originals vs. copies

[tany1157 161]

Please settle a disagreement. I am about to send our K1 package. the directions say to make all forms originals, and all proofs copies. He says I have to send his letter, the translation, and his birth certificate and translation in the original form. I said copies are ok. I don't want to send his originals, cause if somethign happens to the package, then he needs to go through getting it all again, and getting it translated. Who is right???

[Otto 83]

Who is right???

You are right - do not send original documents/supporting-documents/evidence (such as birth certificates, passports, boarding passes, etc).

Per instructions:

"Copies. Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, an ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required will remain a part of the record, even if the submission was not required."

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Rule of thumb: anything bearing the petitioner's or beneficiary's signature must be submitted in the original. So, the I-129F, both of your G-325As, and both of your Letters of Intent to Marry should be submitted as signed originals (in fact, many suggest to sign in blue ink so it's clear that the signature is original).

Photocopies may be submitted of any accompanying evidence. This includes birth certificates, divorce certificates, etc. If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the documents, they can ask to see originals via an RFE. Keep in mind that you may not get back anything you submit, so sending originals is not a good idea. Also bear in mind that at the I-129F (USCIS) stage, you need not submit a birth certificate for the beneficiary, only for the US citizen petitioner (to prove citizenship and, ergo, eligibility for the benefit).

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

[Dakine 26]

]Rule of thumb: anything bearing the petitioner's or beneficiary's signature must be submitted in the original. So, the I-129F, both of your G-325As, and both of your Letters of Intent to Marry should be submitted as signed originals (in fact, many suggest to sign in blue ink so it's clear that the signature is original

That's the only originals needed for the initial K1 petition.

[Otto 83]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

What did he/she suggest? (Pencil? Crayon? )

Seriously - USCIS (like most government offices) prefer black ink - that might be the only reason they sent it back... (Unless the signatures themselves were copies..)

Edited August 17, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

What did he/she suggest? (Pencil? Crayon? )

Seriously - USCIS (like most government offices) prefer black ink - that might be the only reason they sent it back... (Unless the signatures themselves were copies..)

She just photocopied the ones I signed in blue ink and gave back the ones I signed.

Maybe she did it because they prefer it in black. I really don't know.

[sjr09 155]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

What did he/she suggest? (Pencil? Crayon? )

Seriously - USCIS (like most government offices) prefer black ink - that might be the only reason they sent it back... (Unless the signatures themselves were copies..)

In my option I think you should sign your documents in blue ink, then it's hard to say it’s a photo copy. Every time my wife and I conducted business at the US Embassy they always hand us a blue ink pin to sign.

Edited August 17, 2009 by sjr09

[thepizzadude 26]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

What did he/she suggest? (Pencil? Crayon? )

Seriously - USCIS (like most government offices) prefer black ink - that might be the only reason they sent it back... (Unless the signatures themselves were copies..)

She just photocopied the ones I signed in blue ink and gave back the ones I signed.

Maybe she did it because they prefer it in black. I really don't know.

Most business signature always say use black ink, something about in the past it could be photocopies better. Blue ink had a tendency to not show up. I always see people saying sign in blue and I think where did that ever come from.

Also here is a link about G-325A's not needing a signature anyway....but I would NOT sign them because not all government employees seem to get the memo's

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/1068384/Guidan...s-Not-Submitted

Edited August 17, 2009 by thepizzadude

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

What did he/she suggest? (Pencil? Crayon? )

Seriously - USCIS (like most government offices) prefer black ink - that might be the only reason they sent it back... (Unless the signatures themselves were copies..)

She just photocopied the ones I signed in blue ink and gave back the ones I signed.

Maybe she did it because they prefer it in black. I really don't know.

Most business signature always say use black ink, something about in the past it could be photocopies better. Blue ink had a tendency to not show up. I always see people saying sign in blue and I think where did that ever come from.

Well, thanks for the info.

Sorry if I ended up hijacking the topic.

And well, that memo was interesting. Someone recently in the April topic did get RFE"d for not signing them though

Edited August 17, 2009 by Rhiann

[sjr09 155]

Is there any consequence to sending copies of the ink signed G-325A's?

Because my fiance's lawyer gave back the ink signed ones... for some reason.

What did he/she suggest? (Pencil? Crayon? )

Seriously - USCIS (like most government offices) prefer black ink - that might be the only reason they sent it back... (Unless the signatures themselves were copies..)

She just photocopied the ones I signed in blue ink and gave back the ones I signed.

Maybe she did it because they prefer it in black. I really don't know.

Most business signature always say use black ink, something about in the past it could be photocopies better. Blue ink had a tendency to not show up. I always see people saying sign in blue and I think where did that ever come from.

Also here is a link about G-325A's not needing a signature anyway....but I would NOT sign them because not all government employees seem to get the memo's

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/1068384/Guidan...s-Not-Submitted

Copier's now days don’t have that problems!