random questions about I-129f package...

[Ryan76 46]

Hello all. Every time I think I have enough information to complete the paperwork I get stumped again. I think I'm almost there.

On the I-129F cover letter example it wants me to list the "Address of your service center". What is my service center and where do I find the address?

On the Fiance Letter(s) of intent it wants me to list the "USCIS service center address". Is this the same lock box address I send the whole package to, or is it a separate location? Underneath where it wants the "USCIS service center address" it says "or when submitting for interview" and then it wants me to list an embassy address. I'm kind of confused about all this. I also have a tendency to get anxiety and over-think / over-analyze things...so as you can imagine I'm stressing out about all of these little details. I just want to send the packet so we can get the process moving!

I'm also wondering about getting these documents and letters signed by my fiance....will they accept a 325ga form filled out by my fiance and signed but then faxed to me (so they aren't receiving the original signature)? Can I sign her name with her permission? Or must we really pay for a carrier and then wait for them to deliver the documents with her signature?

I know a woman who moved here on a fiance visa and she said she gave her husband permission to sign the form for her and they never had any issues. Is this one of those deals where you shouldn't do it, but there's a 99.999% chance you will have no problems?

I have a few more questions but for now we'll start with those. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me.

[I+H 11]

Hello all. Every time I think I have enough information to complete the paperwork I get stumped again. I think I'm almost there.

On the I-129F cover letter example it wants me to list the "Address of your service center". What is my service center and where do I find the address?

On the Fiance Letter(s) of intent it wants me to list the "USCIS service center address". Is this the same lock box address I send the whole package to, or is it a separate location? Underneath where it wants the "USCIS service center address" it says "or when submitting for interview" and then it wants me to list an embassy address. I'm kind of confused about all this. I also have a tendency to get anxiety and over-think / over-analyze things...so as you can imagine I'm stressing out about all of these little details. I just want to send the packet so we can get the process moving!

I'm also wondering about getting these documents and letters signed by my fiance....will they accept a 325ga form filled out by my fiance and signed but then faxed to me (so they aren't receiving the original signature)? Can I sign her name with her permission? Or must we really pay for a carrier and then wait for them to deliver the documents with her signature?

I know a woman who moved here on a fiance visa and she said she gave her husband permission to sign the form for her and they never had any issues. Is this one of those deals where you shouldn't do it, but there's a 99.999% chance you will have no problems?

I have a few more questions but for now we'll start with those. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me.

I have seen here that putting the address is not important. I put an address on our letters. I believe I just put the Dallas Lockbox address. I do not believe this is an issue that is going to cause your petition to be denied or delayed.

As for the forms, it is always best to play it safe, so have her print the forms sign them and send them to you.

Good luck

[Ryan76 46]

Thanks for the response. That's cool if it's not a big deal about the proper address, but at the same time I know I'm gonna stress out about every little detail and I'm trying to have everything perfect.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

The guides mention the service center address on the letters of intent because at one time, petitions were sent directly to either California or Vermont instead of the Dallas sorting facility. Where your petition goes from Dallas depends mostly on what state you're petitioning from. If you aren't sure what service center works with your state, go ahead and just put the Dallas address on there. It's the content of the letter that matters, not the address.

[Ryan76 46]

The guides mention the service center address on the letters of intent because at one time, petitions were sent directly to either California or Vermont instead of the Dallas sorting facility. Where your petition goes from Dallas depends mostly on what state you're petitioning from. If you aren't sure what service center works with your state, go ahead and just put the Dallas address on there. It's the content of the letter that matters, not the address.

Thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking. I just wanted to be sure it wouldn't mess something important up down the line.

[missicy 87]

Signatures on all forms must be original, not faxed or scanned. Signing somebody else's name is forgery, regardless of what is being signed, be it a check or a G-325A.

[Ryan76 46]

I did a web search for "USCIS service center for indiana" and it says there is an Indianapolis field office. I am guessing this is probably the correct address to use, but as you pointed out it is probably irrelevant because they just want to see the content of the letter.

[missicy 87]

There are USCIS field offices all over the country, but I-129Fs don't get adjudicated there. Local offices are for AOS, ROC etc. interviews, fingerprinting etc.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I did a web search for "USCIS service center for indiana" and it says there is an Indianapolis field office. I am guessing this is probably the correct address to use, but as you pointed out it is probably irrelevant because they just want to see the content of the letter.

USCIS field offices do not adjudicate I-129F petitions. They are adjudicated at USCIS service centers, usually Vermont or California.

The address you write on the cover letter or letter of intent is not relevant. I've pointed this out in other threads. It's a standard courtesy in a business type letter to include the name and address of the addressee at the top of the letter, but it's not critical that you do so. They won't reject your petition if you put the wrong address or don't put any address at all. The cover letter is not even required with the petition package - again, it's just a courtesy. The letters of intent are required, but it makes no difference who you address them to. It's the statement and signature that are required. Anything else is fluff. If you feel it's necessary to put an address at the top then put the same address you're mailing the petition package to. That way you don't have to make any presumptions about where your petition will ultimately end up.

A photocopy or FAX of the G-325A will usually be accepted - the consulate can ask that the form be signed at the interview. In Gary's interview with the director of the Vermont Service Center he said that a copy or FAX of the G-325A was ok. Still, there have been a few people who have gotten an RFE for a G-325A with an original signature. The letter of intent must be original. The I-129F form instructions specifically require original statements. As long as you've got to get an original letter of intent then you might as well get a signed G-325A. My personal policy when dealing with the US government is never think in terms of how little or much you can get away with, but just give them precisely what they ask for and maybe a little bit more.

You should never ever forge someone elses signature.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello all. Every time I think I have enough information to complete the paperwork I get stumped again. I think I'm almost there.

On the I-129F cover letter example it wants me to list the "Address of your service center". What is my service center and where do I find the address?

On the Fiance Letter(s) of intent it wants me to list the "USCIS service center address". Is this the same lock box address I send the whole package to, or is it a separate location? Underneath where it wants the "USCIS service center address" it says "or when submitting for interview" and then it wants me to list an embassy address. I'm kind of confused about all this. I also have a tendency to get anxiety and over-think / over-analyze things...so as you can imagine I'm stressing out about all of these little details. I just want to send the packet so we can get the process moving!

I'm also wondering about getting these documents and letters signed by my fiance....will they accept a 325ga form filled out by my fiance and signed but then faxed to me (so they aren't receiving the original signature)? Can I sign her name with her permission? Or must we really pay for a carrier and then wait for them to deliver the documents with her signature?

I know a woman who moved here on a fiance visa and she said she gave her husband permission to sign the form for her and they never had any issues. Is this one of those deals where you shouldn't do it, but there's a 99.999% chance you will have no problems?

I have a few more questions but for now we'll start with those. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to help me.

Address is not important on cover letters or letters of intent. Looks nice on the samples, but isn't needed. USCIS now uses the lockbox.

Letter of intent msy be original signature. G-325a doies not even have to be signed (see internal memo below) but if you are signing the letter of intent, why not? If you send the G-325 unsigened be sure to mention it in the cover letter and attach a cioy of the memo (not all adjudicators read all internal office memos)

______________________________________________________________________

Interoffice Memorandum

To: SERVICE CENTER DIRECTORS

From: Michael Aytes /S/

Acting Associate Director for Operations

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Department of Homeland Security

Date: November 1, 2005

Re: Guidance for Processing Pending Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) when

G-325A for Petitioner and/or Beneficiary is not Signed and/or Photos not Submitted.

Purpose

To provide field offices with guidance on processing Form I-129F petitions when the accompanying G-325A is missing signatures and/or photographs.

A properly executed Form G-325A is required for all I-129F petitions. Previously it was standard practice to issue an RFE when the beneficiary failed to sign the G-325A and/or failed to submit photographs. From the date of this memorandum, an RFE should not be issued in instances where the beneficiary failed to sign the G-325A and/or failed to include photographs provided that the beneficiary is residing abroad. The beneficiary will be required to sign the Form G-325A and/or submit photographs at the time of visa issuance abroad. It is also not necessary to RFE for the petitioner’s signature on the G-325A, if the petitioner failed to sign it. The signature of the petitioner on the Form I-129F should be deemed sufficient for purposes of adjudicating the petition. Finally, it is important to note that the petitioner’s photograph is still required for the adjudication of the I-129F, so if it is missing, it must be requested prior to adjudication.

Questions regarding this memorandum may be directed through appropriate channels to Mica Pilz of Service Center Operations.

[Ryan76 46]

There are USCIS field offices all over the country, but I-129Fs don't get adjudicated there. Local offices are for AOS, ROC etc. interviews, fingerprinting etc.

I wasn't saying they get adjudicated there. I was just saying that on the I-129F cover letter it asks for "address of your service center".

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I wasn't saying they get adjudicated there. I was just saying that on the I-129F cover letter it asks for "address of your service center".

It means the service center that will be adjudicating your petition, which will be California or Vermont. Those are the only two options.

[bigdog 376]

Remember no fraud on anything if you want to succeed, any questions call USCIS if you have doubt on an address, http://www.visajourney.com/forums/user/64523-jimvaphuong/ outlined it out well.

[Ryan76 46]

Okay, so I need to get her the documents that need to be signed ASAP. Just to be sure...the only two things that have to be signed by her are the G325a form and the Fiance letter of intent, correct? And then is it optional for her to also write and sign a letter describing how we met?

I just want to make sure she has everything signed that needs to be signed before she ships me her paperwork.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Remember no fraud on anything if you want to succeed, any questions call USCIS if you have doubt on an address, http://www.visajourney.com/forums/user/64523-jimvaphuong/ outlined it out well.

Getting an address wrong on a letter of intent would not be fraud. And the question has been answered here, no need to call USCIS.

Okay, so I need to get her the documents that need to be signed ASAP. Just to be sure...the only two things that have to be signed by her are the G325a form and the Fiance letter of intent, correct? And then is it optional for her to also write and sign a letter describing how we met?

I just want to make sure she has everything signed that needs to be signed before she ships me her paperwork.

Her G-325A, her letter of intent. She does not need to write a letter describing how you met. You should have already answered that question on the I-129F itself. It wouldn't HURT, especially if you want to frontload your petition, but it's not a requirement.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Coconuts