"None" versus "N/A" on forms

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I've heard a lot of dicussion on using "None" versus "N/A" on different parts of the forms needed for your petition. Would it be possible to start a thread that lists what ocassions "None" is appropriate and which "N/A" is appropriate?

For example: Q9 of the I-129f "Names of Prior Spouses"

Do I put "N/A" because I've never had any spouses?

Or do I put "None" because these spouses I've never had obviously don't have any names?

I'm just so worried about getting the packet returned to me for a stupid reason.

[vartan 0]

Cass the Sticky thread RFE Master List does have some pointers on where N/a and None go .. I think it is stupid.. but yeah it does matter and in that thread I did see some people that got RFE's for putting N/A instead of None..

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I looked through there, and saw some mention of it (hence why I'm worried). But I just wanted to get more specific answers. As in which answers are appropriate for which questions?

Bah! Picky those government types.

Cass the Sticky thread RFE Master List does have some pointers on where N/a and None go .. I think it is stupid.. but yeah it does matter and in that thread I did see some people that got RFE's for putting N/A instead of None..

[Cristy 4]

n/a means not applicable. Since the question is applicable, I would put none.

[Ladylethal 12]

Only in rare cases you put N/A, when it's really not applicable to your case, all the others are NONE, if you have trouble, follow the example forms.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I think that's what I'm going to put, that's what's on the sample forms. But it's just so second-guessy on every question.

[meauxna 15]

cass, there is also nothing wrong with simply answering with the correct information.

"Names of Prior Spouses"

"None/never married"

N/A in that case is not correct; the question DOES apply to you.

[seldi 1]

I sent my I-129F before I found this wonderful site, and common sense told me to use N/A to answer most of the questions. The only places where I used "none" was for the File Number on form G-325A and when they told me to put none (like spouse's name). Looking back, I wish I had found this before I sent it, but we shall see what happens

[Yodrak 7]

cass,

N/A is one of the most mis-used acronyms ever. Worse than that, even when used appropriately it can be ambiguous and begs the response 'why is the question not applicable?'.

There is always a better answer than N/A. In your example, 'no prior spouse' leaves no doubt what your marital history is.

I've heard a lot of dicussion on using "None" versus "N/A" on different parts of the forms needed for your petition. Would it be possible to start a thread that lists what ocassions "None" is appropriate and which "N/A" is appropriate?

For example: Q9 of the I-129f "Names of Prior Spouses"

Do I put "N/A" because I've never had any spouses?

Or do I put "None" because these spouses I've never had obviously don't have any names?

I'm just so worried about getting the packet returned to me for a stupid reason.

Eliminate 'N/A' from your vocabulary and second-guessing from your mentality - answer every question as asked with a meaningful answer.

I think that's what I'm going to put, that's what's on the sample forms. But it's just so second-guessy on every question.

Yodrak

Edited June 22, 2006 by Yodrak

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Good call. I'll just not use N/A at all. You're right, there is always a better answer.

[seldi 1]

Other k1 help websites tell you to use N/A though

[Yodrak 7]

grismar,

And other K1 petitioners have received RFEs for doing so. Yet it's so easy to avoid the risk.

Yodrak

Other k1 help websites tell you to use N/A though

[seldi 1]

grismar,

And other K1 petitioners have received RFEs for doing so. Yet it's so easy to avoid the risk.

Yodrak

Other k1 help websites tell you to use N/A though

I want to kick myself right now for not finding this site sooner. I looked at a million other K1 sites before sending my application and most of them, if not all, said to put N/A. I never truly learned how to use N/A accurately. Maybe they'll forgive me since English is my third language. Good luck Cass!

[Xu & Rick 0]

grismar,

And other K1 petitioners have received RFEs for doing so. Yet it's so easy to avoid the risk.

Yodrak

Other k1 help websites tell you to use N/A though

Not only other websites tell you to use N/A, but Item 2C of the official filing instructions from USCIS for form I-129F tells you to use N/A and when to use it.

[Yodrak 7]

Xu & Rick,

The problem being that many people often think (incorrectly) that an applicable question isn't.

Yodrak

grismar,

And other K1 petitioners have received RFEs for doing so. Yet it's so easy to avoid the risk.

Yodrak

Other k1 help websites tell you to use N/A though

Not only other websites tell you to use N/A, but Item 2C of the official filing instructions from USCIS for form I-129F tells you to use N/A and when to use it.