Another noobie with simple questions.

[Russell T 3]

First off let me say thanks to everyone here on this forum, it's been a great help.

I am very close to starting the K-1 process and I have a couple of simple questions.

#1 My birth certiicate is old and tattered (1948), when I used it getting my passport there was a bit of a momentary problem because it was issued 2 years after my birth so I figured I's also send my passport info. The instructions say copy ALL pages of the passport, do they want the ones that are blank pages also? In my case that's 10 blank pages????

Second question is just what are people doing to "package" the information? Paper clips, spring clips? I did find a clear plastic folder with a zipper I can slide everything into but woder about binding the stuff I put in the folder.

Thanks for any input.

[L+T 71]

First off let me say thanks to everyone here on this forum, it's been a great help.

I am very close to starting the K-1 process and I have a couple of simple questions.

#1 My birth certiicate is old and tattered (1948), when I used it getting my passport there was a bit of a momentary problem because it was issued 2 years after my birth so I figured I's also send my passport info. The instructions say copy ALL pages of the passport, do they want the ones that are blank pages also? In my case that's 10 blank pages????

Second question is just what are people doing to "package" the information? Paper clips, spring clips? I did find a clear plastic folder with a zipper I can slide everything into but woder about binding the stuff I put in the folder.

Thanks for any input.

All pages of passport is required. (be sure the passport does not expire in next 5 years or cannot be used for this). You may want to call your state of birth and have another certified copy sent to you anyway. (though passport is good enough for application)

Just use paper clips for each section you put together.

[Pitaya 2,577]

First off let me say thanks to everyone here on this forum, it's been a great help.

I am very close to starting the K-1 process and I have a couple of simple questions.

#1 My birth certiicate is old and tattered (1948), when I used it getting my passport there was a bit of a momentary problem because it was issued 2 years after my birth so I figured I's also send my passport info. The instructions say copy ALL pages of the passport, do they want the ones that are blank pages also? In my case that's 10 blank pages???? ALL pages (as described in the I-129F instructions)

Second question is just what are people doing to "package" the information? Paper clips, spring clips? I did find a clear plastic folder with a zipper I can slide everything into but woder about binding the stuff I put in the folder. Review the general assembly instructions found in the Guides section of this site.

Thanks for any input.

Welcome to the forum.

Responses in green.

Good luck.

[Inky 1,110]

All pages of passport is required. (be sure the passport does not expire in next 5 years or cannot be used for this). You may want to call your state of birth and have another certified copy sent to you anyway. (though passport is good enough for application)

Just use paper clips for each section you put together.

The US passport has to be valid for a minimum of 5 years. This does not mean " if the passport is almost expired you cannot use it ". It means you cannot use a passport that was issued and only valid for 2 years. If your US passport has only 6 months valid left on it you do not have to renew a passport for the k-1 process.

[L+T 71]

The US passport has to be valid for a minimum of 5 years. This does not mean " if the passport is almost expired you cannot use it ". It means you cannot use a passport that was issued and only valid for 2 years. If your US passport has only 6 months valid left on it you do not have to renew a passport for the k-1 process.

LOL, ok, i thought they were all 10 year passports for adults!!???

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Every page of your passport, including the blank pages and the covers. This proves (or at least makes it highly likely) that you have the actual passport in your hands, and didn't just download a few scanned pages from the internet.

Paper clips or spring clips are fine. You don't have to go out of your way to package the petition documents. They're going to disassemble whatever you do and put everything in their own binder anyway. Be careful of small loose documents like photos. Passport style photos can be placed in a small ziploc bag and taped or stapled to a full size sheet of paper (be sure not to tape down the ziploc end of the bag so that they can open it). Larger photos can either be printed on full size pages (multiple photos to a page, if you like), or printed on photo paper and attached to full size sheets, or inserted into ziploc bags which are taped to full size sheets. The idea is to use full size 8.5 x 11 sheets for everything, if at all possible. It makes it easier for them to bind everything into their folder, and reduces the chances of something getting lost.

The VJ guides say to use ACCO fasteners (the kind where you punch two holes at the top of the page). This was accurate information when K1 petitions were sent directly to the regional service center where they are going to be adjudicated. I'm not sure it's accurate anymore since petitions are now sent to the Texas lockbox. I don't know what the recommendations are for the Texas lockbox, but the Chicago lockbox does NOT want you using ACCO fasteners. I think heavy duty spring clips are a safe bet.

BTW, contact your state board of vital statistics and get a new certified copy of your birth certificate. Get a few copies, in fact. Keep them in a fire safe. You never know when you'll need an original.

[Russell T 3]

Thanks for the quick replies, my passport is new so time is not a problem. I have stamps from my China trip on one page , Chinese Vias on another but the rest are blank, just wanted to see if there was a reason to copy the blank ones, your answeres explain it for me

The packaging info is very helplful also, thank you.