Silly question, but better safe than sorry!

encorebreak

Registered Users (C)
I know this is probably a dumb question, but:

When I'm assembling the stuff for the I-130 filing, how exactly do I do it? What I mean is, do I use a binder (some sites mentioned folders or binders), do I use a manila envelope? Do I staple the stuff together? Use paper clips? Affix all the forms, documents, etc together or leave them separate?

I was planning to just put all the stuff into a manila envelope, with the related documents (such as my marriage certificate, its translation and a certification by the translator) paper-clipped together. I am going to be handing in my packet by hand to the Islamabad Embassy USCIS department (they asked me not to mail it but to personally drive over to the Embassy), so the exterior envelope will basically be the packet. Should I put my documents/forms into another envelope inside the first (outer) one?

Please help! I know it might not really matter the way I do it, but I'd rather get everything right the first time than have my things get lost or mixed up..

Thanks!
 
No matter how you do it, just organize the documents as conveniently as possible. Don't staple, it's better to use paperclips (saves the officers some work).

I would still use a big envelope for your folder, so nothing can fall out.

Good luck!
 
See attached for example of how to organise.This is how I assembled everything, I made 3 different folders using covers sheets that also serve as checklists. And mailed them with 1 cover letter in a FED ex Envelope.
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Since you are hand delivering everything Put Forms in the same envelope with 1 cover letter,( attached is a sample) seperate forms with cover sheets/ checklist as to what is included with the form, As the USCIS web page suggests http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/scnational/index.htm#H

avoid using heavy staples. Use file folders with Top 2 hole fasteners ( Acco type) Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file Use a seperate folder for each Form and put a seperate cover sheet .

Also Go here http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/scnational/index.htm#H
 
You replied to my other post, too, patty579 - thanks!

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/scnational/index.htm (Page 11)

The site says to use ACCO fasteners if we can - and it says we can punch holes in our documents, but what about the application forms?

"Use ACCO fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated."

Am I obsessing too much over this?
 
I think so. Just use common sense, assemble everything in a logical manner, your application won't get rejected because you used the wrong size fastners.
 
:D lol
Just a little bit. But don't worry, I'm exactly like you. :D
Well, I don't know whether or not to punch holes into the forms. I didn't. But if it doesn't say anywhere that you shouldn't then I'm pretty sure that they won't send it back to you just because of that.

Don't worry too much about it. The most important thing is that you have all the documents and forms that they are asking for. :)
 
Ugh, I'm so annoying!

Do I do anything with the individual form sheets? What I mean is, do I staple the two sheets of the I-130 together (you said not to use staples, but I'm thinking that since the I-130 is one form, it should be together?).. I know not to staple the 4 pages of the G325A, though. It's not like the people who get the packet can't just staple the forms together, but I'm worried about the sheets getting misplaced or mixed up!
 
I was hesitant to punch holes on the form, just didn't feel like doing it - for some reason, found it messy to do.

I saw a useful post here explaining how one user did it. And that's exactly how I did it - (although for some it may be an overkill). Have a separate cover letter for each form and supporting docs. And one cover letter on the top. You can get the Cover letters word document from the sticky thread of Ari4u (may I add, the Great :D )

1. Clip each set of covering letter, form and supporting docs with a tiny binder clip.
2. Put each of this in a clear /transparent plastic folder, this way they are nicely separated.
3. The entire set goes in an envelope.

I didn't staple any of this - as it clearly states in the USCIS website instruction not to staple.
 
encorebreak said:
Ugh, I'm so annoying!

Do I do anything with the individual form sheets? What I mean is, do I staple the two sheets of the I-130 together (you said not to use staples, but I'm thinking that since the I-130 is one form, it should be together?).. I know not to staple the 4 pages of the G325A, though. It's not like the people who get the packet can't just staple the forms together, but I'm worried about the sheets getting misplaced or mixed up!

No.. you're not. :)
I remember feeling the exact same way when I was in the process of mailing it.

Anyway, I think it makes sense to staple the I-130 or I-485 itself.
 
I would avoid stapling anything, use paper clips, I two holed punched my Forms in a way that did not cover or obtruct any filled information.

Having them attached with an ACCO fastener from the top of a file folder with a cover sheet makes it very easy to look at and RE-assemble packages. That way the chances are better that my documents will not get lost or seperated in processing from Service center to DO.

I put a cover sheet with each form and the cover sheet served as a checklist of what was fastened together in each file folder, I keep the documents in order that they were listed on the cover sheets, I even color coded the cover sheets and folders.

I-485- green folder with cover sheet hilighted green
I-130- Blue Folder with cover sheet hilighted Blue
I-864 Red Folder with cover sheet hilighted Red

I also made a folder for Support Evidence that I will bring to the interview.

The attached is exactly what I included with my forms and how I organised everything.
 
Addie_Goodvibes said:
I would avoid stapling anything, use paper clips, I two holed punched my Forms in a way that did not cover or obtruct any filled information.

Having them attached with an ACCO fastener from the top of a file folder with a cover sheet makes it very easy to look at and RE-assemble packages. That way the chances are better that my documents will not get lost or seperated in processing from Service center to DO.

I put a cover sheet with each form and the cover sheet served as a checklist of what was fastened together in each file folder, I keep the documents in order that they were listed on the cover sheets, I even color coded the cover sheets and folders.

I-485- green folder with cover sheet hilighted green
I-130- Blue Folder with cover sheet hilighted Blue
I-864 Red Folder with cover sheet hilighted Red

I also made a folder for Support Evidence that I will bring to the interview.

The attached is exactly what I included with my forms and how I organised everything.


Wow pretty thorough.

This reminds me of the time I got audited by the IRS.

Every year I basically scribbled some nonesense at 11:30PM on 4/15, stuffed all my tax receipts in an envelope and made sure I got the post office by midnight...all was well. I had capital gains/losses, rental income, stock option exercies/sales, foreign income, foreign capital gains, a whole bunch of different things and it can get pretty messy with the documentation.

2 years ago I decided to better organize things, wrote cover letters, color coded things, it looked beautiful, even got it done in March. Wouldn't you know it that's the year I got audited...and not one of those gentle ones either, the full on, we're putting on rubber gloves and we're looking at EVERYTHING kind of audits. Not fun. v:mad:

So what I'm trying to say is, I don't think it matters what your package looks like as long as the forms are all filled out properly, the supporting evidence is included, the writing is legible and your checks are in the right amount.
 
eddie_d said:
Wow pretty thorough....So what I'm trying to say is, I don't think it matters what your package looks like as long as the forms are all filled out properly, the supporting evidence is included, the writing is legible and your checks are in the right amount.

What does matter is how organised it is, will determine the ability of these no so intelligent Gov. workers to go through the forms and associate the proper support documents with the proper forms,

I know some Attorneys who just file a bundle of all the forms and support evidenc eloosely in one Envelope and then Fedex it on to USCIS.

Although it has absolutly no influence on weather or not your Application is approved,the more organised you are the better chances your application has of making the progression form Office to office through several hands remaining intact, It has nothing to do with looks, has more to do with organization and assembly so USCIS can easily look at each form and supporting documents. Organised assembly & mailingat minimum should be as USCIS web site suggests.

As far as support evidence for the interview it also helps to be organised, shows responsibility, and shows that the process you are going through is important to you, I believe although a minimally it does have a bearing on how the officer sees your case at the interview, the easier it for the IO to go through and decifer all the evience and documents the smoother the process will be for both Applicant and IO, putting the IO in a better mood, possibly less likely to scrutinize the case as much and more likely to expidite the interview to show appreciation for your efforts.

That is my opinion. Anytime I deal with any Govt. organization or process I would rather over prepare than not be organised and under prepare.
 
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