Letter of Intent to Marry RFE

[LionessDeon 2,060]

I am asking a question for a friend. She has petitioned for her fiance through a lawyer who is not helpful and doesn't know what he is doing.

After 8 long months at TSC, she has received an RFE because the letter of intent to marry was not included in their original I-129F packet. I know it is supposed to be an original wet signature letter. Her lawyer is also insisting it be notorized. She asked me to see if there are any VJers out there who received an RFE for this letter of intent and if they sent in a scanned, unnotorized copy and got an approval?

I've explained to her what is supposed to be sent. Her RFE letter does not state that it must be an original or notorized. She read it to me and it simply says "a statement from the petitioner and beneficiary of intent to marry within 90 days of entering the USA". They would like to avoid the expense and drama of him seeking a notary and Fed Ex overnight fees. I think its a risk because I feel like extra scrutiny will be used since this letter has now been specifically requested. I know some VJers have stated they sent a copy in with their packet without a problem, but since this is an RFE, I would tend to be more cautious with what was sent in. Would they get another chance to send in an original if the photocopy was detected? Or just be outright denied?

Thank you for any advice.

Edited November 17, 2015 by LionessDeon

[baron555 934]

She has petitioned for her fiance through a lawyer who is not helpful and doesn't know what he is doing.

They ARE good at taking your money!

After 8 long months at TSC, she has received an RFE because the letter of intent to marry was not included in their original I-129F packet. I know it is supposed to be an original wet signature letter. Her lawyer is also insisting it be notorized. She asked me to see if there are any VJers out there who received an RFE for this letter of intent and if they sent in a scanned, unnotorized copy and got an approval?

Original signatures, notarization not required.

I've explained to her what is supposed to be sent. Her RFE letter does not state that it must be an original or notorized. She read it to me and it simply says "a statement from the petitioner and beneficiary of intent to marry within 90 days of entering the USA".

OK, so they want two letters, one from each party. Make sure your friend understands that. Two letters, each signed, not notarized.

They would like to avoid the expense and drama of him seeking a notary and Fed Ex overnight fees.

Notary expense saved, FedEx not.

I think its a risk because I feel like extra scrutiny will be used since this letter has now been specifically requested.

Yes then follow the guides and example forms.

I know some VJers have stated they sent a copy in with their packet without a problem, but since this is an RFE, I would tend to be more cautious with what was sent in.

I wouldn't personally try the system; I'd follow what others have done to the tee.

Would they get another chance to send in an original if the photocopy was detected? Or just be outright denied?

Either or. This is really simple. The information requested is specifically listed as required in the 129f instructions, so there is no way around it.

[Unshakable Faith 493]

I sent my two letters, one from me and one from my fiance. Mine had a wet signature, his was scanned. Neither were notarized, that is not a requirement. We were approved at the end of October with no RFE.

I'm not sure the amount of scrutiny it would get because they had an RFE. I would say the best bet is to have the petitioner type up the letter, email it to the beneficiary, have them print and sign it, and then send it.

Edited November 17, 2015 by FN&KO

[RKX1101 17]

There is no notarization needed but the letters should be original, not a copy or scan but with original signatures.

When you get an RFE for missing document, there is no need to worry, no extra scrutiny, they simply want to complete the file and can't do it without the missing item. Once they receive the item, your file is complete and they can approve your petition.

Also when you receive an RFE, do exactly as what is instructed on the paper, nothing more nothing less.

[RKX1101 17]

I sent my two letters, one from me and one from my fiance. Mine had a wet signature, his was scanned. Neither were notarized, that is not a requirement. We were approved at the end of October with no RFE.

Its a hit and miss. Some say they got approved with a scanned one while others got RFE. I think it really depends one who is reviewing the case. I wouldn't take a chance specially if it is an RFE.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Thank you for your responses. I told her the same thing. I would send originals not scanned copies too.

Their only other option is she is going to see him in 2 weeks. She could bring an original back with her to send in. She's afraid to wait that long to respond to the RFE.

[slangofoil 50]

Don't wait that long. Get it in the mail and she can send off the response and have peace of mind before leaving to visit. Best way forward.

[Pitaya 2,577]

What is the RFE response deadline date on the RFE notice? She has until that date to submit their response.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Pitaya

[LionessDeon 2,060]

What is the RFE response deadline date on the RFE notice? She has until that date to submit their response.

She said the deadline stated was February 1, 2016.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

The amount of money she has paid this attorney is sinful. More than our waiver lawyer cost us. He has done nothing but mess things up left and right.

[Babushka545 7]

We had an RFE for the same reason (forgot to include beneficiaries letter of intent to the I-129F package). We just sent a scanned copy of letter of intent and it was sufficient, got approval without further RFEs.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Babushka545

[LionessDeon 2,060]

We had an RFE for the same reason (forgot to include beneficiaries letter of intent to the I-129F package). We just sent a scanned copy of letter of intent and it was sufficient, got approval without further RFEs.

Thank you for this info.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I have not seen RFEs for original signatures on the letters of intent for quite some time now. They used to be handed out fairly frequently, but a few years ago, when the new edition of the I-129F came out, the instructions changed a bit. They removed the wording asking for 'original statements'. I believe your friend would be ok with sending the scanned letter. They could get it notarized if that will give them more peace of mind, but not really necessary.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

I have not seen RFEs for original signatures on the letters of intent for quite some time now. They used to be handed out fairly frequently, but a few years ago, when the new edition of the I-129F came out, the instructions changed a bit. They removed the wording asking for 'original statements'. I believe your friend would be ok with sending the scanned letter. They could get it notarized if that will give them more peace of mind, but not really necessary.

Very Accurate. I had her read it to me twice to make sure...It did not say "original".

[baron555 934]

I have not seen RFEs for original signatures on the letters of intent for quite some time now. They used to be handed out fairly frequently, but a few years ago, when the new edition of the I-129F came out, the instructions changed a bit. They removed the wording asking for 'original statements'. I believe your friend would be ok with sending the scanned letter. They could get it notarized if that will give them more peace of mind, but not really necessary.

if this is truly the intent....and yes I've reread the current instructions and they only mention "an original statement".....then if they were to go this route, I'd have that letter notarized (as a means to officially show it is their signature and not someone else's), email that to the petitioner and have them file that.