Does it matter where we send our package from? CA or OH?

[mrseaturtle 0]

My wife is a US Citizen and she is the primary sponsor on I-864, and I am a international student on F-1 visa.

We are ready to send our package (I-130 and I-485) but our current situation is a little bit tricky, and I want to ask for some advice.

Due to my education, we are living apart; she is in California, and I'm in Ohio.

We do have a co-signed apartment lease for joint tenancy in California, but not in Ohio where I'm studying.

So, the question is, where should we send the package from?

We first thought California would be better since my wife is the USC and the primary sponsor.

But then we heard immigration offices in CA are slow and picky because there are just too many applicants from the state.

Also, I'd have to fly out there during my study just to go through the biometrics, which could be very costly.

So, we are now leaning towards sending the applications from Ohio.

I don't really see a reason not to other than the fact that my wife does not reside here.

What should we do?

Also, this could be a dumb question but do we have to specify (like in a cover letter?) USCIS where to send the receipt, NOAs, and other letters for us? Or, do they just see where the package came from, and have everything sent there?

Please help us!! Thank you so much.

[Lainie B 465]

It makes no difference where you send it from. They will send the receipt, notifications etc to the address that you said you live at that you put on the forms. The location for the biometrics and interview will also be based on the address you put on the forms.

[mrseaturtle 0]

But my wife and I have different addresses.

On I-130, it has the california address, and on I-485, it has mine (ohio).

So, does that mean USCIS will send letters to two locations?

And which of the two addresses will they use for biometrics and interview?

[Hypnos 6,578]

They will use the I-485 address for biometrics and interview.