How to assemble I-130 application packet?

[FLPilot 0]

I am submitting my I-130 packet tomorrow and am wondering if there are any no-no's regarding how you put it together.

I bought a 1/2" 3-ring binder, clear sleeves to hold documents, and a color coded index tab packet. My plan is to put my cover letter as the first page, then the index sheet showing where all the documents are located, then each document in its own clear sleeve which is attached to the 3 ring binder under the appropriate color tab. I figured I would put the passport photos in their individual clear, labeled ziplock bags, attached to a piece of paper and paperclipped to the back of the G-325A's (per the instructions on this website).

Will this be ok, or do they prefer it just to be all assembled with paperclips?

Thanks

[Old Dominion 26]

Good work! Maybe when you go to an AOS interview, that's a good thing. But not for sending in the mail.

Just assemble them in order with a strong paper clip or clamp. There is no need for the binder at all. All sheets will be removed instantly and the binder discarded. Also, the clear sleeves for each page are not needed. They will just need to remove them anyway, and that could delay processing.

[FLPilot 0]

Thanks for the quick response Old Dominion.

So, don't even bother with an index at this stage? Just put the documents in the order shown on this website and use one big paperclip?

I want to keep it as simple and fast for USCIS, and not p*** anyone off!

[TheBears 9]

USCIS Tips on Filing Various Petitions

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...000b92ca60aRCRD

What did we do? Paperclips. They were easy, light, and available all over the house. We had three sections: Cover letter and petition. My G-325A and documents. His G-325A and documents. For the pictures, they went into a Ziploc bag. The bag was then stapled to a sheet of paper reading "Passport Photo of LAST NAME, First Name (Petitioner/Beneficiary)" and filed in the appropriate group.

[FLPilot 0]

Thanks TheBears. Sounds simple enough!

One final question (I do NOT want to screw this up!)...just to confirm, I do NOT have to submit my wife's Russian birth certificate at this time, correct? I saw on the guide that it says no longer required, and it is not listed on the official instructions (that I can see).

[TheBears 9]

I don't think you need it just yet. I think just the bio page of the passport is enough. I had my husby's, though, so I went ahead and sent in a copy.

Maybe someone else will be along soon to confirm one more time... Good luck!

[FLPilot 0]

Thanks TheBears. Sounds simple enough!

[Married2009 32]

USCIS Tips on Filing Various Petitions

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...000b92ca60aRCRD

What did we do? Paperclips. They were easy, light, and available all over the house. We had three sections: Cover letter and petition. My G-325A and documents. His G-325A and documents. For the pictures, they went into a Ziploc bag. The bag was then stapled to a sheet of paper reading "Passport Photo of LAST NAME, First Name (Petitioner/Beneficiary)" and filed in the appropriate group.

We used paper clips too. I stapled the ziploc bags to a piece of paper, too. Got the advice here, I think, in the guides.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Married2009

[Tuanv 2]

I was about to do the same thing. I bought fastener folder, document sleeves, and photo pages.

[bila-n-javi 1]

My sister put my package together, paper clipped documents and then stacked them in order and held everything together with a big binder clip. Received no RFE's and no touches for that matter, 3 months later got my NOA1

cover letter

form I-130 with money order

forms G-325A with pictures inside labeled plastic baggies

supporting documents

pictures

[bila-n-javi 1]

i meant my noa2* is not letting me edit for some reason

[FLPilot 0]

Thanks! Sounds like the way to go.

[Tuanv 2]

Guys,

I already put my pictures in photo pages. I put the photo pages inside a fastener folder. It is OK for me to send it like that? Of course, I will use paper clip for document and such.

[TheBears 9]

Guys,

I already put my pictures in photo pages. I put the photo pages inside a fastener folder. It is OK for me to send it like that? Of course, I will use paper clip for document and such.

Sure. Why not? Just don't be upset if they don't come back to you like that. Or if they don't come back at all. At the worst, it's going to cause someone at the USCIS to have to undo all of your work.

Good luck! We'll be waiting to hear the good news!

Oh... Small edit... About your pictures. I think 30 will be fine. I think half that would be fine. Stay calm. Read the guides. This is going to be a smooth process for you.

Edited February 19, 2010 by TheBears

[Tuanv 2]

I am going to read the guide over again before I file. FLPilot, we should keep update with each other about our cases.

Edited February 19, 2010 by Tuanv