Recommendation letters

[Raj1994]

Should we submit original letters of recommendation, or are xerox copies fine? My attorney is asking for the original letters for EB-OR. I am thinking of a self-sponsored EB-EA (in addition to the EB-OR) and might need to use xerox copies of the same letters.

 

[leroythelion]

Should we submit original letters of recommendation, or are xerox copies fine? My attorney is asking for the original letters for EB-OR. I am thinking of a self-sponsored EB-EA (in addition to the EB-OR) and might need to use xerox copies of the same letters.

I had submitted originals with my EA and notarized copies with my NIW.

Brian

 

[GoFast]

Should we submit original letters of recommendation, or are xerox copies fine? My attorney is asking for the original letters for EB-OR. I am thinking of a self-sponsored EB-EA (in addition to the EB-OR) and might need to use xerox copies of the same letters.

My suggestion:
1) Asking two (or more) original copies from the letter author at the very beginning (each with original signiture);
2) If 1) is not available, make a notirzed copy before sending out the original one for a case. the notirized copies can be used later on if you want to do another one. But you might want to attach a page to explain why you are using this one here, especially it has specific words for a case (like for NIW, bala bala..., but you want it used in EB-EA later on);
3) If 1) and 2) are not available for you, and if you want to send a another case later with the same service center, just use a copy and say that the original one is at their place (give a case Number for reference).

But the original one is always the best choice. USCIS website has its requriment for the letter.

 

[drO]

Hi,

IMHO you don't need originals, I don't think you need sertified copies either (I can't recall exactly where, but I'm sure I read about it on INS site).

For my EB1 (approved last year) some of the letters I used were faxed to me, others were in electronic form to begin with, and some were just emails I printed out.

drO

 

[leto]

From immigration site

Here's what they say:

"NOTE: If the applicant or petitioner has already submitted the original document to the USCIS in connection with another matter, he or she may submit a photocopy along with an explanation of when and why the original was previously sent to the USCIS."

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/hdiorig.htm