Agent confusion

[eav123 0]

Hello all. My husband is in Portugal. I'm his agent. I'm also the petitioner. Our application has been approved, and we are on the step where I wait for the I 864 package...and his step is the DS230 package...but really, it's MY step since I'm the agent filling it all out...correct?

If the subsequent paperwork requires his signature, do I simply sign my name for him as his agent? What do I do? What are his responsibilities now in Portugal? We submitted the whole application on Dec. 15...and it's April and things are moving along well. Just wondering what my role is now as the "agent." From what I gather, it's ME who will be doing the legwork (paperwork) since it says on the "NVC FLOWCHART" on VJ that "Agent receives this/that"..."Agent sends compelted DS230, etc. etc."....Does that mean that my husband just sits in Portugal and twiddles his thumbs while all this happens?

Also, how long do these steps generally take? We mailed the designation of AGENT form 2 weeks ago naming ME as his agent (I was visiting him in Portugal, so I helped him fill it out and mail it)...so it should be received soon. In your experience, will the remaining steps (I864 and DS230) take a long time? Can we expect his case being completed by this summer? maybe? anyone?

[Cathi 5,757]

He must sign his own name, you cannot sign it on his behalf.

[eav123 0]

He must sign his own name, you cannot sign it on his behalf.

So does that mean we're faxing papers back and forth? It says the agent does the paperwork...but if it requiers his signature, and he's on a different continent, then are fax copies sufficient? Or, are we signing things and sending them through regular mail? I'm confused as to what my responsibilities are as the agent. I was under the impression that the agent holds the power to sign things on his behalf? Did I read that wrong somewhere? The 230 form is HIS form, but if I'M receiving it, filling it out on HIS behalf, then the part where he signs would be impossible. unless I fax it to him and he faxes it back...but then the original would be just a copy. UGH.

[NikLR 13,227]

No he needs to fill it out and sign it. You are just where the paperwork is mailed to. I assigned my husband to be the choice if agent but the only thing he does is pay the bills (well I pay them out of our US bank account Lol), gets me the paperwork I need for the AOS and signs it.

If you two had emailed the ds-3032 it probably would have made an IV invoice pop up by now which needs to be paid before you can send in the IV package. Just like with the AOS, you need the bar coded cover sheet from the receipt page.

Each stage from submission to review can take up to 20 business days but as they can review both the AOS and the IV packages at the same time, you should get a case complete in about a month unless there are checklists (the NVC version of an RFE).

He doesn't just need to send the DS-230 but also 2 passport style pictures (US 2x2), his birth certificate that has his parents names on it, a photocopy of the biographical page of his passport, your marriage certificate, any divorce decrees or military records he may have, and his police(s) reports. It does need to be originals so he will need to either courier it to you or to the NVC. It's too bad you didn't gewt the paperwork from him while you were there. your case may take a little longer but I think as long is everything is filled out correctly, you should have a case complete in the next few months.

Edited April 9, 2013 by NikiR

[Cathi 5,757]

So does that mean we're faxing papers back and forth? It says the agent does the paperwork...but if it requiers his signature, and he's on a different continent, then are fax copies sufficient? Or, are we signing things and sending them through regular mail? I'm confused as to what my responsibilities are as the agent. I was under the impression that the agent holds the power to sign things on his behalf? Did I read that wrong somewhere? The 230 form is HIS form, but if I'M receiving it, filling it out on HIS behalf, then the part where he signs would be impossible. unless I fax it to him and he faxes it back...but then the original would be just a copy. UGH.

the signature has to be original, not a copy, he will have to mail you an original signed copy. If you stay on top of things you should be able to get a case complete by summer. Make sure you study the guides at the top of the page, you need to send others things along with the ds-230. Good luck!!!

[eav123 0]

the signature has to be original, not a copy, he will have to mail you an original signed copy. If you stay on top of things you should be able to get a case complete by summer. Make sure you study the guides at the top of the page, you need to send others things along with the ds-230. Good luck!!!

Thanks everyone...SO....the assigning an agent thing is stupid then. If he's still supposed to fill everything out, what is the point? Should I have HIM fill it all out, then MAIL it to ME first to look over to make sure it's all filled out correctly (we can take pics of the docs with our camera phones and ensure it's all set), or should he just send it directly to the NVC? I'm confused as to what my role is as AGENT.

While I was in Portugal, the only step we had at that point was an email from the NVC saying we had to pay the 88dollar fee for the whatever it's called, and have him send in the assignment of an Agent form, which named me...and we also emailed to establish communication. I wish there had been more paperwork to fill out, but there wasn't at that stage, and now I'm back in the USA.

So, all in all, I looked at the NVC flow chart, and it says in HIS column that "AGENT receives this...AGENT sends THAT...AGENT does this/does that" which had me thinking that I was the one filling it all out!?? but it's still HIM filling it out? Will he get copies of everthing too? So confused still...Sorry!

[NikLR 13,227]

The only time an agent does those things is after everything is signed etc. Even if a lawyer had prepared everything for the both of you it would require you original signature. No matter what stage you are on, everything can be filled out ahead of time and ready for shipment as long as nothing changes. He could have had everything filled out, signed and ready but you didn't read far enough ahead so the point is moot and you just have to go ahead with what you have

You have two options, he can do the IV package himself and mail it to the NVC (I suggest a courier over regular mail) or he can fill out the DS-230, send everything to you and you can mail it to the NVC.

Go here and read the first two posts and ALL the links therein that do not say electronic processing. It is not available for Portugal.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/422214-nvc-filers-april-2013/

Maybe that will help clarify how it works? I hope so!

Edited April 9, 2013 by NikiR