here in the Philippines, this will start with MNL200xxxxxxx. NVC assigns this.
5. CHOICE OF AGENT - The applicant, the one being petitioned, will be the one who'll sign the DS-3032. You need to assign an agent who will receive all future correspondences from NVC, it could be anyone (applicant, your petitioner, or a lawyer). As for my case, I was the Choice of Agent, so my hubby and i could save money and time. Since all the forms (except Form I-864 a.k.a. Affidavit of Support), will be filled-up and signed by me. I received this 2 weeks after i was assigned the case number. Payong kapatid, if you feel secure that all your papers are legal & in order, don't hire an attorney na. Kayang-kaya nyo ng i-fill up ang forms, since all the information will only be about you.
6. AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT - Your petitioner will be the one who'll receive this. He/She will need to pay $70.
7. FEE BILL FORM - The petitioner could pay this in cashier’s check or money order in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank. $380.00
8. DS-230 PACKET - The choice of agent will receive this (if you're not the choice of agent), but it's the applicant who will sign. Make sure that you follow instruction when filling this up: write your case number at the top-right portion of each page. When you mail this, be sure that you have attached a photocopy of your passport, NBI clearance, etc. with your case number again at the top-right portion.
9. APPOINTMENT PACKET - a.k.a Packet IV. While waiting for this, you could also check the status of your case online: Interview Appointment Status
NOTE:
*If you're under California Service Center, and still waiting for NOA 2, check the processing dates in THIS LINK
* If you're a nomad, just like me Grin , try to trace your place of residence since you were 16 years old. Not the exact address, just the city, town, country. As well as you're employment information for the last 10 years. You will need this in filling-up the DS-230.
* While waiting for your Appointment Packet, request already for a copy of your: Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, NBI Clearance. But take note that these will only be valid for 1 year.
* When you have your Appointment letter, you could already take the medical exam at St. Lukes Extension Clinic.
