I-751 Returned Due to "Incorrect Payment Amount"

[ltkenbo 3]

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I submitted her I-751 application to the California service center. We mailed it on the first day within the 90 window period. I made a check for $590 and attached it to the front of the application with a cover letter. Which is currently the fee that the USCIS website and instruction form reads ($505 + $85 biometrics fee).

I noticed the check had not been cashed and today we were saddened to find out the application had been to returned to us with a letter reading the following:

This is an initial screening only. Your application(s) or petition(s) may be returned to you for additional information or documentation at a later date. Your application(s)/petitions(s) is/are returned to you for the following reasons:

Please submit a check or money order with corrected written guarantee amount.

(The letter had that specific item checked on the second line with a list of other possible reasons for return)

I'm not understanding why it was returned to me as I wrote a personal check in the amount of $590. The only thing I can think of by looking at my check is maybe they don't like that I wrote it like "Five Hundred Ninety Ones & 0/100s." Maybe they don't like "Ninety Ones?" I've always written checks this way and with previous USCIS related things but I can certainly change it this time.

Anyways I've attached a picture of the check (with personal data removed of course) so let me know what you think. I'd like to make sure I don't repeat any other mistakes I might be missing before I re-submit.

Also, another question. Should I resubmit the exact application as it is now? USCIS added those metal tabs for organizing the application nicely and had a couple of red pen marks at the top of the application page. The cover letter I had is missing however, so I could just create a new one and re-attach to the original application, or I could re-print everything, not sure what is best.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Five hundred ninety & 00/100

[DrEllaNJ 288]

I've never heard of anyone writing checks with "ones" and can see how that could easily be misread as 591

[hateadminforms 19]

The cheque was cashed for USD$590 and not rejected.

Telephone them and write a letter with copy of bank entry showing USD$590.00 processed.

The fees change in Dec http://www.nafsa.org/Content.aspx?id=53836 the administrator of your application may have read the wrong schedule.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

The cheque was cashed for USD$590 and not rejected.

Telephone them and write a letter with copy of bank entry showing USD$590.00 processed.

The fees change in Dec http://www.nafsa.org/Content.aspx?id=53836 the administrator of your application may have read the wrong schedule.

? huh?

OP said the check had not been cashed and today found out the application had been returned to them

Edited December 9, 2016 by Merrytooth

[Harmonia 211]

You wrote the check wrong. You said they want a corrected written amount. "Five hundred and ninety ones" is incorrect. That would mean "five hundred and ninety one", and not match the $590 amount, so the bank can't deposit it. Send a new check with "five hundred and ninety" written out.

Please submit a check or money order with corrected written guarantee amount.

[ltkenbo 3]

Thanks for the replies guys, yes this is the only thing I can think of and that does make sense according to what you wrote above Harmonia. Funny I've been writing checks like this for a while without problems and USCIS doesn't even cash this check directly but does an EFT using the bank account number. However maybe this exact number combination did sound confusing. I will correct it and re-send.

Is it acceptable to make a new cover letter with the new check and the original application as is? I spoke with someone at customer service at USCIS but they couldn't transfer me to a case officer since it is too late in the day but they said this was acceptable. I would make sure to note this in my new cover letter.

For reference on the new check I will write:

"Five hundred ninety and 00/100"

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

Yes, USCIS wants it in English, not British.

[ltkenbo 3]

So ok to re-submit original returned application with new cover letter and check?

[Pinkrlion 2,718]

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I submitted her I-751 application to the California service center. We mailed it on the first day within the 90 window period. I made a check for $590 and attached it to the front of the application with a cover letter. Which is currently the fee that the USCIS website and instruction form reads ($505 + $85 biometrics fee).

I noticed the check had not been cashed and today we were saddened to find out the application had been to returned to us with a letter reading the following:

(The letter had that specific item checked on the second line with a list of other possible reasons for return)

I'm not understanding why it was returned to me as I wrote a personal check in the amount of $590. The only thing I can think of by looking at my check is maybe they don't like that I wrote it like "Five Hundred Ninety Ones & 0/100s." Maybe they don't like "Ninety Ones?" I've always written checks this way and with previous USCIS related things but I can certainly change it this time.

Anyways I've attached a picture of the check (with personal data removed of course) so let me know what you think. I'd like to make sure I don't repeat any other mistakes I might be missing before I re-submit.

Also, another question. Should I resubmit the exact application as it is now? USCIS added those metal tabs for organizing the application nicely and had a couple of red pen marks at the top of the application page. The cover letter I had is missing however, so I could just create a new one and re-attach to the original application, or I could re-print everything, not sure what is best.

The way u wrote it reads 591.00. Checks are cashed by the words written not the numbers.

[Hypnos 6,576]

As stated above, where there is a mismatch between the numbers and the written amount in words, the law requires them to go by the amount written in words. So you wrote them a cheque for $591 instead of $590.

It's a simple fix.

[hateadminforms 19]

? huh?

OP said the check had not been cashed and today found out the application had been returned to them

So right,,,,, no coffee ... will now read forum again.

[DJ6372 111]

Yes, USCIS wants it in English, not British.

Hahaha, that is not even British!

I read it as 591, and I'm british lol

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Yes, USCIS wants it in English, not British.

Gonna second the other Brit, I have never seen a cheque written that way.

[Michelle13 39]

Awe man, that's a bummer. Sorry that happened to you. Thankfully you will be able to send it back before the prices go up!