Abeln2672

Hey everybody--

Wife and I are getting ready to file the I-751. We've done a lot of
research, and feel like we've got a good handle on what to include
(thanks mostly in part to everyone in these forums--you're all such
good people!). We've now got a pile of about 30 pages that we feel
good about--tax returns, car title and registration, joint bank
accounts & CD's, itineraries from travels, letter from reproductive
specialist stating that we are trying to conceive, etc.

So my question is this: What are everyone's feelings about the ways to
assemble/package/mail the application and materials?? A staple
certainly won't do the job on 40 pages! The USCIS website says they
like applications two-hole punched on top and assembled with fasteners
and tabs for different sections. However, some on here have said they
didn't fasten the stuff together--just put it in an envelope and mailed
it. Just wondering what has been successful in the past!! By the way,
we're using CSC.

Thanks in advance! Nick


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johnandrose

You certainly DON’T want to send your 30-page application without any type of fastener. Even when I sent my 5 page I-129F with a paperclip, they (CIS) still managed to loose 2 pieces of evidence.

The original application forms printed by CIS have 2 holes at the top. So, it makes sense to be consistent and 2-hole-punch everything, put a heavy duty fastener through your stack and secure them. Even though CIS workers will tear through them as soon as they open the envelope, at least you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did your part right. And whenever I organize my applications, I usually follow the following format (from top to bottom):

1) Cover letter
2) Original filled out and signed application
3) Required documents (as stated on the application in order they appear)
4) Any evidence

Now, it’s just my style. Yours might be different. Good luck.

Abeln2672

Thanks so much for your reply! Trust me, your style sounds like my
style--I'm organized to the max! I'll be sure to fasten everything
together in some manner...I'll probably go with the 2-hole punch on top
with an ACCO type fastener. I was a little concerned about that though,
because I read a thread in another newsgroup that talked about how the
BCIS was starting a new fililng system or some nonsense and that ACCO
fasteners had become a "hot" topic at some conference or meeting--I
can't imagine how something so mundane could be a "hot" topic, but
apparently it was.

Thanks again for the reply!


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AmIinTrouble

------------
I did not punch any holes on the top, but I did use an ACCO clip to hold everything in place. Cover letter, forms, edivence - all became a big bundle.

The Cover letter explained what the application was for and I listed in numerical order, every form, evidence that was attached.

1) Form I-751 to remove condition.
2) Affidavit.
3) Utility bill for 01/2004 and 01/2005
..........
........
........
8) Birth Certificate of baby
9) Bank statement from 01/2004 and 01/2005
10) Photographs.

I applied in Jan 2005 (Vermont) and I got a letter today that my case was approved.

Good Luck.

Abeln2672

Wow! you JUST got your approval letter today, and yet you're on here
giving helpful advice?! Shouldn't you be out having a celebratory
drink :kicking: Seriously though, I really appreciate you sharing your
advice and experience. You know, the clip makes a lot of sense--secure,
yet easy to open if items need to quickly be removed. Also easier to
lose things though I guess.

Anyway, congrats on your approval--and so quickly! Man, I wish we
weren't having trouble conceiving. We really want a child, of
course--but the bonus is that it seems like filing with a copy of a
child's birth certificate is like the ticket to quick adjudication!!


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Rete

I used the two hole method for all my filings and hubby is a US citizen now. Can't say it hurt and can't say it helped. I know that when we were at the AOS interview she slipped the paperwork off the Acco Fastener and just slipped it on the two prongs in her file. If they are changing the filing system I've not heard of it. I would two hole punch for safety if you have the punch available and use the acco fastener or at the very least a bullnose black paperclip.

Rete

AmIinTrouble

I am not sure why I logged on, but I did and I did go and celebrate Memorial day at the Poconos in PA.

Good Luck to all.

Abeln2672

Thanks for sharing Rete...and thanks again to all who posted here. I'm
feeling at least a LITTLE bit better now, and I think we'll go ahead
and two-hold punch everything and use the ACCO fastener. Sounds like
the way to go about doing it. Good luck to all, and I'll let ya know
how it goes!


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Abeln2672

After some extensive searching, I found that post I was referring to
earlier about switching filing & avoiding ACCO fasteners. Does anyone
have any insight into this? I hope I'm not being TOO ultra-paranoid!

-Hi:

I just came from a local CIS/bar liaision. LOS is switching to lockbox
filing on April 1, 2005 and that was the hot topic of discussion. One
tip given by MSC is that ACCO fasteners are NOT to be used. Use of
staples for each application is suggested. [BTW, a combined I-130,485
does not need all that much in the way of documentation to prove the
validity of the relationship -- save that stuff for the interview.].-

from a post by Folinskyinla in this thread: http://tinyurl.com/8u9tc


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Rete

You're not dealing with MSC but with you jurisdictional service center. I would fasten the paperwork. The information given was given to attorneys and not to laypeople ;-) although we now has the same knowledge of their "hot" topic.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

The other day I happened to be looking at the BIA's Appellate Manual which is not directly applicable to your question. However, they said no ACCO fasteners, recommended staples and it was OK to use an EXTERNAL clip to hold everything together.

What you may want to do with your EXHIBITS [not the application itself] is to paginate, make a table of contents and staple together "folios" which the CIS can then place in the file. The local court recommends this.