do it yourself 485 application

[praytx]

Hi,

My employer filed for my 485 application. I want to now add my wife to my 485 application as a derivative and would like to do it on my own if possible and save some money.

I have some Qs.
1) Do I have to resubmit all my paperwork which was submitted with my application? or a copy of the 485 receipt notice should suffice?
2) I get a sealed envelope for the medical exam. I do not know whats inside it. Is form I-693 filled out by the doc? is there anything else I need to fill out?
3) Do I make the money order payable to USCIS?
4) does anyone have a sample cover letter I can reuse?

Thanks in advance

 

[TheRealCanadian]

1) Do I have to resubmit all my paperwork which was submitted with my application? or a copy of the 485 receipt notice should suffice?

A copy of your receipt notice is all that you need to submit.

2) I get a sealed envelope for the medical exam. I do not know whats inside it. Is form I-693 filled out by the doc? is there anything else I need to fill out?

This contains the results of the medical exam. Just forward the sealed envelope along with your wife's application.

3) Do I make the money order payable to USCIS?

Yes.

 

[praytx]

sample cover letter 485

Here is a letter I have prepared...please provide feedback/comments before I send it off and if it looks good, others can use it if you like.

Also, do I need to get the photocopies (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) certified/notarized?

September 24, 2004

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Department of Homeland Security
U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services
Texas Service Center
P.O. Box 852939
Mesquite, Texas 75185-2939


Re: I-485 Derivative Application for Adjustment of Status based on spouse’s Principal application with A#

Derivative Applicant (Spouse) : [Spouse Full Name]
A# : [Spouse A# info]
Date of Birth : [ Spouse DOB]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed please find the following documents on behalf of [spouse name].

1. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status with two photographs and filing fee of $385.00 ($315 for I-485 and $70 for future fingerprinting);

2. Form G-325A Biographic Information;

3. Copy of Form I-797C receipt notice for pending Form I-485 Adjustment of Status Application for Principal Applicant, [my name here];

4. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate;

5. Photocopy of Applicant’s Birth Certificate;

6. Photocopy of all pages of the Applicant’s passport;

7. Photocopy of front and back of Applicant’s current I-94 Arrival/Departure Record;

8. Evidence of lawful admission and maintenance of status including photocopies of: all past Form I-797 Approval notices (H-1B) for Applicant.

9. Medical examination results in sealed envelope.

We are not including the following:

Form I-864 or Form I-134, Affidavit of Support. We received instructions from your office to submit this at the time of the interview.


Thank you for your consideration to this matter. If you have any questions about this application, please feel free to contact me.


Signed,


[spouse's full name]

 

[teddy_b]

Here is a letter I have prepared...

praytx, your cover letter and the list of documents are fine. I did all my I-485s myself too (including mine, my wife's and son's applications) - I sent exactly the same supporting documents with similar letter, and got approval eventually with no RFE.
You do not need to certify/notarize you copies. But if some/all of the documents are in the foreign language, you have to attach their English translations, and these translations must be certified by translator, and notarized.
You have to include the following certificate before or after your document translation, on the same page:

TRANSLATOR’S CERTIFICATE

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE AND ACCURATE
TRANSLATION OF THE <DOCUMENT_NAME> OF <PERSON NAME(S)> AND
THAT I AM FLUENT IN THE ENGLISH AND <FOREIGN> LANGUAGE.

SIGNED: ______________________

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME
THIS ____ DAY OF _________, 20____.

_____________________________________
NOTARY PUBLIC
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:

You can have a friend to sign it for you in front of the notary (if your friend knows this language), or you can even sign translations yourself. You do not need any "certified" translator to do that.

Also, you do not have to send money order with your applications, USCIS accepts personal checks. If your bank provides images of your cancelled checks online, you will be able to see your case number before you actually get a receipt - USCIS puts the case # on the back of your check when they cash it. Knowing your case # might be extremely useful if for any reason you do not get a receipt (as happened with me)...

 

[praytx]

Thanks for responding, teddy_b.

Another clarification, and I know its mundane but its good to be clear and specific with USCIS

1)Can I send both my wife's and son's applications in one package? with two separate checks? or do I need to mail them as two separate packages?
what did you do in your case?

2) Did you file a I-134 or I-864, affidavit of support?

3) what did you answer for Part 3, section B where it asks to list spouse and any children and asks if 'applying with you'? In my wife case, a derivative of my application, do I answer 'Yes' next my name? and do I answer 'Yes' next to our son's name?

4) For your sons application, dont know how old he was when you applied, but could he sign his own application? If not, did you have to prepare a separate document or file G-28 to represent your son for the 485 application? what did you do for G-325A application, there is no space to indicate 'prepared by'?


tks

 

[fast_gc_seeker]

Thanks for responding, teddy_b.

Another clarification, and I know its mundane but its good to be clear and specific with USCIS

1)Can I send both my wife's and son's applications in one package? with two separate checks? or do I need to mail them as two separate packages?
what did you do in your case?

>>> one package but 2 checks

 

[teddy_b]

1)Can I send both my wife's and son's applications in one package? with two separate checks?

One package, separate check for each case. You can combine processing fee and fingerprinting fee for the same case in one check though.

2) Did you file a I-134 or I-864, affidavit of support?

It's not required for derivatives of employment based applications.

3) what did you answer for Part 3, section B where it asks to list spouse and any children and asks if 'applying with you'? In my wife case, a derivative of my application, do I answer 'Yes' next my name? and do I answer 'Yes' next to our son's name?

I sent all 3 applications in one package (even more, I also included 3 APs and 2 EADs applications into the same package - had to use small FedEx box), so I checked 'applying with you - Yes' on both - mine and my wife's applications. In your case, you have to check 'Yes' on your wife's form next to your son's name, but I would check 'No' next to your name...

4) For your sons application, dont know how old he was when you applied, but could he sign his own application? If not, did you have to prepare a separate document or file G-28 to represent your son for the 485 application? what did you do for G-325A application, there is no space to indicate 'prepared by'?

I signed all his forms, including G-325A, and put "Parent, on behalf of minor child" next to each signature. I did not fill in any "Prepared by" sections. You do not need to file G-28 with it, this form is only for lawyers, not for parents.

Good luck!

 

[praytx]

Teddy_b,

thanks for ur response. i think i am done reviewing the docs and will send it out this monday. had one last Q and dont know if you have an answer...but maybe someone else does.

My wife has an approved 140 with her employer and she opted for CP. we are waiting for pkt 3 currently to arrive. both me and our son are derivates on her 140/CP application. In Section 3, Part A of the 485 application, it asks 'if you have applied for PR before'?

I plan to answer approved 140 with the CIS receipt number.

Is that OK? she doesnot have an 'A#' yet bcoz of CP.

thanks.