I-129F Original Submission: assembly and evidence

[Tyler and Agus 1]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I have been referring to this site for guidance in assembling the I-129F petition and I must say... THANK YOU to everyone and this site. This is a great resource.

Now- down to business. I have all of the contents assembled. As of now, each document has its own plastic document protector that fits into a 3-ring binder. For example, the I-129F form, each g325a, and all evidence has its own protector, divided with binder tab inserts. I now realize that the ACCO fasteners are preferred, but since I already have it assembled I am apprehensive to change it. Should I worry about the method in which the petition is assembled? Personally, I don't think it will be difficult for a USCIS official to take it apart. Each document is separated and can be easily removed from the plastic protectors. I did not use staples- only paper clips. Based some other posts, I shouldn't worry about this... but seeing as how this process is so detail-oriented I thought that I would seek a little guidance.

Lastly, I would like to list my evidence and see if anyone thinks I am missing something or should add more.

A little background: My fiancee, Agustina, and I met during a study abroad program in Argentina (May-June 2006). I stayed an extra week with her in which our relationship developed. About 6 months later, she came to Michigan to visit me for a month. Just this last summer, I returned to Argentina to visit her and propose. We have been together 3 times total and have racked up tons of e-mails and chats. Here is a list of our evidience for having met in the last 2 years and having an on-going relationship.

1) Copies (for both of us) of certificates from Michigan State University certifying our participation in the study abroad program.

2) Copies of both of our passports with the stamps to prove entry and exit from the country when we visited.

3) Printed itineraries of flights to see each other.

4) Pictures from study abroad, her time in Michigan visiting me, and my second trip to Argentina (including pictures with my family and hers)

5) Lift tickets from the ski resort we went to in Michigan

6) Selected e-mails and chats from when we first met to present (in chronological order)

7) Engagement Announcement

8) Hand-written letter from Agustina to me discussing my visit to Argentina and some details of the day I proposed to her

9) International phone cards

What do you think? I don't think I'm going overboard and I don't see how this evidence would not suffice. But, as I'm sure many of you can imagine, I'm nervous and getting a little crazy with this whole process!

Thanks! Wish us luck... and good luck to all of you in this crazy bureaucratic process.

~Tyler~

[bakofoil 27]

Looks good to me. We also included copies of boarding passes and bank statements which listed transactions made at relevant dates during my visit. The passport stamps should be adequate to prove you were actually visiting though.

Many people who have successfully gone through this process have advised not worrying about how the packet is put together, even though there are specific assembly tips on the USCIS website. I think content is probably more important.

[Dakine 26]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I have been referring to this site for guidance in assembling the I-129F petition and I must say... THANK YOU to everyone and this site. This is a great resource.

Now- down to business. I have all of the contents assembled. As of now, each document has its own plastic document protector that fits into a 3-ring binder. For example, the I-129F form, each g325a, and all evidence has its own protector, divided with binder tab inserts. I now realize that the ACCO fasteners are preferred, but since I already have it assembled I am apprehensive to change it. Should I worry about the method in which the petition is assembled? Personally, I don't think it will be difficult for a USCIS official to take it apart. Each document is separated and can be easily removed from the plastic protectors. I did not use staples- only paper clips. Based some other posts, I shouldn't worry about this... but seeing as how this process is so detail-oriented I thought that I would seek a little guidance.

Lastly, I would like to list my evidence and see if anyone thinks I am missing something or should add more.

A little background: My fiancee, Agustina, and I met during a study abroad program in Argentina (May-June 2006). I stayed an extra week with her in which our relationship developed. About 6 months later, she came to Michigan to visit me for a month. Just this last summer, I returned to Argentina to visit her and propose. We have been together 3 times total and have racked up tons of e-mails and chats. Here is a list of our evidience for having met in the last 2 years and having an on-going relationship.

1) Copies (for both of us) of certificates from Michigan State University certifying our participation in the study abroad program.

2) Copies of both of our passports with the stamps to prove entry and exit from the country when we visited.

3) Printed itineraries of flights to see each other.

4) Pictures from study abroad, her time in Michigan visiting me, and my second trip to Argentina (including pictures with my family and hers)

5) Lift tickets from the ski resort we went to in Michigan

6) Selected e-mails and chats from when we first met to present (in chronological order)

7) Engagement Announcement

8) Hand-written letter from Agustina to me discussing my visit to Argentina and some details of the day I proposed to her

9) International phone cards

What do you think? I don't think I'm going overboard and I don't see how this evidence would not suffice. But, as I'm sure many of you can imagine, I'm nervous and getting a little crazy with this whole process!

Thanks! Wish us luck... and good luck to all of you in this crazy bureaucratic process.

~Tyler~

Most of what you are submitting won't come into play until the embassy interview. Evidence of travel is necesssary everything else such as!

Emails, chats, pictures, snail mails etc. are used at the embassy interview.

USCIS when you do the initial petition is more concerned with evidence of you meeting physically within 2 years. [No not what you are thinking but what the heck? LOL]

They want to see copies of all the documents relating to you case such as BCs, Divorce decrees, G325As [originals] etc.

Also Letters of intent to marry [originals].

I guess it wouldn't hurt to send a couple chat and emails but don't send a stack 1" thick.

If I were the reviewer I'd throw it aside and pick the thin ones!

[bakofoil 27]

I guess it wouldn't hurt to send a couple chat and emails but don't send a stack 1" thick.

If I were the reviewer I'd throw it aside and pick the thin ones!

That's a very good point...

[Tyler and Agus 1]

I guess it wouldn't hurt to send a couple chat and emails but don't send a stack 1" thick.

If I were the reviewer I'd throw it aside and pick the thin ones!

That's a very good point...

Thanks, perhaps I will remove some excess pages of emails.

Now I'm beginning to see it's the interview that will require more strict attention to evidence and what not.

[Fandango 1,439]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

[Sinergy 3]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

agreed

[Tyler and Agus 1]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

Even if they can easily remove the sheets out of the plastic inserts? The pages (forms, documents, etc.) are not 3 hole punched. They are inside transparent proctetors that are punched.

[Fandango 1,439]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

Even if they can easily remove the sheets out of the plastic inserts? The pages (forms, documents, etc.) are not 3 hole punched. They are inside transparent proctetors that are punched.

If you do a search on a certain member...####### I can't remember his name...oh I'm sure someone here will remember it..Anyways, he worked for one of the service centers and he explained the process of how the approval on this end works. Apparantly, iirc, they are judged by how fast they can process a petition...and it's something like 15 minutes a piece, providing all the docs are correct and complete.

I think it provides extra work with no benefit. I fastened my petition with clips and a big rubber band. One doc under another....no fuss no muss. What actual benefit are you gaining by seperating it and bogging it down with a binder?

[David-and-Mae 15]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

Even if they can easily remove the sheets out of the plastic inserts? The pages (forms, documents, etc.) are not 3 hole punched. They are inside transparent proctetors that are punched.

They will arrange your file according to their procedure, so the easier to access documents, the better. Going through each plastic to retrieve documents is an added work for them. I remember, we punched holes on all our papers, bound them with 2-prong ACCO fastener, put tabs at the bottom. It is a lot presentable and accessible.

The evidences of meeting and on-going relationship look good to me. BTW, don't forget to include a copy of your fiancee's birth certificate. If in foreign language, make sure to include a translated copy.

Good luck!

--Mae

[David-and-Mae 15]

This might help you...

According to USCIS:

General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing

Mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the nature of the submission. Example: ORIGINAL SUBMISSION - BRIEF FOR AN APPEAL - RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - etc.

Use the appropriate mailing address and mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the form type. Example: I-129; I-130; I-690; I-698, etc.

Provide both the receipt notice number and the A-Number as an identifier, if they are available.

If the packet is being resubmitted in response to a REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE (RFE), please place the notice requesting the additional evidence/information on the top of the packet. Also, please use the special mailing envelope provided.

If evidence is being submitted in support of a previously filed appeal or motion, a cover letter stating "BRIEF FOR APPEAL", etc., should be placed on top of the packet.

In preparing your packet, please take note of the following:

Do not use binders or folders that cannot be easily disassembled.

Use ACCO fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated.

The use of tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. The tabs should be placed on the bottom and not the side for ease in filing.

Avoid using heavy-duty staples; instead use ACCO fasteners or heavy clips.

Avoid submitting originals unless specifically required. Avoid submitting oversized documentation when possible.

[Tyler and Agus 1]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

Even if they can easily remove the sheets out of the plastic inserts? The pages (forms, documents, etc.) are not 3 hole punched. They are inside transparent proctetors that are punched.

If you do a search on a certain member...####### I can't remember his name...oh I'm sure someone here will remember it..Anyways, he worked for one of the service centers and he explained the process of how the approval on this end works. Apparantly, iirc, they are judged by how fast they can process a petition...and it's something like 15 minutes a piece, providing all the docs are correct and complete.

I think it provides extra work with no benefit. I fastened my petition with clips and a big rubber band. One doc under another....no fuss no muss. What actual benefit are you gaining by seperating it and bogging it down with a binder?

Thanks. I actually removed everything and assembled it in a similar fashion (but using tabs to separate documents). I like this a lot more... I don't know what I was thinking. Great advice, though. Thanks a lot!

[Tyler and Agus 1]

Honestly, I'd remove the binder. You're creating extra work for the processor to take it all out of the binder and arrange it the way they're going to.

Even if they can easily remove the sheets out of the plastic inserts? The pages (forms, documents, etc.) are not 3 hole punched. They are inside transparent proctetors that are punched.

They will arrange your file according to their procedure, so the easier to access documents, the better. Going through each plastic to retrieve documents is an added work for them. I remember, we punched holes on all our papers, bound them with 2-prong ACCO fastener, put tabs at the bottom. It is a lot presentable and accessible.

The evidences of meeting and on-going relationship look good to me. BTW, don't forget to include a copy of your fiancee's birth certificate. If in foreign language, make sure to include a translated copy.

Good luck!

--Mae

Is the birth certificate absolutely necessary? I haven't read that this is necessary for the I-129F Petition submission.

[Fandango 1,439]

Is the birth certificate absolutely necessary? I haven't read that this is necessary for the I-129F Petition submission.

You're kidding, right? I mean yeah you could use your passport instead...but this question has me scratchin my head wonderin if you read the guides....

Edited September 24, 2007 by LisaD

[Tyler and Agus 1]

Is the birth certificate absolutely necessary? I haven't read that this is necessary for the I-129F Petition submission.

You're kidding, right? I mean yeah you could use your passport instead...but this question has me scratchin my head wonderin if you read the guides....

Of course I have my (petitioner) birth certiciate. Do I need the beneficiary's certificate too?