I-864 Questions: Mailing vs Physical Address

[h.linds 4]

Hi again,

 

This time, I'm having a question related to the sponsor 's addresses on I-864 Form. I did some research into it, but still very confused. Therefore, would like to ask for some sound advice from VJ members. 

 

Mailing address: My husband's permanent address in the US (which is his parents').

Physical address: My husband is currently living with me overseas. So I understand that the physical address should be his current/temporary address (outside the States). Is it correct?  My husband, however, believes that the physical address should be the same with mailing address. 

 

Many thanks! 

 

[JFH 12,190]

You are correct. Hubby is kind of correct. Physical address is where you currently sleep. Mailing address is a place where you can safely and securely receive mail. For some people the two addresses are the same. If you can receive mail where you are, then your physical address can also be your mailing address but if you prefer that your mail goes to his parents’ home then this can be his mailing address. Only use his parents’ address if they are able to forward mail to you concerning your case in a timely manner. There are deadlines involved in replying to immigration authorities. 

[WandY 430]

Agree with JFH, except there is one legal matter. In the U.S., you can only have one legal place of abode. This cuts down on fraud (voting, welfare, etc.). From a practical standpoint, use the American address. Why? Because USCIS and other federal agencies do not mail stuff overseas. Also, Vietnam is notorious for poor mail service. Just use his parents address and have them get his mail. If they can scan and email important papers, he'll be good. They can use Kinko's, etc. for scanning documents. It's tough to do government things from overseas, but not impossible. Use his American address. That's my two cents. Good luck!

[pushbrk 12,898]

There is a distinction between where you "reside" and where you may be temporarily visiting.  If your husband is actually a resident of Vietnam, then the two addresses are different.  If he's only visiting you, even for a few months, then the US mailing address and his physical address are one in the same.

 

The earlier answers are kind of right but none of them addressed the difference between residing and visiting.  It matters.

[h.linds 4]

7 hours ago, pushbrk said:

There is a distinction between where you "reside" and where you may be temporarily visiting.  If your husband is actually a resident of Vietnam, then the two addresses are different.  If he's only visiting you, even for a few months, then the US mailing address and his physical address are one in the same.

 

The earlier answers are kind of right but none of them addressed the difference between residing and visiting.  It matters.

Thanks all for your helpful advice. 

 

Just to clarify a bit more so I could be on the safe side.

 

My husband has lived with me in VN for years. He doesn't stay as a temporary visitor.  He's filed foreign-earned income tax every tax season. So, if I understand Pushbrk's advice correctly, my husband's physical/current address should be defined as "residing"? We've always used my parents-in-laws' address as mailing address and they're wonderful in securing/forwarding our mails. I'm just confusing about the physical one as we don't want any inconsistency in our paperworks (stated that we've lived together ever since marriage, then his physical address is different from mine)...

Thanks again! 

 

 

[WandY 430]

You are over-thinking this. Just pick an option. It doesn't matter. You can explain during the interview, if necessary. Seriously, this is not a big issue.

[pushbrk 12,898]

44 minutes ago, h.linds said:

Thanks all for your helpful advice. 

 

Just to clarify a bit more so I could be on the safe side.

 

My husband has lived with me in VN for years. He doesn't stay as a temporary visitor.  He's filed foreign-earned income tax every tax season. So, if I understand Pushbrk's advice correctly, my husband's physical/current address should be defined as "residing"? We've always used my parents-in-laws' address as mailing address and they're wonderful in securing/forwarding our mails. I'm just confusing about the physical one as we don't want any inconsistency in our paperworks (stated that we've lived together ever since marriage, then his physical address is different from mine)...

Thanks again! 

 

Then his physical address is the same as yours.

[pushbrk 12,898]

39 minutes ago, WandY said:

You are over-thinking this. Just pick an option. It doesn't matter. You can explain during the interview, if necessary. Seriously, this is not a big issue.

The truth always matters in this process.  Never set yourself up to explain why you were not truthful. Really bad idea to advise others to set themselves up to explain either.