ALRIGHT. HONESTY Please

[katie & sifa 25]

I made 1 complete copy of the packet we sent in, but it took very little effort on my part beyond the work put into doing the original petition. I put everything together, took it to Office Depot and just stuck it on the copier and copied it all in black & white. I put it in a binder (which is also where we kept all of the NOAs and any other correspondence from USCIS regarding the I-129F) and carried it with me to Kenya when I went for (now) husband's interview. We liked having it because it helped him prepare for the interview going through it and try to figure out any possible question the CO could ask.

We still have the binder, and a binder containing a complete copy of the AOS application and all correspondence from USCIS regarding that petition, and will keep them until after he becomes a citizen at least. You never know when you might need to reference it (we liked having the I-129F stuff for the AOS application as it had a bunch of the info so we didn't have to go looking for it again), it's just not that big a deal to make a copy of it.

[Aziraphale 0]

I made 2 extra copies of my K-1 packet. One I sent to my then fianceé for her to bring with her, as she was traveling to the US to visit me during processing time. One I kept. She was never asked for her packet at POE when she visited, and I never needed mine.

Would I have make copies again? Of course. It's just common sense - document your journey, if only for your own record. If you're investing that kind of time, effort, and money into proving that you are eligible to bring your loved one(s) to the US, make a copy of all your hard work. A few minutes in front of a copy machine won't hurt you. You never know what circumstances might arise where you would kick yourself if you hadn't kept a copy.

Edited March 17, 2011 by Aziraphale

[SophWeb 25]

No, you most likely will not need the copy. However, the whole reason it is recommended is because there HAVE been cases (for example, the ones people have said above), where the consulate or USCIS has lost/misplaced a document and you need to provide it again. VJ makes recommendations like that to help you, because it HAS happened to people in the past. You can take it or leave the advice. That's the whole point of this place - we advise eachother based on personal experience.

Personally, taking the entire packet to OfficeWorks, and then spending $3 to photocopy before you send it in, is worth it. If you don't, and then you get stuck later having to provide a document again, you will wish you just made a quick photocopy before you mailed it in.

[sorchaine 10]

I made a complete copy of the original petition (minus the evidence). I sent that to my husband and the evidence that I submitted with the K1 petition I sent him the originals. Such as the plane ticket stubs, envelopes sent to me proving that I was there, cell phone bill, nothing too much, just the most recent one.

[GeoffandAnna 19]

and don't forget Murphy's Law here, the only guaranteed way to ensure that you won't need copies is to have them on-hand.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I went to the interview so I didn't send anything. I did take a copy of the entire I-129f petition (it isn't that much really, or needn't be) Yes it is a suggestion. we did not need ANY of it at our interview at our consulate. If we had I am glad we had it with us. I remember being happy about receiving the visa, I barely remember the time at the copy machine.

I also took a copy of the entire I-129f and a copy of the entire consualte package to our AOS interview. I did not need any of it and we were approved and drove out of the parking lot 13 minutes after driving in. I remember being happy about the green cards (see a pattern here?)

The "problem" is that no matter what some rules say the officer can ask for anything he/she wants for no reason at all and if you do not provide it, you do not get approved. The consular officer may ask your fiancee anything he wants and guess what he bases his questions on? You guessed it! Maybe your fiancee should have a copy to read and study for the interview?

Considering all the above...what exactly are you going to be comfortable with NOT sending?

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

Hey all, thanks very much for all the responses. I woke up today, read all the replies and headed STRAIGHT out the door to Staples. I bought more ink for my printer, which makes it the 3rd time I had to buy new color ink and black ink as well, since buying this printer/scanner. I bought it when I started putting together my petition to bring my lady to me. So, I guess I can kinda do a review on this printer/scanner! If anyone wants to know a good printer/scanner/copier... Canon PIXMA MP495! It prints/scans/copies pretty fast. It's not too big, but not tiny. It comes with a usb cable, yet it also has built-in wireless too! It's really a reasonable price too. It was under $100.00. Anyway, as you all can tell, I was in a sort of panicked/aggravated state of mind when I made this post.

I read the replies, you all made my mind up, and you were so right. I was more worried about not being able to have enough time to make an entire copy and send my petition in the mail as well. So as soon as I read these replies, I made up my mind and IMMEDIATELY drove out and bought stuff and came back and put things in high gear! It took me a little over 2 hours to finish up... I looked over things, drove to the post office and paid $18.30 for extremely fast shipping... it's supposed to get there in dallas at around 12:00PM eastern time! Thank you all very much and I'm now praying.. I hope it goes smoothly and with a little luck, possibly not have to wait TOO long lol. I really like this web site and I know I'll be even more glued to this place throughout the entire journey.

Most of you seem to be very "stand-up", caring, and, quick to give advice. God bless all of you. I feel for others here, just as I'm sure others feel for me! Uhh other than that it was so nice to see my sweetheart's smiling face on skype, and her excitement over me finally sending the petition. It was a little over a month of working on it, very carefully and thoroughly... good god it seems like this petition was here, in my eyesight for MUUUUCH longer than that. I'm sure many of you know all about that though. Again, thank you all very much.

I think I'll be able to sleep just a little easier now, knowing that the thoughts that were once so glued to me 24/7... the thoughts of "gotta get the petition finished, gotta get it sent, gotta get her stuff in the mail, gotta send it right away, petition, PETITION, petition.." I'll patiently wait now, for action... whatever comes my way, I'm confident in it no matter what because it'll come, no matter what, it'll come. And for others in my shoes, at the same stage at this point... those who miss their other half so terribly. Just remember, no matter what... nothing can stop people from being together, it's impossible. Love is way too strong!

Matt

[amykathleen2005 441]

Glad you made a copy, now you don't worry about.

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

Glad you made a copy, now you don't worry about.

Amen to that. I'll take this time responding to your reply, to also state that if everyone thought I was being an idiot about it... I really wasn't lol. I use a method to get my answers. I've used other forums before and people never would answer me straight to the point! lol, so nobody will see a post like that again I'm really a nice guy and love my fiancee more than I ever thought I could love

[sachinky 465]

Good luck with the process!

[pushbrk 12,883]

A memory stick or CD are not going to do you any good at the interview when they tell you something is missing. What are you going to do, hand them a CD and tell them it's on there?

The beneficiary needs a paper copy of everything. No electronic media will be accessed by Consular officers. Too risky to the government network. Paper rules the day at interview time. Printing from the PDF scan is just an easy way to make sure everything is in order.