Wrong Service Center?

[zentaco 28]

Has anyone here addressed their letters of intent to the wrong service center? My fiance is in California, but we didn't realize until now that supposedly you need to put the service center you want to send it to on the letter, not the place you're sending the I-129f (Texas in this case). We're really nervous now because we were hoping to go by the California service center average time (5 months or so).. While texas is supposedly an average of 18 months, according to the USCIS website. We've been together for 10 years long-distance, filed for the I-129F in late October and got our NOA on October 25th. Anyone here with a recent approval/second notice of action through Texas? How long did it take?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

If you used the address included in the I-129F instructions, that was the Dallas Lockbox, which is where they process the payments before the petitions are sent on to the appropriate Service Center -- either Cali or Vermont -- for adjudication.

[Al and Patricia 23]

I don't think you haver anything to worry about. They really only want to see the Letter of Intent. When you send it to Texas, they then aend it to Vermont or California. They do not process the petitioons in Texas, they only sort and send it to the USCIS centers.

[Travis and Meghan 24]

All of the I-129F's get sent to Texas but they don't get adjudicated there. it would have gone either to California or Vermont. Because your fiance is in California it should have been sent to CSC, it tells you on the NOA1 where your petition got sent.

[zentaco 28]

Thanks for the quick replies, that makes me feel a bit better. I don't have the copy of the NOA he showed me, here at work, but I'll look later.

Curious though, if they don't process in Texas, then why is it listed as one of the service centers?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

USCIS changed which visas go to different Service Centers. The Texas Service Center (different from the Lockbox) processes other applications, just not the I-129F.

Thanks for the quick replies, that makes me feel a bit better. I don't have the copy of the NOA he showed me, here at work, but I'll look later.

Curious though, if they don't process in Texas, then why is it listed as one of the service centers?

[Travis and Meghan 24]

I guess they do it that way to make it easier, saves people sending their petitions to the wrong service centers etc. Also, if one is particularly busy they can try to even out the work load a bit.

[JessandPreston 0]

Has anyone here addressed their letters of intent to the wrong service center? My fiance is in California, but we didn't realize until now that supposedly you need to put the service center you want to send it to on the letter, not the place you're sending the I-129f (Texas in this case). We're really nervous now because we were hoping to go by the California service center average time (5 months or so).. While texas is supposedly an average of 18 months, according to the USCIS website. We've been together for 10 years long-distance, filed for the I-129F in late October and got our NOA on October 25th. Anyone here with a recent approval/second notice of action through Texas? How long did it take?

hey Zentaco, my fiance also filed in Texas and he is from Georgia and them we were transferred to Vermoth one, yes it takes a bit I am 7 months in this process but it all depends I have read many ppl who took just 5 months so dont worry

[Hank_ 9,174]

Has anyone here addressed their letters of intent to the wrong service center? My fiance is in California, but we didn't realize until now that supposedly you need to put the service center you want to send it to on the letter, not the place you're sending the I-129f (Texas in this case). We're really nervous now because we were hoping to go by the California service center average time (5 months or so).. While texas is supposedly an average of 18 months, according to the USCIS website. We've been together for 10 years long-distance, filed for the I-129F in late October and got our NOA on October 25th. Anyone here with a recent approval/second notice of action through Texas? How long did it take?

The address on the LOI doesn't matter, what it states and that is signed is all that matters. You don't even have to put an address on the letter.

So where is your petition Vermont = EAC or California = WAC because as others have said Texas isn't a sevice center its just one big "mailbox". any bets? ... WAC

[didopage 337]

Has anyone here addressed their letters of intent to the wrong service center? My fiance is in California, but we didn't realize until now that supposedly you need to put the service center you want to send it to on the letter, not the place you're sending the I-129f (Texas in this case). We're really nervous now because we were hoping to go by the California service center average time (5 months or so).. While texas is supposedly an average of 18 months, according to the USCIS website. We've been together for 10 years long-distance, filed for the I-129F in late October and got our NOA on October 25th. Anyone here with a recent approval/second notice of action through Texas? How long did it take?

Your petition is likely to be at CSC, just check your NOA1. The address you wrote on the letters of intent won't do anything in the process. Could have been the Texas lockbox one, the CSC or VSC one, doesn't matter. What matter is the statement that you both intend to marry within 90 days of your arrival, plus the original signatures.

Plus you don't choose at which service center your petition will be processed. Texas SC doesn't process I-129F petitions, as others said. CSC and VSC are both at 5 months processing time goal (though VSC is faster right now).

To your question "if they don't process in Texas, then why is it listed as one of the service centers?", the answer is: TSC used to process I-129F petitions in the past, but not anymore. I guess they just don't feel like updating the info right now.

Edited February 23, 2012 by didopage

[zentaco 28]

It looks like you are all right - I checked the NOA and it seems to have gone to the California service center. Of course, I know that's not a guarantee that it will be "speedy", but feel better about having it there than texas.

[Moomin 292]

If you only put USCIS on the letter of intent it would still be good enough. Your intent and being free to marry, signature and date are of importance.

[baron555 934]

Has anyone here addressed their letters of intent to the wrong service center? My fiance is in California, but we didn't realize until now that supposedly you need to put the service center you want to send it to on the letter, not the place you're sending the I-129f (Texas in this case). We're really nervous now because we were hoping to go by the California service center average time (5 months or so).. While texas is supposedly an average of 18 months, according to the USCIS website. We've been together for 10 years long-distance, filed for the I-129F in late October and got our NOA on October 25th. Anyone here with a recent approval/second notice of action through Texas? How long did it take?

Chill....it doesn't matter. Your petition may travel all across the USA.

[X Factor 1,113]

I sent my I-129 directly to VSC and it was rerouted to the Texas lock box. Then my application was sent to CSC. Not to worry it will be sent to the appropriate center.

[AugHem 2]

Has anyone here addressed their letters of intent to the wrong service center? My fiance is in California, but we didn't realize until now that supposedly you need to put the service center you want to send it to on the letter, not the place you're sending the I-129f (Texas in this case). We're really nervous now because we were hoping to go by the California service center average time (5 months or so).. While texas is supposedly an average of 18 months, according to the USCIS website. We've been together for 10 years long-distance, filed for the I-129F in late October and got our NOA on October 25th. Anyone here with a recent approval/second notice of action through Texas? How long did it take?

I live in Maryland and I thought my case would be sent to Vermont Service Center but my case has been sent to California Service Center. I think they don't transfer the cases by our location.