Personal check/moneyorder/cashiers check?

[happy life]

What are acceptable ways to send citizenship fees? I am reading on this forum that personal checks are okay. But when I went to an immigration lawyer's web site it did not mention personal checks.

 

[dckaraja]

One personal check for 400$ is fine.Easy to track as well.

 

[rwsh]

Agree ... do not mess with money orders and cashiers checks.

 

[boatbod]

In my opinion, this is a strangely gray area. Personal checks seem to be fine for your N-400 (and also I-130), but apparently only cashiers checks or money orders are acceptable for anything involving NVC (e.g. Affidavit of Support, Immigrant visa fees etc).

My conclusion is you are fine with sending a personal check so long as it is going to a service center. Anywhere else and you'd better read the instructions very carefully.

 

[brb2]

I agree. I sent a USPS money order. I had no benefit in that they still took the same time to send an NOA as personal check would have done. I am not sure if a cashier's check would have made any difference. I would guess not.

Agree ... do not mess with money orders and cashiers checks.

 

[Flydog]

The nice think about a personal check is that they are easy to trace - and, they are cheap.

My advice, send a check, and send it "certified mail with return receipt" via the post office. Quick, cheap, easy and gives you positive confirmation that the application was received. It is *very* nice to get that little green "return receipt" in the mail - it will be the first sign that your application has started its journey through the USCIS maze.