How many DS-261 form need to be filed?

[Honey&Bunny 12]

Hi VJ friends,

I am so sorry if I am asking way to many questions but it is really expensive to ask a lawyer. I am petitioning for my husband and my step-daughter, I finally got AOS fee bills and I am super happy. Now, I am getting ready to pay the invoices and also, file form DS-261 on their behalf. My question is; Do I file for two DS-261, one for my husband and one for my step-child or do I file just one? I got two separate fee bills, so I am guessing that I have to be her choice of agent and adress as well. I really hope that someone can help me because I AM COMPLETELY CONFUSED ?? thanks.

[NikLR 13,227]

Each needs a DS-261, IV fee, DS-260, and IV package. You should have only had to pay the AOS fee once. However each will need their own AOS package.

[Ian H. 207]

To the above poster, if they are two separate petitions, wouldn't they be two different cases and two separate AOS fees, just curious? The OP said she received two bills.

[Honey&Bunny 12]

Each needs a DS-261, IV fee, DS-260, and IV package. You should have only had to pay the AOS fee once. However each will need their own AOS package.

Hi, I got two separate invoices. When I file the petitions, I paid for two and it was for my step-daughter and my husband. Is there suppose to be just one AOS fee?

[Honey&Bunny 12]

To the above poster, if they are two separate petitions, wouldn't they be two different cases and two separate AOS fees, just curious? The OP said she received two bills.

Hi, I am not really sure and that is why I am asking. I got two separate invoices. There are two petitions, which means, two cases at NVC. This is all so confusing and I have no idea on what I am doing. This site was the best thing I ever came across of.

Each needs a DS-261, IV fee, DS-260, and IV package. You should have only had to pay the AOS fee once. However each will need their own AOS package.

How do I just pay for one?

[Ian H. 207]

Hi, I looked it up for you. According to the dept of state, if you have more than one case at the same time in the NVC for spouses and/or children, it looks like you only have to pay the AOS fee once. The IV fee, for sure, would be one for each. Here is a link:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/fees/nvc-fee-payment-faqs.html

Hi, I am not really sure and that is why I am asking. I got two separate invoices. There are two petitions, which means, two cases at NVC. This is all so confusing and I have no idea on what I am doing. This site was the best thing I ever came across of.
How do I just pay for one?

Edited July 28, 2014 by ianhalliwell186

[Honey&Bunny 12]

Hi, I looked it up for you. According to the dept of state, if you have more than one case at the same time in the NVC for spouses and/or children, it looks like you only have to pay the AOS fee once. The IV fee, for sure, would be one for each. Here is a link:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/fees/nvc-fee-payment-faqs.html

Thank you so much! So, I guess I have to pay by cashier's check in order to do both at one time. If I pay online, I would have to enter each separate invoice, which will be double the charge. If I pay it by mail, I can include both invoices in one envelope with only one payment. That is what I understood from the link. Thanks a million, thus really helps. I entered that question in google yesterday, and I got nothing. I am hoping that this will work out, otherwise, it will take months to figure out if I should have done something else.

[Ian H. 207]

You're very welcome! I was reading here on some older posts, and it looks like some people paid the fee online for one person, usually the spouse, and called the NVC and told them to put the cases together. But to avoid confusion, I personally would just do it how it says in the dept of state website, send both bills in with a cashier's check or money order for the $88 on top. By sending both bills per the instructions they will automatically know that you are only required to pay the AOS fee once. Also send it in via USPS priority mail or something like that, don't send it in a regular envelope because it doesn't have tracking. That way you know they received the fee. Then you should be able to log in to the system and see if the status says paid after a while. I'm not sure how long they would take to process mailed in payments, but I would check back after a week after the fee is delivered. If nothing online, you can call in to check on the status.

Thank you so much! So, I guess I have to pay by cashier's check in order to do both at one time. If I pay online, I would have to enter each separate invoice, which will be double the charge. If I pay it by mail, I can include both invoices in one envelope with only one payment. That is what I understood from the link. Thanks a million, thus really helps. I entered that question in google yesterday, and I got nothing. I am hoping that this will work out, otherwise, it will take months to figure out if I should have done something else.

[NikLR 13,227]

No you can pay online, just once.

Have you already paid the invoices?

If you have then you may be out of luck, but if not, call the NVC, make sure the cases are joined then just pay the one fee and keep in contact with the NVC to make sure both say in progress and paid.

[bmelendez 1]

Hello I was the petitioner for my husband and stepdauther also, thank God they are already here. You have to complete the form DS-261 for each one but you only pay $88 for both of them, and regarding DS-260 is for each one and also the payment of $230. Good Luck!

[bmelendez 1]

When I paid the invoice for my husband, automatically showed on my step dauthers case.

[Ian H. 207]

How long did it take? The reason I ask is because some people did it this way and for some reason the status wouldn't show up as paid. The had to call the NVC to fix it, and it still took a while in some cases. The instructions on the dept of state don't specify that you can pay for all cases online with one fee so we thought it may be more convenient to just send the payment with both invoices as per their instructions. Thanks.

When I paid the invoice for my husband, automatically showed on my step dauthers case.

Edited July 28, 2014 by ianhalliwell186

[Honey&Bunny 12]

No you can pay online, just once.

Have you already paid the invoices?

If you have then you may be out of luck, but if not, call the NVC, make sure the cases are joined then just pay the one fee and keep in contact with the NVC to make sure both say in progress and paid.

No, I have not paid for them yet. I wanted to be completely sure of what yo do. Now, I know and I have been trying to get in contact with NVC to find out about getting those invoices in one bill. The phone has been busy for a while so I am going yo call tonight. Maybe I will get lucky. Thanks a million for your input.

You're very welcome! I was reading here on some older posts, and it looks like some people paid the fee online for one person, usually the spouse, and called the NVC and told them to put the cases together. But to avoid confusion, I personally would just do it how it says in the dept of state website, send both bills in with a cashier's check or money order for the $88 on top. By sending both bills per the instructions they will automatically know that you are only required to pay the AOS fee once. Also send it in via USPS priority mail or something like that, don't send it in a regular envelope because it doesn't have tracking. That way you know they received the fee. Then you should be able to log in to the system and see if the status says paid after a while. I'm not sure how long they would take to process mailed in payments, but I would check back after a week after the fee is delivered. If nothing online, you can call in to check on the status.

Thanks a million!

[Honey&Bunny 12]

When I paid the invoice for my husband, automatically showed on my step dauthers case.

Hi, thanks for your input on this. Did you also get two invoices? My invoices have different numbers. I would love to hear from you.