Presentation of I-130 Package and mailing?

[Mrs. Dea 10]

Hi All:

 

I have now gathered all the evidence my spouse and can for the i-130 package and it seem to be a lot of paper. Thankfully this site helped in finding the information and with finding the order in which each set of documents should be placed (check first etc). 

I would like some further advice through the below questions in organizing the file; so it presents our case clearly and hopefully minimize the risk of having our paperwork misplaced :

 

1. Can I punch holes in the documents? Or what do you suggest I do to hold all the papers together before placing in the envelope?

2. Labelling-what is best to do to describe each document individually; apart from the general cover letter? I had sticky notes in mind.

3. Is there a specific type of envelope to use for the initial mailing?-Such as the size?

4. We will send to Chicago Lockbox- The options given on the site are USPS, FedEx, DHL, or UPS. It appears most people use USPS; what is the difference and which would you suggest for the Chicago Lockbox?

5. And what mailing instructions do I give to USPS/FedEx/DHL or UPS? As in, registered mail, high priority mail, first-class mail etc?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

6 minutes ago, Mrs Dudley said:

Hi All:

 

I have now gathered all the evidence my spouse and can for the i-130 package and it seem to be a lot of paper. Thankfully this site helped in finding the information and with finding the order in which each set of documents should be placed (check first etc). 

I would like some further advice through the below questions in organizing the file; so it presents our case clearly and hopefully minimize the risk of having our paperwork misplaced :

 

1. Can I punch holes in the documents? Or what do you suggest I do to hold all the papers together before placing in the envelope?

2. Labelling-what is best to do to describe each document individually; apart from the general cover letter? I had sticky notes in mind.

3. Is there a specific type of envelope to use for the initial mailing?-Such as the size?

4. We will send to Chicago Lockbox- The options given on the site are USPS, FedEx, DHL, or UPS. It appears most people use USPS; what is the difference and which would you suggest for the Chicago Lockbox?

5. And what mailing instructions do I give to USPS/FedEx/DHL or UPS? As in, registered mail, high priority mail, first-class mail etc?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

1. Paper clips.

2. I never labeled anything. They can read. 

3. Nothing special, just whatever fit your whole stack of documents

4. USPS is the regular post mail operated by the government. Others are private mail services. Anything would work. There is not a preferred method of mailing. I suspect most people use USPS because it's slightly cheaper than other services.

5. Nothing special. You can choose anything

[EandH0904 1,184]

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

 

Read the form filing tips. They do the 2 holes at the top with the Acco type fasteners. We divided our sections and out tabs at the BOTTOM and held everything together with two large binder clips. They scan everything so it helps if you don't use anything like 3 ring binder or sticky notes they can't easily scan 

[Apple Bee 272]

34 minutes ago, Mrs Dudley said:

Hi All:

 

I have now gathered all the evidence my spouse and can for the i-130 package and it seem to be a lot of paper. Thankfully this site helped in finding the information and with finding the order in which each set of documents should be placed (check first etc). 

I would like some further advice through the below questions in organizing the file; so it presents our case clearly and hopefully minimize the risk of having our paperwork misplaced :

 

1. Can I punch holes in the documents? Or what do you suggest I do to hold all the papers together before placing in the envelope?

2. Labelling-what is best to do to describe each document individually; apart from the general cover letter? I had sticky notes in mind.

3. Is there a specific type of envelope to use for the initial mailing?-Such as the size?

4. We will send to Chicago Lockbox- The options given on the site are USPS, FedEx, DHL, or UPS. It appears most people use USPS; what is the difference and which would you suggest for the Chicago Lockbox?

5. And what mailing instructions do I give to USPS/FedEx/DHL or UPS? As in, registered mail, high priority mail, first-class mail etc?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

 

- I used a small heavy duty clip to hold the whole package together and put our passport photos in a small zip lock baggy (money order on top so it's one of the first things they saw when removed from envelope)

-I used different colored sticky notes on everything quickly explaining what each document was

-I used one of the "catalog" style envelopes

-We also sent ours to Chicago lockbox, sent by USPS

-I sent ours as registered mail (or sending certified is a good idea too) to be able to track it's progress and see exactly when it was received

 

good luck!

[Ryan H 3,791]

On ‎2‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 12:18 PM, Mrs Dudley said:

1. Can I punch holes in the documents? Or what do you suggest I do to hold all the papers together before placing in the envelope?

2. Labelling-what is best to do to describe each document individually; apart from the general cover letter? I had sticky notes in mind.

3. Is there a specific type of envelope to use for the initial mailing?-Such as the size?

4. We will send to Chicago Lockbox- The options given on the site are USPS, FedEx, DHL, or UPS. It appears most people use USPS; what is the difference and which would you suggest for the Chicago Lockbox?

5. And what mailing instructions do I give to USPS/FedEx/DHL or UPS? As in, registered mail, high priority mail, first-class mail etc?

 

My answers:

1. binder clips
2. general cover letter is sufficient, no need to individually label everything
3. No, just use what fits
4. Use whichever option you want with verification of delivery, each of those services will get it there
5. No special instructions are necessary; just hand them the package, pay the postage (or shipping fee), and they'll do the rest.

[pushbrk 12,150]

22 hours ago, Ryan H said:

 

My answers:

1.  
2. No special instructions are necessary; just hand them the package, pay the postage (or shipping fee), and they'll do the rest.

If you do not use Postal mail, make sure to use the street address, not the PO Box.

[Mrs. Dea 10]

Thank you all. The answers were very clear and help a lot.

 

I have one more question; the attachments I am submitting such as chat logs etc to prove evidence would you add your name like at the top of those other documents too?

[Mr. Bama 46]

17 hours ago, Mrs Dudley said:

Thank you all. The answers were very clear and help a lot.

 

I have one more question; the attachments I am submitting such as chat logs etc to prove evidence would you add your name like at the top of those other documents too?

I used covers pages for each section. I used a cover pages for all pictures, cover page for identification cards, cover page for marriage certificate, cover page for financial docs, cover page for email and chats, cover letter for supporting docs such as will, insurance, and etc. I think the better organize your file the better it looks on you and sends a clear message you are serious and your docs are easily to sort and find.

[NikLR 13,220]

22 hours ago, Mrs Dudley said:

Thank you all. The answers were very clear and help a lot.

 

I have one more question; the attachments I am submitting such as chat logs etc to prove evidence would you add your name like at the top of those other documents too?

Yes.  Both first and last names to each page.  This helps if they are lost.  Chances of a lost sheet making it back to your file though is pretty slim. 

 

Remember QUALITY over QUANTITY as well.

 

I didn't bother with coversheets on each section, they already have enough things to go through and throw out.  The government wastes enough paper