Packet - should I use these folders or an expanding folder?

[raian 2]

I wanted to ask your opinion on how I should send my entire packet.

1) Should I send it all in containing several separate folders? The folders would be closed on 3 sides. Each folder would be organized separately containing a specific form or other documents. Example, one folder would contain evidences of engagement/wedding photos of my wife and I. Another folder would contain printed emails or chat logs, etc.

or

2) Should I just send it all in organized, in one big folder?

I've attached 2 photo examples of what I am considering using.

This is the individual folder with 3 closed sides.

I would purchase something a little thinner and with only several dividers.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thank you in advance

Edited August 16, 2011 by raian

[Navyk 78]

I wanted to ask your opinion on how I should send my entire packet.

1) Should I send it all in containing several separate folders? The folders would be closed on 3 sides. Each folder would be organized separately containing a specific form or other documents. Example, one folder would contain evidences of engagement/wedding photos of my wife and I. Another folder would contain printed emails or chat logs, etc.

or

2) Should I just send it all in organized, in one big folder?

I've attached 2 photo examples of what I am considering using.

This is the individual folder with 3 closed sides.

I would purchase something a little thinner and with only several dividers.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thank you in advance

You don't need all this - it you want you may use the first one. Just mail them in a regular envelope. I used a small ziplag bag to hold the passport photos and staple that bag to a thick paper and put all the documents in the order mentioned in my cover letter and used a nice big clip to hold those together.

[Done--Really 331]

If you are talking about USCIS, keep it very simple--they disassemble everything and scan the documents, and reassemble in the order they like. A big clip really is the best option--no staples, no tabs, no nothing that gets in the way of scanning.

[raian 2]

A big clip really is the best option--no staples, no tabs, no nothing that gets in the way of scanning.

Thank you both for your replies I will keep it simple then. I have follow up questions.

1) I have 19 pages of Facebook messages between my wife and I, and 4 pages of words of congrats from my family and friends for our wedding. You said "no staples," but for organizational sake, should or can I staple those multiple pages? Or should I just use small paper clips?

2) How about paper clipping each separate evidence from one another. I was gonna put a post-it notes on the front of each one stating briefly what it is.

[Done--Really 331]

Clips, clips, clips--no staples. Pretend for a minute that you are the person who has to scan all your stuff--are you going to be happier with clips or staples?? Thought so !!

Remember that they have seen thousands and thousands of cases, so they know what they are looking at--post-its won't hurt, but they won't help much either and will simply be removed and discarded so they can scan everything in the order that they want--not in the order you created.

[raian 2]

@Magical, you're right. I'm so glad I asked even with it being such a tiny detail question it was. Thank you

[mike411 15]

Just use the thin cardboard 9.5" x 12' envelope at the post office. They are going to throw your folder away. A waste of money and effort.

[M in CA 9]

do they really scan the evidence stuff?? I figured that just went along for the ride during the journey...

[Done--Really 331]

Everything is scanned at USCIS