I-130 Assembling Instructions

[Ever 0]

Hi All:

I am preparing my package for I-130. I have an idea on how to assemble the package, but I would like to hear about how YOU assembled you package; staples, 2-hole punch, dividers, tabs, type of folder/binder, etc...In other words, I want to hear about things to use and things not to use.

Also, any of you have a Cover Letter Sample? Any attachments/links would be appreciated.

[MsMariah 0]

I just used a paper clip and put the photos in a plastic baggy. I hadn't been on VJ before I sent my i130 so I didn't think to include a cover letter with mine, however it seems like a very good idea for the ease of the USCIS reviewer.

I think generally you just list all the documents and proof you have included in whichever logical order you feel like putting them.

Like:

Date

To whom it may concern at USCIS,

For your consideration, I have included the following documents in this I130 package for petition of my alien spouse/relative:

• I130 and copy

Original marriage certificate and copy

Marriage certificate translation and copy

Copies of Passports for petitioner and beneficiary

so on and so forth

Thank you for your time and consideration,

your name

contact info

[ellmvl 1]

Yep better use paper clips and place 2x2 photos in a small bag/envelope and staple it in a plain bond paper with captions. Arrange the papers according to your cover letter. Just use brown short/long envelope (the content is more important...all necessary requirements should be submitted).

Goodluck on your visa journey!

[vareska 3]

Greetings,

I have used a 2-hole punch and punched the top of all documents and used an acco fastener to bind it all together. I read somewhere on USCIS site that that is their preferred packaging method. They ask that all tabs be on the bottom of the pages for easier filing, so that's what I did.

I made a cover sheet on which I listed everything I included in the packet in the form of bulletin points.

I had a section for I-130 and filing fee, then next section was G-325A forms, then husband's documents, then next segment was my passport copies, then affidavits, pictures, phone logs, etc ...

So I used a tab which I would label with the main idea of the section, but on the sheet where I put the tab I also typed a short description of what the purpose of that section was, any additional comments, etc.

For example, I had trouble with my international marriage certificate wherever I went, because everyone I gave it to (my bank, social security office, drivers licence office,...) kicked it back without realizing that the international certificate although in French has English translation as well as any other major world language in the back of the form:) So, I typed a small paragraph on a sheet of paper and called it to their attention that the marriage certificate included in this section has english translation in the back. Then I stuck a tab on the bottom of that page that was labeled "supporting documents".

I did this for anything that needed clarification; multiple email addresses we used over the years, proving that husband's prepaid cellphone belonged to him (made a copy of the activation card). etc.

You get the idea

I included a ton of pictures. And I mean a ton

I arranged them all on a plain sheet of paper, numbered them and under each picture put caption where the pic was taken ( I made sure to include pictures we took by landmarks, either here in Dallas or in Bosnia), something recognizable, and there were already dates on the pictures.

So, I glued those pics to the sheet of paper, and inserted them in those plastic protecting sheets, punched 2 holes again on top of each sheet so that they fit into the acco fastener with the rest. It looked like a mini photo album (remember that when they flip the page, since the holes are on top when they turn over the page the pictures need to be glued the opposite way than the other side, so that USCIS can view them easily without turning your folder over ).

The filing fee check and the passport photos I have put in small plastic bags, labeled each bag with our names and my alien#, and stapled them to a blank sheet of paper ( I also read on the USCIS website to do this).

This is probably more info than you needed, but oh well