General Filing Tips

[andromeda1 7]

Hello,

I am sending in my I-751 this Friday and wanted to know some general filing tips.

1. Should I punch and file it in a binder or Just put the stack of documents in a type of folder. I don't know what to use to secure this huge stack of documents with the money order so that nothing is lost in the process.

2. I have every page of the bank statements of the last 2.5 years... it makes the stack of documents sending quite thick. Is this recommended?

3. What order? Cover Letter --> Money order --> Application ---> documents?

4. Does it matter if it is UPS/ USPS overnight shipping or does it have to be certified mail?

Edited June 8, 2016 by andromeda1

[lost_at_sea 995]

USCIS provides the following filing guidance:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-and-fees/general-tips-assembling-applications-mailing

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

[andromeda1 7]

USCIS provides the following filing guidance:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-and-fees/general-tips-assembling-applications-mailing

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

Thank you. I will go through these links and see if I still have any questions left.

Should I do a G-1145 along with the I-751?

Thank you.

Should I do a G-1145 along with the I-751?

Nevermind, it doesn't work for the Vermont Service Center.

Edited June 9, 2016 by andromeda1

[andromeda1 7]

USCIS provides the following filing guidance:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-and-fees/general-tips-assembling-applications-mailing

https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

Hi,

The link you sent helped a little but I still have some questions outstanding mainly the fact that I have every page of the bank statements of the last 2.5 years... it makes the stack of documents sending quite thick. Is this recommended?

[hellostranger57 18]

If one ACCO fastener isn't enough, use another. Some people send packages that are thin, others send several inches thick. I'm sure USCIS has seen it all.

So is it acceptable/recommended to use multiple acco classification folders (acco fastener on top) to categorize our supporting documents? I checked online and I believe the most dividers i have seen in an acco classification folders is 2 which allows for 4 categories per se (ex: utilities, bank documents, lease agreements, tax returns). https://www.amazon.com/ACCO-Classification-Fasteners-Pressboard-A7015026/dp/B00006IEVT/ref=pd_sim_229_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41YoQdR5vJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=7TH7GF2GAR1VQ83WJ1Q2

[lost_at_sea 995]

I've sent all paperwork as one stack for all my filings - forms on top, supporting evidence behind - all punched together and held with an acco fastener at the top. You don't need to section or classify your supporting evidence with additional labels or dividers - just put them in a sensible order and include a sheet noting the contents and order of the stack at the beginning of those pieces of paper.

[hellostranger57 18]

I've sent all paperwork as one stack for all my filings - forms on top, supporting evidence behind - all punched together and held with an acco fastener at the top. You don't need to section or classify your supporting evidence with additional labels or dividers - just put them in a sensible order and include a sheet noting the contents and order of the stack at the beginning of those pieces of paper.

Hi thanks for your input. so you punched holes in the form i-751 as well? also, did you use some type of box envelope to mail it out? or like a cushion/padded mailer? sorry, it's our first time filing on our own so not quite sure on how to organize all docs and what envelope/package to use to mail it out. thanks

[andromeda1 7]

Hi thanks for your input. so you punched holes in the form i-751 as well? also, did you use some type of box envelope to mail it out? or like a cushion/padded mailer? sorry, it's our first time filing on our own so not quite sure on how to organize all docs and what envelope/package to use to mail it out. thanks

I am wondering the same as above. We are in the same situation.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hi thanks for your input. so you punched holes in the form i-751 as well? also, did you use some type of box envelope to mail it out? or like a cushion/padded mailer? sorry, it's our first time filing on our own so not quite sure on how to organize all docs and what envelope/package to use to mail it out. thanks

Yes, holes through the whole stack, secured as one thing with the acco clips - that way no little piece of paper is going to get lost/separated. As far as I understand, that's how they keep the documents together in their own files so punching top holes and securing them this way makes it easier for them to either just keep your acco clip and add more stuff, or transfer into their own one.

No box. Just put it in a big, thick, manilla envelope.

Oh, and for checks - yeah - I didn't hole punch them - I just paper-clipped (not stapled, they usually ask not to staple stuff) to the very front of the stack since they're gonna be doing the fee processing first.

[andromeda1 7]

Yes, holes through the whole stack, secured as one thing with the acco clips - that way no little piece of paper is going to get lost/separated. As far as I understand, that's how they keep the documents together in their own files so punching top holes and securing them this way makes it easier for them to either just keep your acco clip and add more stuff, or transfer into their own one.

No box. Just put it in a big, thick, manilla envelope.

Oh, and for checks - yeah - I didn't hole punch them - I just paper-clipped (not stapled, they usually ask not to staple stuff) to the very front of the stack since they're gonna be doing the fee processing first.

Thank you all for your advice. It has been great help.

On USCIS website, it says "Mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the nature of the submission."

So should the USPS Priority Envelope say:?

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION - I-751 REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

USCIS Vermont Service Center

P.O. Box 200

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

It also says "Send copies of any prior approval notices with any new requests for extensions of stay, change of status or amended petitions." - I'm assuming this doesn't apply to I-751. or Do I need send approval notices from Adjustment of Status?

And finally, "Provide both the receipt notice number and the A-Number as an identifier." I have the A-number in the cover letter follow up the copy of my green card. Do I need to put the receipt notice number and what is the receipt notice number?

Edited June 9, 2016 by andromeda1

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thank you all for your advice. It has been great help.

On USCIS website, it says "Mark both the envelope and the cover letter as to the nature of the submission."

So should the USPS Priority Envelope say:?

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION - I-751 REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

USCIS Vermont Service Center

P.O. Box 200

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

It also says "Send copies of any prior approval notices with any new requests for extensions of stay, change of status or amended petitions." - I'm assuming this doesn't apply to I-751. or Do I need send approval notices from Adjustment of Status?

And finally, "Provide both the receipt notice number and the A-Number as an identifier." I have the A-number in the cover letter follow up the copy of my green card. Do I need to put the receipt notice number and what is the receipt notice number?

Put "ORIGINAL SUBMISSION - I-751 REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS" along the top or bottom of the envelope, since that's not part of the address.

"Send copies of any prior approval notices with any new requests for extensions of stay, change of status or amended petitions." <-- That's for if you're adding something to a petition already in progress. A new petition doesn't need them, no.

"Do I need to put the receipt notice number and what is the receipt notice number?" <-- Just the A number is fine, where it asks for it on the forms. The receipt number is again just for if you're trying to change/add something to an existing petition (you're not). As long as you've filled out the I-751 completely and accurately, they'll have all they need from you here.

[Leo7777 243]

I thought about punching holes for ACCO fastners when we sent in AOS packet.

But it seemed sort of silly to me since the holes would go right though some blocks of info on the forms, thus either destroying the info or obscuring it.

So we didn't punch the holes.

I don't understand them recommending we do it, since it makes their job harder in some respects.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Punching holes shouldn't be going through any information. Make sure you print the forms with the correct margins. They punch holes in them.