DS-230 and I-864 supporting documents – urgent question

[RobEnglish 0]

Hi,

After a long and drawn-out process with many delays, at last we’re ready to send the DS-230 and the I-864. I wanted to double-check the list of supporting documents etc. but I’ve just going round in circles trying to find exactly what I’m looking for, without much success and a lack of time (this is the last day I’ll see my wife for several months!) Meanwhile, I have a list I made earlier – plus a few questions. Please can someone confirm?

DS-230

• Bar-coded cover sheet
• DS-230 form
• Original marriage certificate
• Original long form birth certificate
• Police certificate
• Photocopy of passport biographic data page
• Passport photos x2
• Immigrant Visa application payment receipt
• Photocopies of all documents

I-864

• Bar-coded cover sheet
• I-864 form
• Photocopy of recent tax return
• Letter from employer

My question is: are the following required in the I-864 package?

• Photocopy of passport biographic data page??
• Passport photos??
• AOS payment receipt??
• Photocopies of all documents??

Finally, can each section of the forms and paperwork be stapled, or only paper clips?

Thank you!

[pushbrk 13,087]

Hi,

After a long and drawn-out process with many delays, at last we’re ready to send the DS-230 and the I-864. I wanted to double-check the list of supporting documents etc. but I’ve just going round in circles trying to find exactly what I’m looking for, without much success and a lack of time (this is the last day I’ll see my wife for several months!) Meanwhile, I have a list I made earlier – plus a few questions. Please can someone confirm?

DS-230

• Bar-coded cover sheet
• DS-230 form
• Original marriage certificate
• Original long form birth certificate
• Police certificate
• Photocopy of passport biographic data page
• Passport photos x2

I-864

• Bar-coded cover sheet
• I-864 form
• Photocopy of recent tax return
• Letter from employer

My question is: are the following required in the I-864 package?

• Photocopy of passport biographic data page??
• Passport photos??
• AOS payment receipt??
• Photocopies of all documents??

Finally, can each section of the forms and paperwork be stapled, or only paper clips?

Thank you!

• Immigrant Visa application payment receipt
• Photocopies of all documents

Take the above to the interview. No need to mail in the package. The know you paid or there would be no cover sheet available. You can trade the photocopies for the originals if you take them to the interview. Otherwise, since they are not requested, they might be discarded.

For AOS package, none of the additional items you list in your question are needed.

For the DS230 and civil documents, any original certified copies of beneficiary divorce decrees would be needed, if applicable.

[RobEnglish 0]

Thank you for your help.

And I'm guessing that nothing should be stapled together?

[NikLR 13,232]

Thank you for your help.

And I'm guessing that nothing should be stapled together?

Use paperclips or binder clips. The less work for the person who's dealing with your case, the better.

[bruins 14]

Wouldn't certified copies be just as good as originals? I wouldn't send an original unless I know I was getting it back.

[pushbrk 13,087]

Wouldn't certified copies be just as good as originals? I wouldn't send an original unless I know I was getting it back.

For the most part, when people refer to an "original" certificate from a government agency, they ARE referring to the original "certified copy". For example, you submit a photocopy of the certified copy of your marriage certificate with the petition but send the original or actual certified copy of the marriage certificate to NVC.

Since this is about things being sent to NVC. "Original" essentially means "actual certified copy". You do not copy something and then get the copy certified. Certified copies are ordered or otherwise obtained from the government agency that has the "original" on file. In some cases (such as my birth certificate) the "original" is actually on microfilm.

Edited July 10, 2013 by pushbrk

[NikLR 13,232]

Wouldn't certified copies be just as good as originals? I wouldn't send an original unless I know I was getting it back.

The embassy or consulate gives you your originals or certified copies back with the exception of the police certificate.

[Reds988 9]

Why does the i864 instructions says staple forms together,i think they dont mind stapled items.

[NikLR 13,232]

Why does the i864 instructions says staple forms together,i think they dont mind stapled items.

Because everything there they are keeping. You don't get "originals" back from the I-864 because none are really submitted.

But you may think thrice about stapling your birth certificate. Sometimes that can void the originals if they're damaged.

[Reds988 9]

I 864 instructions I said and its completely different from next form

...not ds 230 instructions,common sense tells you dont staple original civil documents

Edited July 20, 2013 by Reds988

[NikLR 13,232]

I 864 instructions I said and its completely different from next form

...not ds 230 instructions,common sense tells you dont staple original civil documents

Common sense is rare.

You can staple the I-864 if you choose to, the instructions say you can. Common sense says, they'll just rip it apart when they get it to scan each page into their system, so why bother and why not make it easier (and faster) for them?