working on I-129F package and have a QUESTION

[santale 1]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this and first of all i would like to thank all of you for being so helpful as i found many useful things here on this "long run"

My fiance and I are filling out all those forms for the I - 129F package and I probably have a silly questions but since we want to make sure everything is correct,i have to ask.

1) The instructions for the I 129 F form say to type or print in BLACK ink.I assume the same applies to the G-325A forms.I thought all the signatures should be in black ink too but then i read somewhere here that we should sign our names in BLUE ink because USCIS may think we are not sending originals but copies.What are your experiences please?

2)This is super silly but i noticed the difference between the paper format in the US (the paper is wider and shorter)and in Europe (longer and skinnier.Could this possibly be an issue since my fiance will be filling out the forms in different paper format in the US and i will be sending him my paperwork (G-325A and Fiance letter of intent)from Europe?

3)I went to see the specifications on the passport photo (which needs to be part of the package) and it directed to the page where all the photos looked like the visa type of photo witch is 2x2 inches instead of the requirements in european union (where i come from).Passport photos in EU are 3.5 x 4.5 cm.which one should i use?

4)Am i right to think that all the documents and forms included in the I-129 F package need to be originals?

Thank you so much for any help!! I just want to be with the one i love as soon as poosible without any possible delays

Lenka

[Becky&Steven 1]

1- I wrote everything in black, so did my fiance. I never saw anywhere to sign in blue, I imagine you should be ok there.

2- my fiance is from england, and his paper was longer than mine. I just trimmed off the bottom to make it the same length as mine. I imagine this shouldn't be a problem, it's the info on the paper they want - not the perfection of the pages matching

3- dunno about the pictures. UK passport pictures are the same size as the US size. my suggestion would be to ask the place that takes the pictures if they can adjust the size to 2x2 for the application. (I bet that someone will come along with a better suggestion, tho)

4- originals for things printed like I-129F and G325A, just print out 2 copies of each and sign both. (I have read people send in more than one of the G325A, but I only sent in one each for my fiance and I) copies for pictures, evidence, birth cert(front AND back)/passport - you will need to send originals of all this when your fiancee goes in for the interview at the embassy.

[Gingerpants 8]

1) The instructions for the I 129 F form say to type or print in BLACK ink.I assume the same applies to the G-325A forms.I thought all the signatures should be in black ink too but then i read somewhere here that we should sign our names in BLUE ink because USCIS may think we are not sending originals but copies.What are your experiences please?

We're signing ours in blue ink, I figure it's better to be safe than sorry.

2)This is super silly but i noticed the difference between the paper format in the US (the paper is wider and shorter)and in Europe (longer and skinnier.Could this possibly be an issue since my fiance will be filling out the forms in different paper format in the US and i will be sending him my paperwork (G-325A and Fiance letter of intent)from Europe?

Yeah as the last poster said I don't see this as being a problem.

3)I went to see the specifications on the passport photo (which needs to be part of the package) and it directed to the page where all the photos looked like the visa type of photo witch is 2x2 inches instead of the requirements in european union (where i come from).Passport photos in EU are 3.5 x 4.5 cm.which one should i use?

When you go to get your photos done just tell them you want them done in US format and they should know what you mean. That's what we did and they did it correctly.

4)Am i right to think that all the documents and forms included in the I-129 F package need to be originals?

The only original I'm sending is an original certified copy of my birth certificate (though I have several copies on hand since that one won't be returned). The rest of my evidence has all been scanned into the computer where I've compiled it all into one document to be printed. That way I have the originals for my records and they can be shown at the interview if needed.

[santale 1]

Thanks so much guys,I appreciate your help!! Now I am a bit smarter again

[belluco86 3]

Again to give you reasurance.

Those same questions bothered me but after i sent in the package is where i found a forum saying that you will be RFE if it is not signed in blue ink. NOT TRUE at all. My petition was approved after everything was done in black ink and had no problems with that.

As for my fiancee paper work; hers had the different type of paper so i also trimmed it.

For the pictures make sure they are 2X2 that is a MUST. and do not forget to write your names and bdays in the back of the photo. and as a suggestion you do not have to follow put them in a ziplock bag and send them that way. BEST WAY FOR THEM NOT TO GET LOST

Send I-129F original, Send G325A Original - save copies. All evidence send copies and keep originals you are going to need the originals in case they ask for them in the embassy. I hope this helps answer your questions

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I'll throw my 2 cents into this discussion. There's never a guarantee you won't get an RFE, even if you follow the instructions to the letter. A lot depends on the adjudicator who handles your petition.

I've never heard of anyone getting an RFE for using blue rather than black ink, or vice versa. I have heard of people getting an RFE when the adjudicator had some doubt whether a signed form was an original or a photocopy. A color photocopy of an original signed in blue ink would probably still result in an RFE. The only thing I could suggest is to sign the documents with a ball point pen. The gloss of the ink and the impression it makes on the paper should make it pretty obvious that the signature is original.

I've never heard of anyone getting an RFE for submitting documents on "A" size paper (like they use in most of the world outside of the US). My wife's G-325A was printed in Vietnam on "A" size paper, and we didn't get an RFE for it.

Whether you'll get an RFE for incorrectly formatted photos depends a lot on the adjudicator. I have seen people get RFE's for this, but it wasn't clear from the RFE exactly why the photos were rejected. The RFE simply echos the I-129F instructions for passport-style photos; glossy, white background, 2 inches square, head 1 inch tall. From the way the RFE is worded, you couldn't determine whether the submitted photos were rejected, or simply lost. My wife's photo was 1.5 inches wide, 2.5 inches tall, on a pale blue background. She couldn't find a photo shop anywhere that was equipped to make a photo to US passport specifications. They were accepted without RFE. That doesn't mean you could submit photos exactly the same as my wife's and not get an RFE. I'd suggest following the instructions here, if possible. To help ensure the photos aren't lost you can put them in zip lock bags and tape the bags to the G-325A cover sheets (tape on three sides - don't tape the 'zipper' end of the bag).

The only documents that must be originals are the ones that require a signature from either the petitioner or the beneficiary. This means the I-129F, the G-325A's, and the letters of intent. Don't send originals for important documents like birth certificates, passports, divorce decrees, evidence of meeting, etc. If the these are lost you'd have nothing to resubmit.

[santale 1]

Thanks everyone! I also trimmed the bottom of all papers and must say it looks good! I must be talented or something As for the pics,I will use those 2x2 inches (5x5 cm)with white background as i see that is the right thing to do now! But as said...they are exceptions on everything and everywhere.Hopefully it will all be fine and we will be able to send all the papers in by the end of the July,thats a plan:) The only thing I am not excited about is the waiting.Please be it as fast as possible! (i probably want to much now )

Good luck everyone...! Lenka

[Dodi 69]

I'm a notary, so I generally sign everything in blue anyway just for safety's sake, but when my mother (co-sponsor) signed her original I-134, she signed it in black, because that's what she has to do at work. When I was organizing the file, I looked at it and she'd pressed so lightly that you couldn't see any indention from the pen, and it really looked like a copy. I knew it wasn't because I'd watched her sign it, but BOTH of the originals I had her sign looked that way. I had her do another one in blue just to be on the safe side because if I can't tell, the CO at the interview isn't going to bother holding it up to the light, he's just going to kick it back as a copy (even though there was an original in the I-129F packet thanks to my shoddy atty).

The photos in the UK are acceptable, that's what my fiance sent over for the I-129F packet and they worked fine. I didn't write names and bdays on them, but it's possible my attorney did before she sent the packet off.

Don't worry about the paper. It's no big deal. It's what's ON the paper that counts, so just make sure the printer works well. We sent copies of everything for the I-129F, but I sent originals AND copies of things for his Interview Packet, just to be on the safe side. Certified copies work for court documents (divorce decrees) but I sent the original marriage certificate and birth certificate as well. (Top-hole punched a sheet protector, then put the neatly folded document in that to send so I wouldn't have to punch the original.)

Hope that helps!

[santale 1]

I'm a notary, so I generally sign everything in blue anyway just for safety's sake, but when my mother (co-sponsor) signed her original I-134, she signed it in black, because that's what she has to do at work. When I was organizing the file, I looked at it and she'd pressed so lightly that you couldn't see any indention from the pen, and it really looked like a copy. I knew it wasn't because I'd watched her sign it, but BOTH of the originals I had her sign looked that way. I had her do another one in blue just to be on the safe side because if I can't tell, the CO at the interview isn't going to bother holding it up to the light, he's just going to kick it back as a copy (even though there was an original in the I-129F packet thanks to my shoddy atty).

The photos in the UK are acceptable, that's what my fiance sent over for the I-129F packet and they worked fine. I didn't write names and bdays on them, but it's possible my attorney did before she sent the packet off.

Don't worry about the paper. It's no big deal. It's what's ON the paper that counts, so just make sure the printer works well. We sent copies of everything for the I-129F, but I sent originals AND copies of things for his Interview Packet, just to be on the safe side. Certified copies work for court documents (divorce decrees) but I sent the original marriage certificate and birth certificate as well. (Top-hole punched a sheet protector, then put the neatly folded document in that to send so I wouldn't have to punch the original.)

Hope that helps!

Thanks Dodi,

I think we will be safer with blue ink as well!! Funny what little tiny things one needs to think about..oyoy ) I am also thinking if my denied student visa about two months ago might be an issue.Hopefully not..at least from what i read around! I was told to try again anyway lol