Submitting Photos Digitally and Signing the I-130a

[ChrisV1 0]

Hi,

 

We're close to submitting our I-130 package digitally. I have searched to see if the below have been asked before. Apologies if I missed them.

 

I'm slightly confused by the submission of passport photos. The submission form itself states:

 

Quote

 

Upload a recent color photograph of yourself that measures 2 inches by 2 inches....

....Also, include an image of the back of the photograph with your name and A-Number written in pen or pencil.

 

 

Is it necessary to make a scanned copy of the photos with the back signed along with the digital file? It seems quite redundant but it is asking for it so we're not sure.

 

Similarly, the I-130a form is not required to be signed by the spouse beneficiary if they are not currently living in the US. However, we are submitting an addendum to this with some extra information. The instructions say to sign and date these – it doesn't mention not signing them if the spouse is not in the US. So if I am signing the addendum should I also sign the I-130a to remain consistent?

 

Thanks!

[pushbrk 13,038]

3 hours ago, ChrisV1 said:

Hi,

 

We're close to submitting our I-130 package digitally. I have searched to see if the below have been asked before. Apologies if I missed them.

 

I'm slightly confused by the submission of passport photos. The submission form itself states:

 

 

Is it necessary to make a scanned copy of the photos with the back signed along with the digital file? It seems quite redundant but it is asking for it so we're not sure.

 

Similarly, the I-130a form is not required to be signed by the spouse beneficiary if they are not currently living in the US. However, we are submitting an addendum to this with some extra information. The instructions say to sign and date these – it doesn't mention not signing them if the spouse is not in the US. So if I am signing the addendum should I also sign the I-130a to remain consistent?

 

Thanks!

When submitting a passport photo by mail, you hand write/print (not sign) the photo on the back.  You are uploading a photo with a name on the back.  Again, not a signature.  Don't change the words in the instructions.  They mean what they mean.  You can sign or not sign the I-130a.  You can probably avoid addendums by using the space on the last two pages of the form.  If not, sign the addendums.

[ChrisV1 0]

On 6/9/2020 at 11:45 PM, pushbrk said:

When submitting a passport photo by mail, you hand write/print (not sign) the photo on the back.  You are uploading a photo with a name on the back.  Again, not a signature.  Don't change the words in the instructions.  They mean what they mean.  You can sign or not sign the I-130a.  You can probably avoid addendums by using the space on the last two pages of the form.  If not, sign the addendums.

Thanks for the reply pushbrk. 

 

Got it re signing. I didn't think it would be a problem to just sign but wanted to make sure.

 

Re the photos, yes you're correct, it says write the name on the back not sign. I'm still a bit confused though. If I am uploading a photo it will just be a digital file (a jpeg or whatever). That's why I don't understand why it says to write the name on the back. Do I also have to scan the physical photo front and back?

 

Thanks again.

[pushbrk 13,038]

1 hour ago, ChrisV1 said:

Thanks for the reply pushbrk. 

 

Got it re signing. I didn't think it would be a problem to just sign but wanted to make sure.

 

Re the photos, yes you're correct, it says write the name on the back not sign. I'm still a bit confused though. If I am uploading a photo it will just be a digital file (a jpeg or whatever). That's why I don't understand why it says to write the name on the back. Do I also have to scan the physical photo front and back?

 

Thanks again.

Whether it is a problem to sign depends on whether the signature is both legible and contains the full name.  Mine doesn't.  Most don't.  You are labeling, not "signing".  The instruction is to "write" (the full name).  Why would you interpret that as "signature"?  Interpret literally.

[ChrisV1 0]

9 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Whether it is a problem to sign depends on whether the signature is both legible and contains the full name.  Mine doesn't.  Most don't.  You are labeling, not "signing".  The instruction is to "write" (the full name).  Why would you interpret that as "signature"?  Interpret literally.

To clarify I was referencing I understand your point regarding the signing of the I-30a and whether I should or not. 

 

I understand it means write the name on the back of the photo, not sign. I am just still confused as the part where you upload the digital file of the passport photo. It states:

Quote

Also, include an image of the back of the photograph with your name and A-Number written in pen or pencil.

If I am uploading a photo it's just a digital file of the photo. Do you actually have to write the name on the back of a printed version of the photo, and scan it in? I don't really understand why you would have to do that, or how they would even know that it's the back of the photo.

[pushbrk 13,038]

14 hours ago, ChrisV1 said:

To clarify I was referencing I understand your point regarding the signing of the I-30a and whether I should or not. 

 

I understand it means write the name on the back of the photo, not sign. I am just still confused as the part where you upload the digital file of the passport photo. It states:

If I am uploading a photo it's just a digital file of the photo. Do you actually have to write the name on the back of a printed version of the photo, and scan it in? I don't really understand why you would have to do that, or how they would even know that it's the back of the photo.

It sounds strange to me to.  Do it anyway.