My petitition is still pending with Vermont Service Center but trying to do everything I can to prep early. Below is the steps I intend to takes based on my understanding for the requirements. Please post corrections based on your knowledge or experience. FYI if you not familiar, Mumbai is now an appointment post.

->Print out DS-230 Part I and II from State.gov website, have it filled out by my wife, sign part I. Obtain PCC certificate.
->Wife will send me the above 230, PCC, original Birth Certificate.
->Assemble 230 package for NVC - 230, PCC, original birth certificate, original marriage certificate.
->Assemble AOS package - 3 years of Tax statements and W-2, print out of earnings statement for past 2 months from Employers PeopleSoft system, bank statements for past 12 months.

->Email for choice of agent form
->Pay online for AOS fee
-Send the AOS package - Do I need any kind of cover letter?

->Pay online for IV fee
-Print out cover letter from the online payment system and send it with 230 package.

->My wife and I both will receive appointment letter for interview. She will get the medical examination. Pay VFS 365 rupees but not submit any documents to them.

->Interview - take wedding albums, prinout out of phone bills.

Question on DS230 - If we print out the forms and simply fill it out, do we need to place any kind of barcode on it if we have the cover letter printed from the online payment system introduced by NVC?

I guess I will be using James Shortcut in the sense that I will not be waiting for NVC to send me the 230 package as I will send it as soon as it is generated. Is it a reasonable to assume that with the online payment option, I will be able to print out the cover letter or do I need to learn about generating barcodes from James Shortcut?

Thank You