USPS: Express Mail vs 2-day priority mail - different sent address ?

[jake332 0]

I have two questions.

First, for people from California, sending to the Phoenix lockbox, is there a separate address we should send the package to, if it is send via Priority Express mail vs the 2 day priority envelope? I see a separate address for "Express mail and courier deliveries" on USCIS website . Let us assume I send it via the normal two day priority shipping Envelope. Is the two day priority envelope also considered as an "Express" mail under USCIS definition ?

USCIS Phoenix Lockbox

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:

USCIS
ATTN: I-130
PO Box 21700
Phoenix, AZ 85036

For Express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-130
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Second question: What exactly should I be asking the Post Office when I send this. VJ Guide says "Mail the package with return receipt requested / delivery confirmation." . Are they two separate things or interchangeably used word for the same thing ?

[millefleur 5,046]

USPS offers both Priority and Express options, so that's kind of confusing. Maybe they mean "Express" as private mail services like FedEx, UPS, etc?

Regular USPS Priority Mail isn't considered express, so send it to the USPS address if you're planning to use Priority.

Do you want to be able just to track it? If so, all you need is Delivery Confirmation.

Edited October 17, 2016 by millefleur

[moneyman76542 5]

Priority Express is Overnight Shipping, 2 Day Priority is exactly what the name implies.. It doesn't matter which one you use.. I've used priority express to respond to an RFE and they got it quick

and the second address is for Fedex, UPS, etc since they don't do P.O. Box deliveries.. so if you are not using USPS, use the second address.. Both go to the same place

[JFH 12,190]

Not all mail types can be sent to PO Box addresses as they have to be physically taken to the building and signed for by a person. It reaches the same place but it's just that the method you choose might not be suitable for PO Box addresses. How you send it is up to you. Send it the fastest way you can afford to.

I sent ours by UPS and was able to track it online and see a copy of the signature when it arrived. This gave me peace of mind that it was at least in the hands of USCIS and not lost in the system somewhere.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to USCIS Service Centers forum; topic is about package submissions to USCIS which is applicable to multiple processes.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

Anything that isn't snail mail is generally considered express or courier.

USPS also offers overnight/express/priorty, so when you see it say "USPS" don't assume that means ALL USPS goes there. When it's saying USPS, it's assuming you know if you sent it express or not.

So, if you're sending it by slapping some stamps on a regular envelope and throwing it in an outgoing mail box, then it's regular USPS mail.

If you're doing ANYTHING that can cause it to speed up it's adventure to USCIS, REGARDLESS OF MAIL CARRIER, you're using express.

We used USPS Overnight for all things, sent it to the express/courier addresses. Both K-1 and AOS. No problems!

Edited October 18, 2016 by Ash.1101

[shay 0]

Hi everyone, I mistakenly mail my RFE documents with regular mail instead of priority to NVC, am told it takes about 3 days but I have no tracking number to know if they get it. Has anyone ever use regular mailing time and it work out? I do have a form G 1145 on it so I hope they get it and send me a email or text if not I guess I will get it back