USPS or USPS priority Express mail??? difference?

[MichelleNGeorge 10]

hey guys!

We had a little delay and sending off our AOS package (hopefully) tomorrow!

Now we are a little confused: Of course we want our package to arrive as soon as possible, so we were thinking about using USPS priority express mail which would arrive in a day. We just don't know why there are two different addresses used;

USPS regular mail

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago......

express mail and courier services

Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn - 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

DOES this mean that our AOS package will never see the darkness of a P.O. Box? What exactly is the difference, other than the express mail being faster? Will the express mail skip a step, the step of someone picking it up from a PO box?

I'd love someone to maybe answer it

[Skyview 3]

we send the AOS thru express but weren't there in a day. we used the

USCIS
Attn: FBAS
131 South Dearborn- 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

i think its still a box where uscis pick it up. just track it with usps tracking. you could also ask the post office. i won't send anything express anymore just a waste of money. i make sure its insured.. good luck.

where are you from in Germany?

Edited April 4, 2014 by Skyview

[MichelleNGeorge 10]

Hmmm I'll go ahead and ask the post office then

Thanks for the quick replay!

Does anybody think anything different?

I'm from Nuremberg, what about you?

[SMB22 22]

I am not exactly sure why they have to different addresses, either. Sorry

But I agree with the part that the express is a waist of money. I send my AOS with regular, certified mail and it was there in only 3 days! Often the express mail doesn't get there overnight either, even if they claim it will... But 2 days more or less isn't really going to make a big difference in the end either way. It's all at the grace of USCIS and when they decide to have a look at out paperwork.

I used to be from Nürnberg as well

[Pitaya 2,577]

For the correct titles associated with the two mailing options go to this USCIS link:

http://www.uscis.gov/i-485-addresses

The VJ Guides say it best. We followed the VJ AOS Guide (as many folks do):

Where to File Everything:

Applicants are required to mail applications to a national mailbox (Chicago) as stated on the form (not your local USCIS office). Be sure to mail the package with return receipt requested / delivery confirmation. Send via USPS.

That has been our standard method of petition/application/form delivery method throughout our entire 2+year immigration journey, and have had no issues. We see no good purpose for spending extra money for express delivery services. YMMV.

Good luck.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

I never understood why people who send it by Express (next day) for like $25 when Priorty (1-3 days) is about $6 and gets there 1-2 days later.

Will that extra day or two make any difference in the 6 month wait?

[Pitaya 2,577]

I never understood why people who send it by Express (next day) for like $25 when Priorty (1-3 days) is about $6 and gets there 1-2 days later. Agree!

Will that extra day or two make any difference in the 6 month wait? Likely not.

[MichelleNGeorge 10]

Thank you guys

I'll use the priority mail then. I don't want to overpay and don't have an advantage

I was just wondering if i could skip the process of someone picking up my envelope from a box

and indeed Nürnberg rocks

[aussie_jason 195]

I never send anything via USPS if I can help it as over the years they have lost too many pieces of mail so we sent our AOS package via FedEx, the difference between the addresses is just that one is an unattended PO Box and the other is a physical office with someone to receive the package from the courier service.