Wrong "ATTN" in USPS priority

[mimigrant 0]

Hi all,

I posted about this in December 2013 filers but would like to hear insights from the whole community.

The stupid attendant at a USPS shipping facility input the Lewisville TX address in her computer to create a label for me, which apparently had "ATTN: AOS" stored.

So in my N-400 application envelope wrongly says:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy 121 Business Ste 400
Lewisville, TX 7506

Instead of this correct one:

USCIS
Attn: N-400
2501 S. State Hwy 121 Business Ste 400
Lewisville, TX 7506

I only noticed it after it was shipped! I sent an email to the uscis lockbox today but I'm at a loss on what will happen. Do they open the envelopes at the lockbox and check where the application should go? Or will they just send it to a AOS division? Do the same officers handle AOS and N-400 or each officer is trained in a specific case?

I hope they don't reject and return it to me, as I won't even be in town until January.

What do you guys think? Is there intelligent life there, and will they just redirect it to the correct division???

Edited December 15, 2013 by mimigrant

[mimigrant 0]

Not to mention I have a check in there, pictures... Ugh!

Should I cancel the check? It is named to them specifically so I don't think anyone could cash it, right?

[Shub 78]

Question: since you were using USPS (not UPS), why didn't you mail your package to the PO box instead? The instructions say you should only use the address you used when mailing through carriers other than USPS.

By the way, the ZIP code in your post is also incorrect.

Edited December 15, 2013 by Shub

[Darnell 8,478]

should you need to do this again:

1. make an account at usps.com

2. buy the postage and label you need, print it out, tape/glue it to yer package. you'll get a discount and tracking is free when you buy online.

Sorry, usps clerks are stupid sometimes. As to where your packet will go - it'll certainly go to the AOS section first, and if'n yer lucky, some bright-boy will reroute it to the proper office.

I say wait a month before making a new submittal, not cancel yer check till then.

[mimigrant 0]

The store I went to was multi-service, I intended to do it FedEx... the clerk convinced me it was not necessary and that I should do USPS Priority as it is signed upon receival (?) - well now I don't even know anymore if it is... don't trust what this person said.

I copied and pasted the whole address AND ZIP code from instructions form before posting here... how can it be wrong?

Question: since you were using USPS (not UPS), why didn't you mail your package to the PO box instead? The instructions say you should only use the address you used when mailing through carriers other than USPS.

By the way, the ZIP code in your post is also incorrect.

[mimigrant 0]

Thanks Darnell! You are absolutely right - I should have done it myself online. Or better, I should have insisted in sending it through FedEx as it can be more easily tracked and changed etc.

Oh my I am not even religious but praying already that the AOS person that receives it has a brain, is not mean, and will redirect it to the right N-400 officer.

Can't believe this is happening to me... I am very detail-oriented :/

edit: I think you are right re: check. I don't think anyone else can cash a Homeland Security check... right?

should you need to do this again:
1. make an account at usps.com
2. buy the postage and label you need, print it out, tape/glue it to yer package. you'll get a discount and tracking is free when you buy online.

Sorry, usps clerks are stupid sometimes. As to where your packet will go - it'll certainly go to the AOS section first, and if'n yer lucky, some bright-boy will reroute it to the proper office.

I say wait a month before making a new submittal, not cancel yer check till then.

Edited December 15, 2013 by mimigrant

[Rich and Wen 101]

All FedEx or UPS can do that the USPS cannot do is drain your wallet faster. The place you used was not even staffed by a postal clerk, because they only sell postal products, not give you a choice of carriers to use. This is the wave of the future, as low-wage, unskilled labor replaces someone who cares. And their computer auto-completed your label incorrectly.

My mantra is, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

[Shub 78]

The store I went to was multi-service, I intended to do it FedEx... the clerk convinced me it was not necessary and that I should do USPS Priority as it is signed upon receival (?) - well now I don't even know anymore if it is... don't trust what this person said.

I copied and pasted the whole address AND ZIP code from instructions form before posting here... how can it be wrong?

No, USPS Priority Mail does not require a signature upon delivery. You can buy your Priority Mail with USPS Signature Confirmation, which is an additional charge, but normally, there is no signature. Seems like the person you spoke to was clueless.

As for the ZIP code, I don't know how you got it wrong, but I'm sure you know ZIP codes in the USA have 5 digits, and the one you posted above has 4 digits I assume it was correct on your actual envelope, but if you can, you should double-check. If the ZIP code was incorrect, USPS will either try to deliver the package anyway, or they will return it to you.

Like another poster said, if you have access to a printer, definitely print your own shipping labels, it's very easy and even saves you money! You just have to be careful to apply the correct rate (which is easy if you use USPS priority mail flat rate envelopes or boxes). If you prefer going to the post office in person, just avoid those multi-service private businesses and go to a real post office or UPS or FedEx branch. The employees there still can make mistakes but it's a lot more likely they'll know what they're talking about.

I guess you'll just have to see what happens! You certainly needn't worry about your check getting cashed by someone else, although checks in general create the potential for identity theft since a single check gives a fraudster all the information they need to forge checks (your name, address, bank account number and ABA routing number).

In case you couldn't tell, I hate checks and think they should be abolished. Anyway, sorry, didn't mean to scare you more. I think you'll be fine and the worst that'll happen is your package gets returned to you.

[mimigrant 0]

Shub... please... I live here. I do know how many digits there are in a zip code. It's OBVIOUS that when I copied and pasted from the website to illustrate what happened here on VJ, one number was not copied. That's NOT what happened at the store. Okay?

FYI the last project I managed cost $500 million, so... it's not like I'm stupid!!! LOL. The only mistake that admittedly did happen on my part was to not double check the clerks' input on the computer.

The thing I'm interested in knowing and why I posted this thread is what will happen WHEN it gets to lockbox/AOS division or whatever happens there. And people are making the point to talk about the clerk mistake etc. This doesn't matter anymore. If someone could say if they know what may happen THERE (will they reject and send back the application, etc?) - that's the answer I'm looking for.

Thanks.

No, USPS Priority Mail does not require a signature upon delivery. You can buy your Priority Mail with USPS Signature Confirmation, which is an additional charge, but normally, there is no signature. Seems like the person you spoke to was clueless.

As for the ZIP code, I don't know how you got it wrong, but I'm sure you know ZIP codes in the USA have 5 digits, and the one you posted above has 4 digits I assume it was correct on your actual envelope, but if you can, you should double-check. If the ZIP code was incorrect, USPS will either try to deliver the package anyway, or they will return it to you.

Like another poster said, if you have access to a printer, definitely print your own shipping labels, it's very easy and even saves you money! You just have to be careful to apply the correct rate (which is easy if you use USPS priority mail flat rate envelopes or boxes). If you prefer going to the post office in person, just avoid those multi-service private businesses and go to a real post office or UPS or FedEx branch. The employees there still can make mistakes but it's a lot more likely they'll know what they're talking about.

I guess you'll just have to see what happens! You certainly needn't worry about your check getting cashed by someone else, although checks in general create the potential for identity theft since a single check gives a fraudster all the information they need to forge checks (your name, address, bank account number and ABA routing number).

In case you couldn't tell, I hate checks and think they should be abolished. Anyway, sorry, didn't mean to scare you more. I think you'll be fine and the worst that'll happen is your package gets returned to you.

[mimigrant 0]

There is a reason I used this place. I usually go to the FedEx at OfficeMax but their computer programs had an issue. And admittedly I was lazy to take the subway and go downtown to another FedEx or UPS location. My bad. I should have waited and gone another day. But really how unlucky was that, I would never guess this would happen as I've used them in the past and never had issues.

In any case - Can someone respond to what will happen NOW at the lockbox and the further distribution - instead of focusing on how dumb I was to use a multi-service store? Appreciated.

All FedEx or UPS can do that the USPS cannot do is drain your wallet faster. The place you used was not even staffed by a postal clerk, because they only sell postal products, not give you a choice of carriers to use. This is the wave of the future, as low-wage, unskilled labor replaces someone who cares. And their computer auto-completed your label incorrectly.

My mantra is, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

[psiprez 3]

My impression has been that when envelopes arrive, they get put into a pile for "initial processing". Some envelopes end up at the top of the pile, some at the bottom.

Envelopes then get pulled and opened (they can sit there for many days first). The check is cashed, the file is marked paid, and sent off to an adjudicator.

The adjudicator sticks it in a pile. They are supposed to process the file in order of receipt, but as you can see from timelines, it doesn't quite happen that way.

So.. I would expect one of the following:

If AOS processing is in the same location as N-400, the initial processor will simply route it to the proper adjudicator. No problem.

If AOS processing is in an entirely different location, your package would either be returned, or could sit in limbo in some pile for days or weeks until someone finally deals with it.

What I DO remember happening to a few people with K-1's is that if the check is not for the absolute correct amount, the entire package gets returned.

So if AOS is a different fee, even if they are not smart enough to simply send the package to the N-400 adjudicator, they would just return the package. This seems the most likely.

Of course... none of us REALLY knows what goes on at USCIS, but maybe this can put you a little at ease.

Edited December 16, 2013 by psiprez

[DC85 113]

I would advise you to wait the attin. part is not that important since it's to the same lock box.be adviced that the lockbox is the place where your package will be opened. keep montroing your bank account to see if the check is cashed or not;

"

The Lockbox Service provider performs the following activities when processing incoming applications:

• Receive, open, sort and stage mail.
• Prepare and scan documents.
• Enter document data in system from scanned images.
• Accept or reject applications and related fees based on business rules.
• Balance applications and fees.
• Deposit payments to the U.S. Treasury
• Send receipt notices for accepted applications to the applicant and designated representative.
• Return rejected applications to the applicant or designated representative.
• Transmit application data to USCIS and payment data to U.S. Department of Treasury.
• Send application files to the appropriate USCIS service center or field office for further processing.

"

Edited December 16, 2013 by myafi1985