husband mailing forms to me

[rkk1 34]

Hi guys. Thanks so much to everyone who has been so helpful to respond to my recent questions. I have more to ask, this time regarding mailing forms. My husband (living in India) will be sending me some paperwork within the next week so that I can file my taxes jointly. However, since he's going through the trouble of sending me overseas mail, I was wondering if there are any other documents or materials that can be mailed to me at the same time (to save costs, as well as time when the NOA2 gets approved). Our NOA1 was received a few weeks ago... and I'm guessing it will be another few months before the NOA2, though some people seem to be getting lucky with getting theirs early. I read on this site that there are further documents for the NVC portion, as well as additional passport pics needed and police clearance etc. (I read on this site that the PCC has to be done within 6 months in India, but I don't know what that means - since months of what?) Might he mail any of that stuff to me now if he can get it? (I don't know if I would have the option to mail his stuff directly to the NVC once I get it, or if they need to get it directly from him). He is already planning on sending me a copy of his passport for me to submit with my tax paperwork, but maybe I should also ask for a 2nd copy which needs to be included with his visa.

Another thing, since my husband will be mailing me documents anyway, is there a certain kind of courier (expedited? government-based?) that he should use to guarantee that the mail will arrive in the US? I'd hate for him to send me original documents, only for them to get lost in the mail (which would be a hardship to recover).

Thanks!

[TimeTravel 78]

He can use Fedex if it is available in his area, otherwise use DHL thru BlueDart. Since BlueDart offices are available in many cities of India.

Fedex is reliable, and super fast ( just takes up to 72 hours to get the doc delivered anywhere in US ).

[rkk1 34]

Wow, thank you so much Iwaiting! I was under the impression that mailing things to the US would take at least 15 days. That's so good to know! I just did an online search, and found a Blue Dart office in his city (though Fedex is in a nearby city). So this really helps.

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

My fiance has mailed things to me in the past via DTDC. They have an agreement with FedEx so once it gets to the U.S. it gets transferred over. It took about 5 days to reach me.

Hope this helps!

[cheme 0]

Probably off topic, doesn't your husband need a SS# before you can apply joint return? From your post it seems like he hasn't received his visa yet = no SS#? Maybe you should get that checked out b4 u have him send all the paperwork. My husband was here in the U.S. but I couldn't file a return until his SS# arrived.

Edited March 12, 2012 by cheme

[Darnell 8,478]

Probably off topic, doesn't your husband need a SS# before you can apply joint return? From your post it seems like he hasn't received his visa yet = no SS#? Maybe you should get that checked out b4 u have him send all the paperwork. My husband was here in the U.S. but I couldn't file a return until his SS# arrived.

Nope, they be chasing after an ITIN, instead.

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rkk1

since you just got the NOA-1 -

getting your husbands civil documents will be a waste of time.

Why a waste of time, you ask?

The civil documents he needs for the DS-230 have an expiration date on them. It'll be more than 6 months (the common validity span) before he's ready to go for the civil documents.

re: 6 months - 6 months from the interview date.

Just saying..

Edited March 12, 2012 by Darnell

[rkk1 34]

Thanks AKSinghS! It's good to know about the DTDC... I'll look into them too!

Thanks Darnell for clearing the '6 month' thing up! I guess it doesn't make sense for my husband to get his PCC yet. I'll just tell him to start scoping things out and what exactly he needs to do, so that he can be ready to get his documents in order as soon as the NOA2 is issued. Appreciated!

[Darnell 8,478]

well, you have some time, yes? you can study at VJ, and learn how to get a PCC in India.

[sachinky 465]

I used Fedex and/or DHL to send documents to the US. I mailed the DS230 straight to NVC rather than rerouting them through Mr. Sachinky.

Airmail is okay for less important documents. Those take about 15-20 days.

[rkk1 34]

Thanks Sachinky! My husband sent me the documents last night (Monday morning for him). He sent them by Speed Post, as he thought that was the best. I don't know what Speed Post is, but hopefully the documents will come soon (as the accountant wanted my documents by the end of the month).

Edited March 26, 2012 by rkk1

[sachinky 465]

Speed Post takes about 2-3 weeks.

[rkk1 34]

Speed Post takes about 2-3 weeks.

Sigh....

[rkk1 34]

I talked to my husband about this today. He was hurt and upset that I assumed he sent the mail through a slower service just to save his money. He said that they told him it would take 5-7 days to reach me. He paid 600 rupees to send me the documents. I did an online search and it seems Speed post has a lot of complaints about them taking much longer than they quote to send stuff abroad. So I'm not thrilled that I might have to pay to file an extension on tax returns until I get his documents, but I don't want to hurt my husband further by questioning him or seeing frustrated, as he did make efforts. Next time I think I'll encourage him to use other agencies for sending things.... else he can just send me things a month in advance if we are going to be using a slower service company.

Edited March 27, 2012 by rkk1

[Divs 35]

You should try worldnetexpress through the Indian postal service, which is a tie-up with DHL. The package gets to the destination in under four days.