White-out on G-325a

[StraightShooter 62]

My fiance downloaded the form from here and filled it out. However, the form inserted zeroes in her unused address date columns. She uses an internet cafe and cannot update the Adobe software.

If she just uses white-out to blot the erroneous info, will there be any problems?

Thanks!

[brian_n_phuong 193]

My fiance downloaded the form from here and filled it out. However, the form inserted zeroes in her unused address date columns. She uses an internet cafe and cannot update the Adobe software.

If she just uses white-out to blot the erroneous info, will there be any problems?

Thanks!

YES!!!

The entire form will end up in the trash and you wil receive an RFE for a new one.

Try going to a copy place to download the form, one that has the proper version of Adobe.

Edited January 17, 2012 by brian_n_phuong

[StraightShooter 62]

I was afraid of that.

[brian_n_phuong 193]

I was afraid of that.

The form doesn't HAVE to be filled out on the computer. If she can print out the blank form it can be done in ink.

[StraightShooter 62]

The form doesn't HAVE to be filled out on the computer. If she can print out the blank form it can be done in ink.

Yeah, we're working on that now.

[StraightShooter 62]

Well, we struggled for over an hour trying to get the form done on the computer. She was a champ as I guided her through the process.

But, even the blank form had the erroneous zeroes, so she couldn't just print it out either. We finally got permission to update Acrobat Reader on the cafe computer and the only option that came up for her was language support. The OS on the computer is out of date, I suppose.

Anyway, she's going to try again at a different cafe later in the day her time, while I'm in dreamland over here. If she still can't get it done on the computer, she'll try to print out a blank form and manually enter the data. I advised her to print out several blank ones if she can.

Technology issues. Ugh.

Thanks again for the heads up on the white-out!

[StraightShooter 62]

Double-tap. Sorry.

Edited January 17, 2012 by StraightShooter

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No problem. Correct information is better than errors. You can also "line out" mistakes.

YES!!!

The entire form will end up in the trash and you wil receive an RFE for a new one.

Try going to a copy place to download the form, one that has the proper version of Adobe.

This is not correct. White out can be used and also you can line out mistakes and handwrite correct information.

Accurate information is more important.

[brian_n_phuong 193]

No problem. Correct information is better than errors. You can also "line out" mistakes.

This is not correct. White out can be used and also you can line out mistakes and handwrite correct information.

Accurate information is more important.

Could you provide a reference supporting your statement?

If white-out can be used. what is stopping someone (other than the person signing the document) from changing the information after the fact?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Could you provide a reference supporting your statement?

If white-out can be used. what is stopping someone (other than the person signing the document) from changing the information after the fact?

Yes, the two adjudicators that visit my home a couple times a week and a department head at the VSC. See pinned topic at the top of the forum.

Nothing is stopping them from changing the information and there is no reason to. The information should be correct. If it is incorrect, change it. By all means.

[brian_n_phuong 193]

Yes, the two adjudicators that visit my home a couple times a week and a department head at the VSC. See pinned topic at the top of the forum.

Nothing is stopping them from changing the information and there is no reason to. The information should be correct. If it is incorrect, change it. By all means.

Gary, not saying you are wrong, just want to find out if USCIS has a departmental policy that allowsthe use of white-out. I am a long time federal employee (another branch), and we are forbidden from using white out or correction tape on any type of signed document. In some cases it's permissable (for our agency) to place a single line (initialed and dated) through the error and make the correction, but White-Out ( using the brand name here) is never permitted.

My question back to you was out of curiousity, as well as to provide correct info to the OP. While my agency forbids the use, it may be permitted in other agencies unless a blanket Federal regulation or policy exists.

Another issue (assuming it is permitted) would be if it raises suspicion in the eyes of the consulate. The scenario could exist where the UCIS permits the White-out correction, and accepts the document, but the State Department does not. Yes, the USCIS has approved the Petition and accepted the G-325A, but the presence of White out could raise suspicion with the CO. I have heard simialr stories where the IRS has targeted tax returns for Audit based on white out corrections.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I used white out on a lien release. The clerk at the DMV gave me a five minute lecture on how not to make any corrections on a legal document, and how I was lucky she didn't make me apply for a duplicate document, and wait six weeks to refile it. She had me initial next to the "defaced" area, and then fill out a statement explaining the correction.

[virola 4]

Just FYI, I was told by an immigration lawyer giving out free services in the Boston area that it was okay to use white-out. My fiancé had put the date next to his signature in Latin American format (dd-mm-yy) not what is asked for in the US (mm-dd-yy). I took her advice, whited-out the date and wrote the correct format on top, and sent off our I-129F. Our application was accepted without RFE and in less than 5 months.

[brian_n_phuong 193]

Just FYI, I was told by an immigration lawyer giving out free services in the Boston area that it was okay to use white-out. My fiancé had put the date next to his signature in Latin American format (dd-mm-yy) not what is asked for in the US (mm-dd-yy). I took her advice, whited-out the date and wrote the correct format on top, and sent off our I-129F. Our application was accepted without RFE and in less than 5 months.

I still would like to see a reference to a federal or departmental reg that states that it's an acceptable practice. I do realize that some documents may slip through USCIS and other places with errors corrected by white-out, but that doesn't mean it is ok through official policy.

It's my opinion to advise the OP to err on the side of caution and NOT use white out, if only to not raise suspicion with the consulate.

Edited January 17, 2012 by brian_n_phuong

[StraightShooter 62]

Folks, thanks for all the replies.

The source for the G-325a form that we used is the VJ download area.

The bottom line is that while I was asleep, my fiance went to 5 other cafes in search of one that was able to print out a clean, blank form or to allow correct data entry.

At the sixth place, she finally found a cafe that was was able to do most of what was needed and she then forwarded the updated G-325a to me for review. I noticed a "plus" mark in the date area next to the signature block. I found in the preferences/forms area how to remove the + mark, but doing so truncated the field, cutting off the last digit of the year. The simple solution is to not enter information into that date field.

The short answer is that we now have a completed form ready for signature and handwritten date. All is well.

If anyone can update the VJ G-325a download form to enlarge the date field at the bottom of the page, it may help other folks in the future.

Again, thanks for all the great help!