Organizing for Submittal

[guycharlotte 0]

Hello Friends!!!

I am getting our packet organized and ready to be submitted this week and had a few final questions.

First, does the petition and all the documents need to be binded or put into a 3 ring binder or just submit a bunch of loose paper in the envelope?

Second, do I need to pay first and then sent in the receipt with the petition or send in a check or money order with the petition?

Third, what is the best way to submit the pics? Send them in loosely with names, dates, descriptions written on the back or attached them to a piece of paper or in picture pages (like ones used for scrapbooks)?

Finally, how much is too much in terms of supporting documentation? I have 37 pages of skype conversations that I have edited down, 20 or more pages of other supporting docs.

Thank you!

[Laurka 65]

Hello. To answer your questions:

1) Doesn't matter;

2) You send check/money order. It's best to attach it to the cover letter you'll put on top of everything else;

3) Doesn't matter. They will take everything out of the envelope and organize stuff in their own folder.

4) As long as you have primary evidence of your meeting within last 2 years such as boarding passes, passport stamps, etc. you have more than enough.

HTH Good luck!

[Lynkali 163]

There are a million different ways to organize your packet: whatever works for you is generally ok BUT remember a few things:

No staples and I do not recommend any binder, no. They will disassemble your packet and put it in acco fasteners, punched at the top of the page (2-hole like a hospital chart). Any organization you have will likely be removed. I did put small tabs on sections of my petition, to help them keep sections together, and I used paper clips, but I don't know if it helped or not. Use post-its and tabs to label anything you feel is important.

Check goes WITH the packet, paperclipped on top of the cover letter or at the front of the packet.

You can submit loose pics or put them in a plastic bag BUT I laid mine out in Word and printed them like individual scrapbook pages (3-5 pics per page), labeled with captions including full date and location and names of people. I also wrote the full date and location on the back of each photo in sharpie pen, to be safe.

My packet was 56 pages total (including all forms and pictures) but that was on the upper end of the recommended. I had about 6 pages of chat logs -- the rest were boarding passes, photos, credit card receipts, ATM withdrawals, full passport copies, and other hard evidence.

You should mention your country, because front-loading of the petition DOES depend which embassy you'll be dealing with.

[guycharlotte 0]

Thank you so much for the info!! Putting the final touches on the packet this week and will be submitting with fingers crossed and hopes up!!!!