When are copies okay and when are they not?

[Rippy88 11]

Hey guys, first post new member here, starting the whole K1 visa process. I'll be floating around here for a while to come.

I have a few questions. My fiancee lives in Tacna, Peru, which from what I understand we probably shouldn't even attempt to mail each other. We haven't tried.

1.) I'm wondering if they will accept a Copy of her G-325a and intent to marry statement? On the step-by-step K1 Visa Guide it states to send originals.

I found this straight off USCIS website:

"USCIS no longer routinely requires submission of original documents or "certified copies." Instead, ordinary legible photocopies of such documents (including naturalization certificates and alien registration cards) will be acceptable for initial filing and approval of petitions and applications."

Here is the link for that quote:

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

It sounds to me like copies will be accepted? Afterall, she could bring originals to her interview afterwards if needed. I'm unsure of how these people do business and what they accept, I've even thought of signing for her, so the ink would be wet and it would be an original.

2.) I have a passport style photo of her on my phone and I had it printed out at Walgreens but the smallest size option they have is 4x6. Does anyone know a way to have a photo resized and printed out as a 2x2 or digitally from a phone? Do you think they would accept a 4x6 photo? (Passport style, just incorrect size.)

3.) (For the future) I read on the K1 step by step guide that I need to send my fiancee a copy of the entire packet to prepare for the interview. And her embassy should also have the packet. Once again, with not being able to mail each other, will I be okay skipping this step? Or are there any other steps of this entire process that You could see being a hardship for us due to not being able to ship to and from?

Thanks. -Jackson

Edited November 29, 2016 by Rippy88

[A'n'L 735]

1) They will accept scanned copies of those two documents (with her signature on). Do NOT forge her signature, that is serious fraud.

2) Photo has to be 2x2 and meet other requirements for official passport photos as well. Google will be helpful ;-)

3) Send her a scanned copy of the package. It's not a requirement, but an advice. She should be aware of everything that was submitted, as she might be questioned about it.

You will have to find a way to send or bring her the affidavit of support and supporting documents before her interview. The I134 needs to be original.

[Nina241 29]

I had the same issue with the passport photos. My fiancé scanned them to me and on the target website you can create the 2x2 photo and pick it up. Mine took only an hour. And its a glossy finish too.

[Rippy88 11]

Thank you so much. I have learned that copies of the documents will be accepted so basically I can get this whole packet done without receiving any physical mail from her. She will have to travel to the embassy in Lima, which she has some family that livea there, so it should be considerably easier to get mail to Lima instead of Tacna. Just throwing that out there for anyone who would find this useful in the future. I will look into the Target passport photo as I have a super Target a mile away from my house. Thank you so much for your help and replies.

-Jackson