Do we HAVE TO use the on-line DS-156 form?

[lovepath 11]

Dear fellow VJers,

I tried to fill the DS-156 form on-line, but it is not very "user friendly". It would not allow me to write annotation or comments like I could do filling the form on the PDF the old fashon way.

1) Is filling the DS-156 form the old fashon way still an option?

2) If so, what are the disadvantages to filling the form by hand, as opposed to filling it on line with the printed barcode?

3) Anyone here tried to submit the DS-156 after filling it by hand and was given a hard time by the CO?

Thank You.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Dear fellow VJers,

I tried to fill the DS-156 form on-line, but it is not very "user friendly". It would not allow me to write annotation or comments like I could do filling the form on the PDF the old fashon way.

1) Is filling the DS-156 form the old fashon way still an option?

2) If so, what are the disadvantages to filling the form by hand, as opposed to filling it on line with the printed barcode?

3) Anyone here tried to submit the DS-156 after filling it by hand and was given a hard time by the CO?

Thank You.

Most consulates won't accept it if you try to fill it out manually. When you fill it out online the system generates a two-dimensional barcode that contains all of the information you entered on the form. There are no provisions for the barcode to contain annotations, so there are no provisions for you to enter them on the form. The form is going to be scanned by a computer at the consulate. It's unlikely anyone would see your annotations anyway.