Is a binder absolutely necessary? We're finally filing!!!

[PeaMealBacon 12]

Hello everyone, we're finally starting the I-130 process! I'm going to send the paperwork via USPS tomorrow morning to get this party started. I'm American, she's Canadian, and we've been apart since September.

I have this little clear poly thing I was going to send the application and supporting documents in to the dropbox; what do you all think, do I absolutely need a binder if everything's nicely acco'd in place and organized with tabs (along the bottom side, right?) inside of that little plastic thing? It's just barely larger than 8.5x11, essentially the same size as a binder.

I planned to two-hole punch the top edge of the paperwork... is this still "appreciated" by the offices?

Here's to getting my love back home!

[NikLR 13,232]

Anything holding it together beyond paperclips is highly unnecessary. They'll simply rip it apart and put it together how they want it. Just paperclip (if you can acco (two hole punch) the top so it's already hole punched they may be pleased with this) and you're good to go.

Make sure everything is in there, that nothing is originals, and double check all your answers 3 times before sending

[Cathi 5,821]

I didn't use a binder, I merely attached my documents with a paper clip and put my pictures in a clear plastic Baggie. There is no need for a binder, they will only take it apart.

[JRF 117]

Skip the fancy binders as others have said...paper clips are perfect. I copied pictures into powerpoint and added captions with date, location and names of those in the pictures. Six to a page, I sent maybe 30 or so pictures over four or five trips.

[NikLR 13,232]

I should clarify about the nothing is originals - I do not means forms: all forms should be originals with original signatures - the evidence and documentation can be photocopies.

[PeaMealBacon 12]

I copied pictures into powerpoint and added captions with date, location and names of those in the pictures. Six to a page, I sent maybe 30 or so pictures over four or five trips.

What did you have to send photos for? This is all pretty new to us, so I'm just trying to make sure that immigration gets everything they need!

[JRF 117]

What did you have to send photos for? This is all pretty new to us, so I'm just trying to make sure that immigration gets everything they need!

I sent photos to document our visits as part of the initial application (I-130) - to include plenty of local landmarks, family members, different times of year, etc. I felt 30 was more than enough to cover everything. Defining what they need can be a bit tricky - suggest you save everything and anything and when preparing your package err towards more rather than less. I felt that having multiple types of documents (so for example pictures plus boarding passes plus passport stamps plus selected Skype logs) were better than 150 pictures and nothing else...

Edited December 28, 2013 by JRF

[NikLR 13,232]

What did you have to send photos for? This is all pretty new to us, so I'm just trying to make sure that immigration gets everything they need!

Photos, especially with family members, are good sources of secondary evidence.

Read this link about the different kinds of evidence of a genuine relationship to send - it's at the bottom: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

[angeldaemon13 42]

Hello everyone, we're finally starting the I-130 process! I'm going to send the paperwork via USPS tomorrow morning to get this party started. I'm American, she's Canadian, and we've been apart since September.

I have this little clear poly thing I was going to send the application and supporting documents in to the dropbox; what do you all think, do I absolutely need a binder if everything's nicely acco'd in place and organized with tabs (along the bottom side, right?) inside of that little plastic thing? It's just barely larger than 8.5x11, essentially the same size as a binder.

I planned to two-hole punch the top edge of the paperwork... is this still "appreciated" by the offices?

Here's to getting my love back home!

Hi! i used the same packet you have a picture off. ;-)They had to send mine back because of wrong payment method. The clear packet was gone and they organized everything so i wouldn't even send the package in the clear packet. But i do agree with ACCo fasteners at the top with a Cover Page and everything else.

[NikLR 13,232]

I'm curious the order they organized everything in for you when it came back!

[jkelly07 120]

put the G-1145 on the very top of your file.

[Darnell 8,479]

dropbox?

yer gonna put the I-130 into a dropbox?

How does that work ?

ah - nevermind - I reread, yer using USPS for shipping, so you prolly meant 'the lockbox' address.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Darnell

[angeldaemon13 42]

I'm curious the order they organized everything in for you when it came back!

Hi! The poly holder was gone, I had a green sheet in it that said to place this sheet on top of package, so it would have special consideration when re-processed. After that sheet it had the petition then separated was my hubby's info (petitioner) in a large freezer bag and mine was separated in a large freezer bag. Then our passport pics and G325's were in another separate freezer bag. All of our supporting evidence had markings and initials on it. (We didnt send our stuff in freezer bags except passport pics which were in small ziplock bags).

i wasn't sure if I had to put it back in order again but I decided against it seeing as they would separate it again.

[NikLR 13,232]

The reason I ask is to see what they're doing so that we can tell people here how to do it so it's easier for the USCIS. Of course the easier we make their lives, we hope the faster they adjudicate ours!

[rrdc 1]

Its not important. I was told not to do it coz extra work for them. You can just used big paper clips to group the documents.