Assembling documents

[ivana.corsale 1]

We are getting ready to send the entire application for the green card. Silly question but I thought I would ask. Is it ok to staple each individual form and document? Or do they prefer paper clips? Or does it matter?

Thanks!

[Alex13 5]

I stapled the documents together, ie: I-485 papers all stapled, G-325A all stapled, but I attached any 'supporting' documents such as tax returns with a paper clip. Also I attached passport-style photos with a paper clip to the top of the corresponding forms. That seemed to be acceptable!

Just to re-clarify I didn't staple ALL the documents together like a big book, just the papers of each individual document!

[ivana.corsale 1]

Thanks! That's what I was thinking as well. I'm actually placing the photos in plastic bags as suggested in the checklist on this site. That should work!

[meganandrocco 0]

I used paper clips for each of the forms and supporting documents and it was accepted

[Alex13 5]

Thanks! That's what I was thinking as well. I'm actually placing the photos in plastic bags as suggested in the checklist on this site. That should work!

Yep, you got it! I know what you mean about asking questions like this, I was the same, thinking 'this probably sounds really dumb' haha. It's always best to be 100% sure you've got the strongest petition possible!

[hikergirl 277]

We are getting ready to send the entire application for the green card. Silly question but I thought I would ask. Is it ok to staple each individual form and document? Or do they prefer paper clips? Or does it matter?

Thanks!

Actually it is a very good question.

USCIS Directions

USCIS actually prefers you use ACCO fasteners. The above link is a guide to how they like it.

Edited September 20, 2011 by hikergirl

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

USCIS is going to undo whatever you do and do it their own way in their own folders. Therefore, make your packet organized, but not too difficult to undo. For instance, one person was going to put each paper in a plastic sleeve, which would be extremely difficult and time consuming to undo. Paperclips are easier to undo than staples, though staple removers are readily available.

[106206 15]

Here's what we did:

Check on top of cover sheet

Cover sheet with explanation of what is inside

Under that every form or supporting document required

Multi page forms or documents stapled (nothing over a few pages for us)

Photos were in baggies that were stapled to margin of pages i.e. G325-A, names on back of photos written in felt pen

Entire package was clipped with heavy gauge clip

Package was put into a USPS Express Plastic Bag/Envelope

Package was accepted by USCIS.

[Pupsik 4]

i used one of these folders. Put the cover page on the first tab, the 130 one clip with evidence, the 485 on another clip with evidence...and so on.

Edited September 21, 2011 by Pupsik