Filing today - checklist

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gchax

Registered Users (C)
Hello. I have been browsing the forum for a while as I have been preparing my documents for filing.
I think I am ready so I figured I would post here what I am sending and see if anyone has any opinions or comments about it.

Background: Entered the US with an F-1 in 2004, changed to a TN in 2009 and have renewed it twice (2011 and 2012). Married to a USC (the best guy in the whole wide world, if I may add... :eek:) happened in November 2012, 4 months after last entry (July 2012). Current visa to expire in July 2013.

My husband and I are sending an envelope with a cover letter stating the 4 packages we have and packages as follow:

I-130 package:
1. Cover letter
2. Form G-1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance
3. 1 photo each of applicant and beneficiary
4. Check for $420.00, payable to US Department of Homeland Security
5. Form I-130
6. Completed Forms G-325A for applicant and beneficiary
7. Copy of his unexpired US passport as proof of citizenship
8. Evidence of our relationship-
a. Copy of our marriage certificate
b. Copy of the last statement of our joint eBanking account with Bank of America
c. Copy of joint insurance card for the family vehicle
d. Copy of joint federal income tax return (Form 1040A) for 2012.
e. Two affidavits sworn to by third parties in sealed envelopes
f. A selection of pictures that document our relationship and marriage

Package I-485:
1. Cover letter
2. Form G-1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance
3. 2 passport photos of applicant
4. Check for $1070.00 for form I-485 ($985.00) and biometrics (85.00), payable to U.S Department of Homeland Security.
5. Form I-485 (checked option "A" for question 2)
6. Form G-325A for applicant
7. I-693, sealed envelope containing medical examination from civil surgeon
8. Copy of the certified translation of my birth certificate and copy of my birth certificate in the original language (Spanish)
9. Copy of my unexpired passport showing picture, name, date of birth
10. Copy of passport page with TN visa
11. Copy of I-94 card (front and back)
12. I-864, Affidavit of Support, filled out by my husband and supporting documents:
a. Copy of his last pay stub.
b. Copy of our joint federal income tax return (Form 1040A, and W2) for 2012.
13. Evidence of Eligibility (due to marked option "a" on question 2, as mentioned above)
a. Copy of Form I-130, submitted concurrently with this form


Package I-765
1. Cover letter
2. Form G-1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance
3. 2 passport photos
4. Form I-765
5. Copy of my unexpired passport showing picture, name, date of birth
6. Copy of passport page with TN visa
7. Copy of I-94 card (front and back)

(no other "evidence" since filing concurrently with I-485 and answered (c)(9) on question 16 --> should I add a copy of I-485?)


Package I-131
1. Cover letter
2. Form G-1145 E-Notification of application/petition acceptance
3. 2 passport photos
4. Form I-131
5. Copy of current driver’s license
6. Copy of my unexpired passport showing picture, name, date of birth
7. Copy of passport page with TN visa
8. Copy of I-94 card (front and back)
9. A letter with explanation of reasons that warrant the issuance of Advanced Parole.

(no other "evidence" since filing concurrently with I-485 --> should I add a copy of I-485?)

Other comments: On my husband's G-325a, on the "This form is submitted in connection with an application for" we marked "Other" and specified "I-130 & I-485"

I think that is all I got... Whew!

Any comments or last-minute tips? :)
 
I'll be doing this soon too. Here are some of my comments and questions (maybe other people can answer):
* I think you only need one G-1145, and per the instructions, you clip it to the front of the first immigration form of the package.
* Do you really need to include a copy of I-130 with the I-485? (or is it kind of implied?)
* Where does it say you need a driver's license for I-131? (What if the applicant doesn't have a driver's license?)
* I don't think you need a letter of explanation for the I-131, since you are an applicant for adjustment of status (Step 2: 1.C.1.c. in the instructions). However, I am not sure what you would need to attach instead (you don't have a receipt, as it says)? Anyone knows?
 
Well good luck to us! :D

My replies in red


newacct said:
I'll be doing this soon too. Here are some of my comments and questions (maybe other people can answer):
* I think you only need one G-1145, and per the instructions, you clip it to the front of the first immigration form of the package.
I saw that 'somewhere' (oof... at this point I have read so much about this stuff I am over-saturated!) but I figured it would be ok to attach one per form in case they process them separately? In the end, as long as they don't hate me for sending 4 I think it would be ok, no?

* Do you really need to include a copy of I-130 with the I-485? (or is it kind of implied?)
Ahh... this was a tricky one.... I saw two different answers -by people whose comments are everywhere so I consider them very knowledgeable- depending on what your answer to question 2 is and, I assume, if you file concurrently or not. Since this is a concurrent file, I would assume it wouldn't be needed, but if you read option a and kind of "stick to it closely", my form I-130 is *not* approved so I figured I wouldn't chance any errors and would just add a copy as evidence. I think I have cases of people not submitting a copy and doing ok and one other case (or two? on the sticky thread of "do it yourself") that got rejected. Reading all these posts can be confusing so it could be a different case (maybe not submitted concurrently?). Someone else had suggested checking option "h" stating "Concurrently file I-130" and submitting a copy. My conclusion after probably too many threads read was that "a" was the best option and that it wouldn't hurt to add the copy as evidence.


* Where does it say you need a driver's license for I-131? (What if the applicant doesn't have a driver's license?)
In the I-131 instructions says that all applicants must include a copy of an official photo identity document showing your photo, name and date of birth (Example: a valid government-issued driver's license). I have one so figured I'd include it. I guess I didn't have to, since you can just send your passport copy. Whatever.


* I don't think you need a letter of explanation for the I-131, since you are an applicant for adjustment of status (Step 2: 1.C.1.c. in the instructions). However, I am not sure what you would need to attach instead (you don't have a receipt, as it says)? Anyone knows?
Again, I read multiple threads on the topic and decided it didn't hurt to add the letter. You probably don't need it based on the answers in the form, I guess (similar to providing evidence for I-765 when you're filing concurrently with I-485)
Click to expand...
 
Waiting is the hardest part

I always think of Tom Petty. :)

Ok. I guess I can use my thread to keep track of my timeline. I did mail my documents on the day that I posted, Friday February 22, and I got a Fedex confirmation of delivery on Monday February 25 to the Chicago lockbox.
I haven't received an official confirmation from USCIS on receiving the forms but it's only been a week. We'll see.
 
e-notification received

Got 4 text messages and 4 emails yesterday (at 9 pm!) with 4 different receipt numbers, I assume one per form (as I filed).

Oddly enough, on form I-130 the e-notification form we sent was from my husband and he didn't receive any texts or emails, but I am happy: one step closer. Added a timeline to my signature and will update accordingly. :)
 
I don't think you need a letter of explanation for the I-131, since you are an applicant for adjustment of status (Step 2: 1.C.1.c. in the instructions). However, I am not sure what you would need to attach instead (you don't have a receipt, as it says)? Anyone knows?
 
adamkiaa said:
I don't think you need a letter of explanation for the I-131, since you are an applicant for adjustment of status (Step 2: 1.C.1.c. in the instructions). However, I am not sure what you would need to attach instead (you don't have a receipt, as it says)? Anyone knows?
Click to expand...

Hi adamkiaa. I think I've seen plenty of people that filed the I-131 form without a letter of explanation and were ok but for whatever reason I think the "filing model" (to call it something) I followed did have a simple letter and I thought it wouldn't hurt.

By the way, I have updated my signature to show that the checks were cashed yesterday. Now to keep waiting.
 
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