ACCO fasteners vs. Folders

[p cube 1]

Many people suggest using ACCO fasteners, and it makes sense because USCIS punches two holes etc etc. But, I was wondering if it really matters or not. I mean, I didn't know about ACCO fasteners, so I was preparing my documents with bunch of Post-its and folders. (One folder contains the I-130 package, another contains the I-485 package, and another contains the I-765 package... All the documents are labled with Post-its.) Do you think it is okay to send it that way, or I should go buy some ACCO's? Any opinions? Thanks.

[Dr_LHA 3]

No it doesn't matter. People just like to get ####### with the details on here sometimes!

I stapled my stuff together, stuck it in folders and mailed it without a cover letter. Guess what? Got my Green Card OK.

[Miranda&James 8]

Personally I'd rather know my files are securely bound with a fastener that won't come off easily such as paperclips, staples, or things of the like. Upto you though, but the USCIS site does ask for ACCO fasteners (except for one kind of case, someone showed a link once, but it wasn't for the AOS cases).

[Dr_LHA 3]

Actually they ask for ACCO fastners only for "thick or bulky applications or petitions". An AOS packet shouldn't be that bulky.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

I bought Acco fasteners to use for my applications - then I decided that they were dumb and just used paper clips and larger clips to hold it all together.

[elgringo 0]

I just stapled all the forms together and then put them in separate manila envelopes. No cover letter or anything.

[Cassie 8]

When I sent in my AOS/EAD/AP application (before the Chicago Lockbox days, mind you), I put each section in a brown envelope, organized with binder clips and Post-It notes. It was beautiful.

Then I forgot to sign one of the cheques, and the whole package was sent back to me.

When I peeked through the package, I was shocked. All the careful arranging I had made of my packets -- gone! They had arranged things in the order they wanted. What a waste of my time!

Personally, I wouldn't go to the trouble of tracking down Acco fasteners. In my humble opinion, binder clips or paper clips are sufficient.

[TomandLaura 2]

When I sent in my AOS/EAD/AP application (before the Chicago Lockbox days, mind you), I put each section in a brown envelope, organized with binder clips and Post-It notes. It was beautiful.

Then I forgot to sign one of the cheques, and the whole package was sent back to me.

When I peeked through the package, I was shocked. All the careful arranging I had made of my packets -- gone! They had arranged things in the order they wanted. What a waste of my time!

Personally, I wouldn't go to the trouble of tracking down Acco fasteners. In my humble opinion, binder clips or paper clips are sufficient.

There are detailed instructions on how to assemble the forms on the USCIS site, including using the ACCO fasteners. I have followed all of them and when I got to my interview the first thing the interviewer said was "Thank you for having such an organized and easiy readable application. It makes our lives so much easier." In my humble opinion, anything that makes processing my application easier is worth the effort.

Tom

[Jasman0717 9]

I used ACCO fasteners because the guidelines recommended it. In my line of work (government) we use fasteners in the folder so it makes it easier to read through the documents without taking them out of the folders so would imagine that is why the USCIS prefers them. It just seems logical to assumble the package in a manor that would make it more convenient for the person reviewing it. My two cents worth

[rebeccajo 14]

When we had our AOS interview, my husband's file was laying open on the AO's desk. It was bound on both the left and right sides of the folder with ACCO fasteners at the top.

[Silke 1]

I myself am putting together packages I-130 & I-485. Since USCIS is specifically asking for ACCO fasteners I will use those. I want to do everything I can to make the application process go as smoothly as possible.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

This was my original thought, i wanted this to be the best it could be since this is the main thing everyone is looking at (application) a clip or a post it can and does often come off. I wanted it as neat and organized as i could get it, and it must have paid off it went straight thru.

[payxibka 10,045]

According to HuskerKiev (former adjudicator), the key element is that it should be easy to disassemble as the petitions are taken apart and re-assembled in USCIS standard format. So if you spend a lot of money making it fancy (leather bound, etc...) it will just be a waste as it will be taken apart. The most important thing is to secure so it stays together until it is taken apart.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I would imagine all folders are thrown away, dealing with the filing sitituation

[Keigwyn 1]

I used a folder for each application (AOS, EAD and AP), paper clips on multi page items, post-its on each item and a cover sheet. Seemed to do the trick!