"Original document" advice

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

We tried to pass of a scanned and emailed I-134, but the CO wanted to see ink on the document. Actually felt for "bumpy" paper to verify. My fiancee gave the emailed copy first, but it was a no-go. Then came the ITRs... she wanted originals of those, too!! Now, how the heck is that gonna work? I have filed my taxes online for the past 5 years, and the only thing I have ever signed was the direct deposit authorization! I guess I could have printed and signed the ITRs, then mailed them to the PI, but why not print, sign, scan, and email them? What's the difference, exactly?

At any rate, they accepted the ITRs as they were, but my fiancee had to tell the CO that I sent them along with the I-134 for her to accept them. As if it matters...

Just posting this so people know that to some COs, signing the docs means something.

[Caryh 5,206]

I was aware of how much they want originals. I sent originals of darn near everything. I'm not sure if I can prove I exist now until she gets here. lol

We tried to pass of a scanned and emailed I-134, but the CO wanted to see ink on the document. Actually felt for "bumpy" paper to verify. My fiancee gave the emailed copy first, but it was a no-go. Then came the ITRs... she wanted originals of those, too!! Now, how the heck is that gonna work? I have filed my taxes online for the past 5 years, and the only thing I have ever signed was the direct deposit authorization! I guess I could have printed and signed the ITRs, then mailed them to the PI, but why not print, sign, scan, and email them? What's the difference, exactly?

At any rate, they accepted the ITRs as they were, but my fiancee had to tell the CO that I sent them along with the I-134 for her to accept them. As if it matters...

Just posting this so people know that to some COs, signing the docs means something.

[JoyDee 21]

Yep, you have to have original signatures on everything. I signed a photocopy of my tax documents.. i File online so the IRS never even gets my signature. i'm not sure that was necessary, but i did it! maybe if you sent transcripts instead it'd be better. DHL ships fast.

[Jim N Augie 16]

Wow! thanks for passing that along. From the philippines side atleast they are specific ( NBI on security paper etc) Seems unreasonable to ask for original tax papers as more do that online now than the old way. But if I have to mail my 1040 to the Phil so be it. Jim.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Yep, you have to have original signatures on everything. I signed a photocopy of my tax documents.. i File online so the IRS never even gets my signature. i'm not sure that was necessary, but i did it! maybe if you sent transcripts instead it'd be better. DHL ships fast.

Now, see, that is the kind of post that causes people to panic. The ONLY pieces of paper that were original signature were the I-134 and our letters of intent to marry (which was in the original packet, she did not bring them, nor any "updated" letter of intent that some say is necessary).

I signed the ITRs, but scanned and emailed them, so no original signatures there, though the CO may have "wanted" them to be, it's NOT required.

If you have the time to do it, then by all means, sign everything before sending. As it was, the ONLY document she took to the interview that was original was the I-134 that a friend hand-carried to the PI frmo Afghanistan for me. I was NOT going to pay the $134 that FedEx wanted to send it. Everything else we had was scanned & emailed to her from here.

[Joyce and Chris 1]

Dave,

Great post....this only proves the point that no two cases are alike. I don't understand why they can't write the requirements clearer so everyone plays the same rules. Seems like the PI embassy make things up as they go along.

Good luck to both of you!