I-751 Cover Page and Acco Prong Fasteners

[Clare-n-Lisa 0]

When I filed my I-485 and I-765 I had a heavy cover page which had a table of contents depicting all inclusions, all bound with an ACCO 2 3/4" Prong Fasteners at the top of the submission packet. Should I do the same thing for the I-751? I've already got it dona and ready for mailing tomorrow but thought it would be a good idea to inquire to see if anybody else binds the I-751 like the recommendations for the I-485.

Thanks for your answer.

Clare & Lisa

[ELW 5]

Yes, those ACCO fasteners seem to be the standard preferred method for USCIS applications. We used them for AOS and for Removing Conditions, too. So did many others on this forum. Good luck to you guys for a fast approval!

[Clare-n-Lisa 0]

Thanks, I'm ready to submit.

Clare & Lisa

[mozplay 29]

We used these:

[Zaurok 0]

We used these:

Here's an interesting quote from USCIS

Link: Tips for Filing Petitions and Applications to the National Benefits Center

Use paperclips when attaching supporting personal documents to forms (do NOT use “ACCO” fasteners; staples are acceptable when attaching fees).

EDIT: I'm not sure if it is the same for other centers but the link above says: "Welcome to the National Benefits Center (NBC) Filing Tips page. This page has been designed to provide helpful hints to applicants, attorneys, and representatives when filing petitions and applications with the Chicago Lockbox and NBC. "

Edited October 3, 2009 by Zaurok

[ELW 5]

Interesting, I wonder how recent that quote is? I remember when we filed for K1 in 2007, I got my packet returned to me due to an expired application I filled up. I had just sent loose papers and they send the entire packet back, with two holes punched in the top and ACCO fasteners in! I heard from a couple of other people that happened to, too. So I figured that is what they do with every file. It must be TONS of work to punch holes in all the files they get!

[John24689 0]

This can be confusing. Here is another site on USCIS. It says to use ACCO fasteners.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

I used ACCO fasteners on all our submissions.

Good luck on what you decide.

[-B&T- 1]

I used ACCO fasteners cuz I thought it's more secure than using clips.

[ScottThuy 140]

This can be confusing. Here is another site on USCIS. It says to use ACCO fasteners.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

I used ACCO fasteners on all our submissions.

Good luck on what you decide.

One must wonder if NVC and the consulates appreciate ACCO's as well. I just saw the note in that link about tabs at the bottom rather than the side... I may need to redo our info for the consulate with tabs on the bottom now... the catch is that some of the docs are longer than the rest and may need to be folded up at the end of the page to accomodate bottom tabs.

[fozzie 41]

AOS I used the acco 2 prong fastners and on roc I used binder clips. Both approved without too many issues. Just dont staple it.

All government files seem to get 2-hole punched at the top, not sure why.

[mozplay 29]

The pronged acco fastners can come in different sizes. Think of what a pain it is if USCIS uses one size and you punch all your pages with a different size.

[Dakine 26]

The pronged acco fastners can come in different sizes. Think of what a pain it is if USCIS uses one size and you punch all your pages with a different size.

Wouldn't make much difference as some people don't punch them at all. They'd just " punch over" if different size.

I imagine it makes them happy if people prepunch for them. I know I would be.

[NycBra 4]

When I submitted my AOS application, I just put a big binding clip (the thick bulky ones that mozplay posted the pictures).

For my I-751, I brought my pack to Staples and they have a machine that punch for you. You can choose the standard 3 holes on the side OR the standard 2 punch on top. So I did the 2 top one. Then I bought the BASE of the ACCO fastener to keep all the paper together. I bent each "leg" of the base to keep the package/papers tight. I will try to attach the picture to this message.

This way I think it will be easier for them to disassemble my application if they want, and they already have the 2 holes punched.

Edit: one more thing, I attached the check to the I-751 form using a paper clip. I think as long as you don't have the documents stapled, you will be fine.

And I did tabs using "labels", the printing/address labels. I separated my documents into Exhibits, and each Exhibit had a letter. Ex.: Exhibit A (Financial joint accounts); Exhibit B (Joint Tax Returns); Exhibit C (Proof of joint residence), etc. So I inserted tabs with each letter on the bottom of my application.

Edited October 4, 2009 by NycBra