I-864 - 100% handwritten, 100% printed or a hybrid of both?

[Groogrux108 14]

So guys, I know this has been asked, but I haven't found an updated and/or conclusive answer.

I started out typing the form, but a few fields were blocked or my answers wouldn't fit the amount of character e.g. my wife's name, our phone number, etc.. so I left it blank, printed it out, and carefully filled the rest with a black felt tip pen.

Then I read NVC uses automated equipment to read through the printed forms, and would that would render the handwritten fields blank.

So I suppose I will have to hand write 100% a brand new form. correct? Or is my hybrid copy perfectly fine?

[gregcrs2 1,777]

What form are you talking about?

[Groogrux108 14]

What form are you talking about?

I-864

[B&Z 201]

Hybrid is fine...that's what mine was. No issues whatsoever.

[agripa 100]

I agree with B&Z, I've done hybrid with no issues. But just as a reminder the I-864 form has the UCIS' new barcode technology. If you fill out the form using Adobe Reader, the barcode at the bottom keeps changing. This allows UCIS to simply scan the form and "read" its contents. They warn you to either hand-write all or type all, but I don't think this is a huge deal breaker.

[gregcrs2 1,777]

I'm using I-864EZ...less pages and no bar code on that. Did notice though that the form doesn't allow you enough space to type country code + phone number.

Edited September 24, 2016 by gregcrs2

[Ketsuban 1,034]

We had to do hybrid because my husband's employer has a wonderfully long and alliterative name. If his chicken scratch can make it past the NVC systems then I think anything can.

[Groogrux108 14]

Thanks guys!

If anyone else can share what they did on their I-864 it would be greatly appreciated!

[Groogrux108 14]

Here's what I can speculate as what might be the mystery:

1) If you fill it out straight onto your navigator (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864.pdf) it will not generate the bar code into the file, therefore it could be 100% typed, 100% handwritten or a hybrid and the person who will analyze will not be able to read it automatically, thus, he will have to manually input the data.

2) If you download the pdf file and open it with Adobe, it will generate a huge barcode. this might trigger the NVC person to simply read the barcode and assume it is 100% typed and miss out on handwritten fields.

My conclusion so far:

If you are able to type 100% of the fields go the Adobe route with the bar code.

If you aren't able to type 100% of the fields (which is my case), then use the online form without the barcode, and, either create a hybrid, or a 100% handwritten form.

Does this make any sense to anyone?

[millefleur 5,038]

Here's what I can speculate as what might be the mystery:

1) If you fill it out straight onto your navigator (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864.pdf) it will not generate the bar code into the file, therefore it could be 100% typed, 100% handwritten or a hybrid and the person who will analyze will not be able to read it automatically, thus, he will have to manually input the data.

2) If you download the pdf file and open it with Adobe, it will generate a huge barcode. this might trigger the NVC person to simply read the barcode and assume it is 100% typed and miss out on handwritten fields.

My conclusion so far:

If you are able to type 100% of the fields go the Adobe route with the bar code.

If you aren't able to type 100% of the fields (which is my case), then use the online form without the barcode, and, either create a hybrid, or a 100% handwritten form.

Does this make any sense to anyone?

Thanks for noticing this! It makes sense. I wonder if this might've caused delays for anyone before. Good to know!

[Amadia 711]

Hi,

The hybrid is totally fine. My husband filled the info and some of the names could not all fit properly. I think I read somewhere that mentioned filling in "neatly" the info that is unable to fit due to insufficient character spacing with a felt-tip pen and ensure that the wording is legible.

You are good to go with this

[Groogrux108 14]

Hi,

The hybrid is totally fine. My husband filled the info and some of the names could not all fit properly. I think I read somewhere that mentioned filling in "neatly" the info that is unable to fit due to insufficient character spacing with a felt-tip pen and ensure that the wording is legible.

You are good to go with this

thank you!

[Mamed 18]

I agree with B&Z, I've done hybrid with no issues. But just as a reminder the I-864 form has the UCIS' new barcode technology. If you fill out the form using Adobe Reader, the barcode at the bottom keeps changing. This allows UCIS to simply scan the form and "read" its contents. They warn you to either hand-write all or type all, but I don't think this is a huge deal breaker.

I forgot about this and filled up everything for AOS (all at once) with Foxit reader which instead of making barcode "words" everything to the bottom. I'll have to fill up all forms again with Adobe reader