Filing I-129F abroad

[ExtraTerrestrial 3]

Hi all,

My fiancée and I have been engaged for around a fortnight now. It's been an exciting time and we're ready to get on with paperwork. I am an Australia, and she is currently living here with me, until October (arrived October 2014).

Filing from here seems to be fairly straight forward, but we're a bit stuck on her mailing address for the I-129F, cover letter, and letter of intent. Given that she is returning home in 3ish months, would we better off using her home address in Philadelphia? Her family will be there to receive any mail. Legal-type things get a little scary sometimes and we don't want to use her American address and have it taken as 'lying' given that she is currently here with me. If we do fill it out using our Australian mailing address, is she able to update this at a later stage once she returns? I'll still be here, so it's no big deal if things for her are sent here.

I'm leaning towards using our current Australian address (especially in the case that we get lucky and things go quicker than expected), but I just want to run this last some people with experience first! We really want to do this right and avoid any RFEs.

Thanks!!

Edited July 13, 2015 by ExtraTerrestrial

[shellymarie 24]

i don't know 100% sure, but my gut feeling says to put her address in Philly. she is the "American petitioner" so it wouldn't make sense to use the address in Australia. it might cause some confusion.

Also, for this part of the process at USCIS, you'll get electronic notifications. she can log into the website and see the status of the case. anything that comes in the mail isn't really required to look at (unless you get an RFE...but as you said, she has family there that can relay that information to her if necessary).

but to answer your question, yes she would be able to change her address at a later date, but i think that would just cause a headache. chances are, by they time they receive and begin processing your application from Australia, she will probably already be home by the time it's completed.

can you elaborate what you're confused about on the letter of intent and cover letter?

the submission address depends if you want to do regular or express shipping.

Regular:

USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266

For USPS Express Mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

[ExtraTerrestrial 3]

Thanks for the advice! You're certainly right about the American address helping in avoiding any confusion. I also see you're in Connecticut - my fiancée and I met while studying at UConn! The world isn't so big after all.

In reference to the cover letter etc, I was just referring to what address we would put for her, as you tend to write the authors address towards the top on formal letters... Just in keeping with the examples I have found on here.

Thanks again!

Edited July 13, 2015 by ExtraTerrestrial

[shellymarie 24]

you're welcome! congrats! and good luck!

p.s. i just re-read your post and realized i totally added information you didn't even ask for haha! (apologies for my brain not fully functioning this early monday morning)!

Thanks for the advice! You're certainly right about the American address helping in avoiding any confusion. I also see you're in Connecticut - my fiancée and I met while studying at UConn! The world isn't so big after all.

In reference to the cover letter etc, I was just referring to what address we would put for her, as you tend to write the authors address towards the top on formal letters... Just in keeping with the examples I have found on here.

Thanks again!