Last-minute paperwork freakout!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Okay, I'm having the obligatory last-minute freakout before we go to the Embassy in 12 days. Yesterday I spent nearly 2 hours assembling a huge-a$$ file with all the docs and photocopies, with neatly tabbed and labelled contents. (If you knew me, you would know that such extreme organisation is waaaaaay out of character!)

Anyway, as I was doing this, and fine-tooth-combing all the docs for errors, I had two minor worries:

1) My mom is acting as joint sponsor on the I-864. Her I-864 is complete, tax returns there including W2 and 1099s, no problemo. However, when I got to page 7, Item 30, there is a line that has underneath it that says "Print Sponsor's Name". (Item 30 is the certification of truth of the affidavit.) My mom typed her name on this line instead of filling it in by hand as the fillable PDF allowed her to do so. Am I reading too literally when it says "print"? Should I get her to send another one today? She did sign by hand on the following page where requested.

2) My Big Big Book of Embassy Fun includes a lot of stuff that may not be asked for -- photocopy of P3 and checklist, vaccination chart from the medical, reply to an RFE for proof of relationship (including photos, bills, etc), NOA2, NOA1, my (I'm a USC) birth certificate and marriage certificate from my first marriage, even our G-325as. But for the life of me I cannot find photocopies of our I-130 we submitted many moons ago. I know I'm just being paranoid, but this is NOT going to be a problem, right?

Any opinions?

[homesick_american 1]

Okay, I'm having the obligatory last-minute freakout before we go to the Embassy in 12 days. Yesterday I spent nearly 2 hours assembling a huge-a$$ file with all the docs and photocopies, with neatly tabbed and labelled contents. (If you knew me, you would know that such extreme organisation is waaaaaay out of character!)

Anyway, as I was doing this, and fine-tooth-combing all the docs for errors, I had two minor worries:

1) My mom is acting as joint sponsor on the I-864. Her I-864 is complete, tax returns there including W2 and 1099s, no problemo. However, when I got to page 7, Item 30, there is a line that has underneath it that says "Print Sponsor's Name". (Item 30 is the certification of truth of the affidavit.) My mom typed her name on this line instead of filling it in by hand as the fillable PDF allowed her to do so. Am I reading too literally when it says "print"? Should I get her to send another one today? She did sign by hand on the following page where requested.

I wouldn't worry about that. They just want her name there, as long as it's legible I don't think they'll care how she put it there.

2) My Big Big Book of Embassy Fun includes a lot of stuff that may not be asked for -- photocopy of P3 and checklist, vaccination chart from the medical, reply to an RFE for proof of relationship (including photos, bills, etc), NOA2, NOA1, my (I'm a USC) birth certificate and marriage certificate from my first marriage, even our G-325as. But for the life of me I cannot find photocopies of our I-130 we submitted many moons ago. I know I'm just being paranoid, but this is NOT going to be a problem, right?

Any opinions?

We never photocopied our I-130; they'll actually have it there at the interview in the file so you don't need to bring a copy with you.

DO bring your interview letter.

They did not ask to see my birth certificate so don't bother with it; just bring your passport so you can get into the embassy with your SO.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Thanks HA! I knew I was just being paranoid!

And the appointment letter is the first thing in the file -- with a photocopy of all of P4 (natch ). I have my passport with me most days (I have no other form of photo ID), so that's a no-brainer. The only thing that remains outstanding is the boy's passport photos, which we're having done this Saturday afternoon.

Oh, and figure out where I'm going to have a glass of champagne after the interview!

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

Thanks HA! I knew I was just being paranoid!

And the appointment letter is the first thing in the file -- with a photocopy of all of P4 (natch ). I have my passport with me most days (I have no other form of photo ID), so that's a no-brainer. The only thing that remains outstanding is the boy's passport photos, which we're having done this Saturday afternoon.

Oh, and figure out where I'm going to have a glass of champagne after the interview!

I'm sure it will go fine!! Deep breaths, and enjoy the champagne!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I'm sure it will go fine!! Deep breaths, and enjoy the champagne!

Thanks! I can't wait. Every day I think, "the interview's in X days. What was I doing X days ago? Oh god, that seems like AGES ago!" But then I remember we filed 5 months which really was ages ago. I need to regain my perspective!

Heheh, the boy doesn't drink champagne so it's ALL for me!

[wodge2003 0]

HI

You have me thinking now about the berst way to present the information to the embassy. Did you compile one file full of originals and a second one of copies OR one single file with the copies behind the originals ?

Hope you understand my waffle !

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

HI

You have me thinking now about the berst way to present the information to the embassy. Did you compile one file full of originals and a second one of copies OR one single file with the copies behind the originals ?

Hope you understand my waffle !

Hey there fellow June 19th interviewee! It's coming up soon!

I used a big A4 lever arch file and put in tabbed index dividers, which I labeled. Behind each divider I put one of those hole-punched A4 polyprop pockets (two if the paperwork was bulky). In the pocket I placed the original document on top and slid the copy underneath. For the bulkier items (I-864 with all the tax returns, copies of our RFE "proof" just in case) I put the original in one sleeve on top and the copy in another sleeve. We had some docs that were printed on US-style paper so I folded these down a smidge so they'd fit in the A4 pocket. Photos also got their own pocket, which I'm going to seal with some tape on top so they don't fall out.

I put everything in order as specified in packet 4, so when they ask him for a document he just needs to follow the tabs in sequence. The interview letter is under the 1st tab so I don't lose it in my handbag. Just about the only things NOT in the folder are our passports, which we'll carry on our person. I can just see those slipping out of a pocket while we're taking the tube down from Archway...

Good luck -- I know our interviews are 2 hours apart but we might bump into each other -- we'll be the tall blonde guy and the very short brunette girl both looking scared sh!tless!

[wodge2003 0]

HI, Thanks for the information.

Iv'e been thinking about how to put all the stuff together for ages and after your post it souns like a plan to me !

Good Luck for the 19th if I see you I'll say HI !

Thanks again for the info !