Cryptic message online regarding my case status

[rsn 135]

I filed my I-129F about a month ago, and I never received the NOA1, so I called USCIS today and they gave me the case #. I asked why I never received the NOA1, and the rep asked me if I had my name on my mailbox. I told him no (who has their name on their mailbox?!) He told me this might be why I didn't get it. That sounds bizarre. Does this make sense to anyone else?

I typed in my receipt number online, and saw the following message:

On February 11, 2009, the post office returned your document I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) as undeliverable. We will hold it for 180 days from February 11, 2009 to allow you time to contact us. If you do not contact us at 1-800-375-5283 within 180 days, this document will be destroyed and you will need to file a new application or application for replacement with fee.

This seems to suggest that my I-129F was returned to me, but the USPS returned it back to USCIS for some strange reason. Note that they did cash my check on January 22. Does anyone know what this means? I'm thinking it's a typo, but the rep didn't know what it meant either, and he told me that it would be up to 45 days before I would get any more information about what this message means.

[YuAndDan 153]

Where did you get your petition #? Off the back of the check? In many cases the number on check is not the actual petition number that is on NOA1 letter.

[rsn 135]

Where did you get your petition #? Off the back of the check? In many cases the number on check is not the actual petition number that is on NOA1 letter.

No, my bank only has low-quality scanned images of returned checks, and I was unable to read anything on the back of the check. I got the receipt number by calling USCIS.

[raymaga 25]

If you have a case number, and they cashed your check, I would find it hard to believe that they had returned your package to you.

They must have opened it and taken the check out and also done some processing of your case in order for it to be given a number.

Unfortunately, you may have to wait the 45 days before you will be given any further information.

On the question about having your name on the mailbox, we have never had our name on any of our mailboxes anywhere we've lived and we have received all our mail from USCIS.

[rsn 135]

I figured I might have to wait, but I contacted my senator just in case (waiting for a caseworker from his office to return my call). The reps at USCIS were pretty un-helpful and impatient. I am dealing with the govt though, so I probably shouldn't be too surprised.

[pushbrk 13,176]

If you have a case number, and they cashed your check, I would find it hard to believe that they had returned your package to you.

They must have opened it and taken the check out and also done some processing of your case in order for it to be given a number.

Unfortunately, you may have to wait the 45 days before you will be given any further information.

On the question about having your name on the mailbox, we have never had our name on any of our mailboxes anywhere we've lived and we have received all our mail from USCIS.

The requirement for a name on mailbox primarily applies to apartments or other multiple unit mailbox arrangements. Many new housing developments use grouped mailboxes. Unless the USPS knows you live at an address, they are forbidden to deliver mail there. In many cases of lone mailboxes though, they simply ignore this rule. If you regularly receive mail at the address used on the petition, then only a mistake would cause mail to be returned to USCIS as undeliverable. I'd double check your copies of the petition and cover letter for potential errors.

[CanTex 1]

Could it have been your NOA1 that was returned to USCIS?

[rsn 135]

I actually do live in an apartment w/ grouped mailboxes (only apartment #s on the front of each). But, I've lived there for 4+ years w/ no problems before. I know I triple-checked every page of the petition before I mailed it, I'll glance at it again though.

Could it have been your NOA1 that was returned to USCIS?

That is my suspicion. However, I wanted USCIS to explicitly tell me "that message is misleading/wrong, we meant to say your NAO1 was returned". Still alarming that I called the number in the message as they asked and no one at USCIS could figure out what they were supposed to do or tell me or what this message meant.

[Ngoc-Anh 1]

call them and verify your address. Then write your name on a sticky and tape it to your mailbox.

Depending on the mail man they put the mail into your box even though there is no name others don't and send it back.

[rsn 135]

call them and verify your address. Then write your name on a sticky and tape it to your mailbox.

Depending on the mail man they put the mail into your box even though there is no name others don't and send it back.

I will do that, and good idea! Thanks!

[rsn 135]

call them and verify your address. Then write your name on a sticky and tape it to your mailbox.

Depending on the mail man they put the mail into your box even though there is no name others don't and send it back.

I will do that, and good idea! Thanks!

Apparently you can't ask them for your address on file, but you can have them file a service request to confirm that the address you provide for them matches the address on your file. I just finished doing that.

[Ning 619]

call them and verify your address. Then write your name on a sticky and tape it to your mailbox.

Depending on the mail man they put the mail into your box even though there is no name others don't and send it back.

I will do that, and good idea! Thanks!

Apparently you can't ask them for your address on file, but you can have them file a service request to confirm that the address you provide for them matches the address on your file. I just finished doing that.

It may be similar to where we live in that USPS requires the name to be INSIDE the boxes. That was the problem when they wouldnt deliver our daughters documents.

[Melrose Plant 1]

The requirement for a name on mailbox primarily applies to apartments or other multiple unit mailbox arrangements. Many new housing developments use grouped mailboxes. Unless the USPS knows you live at an address, they are forbidden to deliver mail there. In many cases of lone mailboxes though, they simply ignore this rule. If you regularly receive mail at the address used on the petition, then only a mistake would cause mail to be returned to USCIS as undeliverable. I'd double check your copies of the petition and cover letter for potential errors.

I just can't help but smiling at the niceties of small town life. When I was in this same situation, I was working out-of-town quite a bit. I happened to catch my postman somewhere along his route. I explained to him that I was expecting important documents, but I was going to be away. He thought a bit and said, "I'll just take it to your parents' house, OK?"

Even so, when I lived in an apartment for a while, I, along with all the other tenants, had the name affixed to the mailbox in one form or another.

[pushbrk 13,176]

The requirement for a name on mailbox primarily applies to apartments or other multiple unit mailbox arrangements. Many new housing developments use grouped mailboxes. Unless the USPS knows you live at an address, they are forbidden to deliver mail there. In many cases of lone mailboxes though, they simply ignore this rule. If you regularly receive mail at the address used on the petition, then only a mistake would cause mail to be returned to USCIS as undeliverable. I'd double check your copies of the petition and cover letter for potential errors.

I just can't help but smiling at the niceties of small town life. When I was in this same situation, I was working out-of-town quite a bit. I happened to catch my postman somewhere along his route. I explained to him that I was expecting important documents, but I was going to be away. He thought a bit and said, "I'll just take it to your parents' house, OK?"

Even so, when I lived in an apartment for a while, I, along with all the other tenants, had the name affixed to the mailbox in one form or another.

Times are changing. For two years I lived 14 miles (six miles paved) from the nearest town, population 2200. It was 3 miles from home to the mailbox but I did pass two other houses on the way. Mail would get to me with just the name, town and State. This was before zip codes. We had a party line and dialed only 4 numbers to reach anybody who wasn't long distance. This was in the mid-sixties. I think postage went from 3 to 4 cents while I was there.

[TBoneTX 46,284]

This was before zip codes.

I remember the postal "zone" numbers that preceded the ZIP codes. "ZIP" stands for something like "zone improvement program," if I recall, si man.