RFE for I-693 date

[ECWilloughbys 7]

We received an RFE in the mail Friday. It says:

"You submitted Form I-693, Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. However, the civil surgeon certified the exam more than one year before the date the applicant filed the Form I-485. The Form I-693 must be dated within one year of filing Form I-485.

In order to process your application further, you need to submit a properly completed and signed Form I-693, Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, for the applicant on Form I-485. The medical examination must be conducted by a civil surgeon who has been designated by USCIS." Then there's a bit about how to obtain designated civil surgeons in our area, etc.

So here's our confusion: my husband had all of his vaccinations done in London before his medical. We submitted the complete and signed DS-3025 with our I-485 application. It's dated September 6, 2010, well within a year of our I-485 submission date (4/25/2011), and states that his vaccine history is complete except for Varicella (chicken pox), and is then noted that he may be eligible for blanket waiver because the vaccination was not medically appropriate (he had chicken pox as a child). As I said, we submitted this with our I-485, and we also filled out the top portion of the I-693, and signed it (as many other VJers recommended and have done themselves). Maybe that was the problem, that we included an I-693? But even then, the problem shouldn't be the date!

What should we do here? Resend the DS-3025 with the date highlighted, as well as our receipt from the medical (also dated), and a cover letter stating all of this? Include a copy of the CD they gave him at his medical? I'm really annoyed if they're going to demand that we pay for a new medical when we went to the trouble to have this done ahead of time.

Any advice?

Edited May 23, 2011 by ECWilloughbys

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You filled out the I-693 by yourself? That form needs to be filled out and signed by the Civil Surgeon. All you need is to have the CS transcribe the vaccination history on that form, which should cost $25-$50. You can't fill that out on your own even if the vaccines were complete. Good luck.

[ECWilloughbys 7]

You filled out the I-693 by yourself? That form needs to be filled out and signed by the Civil Surgeon. All you need is to have the CS transcribe the vaccination history on that form, which should cost $25-$50. You can't fill that out on your own even if the vaccines were complete. Good luck.

Arrrrrgh! This seems a bit like a game of telephone from one physician to another, USCIS! Thank you so much for clarifying, though.

We just filled out part I, and then signed and dated it, and attached it to the DS-3025 and cover letter.

Edited May 23, 2011 by ECWilloughbys

[ECWilloughbys 7]

I've read lots of conflicting advice on this on VJ: should we have paid a CS to have transcribed the vaccination history on the I-693 before sending off our AOS package, or should we have just included the complete and current DS-3025 and not bothered with the I-693 at all? I've read posts from several people who did this (omitted the I-693) and who had no problems or RFEs.

Are we now better off paying a CS to transcribe and sending back with the RFE, or just re-sending our DS-3025 info? It's frustrating but we're obviously willing to pay if we have to, whatever's going to get this straightened out sooner.

Edited May 23, 2011 by ECWilloughbys

[missicy 87]

Sending I-693 is the safest way to go. Many people received RFE's for sending just DS-3025. If I was you I would go to a CS to get vaccines transcribed, just so the process doesn't get delayed any further. Like Harpa said, it shouldn't cost more than $50.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think you screwed up by sending the I-693 without a date or CS signature. Had you left that out, you would have been fine with your completed and signed DS-3025 and the copy of the Knightsbridge medical in you file. Where did you get that you should send in a half blank I-693? They pick that up and see it's not dated within one year (like no date actually) and reject you. I think your RFE was of a general nature to cover that mistake because they don't have a form that says, "Don't you know not to send in a blank I-693."

What a mess. Perhaps a letter explaining you are adjusting from a K1 visa and had your medical exam and vaccination supplement completed on _____date at Knightsbridge Clinic, [address], London. Ask them to please review your file to see that you did indeed meet the medical examination and vaccination requirements within one year of filing the I-485. Send photocopy of the medical receipt and the DS-3025 and the RFE form. Do not send your x-ray cd. Get delivery confirmation so you know it arrived. Then follow up like crazy to make sure they resume processing your case within 2 weeks. Then if they don't, get your Congressman to intervene and sort your mistake out.

[ECWilloughbys 7]

I think you screwed up by sending the I-693 without a date or CS signature. Had you left that out, you would have been fine with your completed and signed DS-3025 and the copy of the Knightsbridge medical in you file. Where did you get that you should send in a half blank I-693? They pick that up and see it's not dated within one year (like no date actually) and reject you. I think your RFE was of a general nature to cover that mistake because they don't have a form that says, "Don't you know not to send in a blank I-693."

What a mess. Perhaps a letter explaining you are adjusting from a K1 visa and had your medical exam and vaccination supplement completed on _____date at Knightsbridge Clinic, [address], London. Ask them to please review your file to see that you did indeed meet the medical examination and vaccination requirements within one year of filing the I-485. Send photocopy of the medical receipt and the DS-3025 and the RFE form. Do not send your x-ray cd. Get delivery confirmation so you know it arrived. Then follow up like crazy to make sure they resume processing your case within 2 weeks. Then if they don't, get your Congressman to intervene and sort your mistake out.

I know. I can't remember where I read this idea, but I'd love to kick myself for following it. I'll try your advice, and in the meantime look into how soon a civil surgeon could see us to transcribe the vaccinations just in case. Thank you for your help!

One additional question: we got two RFEs at the same time; the other is just asking for proof that our co-sponsor is a U.S. citizen, no problem. Should we mail both back at the same time, in the same envelope, or separately?

Edited May 24, 2011 by ECWilloughbys

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I would just pay the $50 and get it transcribed and send back exactly what USCIS wants. I don't see the need to get congressmen involved and write letters. Just comply with the RFE - you lose a little money and a little time - but not as much as if you were writing letters to London and congressmen and faxing who knows where. Live and learn - no big deal. Good luck.

[ECWilloughbys 7]

I would just pay the $50 and get it transcribed and send back exactly what USCIS wants. I don't see the need to get congressmen involved and write letters. Just comply with the RFE - you lose a little money and a little time - but not as much as if you were writing letters to London and congressmen and faxing who knows where. Live and learn - no big deal. Good luck.

You're right, don't want to risk them not being satisfied with our response and then getting denied. Thanks for everyone's help, I really appreciate it.