How to mail important papers overseas?

[songsparrow 0]

I was wondering what USPS mail is the absolute fastest, most secure and reliable way to send all these important papers to my fiance? I'm so nervous about sending these and then they get lost!

When sending my paycheck stubs, and bank statements what information is it alright to "black out" with a marker? I want to keep my documents secure, but I dont want to look like Im hiding anything either...

Whew..

[MaryandMian 1]

I used DHL to deliver our papers. I used the USPS and paid the high fee to send one package to my husband and they somehow could not find it or track it and my one week package took over 45 days to deliver.

[kitkat1 5]

Make copies of everything before sending and then use Fed Ex or DHL. I personally would not use USPS. You can black out any personal information - definitely your ssn, account numbers, etc. You are only trying to prove your income - don't give them personal information on your accounts.

[zyggy 9]

Make copies of everything before sending and then use Fed Ex or DHL. I personally would not use USPS. You can black out any personal information - definitely your ssn, account numbers, etc. You are only trying to prove your income - don't give them personal information on your accounts.

Agree with others.. FedEx, DHL or UPS..

[ppboo 0]

For international postage, for safe, tracking and ensure of delivery.. my advice is to use Fedex, UPS or DHL... Check with your finace/fiancee what type of service is more popular being use in their country, choose the one that is popular and well known...

[germangel 0]

agreed, USPS is not good for international. You can't track the progress and it'll drive you nuts. My hubbie sent it express to get it to me faster and it took longer than regular mail from the US to Germany.

DHL, UPS, FedEx...pay the extra money, it is well worth it. Tracking is essential when sending important documents.

[Mike n Huong 1]

I am glad you started this thread, because I was wondering the same. I have a question about what you are going to send. As for Pay Stubs, W-2's, Bank Statements, phone records, and any other supporting information, are you sending originals or copies? I know they have the right to request to see the original of any document you supply. If you are to send the original, then I wouldn't be comfortable blacking anything out, because you are tampering with an original. Please Help Me, I need to know whether to send originals or only copies?

[iceyspots 0]

Make copies of everything before sending and then use Fed Ex or DHL. I personally would not use USPS. You can black out any personal information - definitely your ssn, account numbers, etc. You are only trying to prove your income - don't give them personal information on your accounts.

Agree with others.. FedEx, DHL or UPS..

dhl

[kitkat1 5]

Send copies and black out any personal information - you don't want your bank account numbers or ssn floating out their in never never land. If you are worried that they will ask for originals, send those along with your fiance but I doubt they will be necessary.

[esperando 0]

Im freaking out I sent mine DHL and it is supposed to be there saterday and the interview is monday. So if they pull this off they are good. I will keep u posted.

Allison

[Ladylethal 12]

It is safe to black out SSN numbers, account numbers etc. then? The consulate won't mind that?

Also, for the I-129F the SSN number was required and had to be submitted, won't it be required in any other forms that my fiance has to send me? (the I-134)

[Larry and Maria 0]

These are my experiences since last fall with the concentration of them coming February and after.

As they say: your mileage may vary. I can only speak for Russia <-> US and what I've actually experienced.

I've used all three: USPS, FedEx, and DHL.

All my experience has been with Russia.

I agree with the statement of checking with the fiance(e) in the country it's going to.

Here's my experience.

I love FedEx ONLY in the US; overseas it seems to depend where it's going. Others have reported this to me from within Russia.

The USPS uses FedEx to its claimed fasted international service and that costs the most.

I sent papers for Maria to sign via that route.

Bad choice. She found out that the packet was just sitting at the 3rd party delivery office and claimed attempted delivery which as false. It looked like they were sitting on it until the guaranteed delivery date!!

I don't ever plan to use FedEx internationally regardless of who it's via -- in the US, always, never again overseas !

DHL only was sent to me from a small town in Russia; it worked it seemed in reasonable fashion.

USPS I've actually used the most.

I've use the international, global express and registered mail.

I've found the quickest to be the global express for some $30; it is traceable on the web.

The only problem I had was one book entitled "Dictionary of American Idioms" and I believe it was stolen.

USPS didn't argue with me when the tracer came back "lost" so I got full postage and even though I had no receipt for the book and had gone to the book store and bought the exact book to resend, I'd photocopied the new receipt, put it with the claim, and they paid it.

Registered air mail is actually cheaper than global express and more secure though it takes longer.

Registered, insured, with return receipt takes about two weeks to medium sized towns inside Russia.

Global express takes about 5 - 7 days.

She' sent me packages via Russian mail: one air mail that got here ok not too long; global express same type of thing as the US counterpart. No problem.

[kitkat1 5]

It is safe to black out SSN numbers, account numbers etc. then? The consulate won't mind that?

Also, for the I-129F the SSN number was required and had to be submitted, won't it be required in any other forms that my fiance has to send me? (the I-134)

Well you're right that the SSN was required and already submitted on the original petition. But when it comes to your personal bank records, paystubs, etc. I would play it very safe and black them out. While the consulate will have your original petition and your SSN, there is absolutely no reason in the world for them to have access to something as risky as your bank account numbers. Imagine if some unscrupulous consulate employee had copies of your personal information - bank account numbers and SSN. I'd hate to think of what they could do with that. I also have copies of credit card bills and ATM receipts as part of the proof of our relationship for the consulate interview. And I meticulously blacked out tons of information including account numbers, charges and dollar amounts that have nothing to do with this process. Why risk it?