July 2020 I-751 filers (merged)

[Imradi 4]

19 minutes ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

hi everyone,

I am preparing my package to send out next week. 

•    A payment check for I-751 form filing and biometric services fees of $680.00
•    Duly completed Form G-1145, eNotification of Application/Petition Acceptance.
•    Duly completed and signed Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence.
•    Copy of Permanent Resident Card (front and back).
•    Copy of my The U.S. Passport showing proof of the U.S. citizenship.
Evidences of our bona fide relationship:
•    Copies of my driver license and my wife's driver license showing proof of the same address.
•    Copy of the letter from IRS showing proof of the same address.
•    Copy of the stimulus payment letter showing proof of the same address.
•    Copy of the letter from our Catholic parish showing both of our names as proof of joint membership.
•    Copies of joint federal income tax returns and W-2s for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019; joint federal income tax return transcripts from IRS for the year 2018 and 2019.
•    Copies of bank account information letter and bank account statements of joint checking account for the last 2 years.
•    Copies of vehicle certificate of title and vehicle registration certificate for joint owner of an automobile.
•    Copies of auto insurance policy and auto insurance card which have both of our names.
•    Copies of current health insurance bill and health insurance card which have both of our names.

•    Copies of health insurance, dental insurance, prescription insurance cards from my former employer which have both of our names.
•    Copies of confirmation page showing health insurance, dental insurance, prescription insurance from my former employer which have both of our names; and AD&D and life insurance showing my wife as the beneficiary. 
•    Copy of my 401k account confirmation page showing my wife as the beneficiary and the 401k account statement.
•    Copy of my HSA account confirmation page showing my wife as the beneficiary and the HSA account statement.
•    Copies of flight itineraries showing our names, my mother’s name and boarding passes of our trip to Vietnam.
•    Copies of travel insurance card and travel insurance policy of our trip to Vietnam showing our names and my mother’s name.
•    Sworn Affidavits from family and friend.
•    Some pictures of both during the last 2 years.
these are sufficient ? do you send the old insurances?

wow looks great! Is the copy of US passport necessary or suggested? I just sent mine today and didn't include it as I didn't see it mentioned anywhere prior to this post. 

[Christy&J 837]

18 minutes ago, Imradi said:

wow looks great! Is the copy of US passport necessary or suggested? I just sent mine today and didn't include it as I didn't see it mentioned anywhere prior to this post. 

We didn't mail the US passport. It is not required and never asked for. 

[hopelifebetter201 72]

1 hour ago, Imradi said:

wow looks great! Is the copy of US passport necessary or suggested? I just sent mine today and didn't include it as I didn't see it mentioned anywhere prior to this post. 

it is not necessary, you do not have to include it. 

[Fearthedarkness 0]

Hello guys, i just received my extension latter today it says they received the petition on June 26. But it also say notice date 07/07 , my question is I m considered a June or July filler ? 
my case was sent to national benefit centre the receipt number start with MSC which I believe is  Missouri centre in lee summit ( I live only 30 min away from that building) I know it is the most uncertain immigration center as they don’t have an estimation processing time but I’m prepared Myself for a long wait anyways. So my other question is how long usually should I wait before doing the biometric part ? I m planning to travel to California next month and I will be there for a week. I would appreciate any input as we are together on this. Thanks 

[theatxbombayguy 52]

3 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

•    Copy of my The U.S. Passport showing proof of the U.S. citizenship

This is not at all a necessity.

3 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

Evidences of our bona fide relationship:
•    Copies of joint federal income tax returns and W-2s for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019; joint federal income tax return transcripts from IRS for the year 2018 and 2019.

Either the W2s and Returns or just the Tax Transcripts should suffice. Sending both isn't needed.

3 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

•    Copies of bank account information letter and bank account statements of joint checking account for the last 2 years.

They just need to know that you commingle your finances - latest 3 months of statements should suffice

Do you have a joint mortgage or an apartment lease? That is substantial evidence of cohabitation and finances.

3 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

•    Sworn Affidavits from family and friend.

You have substantial evidence to prove your relationship with other information, I've been told that while affidavits are good, they aren't particularly necessary.

3 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

these are sufficient ? do you send the old insurances?

NO need to send old insurance...

[US <3 IND 53]

 

On 7/11/2020 at 5:27 PM, Todd and Ann said:

 I had approximately 1000 pages (I'm overly thorough):

Some personal advice for those still waiting to submit 🙂  I've been reading a lot of forums concerning what you should or shouldn't provide to USCIS. According to people who've had conversations with the staff who process these applications, it's much better to have fewer documents when possible. Quality should be the focus instead of quantity because more documents slows down the review process. Among other reasons, they have to scan an application multiple times across the different levels of review. 

In my personal opinion, making our applications easier for them to review is even more helpful in speeding up wait times, now that they are expected to suspend two thirds of the workforce due to budget shortcomings. That said it is up to each of us to decide how much we feel like we need to provide.

 

Try to focus on official documents with both your names included, and just include the first page of bills, bank statements, insurance statements, etc.

There is also no need to include every month, one is likely enough. And even if you are using it to establish address you can still skip months in between.

 

If you do have any children together, that makes your job really easy, as USCIS workers have told including their birth cert gets you about 70% of the way to proving your relationship. (Including my daughter's birth certificate my application only has around 40 pages of evidence )

 

If you feel your application still needs more strength after leases and joint financial documents, consider making wills, or power of attorneys, which can be done almost for free if you Google the legal formats in your state and then just pay to get them notarized. 

 

And as a last note, for proving travel, flight boarding passes are probably the best quality proof you can get in both your names. For pictures, clearly show both of you in recognizable places, or together with each other's family. Do remember though that this section is not as important as the financial and address ones.

 

None of this is legal advice, just good sense 🤗

 

Hope this helps more of you to come!

[US <3 IND 53]

I am sending my packet tomorrow organized in this order:

☆ Form G-1450 

☆ Greencard copy

☆ Form G-1145

☆ Form I-751

☆ Table of contents 

☆ Cover letter 

☆ Marriage certificate (only because of previous reports of RFEs)

☆ Birth certificate of our child

☆ Tax transcripts (the single page ones)

☆ Address proof for 3 addresses (including joint leases, bills, and auto insurance, and DLs with matching address) This section has just 11 pages altogether.

☆ Joint Finances (including statements from three accounts, a total of 10 pages

☆ Further evidence of relationship (including plane boarding passes when I visited his family, a wedding invite to us both for my brothers wedding, and two pages of pictures -showing a visit each to his and my family, one with our newborn, and one with the Lincoln memorial in DC.)

 

Our total count for the packet is 53 pages, which is including 13 pages just for the forms 🤗

 

I have also blacked out financial information from bank statements and bills, as the financial aspect is not required this time around, just make sure to leave joint names and address for them. 

 

Am feeling great about the content of the packet, and will update my timeline straight away as we get updates to give.

 

 

[Christy&J 837]

5 hours ago, US <3 IND said:

 

Some personal advice for those still waiting to submit 🙂  I've been reading a lot of forums concerning what you should or shouldn't provide to USCIS. According to people who've had conversations with the staff who process these applications, it's much better to have fewer documents when possible. Quality should be the focus instead of quantity because more documents slows down the review process. Among other reasons, they have to scan an application multiple times across the different levels of review. 

In my personal opinion, making our applications easier for them to review is even more helpful in speeding up wait times, now that they are expected to suspend two thirds of the workforce due to budget shortcomings. That said it is up to each of us to decide how much we feel like we need to provide.

 

Try to focus on official documents with both your names included, and just include the first page of bills, bank statements, insurance statements, etc.

There is also no need to include every month, one is likely enough. And even if you are using it to establish address you can still skip months in between.

 

If you do have any children together, that makes your job really easy, as USCIS workers have told including their birth cert gets you about 70% of the way to proving your relationship. (Including my daughter's birth certificate my application only has around 40 pages of evidence )

 

If you feel your application still needs more strength after leases and joint financial documents, consider making wills, or power of attorneys, which can be done almost for free if you Google the legal formats in your state and then just pay to get them notarized. 

 

And as a last note, for proving travel, flight boarding passes are probably the best quality proof you can get in both your names. For pictures, clearly show both of you in recognizable places, or together with each other's family. Do remember though that this section is not as important as the financial and address ones.

 

None of this is legal advice, just good sense 🤗

 

Hope this helps more of you to come!

I do agree with your statement, but on their instruction it stated clearly  during the period of marriage. especially for us with K1. it is hard to show evidence with only few pieces of papers when the form itself already almost 20 pages I believe, 1 month bank statement usually 7-10 pages  for 2 years marriage could be 240 pages itself, not to mention, insurance papers, mortgage papers, etc etc.

 

but yes I got your point and that is a really good point  good luck for all of us  

 

[hopelifebetter201 72]

6 hours ago, US <3 IND said:

I am sending my packet tomorrow organized in this order:

☆ Form G-1450 

☆ Greencard copy

☆ Form G-1145

☆ Form I-751

☆ Table of contents 

☆ Cover letter 

☆ Marriage certificate (only because of previous reports of RFEs)

☆ Birth certificate of our child

☆ Tax transcripts (the single page ones)

☆ Address proof for 3 addresses (including joint leases, bills, and auto insurance, and DLs with matching address) This section has just 11 pages altogether.

☆ Joint Finances (including statements from three accounts, a total of 10 pages

☆ Further evidence of relationship (including plane boarding passes when I visited his family, a wedding invite to us both for my brothers wedding, and two pages of pictures -showing a visit each to his and my family, one with our newborn, and one with the Lincoln memorial in DC.)

 

Our total count for the packet is 53 pages, which is including 13 pages just for the forms 🤗

 

I have also blacked out financial information from bank statements and bills, as the financial aspect is not required this time around, just make sure to leave joint names and address for them. 

 

Am feeling great about the content of the packet, and will update my timeline straight away as we get updates to give.

 

 

I would prefer put the cover letter on the top

[Todd and Ann 5]

10 hours ago, US <3 IND said:

 

Some personal advice for those still waiting to submit 🙂  I've been reading a lot of forums concerning what you should or shouldn't provide to USCIS. According to people who've had conversations with the staff who process these applications, it's much better to have fewer documents when possible. Quality should be the focus instead of quantity because more documents slows down the review process. Among other reasons, they have to scan an application multiple times across the different levels of review. 

In my personal opinion, making our applications easier for them to review is even more helpful in speeding up wait times, now that they are expected to suspend two thirds of the workforce due to budget shortcomings. That said it is up to each of us to decide how much we feel like we need to provide.

 

Try to focus on official documents with both your names included, and just include the first page of bills, bank statements, insurance statements, etc.

There is also no need to include every month, one is likely enough. And even if you are using it to establish address you can still skip months in between.

 

If you do have any children together, that makes your job really easy, as USCIS workers have told including their birth cert gets you about 70% of the way to proving your relationship. (Including my daughter's birth certificate my application only has around 40 pages of evidence )

 

If you feel your application still needs more strength after leases and joint financial documents, consider making wills, or power of attorneys, which can be done almost for free if you Google the legal formats in your state and then just pay to get them notarized. 

 

And as a last note, for proving travel, flight boarding passes are probably the best quality proof you can get in both your names. For pictures, clearly show both of you in recognizable places, or together with each other's family. Do remember though that this section is not as important as the financial and address ones.

 

None of this is legal advice, just good sense 🤗

 

Hope this helps more of you to come!

When we filed the I-129 or I-130 for our fiance or spouse, we filed a petition with supporting documentation and paid a fee.  If we did something stupid, like forgetting to sign the forms or not submitting payment, we didn't receive an RFE, we were outright rejected.  If we were missing a specific document or two, USCIS would not cancel our case and would send us an RFE to correct the file so we did not lose our application fees.  If all else failed, we had the privilege of starting over and to refile the application and pay the fees again.  This is not the case with an I-751.  We are up against a wall - a deadline.  If we fail to pass through the I-751 stage, our spouse goes back to their home country and we start the entire I-130 process over (again).  Not only do we lose the fees we paid, we lose their residency.  While the application and documentation for the I-751 are not as complicated as those we filed with the I-129 or I-130, the consequences of failure in this step are much more costly than losing a fee or losing 3-12 months together if we fail to pass the I-129 or I-130 process.  Do you really want to take a chance on not providing sufficient data to USCIS?  

 

For those who send some applications, they are making too many assumptions.  Many state "I already sent my marriage certificate in, why should I send it in again?".  Well, you are assuming that USCIS kept a copy of all your documents when you filed your I-129/I-130 and that USCIS still has those documents in their computer.  You are assuming that the person reviewing your case has access to those documents.  When USCIS sent our files over to the NVC at Department of State, did they keep a copy?  Do they have enough storage space and do they follow a specific statute of limitations on how long they retain documents?  USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security.  Our spouses were interviewed by the U.S. Department of State.  DHS and State each get independent funding.  They each have separate computer systems.  You are relying on a bunch of unknowns when you submit an application with assumptions that they already have documents because you submitted them before and that the person reviewing your case has access to those records.

 

Let's compare the 50-60 pages of "quality over quantity" documents this person submitted verses my 1000 pages (actually I rounded down).  Let's say we both fail to convince USCIS that our cases are valid.  We both will receive a notice from USCIS that they are preparing to deny our applications.  At this stage, since we both (likely) completed our applications without the assistance of an attorney, we will both find it extremely difficult to find an immigration attorney who will accept our case, since said attorney had no part in our initial filing.  If we are lucky enough to convince USCIS at this stage to hold off on a denial to give us more time, we are under an intense microscope at this point by USCIS.  This is specifically why we see recommendations from attorneys to use their services in the entire process, but we being cheap know-it-alls, we did it on our own.  Let's say we cannot convince USCIS to stop their denial of our case... they deny us both.  Now, we have to go before an immigration judge, facing a government paid USCIS attorney whose only job is to defend USCIS's decision in denying cases before the judge he/she probably goes to lunch with every day.  Again, we probably will find it very difficult to find an attorney to represent us at this stage because they did not participate when we filed the initial case.  Now here is the most important part.  A deportation hearing will be like an appellate court.  All the judge will do is to look at the application we submitted, listen to our testimony along with that of the USCIS lawyer, and make a decision.  They will not allow you to submit additional evidence at this time.  From the USCIS attorney point of view, the person who submitted "quality over quantity" has a very solid case.  There is very little wiggle room for the petitioner to defend themselves.  However, since I submitted such an enormous amount of documentation, I can say things such as look in the March 2019 Verizon bill I submitted (because I submitted all documents) and see where I pay for the phones of my step-sons and my wife and note that I spent 2 hours on the phone with her when I was out of town on business.  The USCIS officer who denied my case may not have noticed that (yes from the enormous amount of documents I submitted), but, I can point it out because it is evidence I already submitted, and, as I stated, this is an appeal not a time to submit additional evidence.  I have much more room to defend myself than the person who submitted a very specific set of documents.  They may have submitted just the credit card statement page (out of ten pages) that show the petitioner as an additional cardholder.  But, if that is not enough for USCIS, I can dig into the details of my statements in an appeal whereas the other person cannot because they just submitted skeleton supporting documents.  How does the individual submitting a low number of "quality" documents know for sure that the USCIS officer does not reconcile some credit card payment with the payment for the concert or trip you submitted pictures for?  We have no idea what they look for unless we have a spouse or relative who works for USCIS.  Even if we do, what one USCIS officer looks for does not necessarily equal what the officer reviewing our case is looking for.  Our officer may be very experienced and may be able to scan a Capital One credit card statement because they see them many times a day.  If we have a new agent, they may ask more questions.  

 

Because of the loss we are mitigating (deportation) by submitting a thorough application, submitting more is always better than submitted less.  We are not going to annoy the officers by submitting excessive documents.  If anything, we will give them ample reason to decide our case in our favor.

 

In summary, the risk is much too high to assume anything.  The risk is too high to judge what we consider "quality evidence" as being what USCIS considers quality evidence.  If we are denied, our spouses face a judge where they decide upon the evidence submitted and it is not a time to say "well you didn't see this..."  because that time is past when you reach this point in the process.  Don't make assumptions and don't assume you know what USCIS deems enough evidence to approve your case... unless you want to risk starting the process over entirely with your spouse in their home country.

[US <3 IND 53]

7 hours ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

I would prefer put the cover letter on the top

Ideally that would be best, but they ask to keep the forms and greencard up top 🤗

 

I posted it out today with USPS Priority regular mail with tracking. It was $9.60 and said it would arrive Friday.

[Christy&J 837]

4 hours ago, Todd and Ann said:

When we filed the I-129 or I-130 for our fiance or spouse, we filed a petition with supporting documentation and paid a fee.  If we did something stupid, like forgetting to sign the forms or not submitting payment, we didn't receive an RFE, we were outright rejected.  If we were missing a specific document or two, USCIS would not cancel our case and would send us an RFE to correct the file so we did not lose our application fees.  If all else failed, we had the privilege of starting over and to refile the application and pay the fees again.  This is not the case with an I-751.  We are up against a wall - a deadline.  If we fail to pass through the I-751 stage, our spouse goes back to their home country and we start the entire I-130 process over (again).  Not only do we lose the fees we paid, we lose their residency.  While the application and documentation for the I-751 are not as complicated as those we filed with the I-129 or I-130, the consequences of failure in this step are much more costly than losing a fee or losing 3-12 months together if we fail to pass the I-129 or I-130 process.  Do you really want to take a chance on not providing sufficient data to USCIS?  

 

For those who send some applications, they are making too many assumptions.  Many state "I already sent my marriage certificate in, why should I send it in again?".  Well, you are assuming that USCIS kept a copy of all your documents when you filed your I-129/I-130 and that USCIS still has those documents in their computer.  You are assuming that the person reviewing your case has access to those documents.  When USCIS sent our files over to the NVC at Department of State, did they keep a copy?  Do they have enough storage space and do they follow a specific statute of limitations on how long they retain documents?  USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security.  Our spouses were interviewed by the U.S. Department of State.  DHS and State each get independent funding.  They each have separate computer systems.  You are relying on a bunch of unknowns when you submit an application with assumptions that they already have documents because you submitted them before and that the person reviewing your case has access to those records.

 

Let's compare the 50-60 pages of "quality over quantity" documents this person submitted verses my 1000 pages (actually I rounded down).  Let's say we both fail to convince USCIS that our cases are valid.  We both will receive a notice from USCIS that they are preparing to deny our applications.  At this stage, since we both (likely) completed our applications without the assistance of an attorney, we will both find it extremely difficult to find an immigration attorney who will accept our case, since said attorney had no part in our initial filing.  If we are lucky enough to convince USCIS at this stage to hold off on a denial to give us more time, we are under an intense microscope at this point by USCIS.  This is specifically why we see recommendations from attorneys to use their services in the entire process, but we being cheap know-it-alls, we did it on our own.  Let's say we cannot convince USCIS to stop their denial of our case... they deny us both.  Now, we have to go before an immigration judge, facing a government paid USCIS attorney whose only job is to defend USCIS's decision in denying cases before the judge he/she probably goes to lunch with every day.  Again, we probably will find it very difficult to find an attorney to represent us at this stage because they did not participate when we filed the initial case.  Now here is the most important part.  A deportation hearing will be like an appellate court.  All the judge will do is to look at the application we submitted, listen to our testimony along with that of the USCIS lawyer, and make a decision.  They will not allow you to submit additional evidence at this time.  From the USCIS attorney point of view, the person who submitted "quality over quantity" has a very solid case.  There is very little wiggle room for the petitioner to defend themselves.  However, since I submitted such an enormous amount of documentation, I can say things such as look in the March 2019 Verizon bill I submitted (because I submitted all documents) and see where I pay for the phones of my step-sons and my wife and note that I spent 2 hours on the phone with her when I was out of town on business.  The USCIS officer who denied my case may not have noticed that (yes from the enormous amount of documents I submitted), but, I can point it out because it is evidence I already submitted, and, as I stated, this is an appeal not a time to submit additional evidence.  I have much more room to defend myself than the person who submitted a very specific set of documents.  They may have submitted just the credit card statement page (out of ten pages) that show the petitioner as an additional cardholder.  But, if that is not enough for USCIS, I can dig into the details of my statements in an appeal whereas the other person cannot because they just submitted skeleton supporting documents.  How does the individual submitting a low number of "quality" documents know for sure that the USCIS officer does not reconcile some credit card payment with the payment for the concert or trip you submitted pictures for?  We have no idea what they look for unless we have a spouse or relative who works for USCIS.  Even if we do, what one USCIS officer looks for does not necessarily equal what the officer reviewing our case is looking for.  Our officer may be very experienced and may be able to scan a Capital One credit card statement because they see them many times a day.  If we have a new agent, they may ask more questions.  

 

Because of the loss we are mitigating (deportation) by submitting a thorough application, submitting more is always better than submitted less.  We are not going to annoy the officers by submitting excessive documents.  If anything, we will give them ample reason to decide our case in our favor.

 

In summary, the risk is much too high to assume anything.  The risk is too high to judge what we consider "quality evidence" as being what USCIS considers quality evidence.  If we are denied, our spouses face a judge where they decide upon the evidence submitted and it is not a time to say "well you didn't see this..."  because that time is past when you reach this point in the process.  Don't make assumptions and don't assume you know what USCIS deems enough evidence to approve your case... unless you want to risk starting the process over entirely with your spouse in their home country.

Bless your heart for speaking my mind and thoughts out of loud! I wish i could write a narrative this long 👍👍👍

Couldn't said any better. Thanks !!

[Aquilina 51]

USCIS received my package on 07/09, I saw they took the $680 from my credit card today (07/14). It says Phoenix Lockbox but I sent the package in Texas 🤨 Now waiting on NOA...

Edited July 14, 2020 by Aquilina

[eoughphily 21]

On 7/13/2020 at 8:50 AM, notantifun said:

I sent mine on July 6 and it was received July 9. I still have not received any notification and my CC has not been charged yet. I have submitted a G1145 as well.

@notantifun we submitted ours on July 7th and was delivered to Pheonix Arizona lock box on July 9th.  Included G1145 enotification and G1450 cc payment.  Still waiting for notification and payment to be taken out.  

[US <3 IND 53]

4 hours ago, Todd and Ann said:

Now, we have to go before an immigration judge, facing a government paid USCIS attorney 

I can see how it's easy to go down the rabbit hole on this one. Going to court is not something that worries me though since this process has taught us how to research well.

 

Each of us have to judge for ourselves how much to send 🤗