Some info regarding filing form I-865 Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address

[MikeyN6IL 0]

My wife and I moved about 1 month after she received her GC. We knew that she had to file an AR-11 change of address form for her, and I vaguely knew that I had to file a form for change of sponsorship. I was unable to find any instructions here on vj or the web at large, so I just took a shot and sent the I-865 SPONSOR'S NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS form in. Here's what happened (The story, scroll down for instructions).

I filled the form out completely, signed and dated. No Letter or attachments were included (mistake!) Following the instructions I sent the form to CSC since we live in California.

About a month later I got an envelope from the National Visa Center. The contents were a form letter, and the I-865 form sent back to me.

The form letter from NVC indicated that they were not able to process the form because there was not proper authorizing information included. It also stated that the form was forwarded from USCIS. "Please resubmit your inquiry including the required information."

The real curious part was the I-865 Form. The original copy that I sent them was sent back to me and was stamped/annotated as follows:

- Stamp: Date/time of receipt at CSC

- Hand written Receipt Number (The wrong one, see below)

- Stamp: COA Update

- Stamp: Action Completed; Approved For filing; Date

If it was approved for filing, why was it sent back to me? The answer is the wrong receipt number was used. The hand written receipt number was for our I-129F. The I-864 form was submitted as sponsorship for AOS (I-485) which has a different receipt number.

So this is how they got confused.

Based on the two mistakes mentioned above and the results of my calls to NVC and USCIS on this issue, here is how I would recommend you prepare your I-865 packet:

- Write a cover leter

- Clearly indicate the Sponsor's Name and DOB

- Clearly indicate the Beneficiary and/or Petitioner's Name and DOB

- Clearly indicate with Receipt Number is being referenced and which form to be updated/referenced:

"REFERENCES Receipt ABC123, I-485 AOS; UPDATES I-864 ATTACHMENT"

- Write the letter to explain WHAT and WHY it's being sent:

"I am sending this Form I-865 SPONSOR'S NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS because I have moved and need to update my current address. I am currently sponsoring NAME as for REASON..."

- Sign and date the letter.

- Last, clearly list all of the attachments at the end of the letter. Don't forget to include them in the submission

-- Original Submission I-865 SPONSOR'S NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS, 2 pgs. (This is a resubmission in my case, clearly indicate)

-- Copy of the NOA Form(s) I-797 that correspond to the I-864 being updated

-- Copy of the signed and dated form I-864 being updated (you did make a copy/scan before submitting, right?)

-- Copy of identifying information for Sponsor, including full name and DOB

-- Copy of identifying information for Beneficiary/Petitioner, including full name and DOB

- Address it as indicated in the I-865 instructions. This changes depending on where you are moving to. (In my particular case the original submission went to CSC, the second submission is being sent to National Benefit Center as instructed).

- If you are sending this form via USPS, be sure to sent it Certified Mail w/ Return Receipt (two separate forms; both are green). Yes it means going to the post office and waiting in line, but it's worth it when you get that green card in your mailbox to letting you know that it was received. Because it is just a change of address form there is no reason to expect any reply whatsoever from USCIS.

This should cover all the bases. Additionally it should cover a re-submission, as is my particular case.

[Anh map 2,098]

Wow! I've submitted the I-865 twice and simply sent the form alone by regular mail without issue.

Sounds like you've got it covered now.