Packet 3 assembly question

[Khandog25 1]

Does it matter what order you put your paperwork together for the packet 3 to send to the embassy such as DS-forms, Birth certificate, police certificate, affidavit of support, support documents, ongoing relationship proof and such? Does it matter if you staple forms? Just curious as I have everything ready to send but just wondering how to assemble, thank you

[Dodi 69]

I suggest not stapling if you can help it. Here's how I did mine - not saying I'm perfect, just offering a suggestion:

I used a 4 part classification folder. 4 pronged sections. In each section, I put an astrobright between each document, and tabbed the astrobright with the document's name to make them easier to find.

Section 1:

DS-2001 (2 originals, 1 copy)

DS-156 (2 originals, 1 copy)

DS-156K (2 originals, 1 copy)

DS-157 (2 originals, 1 copy)

DS-230 Pt. 1 (2 originals, 1 copy)

Birth Certificate - Copy punched, original folded in punched plastic sleeve

Divorce Decree - Copy punched, original folded in punched plastic sleeve

Police Report - Copy punched.... you get the point

Affirmation of Intent to Marry letter

Section 2:

I-134 - Original

2009 Tax Return

Employer Letters

Pay Stubs

Bank Letter

Bank Statements

(All of this was duplicated by co-sponsor just in case)

Section 3:

Proof of Relationship Section -

Evolution of Relationship letter

Photos

Copies of passport pages (both of us)

Copies of boarding passes and trip itineraries

Copy of wedding dress receipt

Copy of Christmas Card that said "To my Fiancee" on the cover

Copy of shipping receipt for Christmas gifts

38 pages of phone logs (just a sampling of our 2 years on the phone!)

Section 4 -

Copies for HIS records of our I-129F stuff.

I just laid it out in a way that made sense to me. You can do it however you like. The important thing is that they're going to want the forms FIRST, and the documentation when they get to the interview itself.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

[marlea 84]

No. It won't matter how you send it. There is no need to make things too complicated as no matter what you do they will take it all apart and put it back together how they want it in your file. Any extra organizational effort will be wasted as they always put things in the order they want them, into uniform binders or enclosures.

Edited to add: Check to see if the embassy wants you to send copies of all the documentation beforehand. Unless specifically asked for, DO NOT send originals of birth certificates and such. Sending a copy beforehand is fine, but originals could very possibly get lost.

Edited August 10, 2010 by marlea

[Khandog25 1]

Thank you guys so much...Dodi, thanks for taking the time to do that for me. How is everything moving for you after the debacle with NVC? My fiancee had a huge flood in her hometown in peshawar, pakistan, which put a damper on things for me. Im sending out documents to her tomorrow, and once she recieves them, she will send them to the embassy. How long does it take to get an interview date from the embassy? and My fiancee is supposed to get the medical examination after she gets the letter stating the interview date and such right? Thank you so much once again. This forum has been a blessing!

[Janine&Scott 5]

Question for everyone who's gone through this - am wading through the paperwork and have gotten confused (go figure =/)

Instructions for the London Embassy response to Packet 3 - http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

- Step 1 clearly states return the forms filled out correctly. No confusion there all fine and dandy.

- Step 2 then instructs us to gather documentation together and submit the DS-2001 to notify the embassy that you're ready for interview. Again, fine not confusing.

But then you get to form DS-156K and it clearly states on that form that the following documents must be attached - police records etc.

So, my question is this: I intend to submit steps 1 and 2 the day that DoS confirms that Packet 3 has been sent out by the embassy. Are we meant to attach copies of specifically: the police certificate from ACPO, birth certificate and the affadavit of support from our USC partner? I was under the impression that people returned the requested forms and then took the originals to the interview with them along with duplicate copies.

Furthermore, my better half hasn't even begun to get together his affadavit information yet as we never dreamed they would process us so quickly. I again was under the impression that the first time the embassy staff saw that document was when I would physically hand it to them in London thus buying us sufficient time to do it!

I'm going to also assume that the evidence of engagement is pretty much our I-129F pack of information that we sent off and have obviously received approval for along with the originals of the supporting documentation. I also intend to place wedding receipts in there too.

Am I barking mad or simply have not had enough coffee - the way they have everything set out is extremely confusing.

Yours confused in rainy Huddersfield.

Janine

[PollyandDoug 0]

Question for everyone who's gone through this - am wading through the paperwork and have gotten confused (go figure =/)

Instructions for the London Embassy response to Packet 3 - http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

- Step 1 clearly states return the forms filled out correctly. No confusion there all fine and dandy.

- Step 2 then instructs us to gather documentation together and submit the DS-2001 to notify the embassy that you're ready for interview. Again, fine not confusing.

But then you get to form DS-156K and it clearly states on that form that the following documents must be attached - police records etc.

So, my question is this: I intend to submit steps 1 and 2 the day that DoS confirms that Packet 3 has been sent out by the embassy. Are we meant to attach copies of specifically: the police certificate from ACPO, birth certificate and the affadavit of support from our USC partner? I was under the impression that people returned the requested forms and then took the originals to the interview with them along with duplicate copies.

Furthermore, my better half hasn't even begun to get together his affadavit information yet as we never dreamed they would process us so quickly. I again was under the impression that the first time the embassy staff saw that document was when I would physically hand it to them in London thus buying us sufficient time to do it!

I'm going to also assume that the evidence of engagement is pretty much our I-129F pack of information that we sent off and have obviously received approval for along with the originals of the supporting documentation. I also intend to place wedding receipts in there too.

Am I barking mad or simply have not had enough coffee - the way they have everything set out is extremely confusing.

Yours confused in rainy Huddersfield.

Janine

Well Janine, for better or worse and after scouring this and britishexpats site, i simply completed and mailed them all of the required forms... and i did NOT include any originals or copies of any certificates... i confirmed i had booked a medical in my cover letter, and i have sent off for my police certificate, but no, i havent sent anything other than the forms. They state clearly to ready them for interview, and in signing the DS-2001 i figured that was my confirmation that yes, i had everything ready to bring to interview.....

If it comes back to bite me in the ####, i'll let everyone know! :)

(p.s posted them yesterday by recorded post)

Polly

[marlea 84]

My fiance and I were under the assumption that sending copies along was fine, so he sent what he could. He didn't send anything that was original. But, if you can't send them along, I don't think it's an issue. The most important pieces are the forms, obviously, but don't fret too much if you don't have copies yet. Just take everything else with you to the interview. From what others have written about their experiences at the consulate, the CO asks for any documentation they want to see. But I guess we will all find out soon!

[Janine&Scott 5]

Okay good to know that others have encountered this issue also.

I think I will just send in the forms with as much (copy) information as I currently have to hand and our I-129F app and evidence. I will use the covering letter to state that I am collating the rest of the required information by the date of the interview and have arranged for my medical in the meantime. Thank you for making me feel less foolish guys!