Preparing ROC package

[Greencard-22 43]

Hi everyone, would love to have your advice.

 

Our 90 day window to submit our ROC opened today and we’re finalizing the  package. We were originally going to send it out today but decided to wait to make sure we have everything we need to get. Just have a few questions. 
 

1. Credit Card payment - My wife and I live in New York. We don’t know which service center we will get but we were thinking of sending a credit card payment. When we filed before for the two year GC we paid with check. Did anyone file with credit card and was there a significant difference? Worried that our case might not be at a facility that does credit card payments because we’re sending from New York. But I saw a lawyer’s video on YouTube and he said applications are started sooner with a credit card payment. So,  we’re curious if we should send our payment that way. 
 

2. Banks statement and Credit card statements - we printed out all our statements from the time we opened the joint accounts but it is so thick and bulky. Was thinking of doing the last six months of both the bank and credit card statements and then every two months starting from when we opened our account. Would love some insight on what others did for these. Not sure how to send it. Also if we decide to send the bank statements - every two months since we opened the account + last six months, should we include another file in our package just for our rent checks because some of the statement will be left out that include our rent payments? What do you suggest? 

3. Utility Bill - Did anyone have an issue with their utility bill being in one name? We tried early on when we opened it to get it in both our names but we were told that it could only be in one persons name. Will this be an issue? 

Btw - For the utility bill we were planning on sending statements for every two months from when we started to now. Since the bills were pretty much the same every month.

 

4. Package - Did everyone use paper clips and binder clips to organized their paperwork? A lot of our paperwork, the statements for example are very thick (especially if we have to send the whole two years) and this make the package as a whole, huge. Did anyone use those two hole fasteners? I saw in the instructions on USCIS website they suggest using it for thick and bulky papers but we are hesitant to make holes on our documents. Did anyone have any luck with using those or just binders and clips? 
 

Would appreciate any feedback and advice you may have.  Good luck to everyone who is also sending out packages. Thank you

[Just Paul 4,591]

4 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

When we filed before for the two year GC we paid with check. Did anyone file with credit card and was there a significant difference?

I would pay via check instead of credit card just in case there is any issue.

5 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

Banks statement and Credit card statements

We just did 3 months.

5 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

Utility Bill - Did anyone have an issue with their utility bill being in one name?

Don't include it (anything) unless it also is establishing that you live at the the same place.

6 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

Did everyone use paper clips and binder clips to organized their paperwork?

Use binder clips or just a large rubber band.   ACCO 2 hole punches just slow things down as the contractor just has to take them apart.

[Tio 61]

33 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

 

1. It's more like a personal choice. For example, I have seen cases where the credit card payment has been declined for whatever reason and this may delay the processing of your application. Occasionally, as I have seen on this same forum, depending on what bank you may use, they may decline the payment through the credit card. Personally, I wouldn't risk it. I used a money order for my application and I kept checking if it was cashed or not. It eventually got cashed and my case was updated.

 

2. I'd strictly follow what USCIS says, not what everyone else may be doing with bank statements and whatnot. Some may say that it may be too much, but it's what USCIS is asking for and they are the ones adjudicating your application. I too included every single statement since the opening of the account. USCIS specifically asks you to include anything and everything since the birth of the marriage, not to pick whatever months you desire. People have been RFE'd because they chose not to include all of the statements due to it being bulky or "too much". It's better to be safe than sorry. It doesn't matter if it's bulky and thick. You are simply following their instructions. I'd definitely include it all to avoid a possible RFE at the end. You are more than welcome to add another section within your package titled "Rent Payments" to show them all the payments that have been made towards the rent, yes.

 

3. We were told that it could only be under one name; however, we kept insisting and finding out to eventually adding both of our names. Since this applies to your case, you are more than welcome to add an explanation as to why, according to the company, it can only be under one name. They should be able to understand this. For me, since we recently just moved, we didn't have any utility bills under our names prepared when we sent the package. For those wondering: where we used to live, we didn't pay rent nor utility bills. We only paid T-Mobile and we sent every single statement from there. Again, personally, I'd send them ALL of the statements from your utilities because it shows continuity and that you received a bill for every single month that you were living together at the same location.

 

4. We used binder clips. Every section was separated with a cover that enumerated what was in that specific section. USCIS loves this because it makes it easier for the official looking at your application. It's also more organized and they love this. For example, the section with our pictures: I added a cover that explained what was in this section with its description. You may also look at some YouTube videos to see how other people have prepared theirs. Just ensure that you are organized enough so that the officer doesn't "waste" their time having to decipher or guess what exactly something is. Make sure you point them in the right direction and explain everything to the t.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Tio

[Ed&Midori1031 330]

28 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

Hi everyone, would love to have your advice.

 

Our 90 day window to submit our ROC opened today and we’re finalizing the  package. We were originally going to send it out today but decided to wait to make sure we have everything we need to get. Just have a few questions. 
 

1. Credit Card payment - My wife and I live in New York. We don’t know which service center we will get but we were thinking of sending a credit card payment. When we filed before for the two year GC we paid with check. Did anyone file with credit card and was there a significant difference? Worried that our case might not be at a facility that does credit card payments because we’re sending from New York. But I saw a lawyer’s video on YouTube and he said applications are started sooner with a credit card payment. So,  we’re curious if we should send our payment that way. 
 

2. Banks statement and Credit card statements - we printed out all our statements from the time we opened the joint accounts but it is so thick and bulky. Was thinking of doing the last six months of both the bank and credit card statements and then every two months starting from when we opened our account. Would love some insight on what others did for these. Not sure how to send it. Also if we decide to send the bank statements - every two months since we opened the account + last six months, should we include another file in our package just for our rent checks because some of the statement will be left out that include our rent payments? What do you suggest? 

3. Utility Bill - Did anyone have an issue with their utility bill being in one name? We tried early on when we opened it to get it in both our names but we were told that it could only be in one persons name. Will this be an issue? 

Btw - For the utility bill we were planning on sending statements for every two months from when we started to now. Since the bills were pretty much the same every month.

 

4. Package - Did everyone use paper clips and binder clips to organized their paperwork? A lot of our paperwork, the statements for example are very thick (especially if we have to send the whole two years) and this make the package as a whole, huge. Did anyone use those two hole fasteners? I saw in the instructions on USCIS website they suggest using it for thick and bulky papers but we are hesitant to make holes on our documents. Did anyone have any luck with using those or just binders and clips? 
 

Would appreciate any feedback and advice you may have.  Good luck to everyone who is also sending out packages. Thank you

I too recommend paying with a check or money order.  

 

When we submitted our ROC package, we separated all paperwork with the plastic sheet sleeves and organize them in a binder.  

[Crazy Cat 39,236]

1.  I used a personal check.  Easy to track and manage.

2.  I sent every page of every joint bank account statement.  I also sent a copy of our credit cards showing both of us on same account.

3.  A Utility bill under just one name is useless, imo.  You need quality evidence showing you both at the same address.

4.  I used binder clips and USPS Priority Mail.  It arrived in 2 days. We received my wife's extension letter a week later.

 

Good Luck.  I hope have a speedy ROC.  Some of us have not had a fast journey.

[Mike E 11,723]

@Greencard-22

 

Pay by  personal check.  The www is littered with stories of couples that paid by Cherri card only to have the bank reject the charge.  
 

Show bank statements from each quarter from the time of AOS interview 

[Marieke H 2,307]

48 minutes ago, Greencard-22 said:

Hi everyone, would love to have your advice.

 

Our 90 day window to submit our ROC opened today and we’re finalizing the  package. We were originally going to send it out today but decided to wait to make sure we have everything we need to get. Just have a few questions. 
 

1. Credit Card payment - My wife and I live in New York. We don’t know which service center we will get but we were thinking of sending a credit card payment. When we filed before for the two year GC we paid with check. Did anyone file with credit card and was there a significant difference? Worried that our case might not be at a facility that does credit card payments because we’re sending from New York. But I saw a lawyer’s video on YouTube and he said applications are started sooner with a credit card payment. So,  we’re curious if we should send our payment that way. 
 

2. Banks statement and Credit card statements - we printed out all our statements from the time we opened the joint accounts but it is so thick and bulky. Was thinking of doing the last six months of both the bank and credit card statements and then every two months starting from when we opened our account. Would love some insight on what others did for these. Not sure how to send it. Also if we decide to send the bank statements - every two months since we opened the account + last six months, should we include another file in our package just for our rent checks because some of the statement will be left out that include our rent payments? What do you suggest? 

3. Utility Bill - Did anyone have an issue with their utility bill being in one name? We tried early on when we opened it to get it in both our names but we were told that it could only be in one persons name. Will this be an issue? 

Btw - For the utility bill we were planning on sending statements for every two months from when we started to now. Since the bills were pretty much the same every month.

 

4. Package - Did everyone use paper clips and binder clips to organized their paperwork? A lot of our paperwork, the statements for example are very thick (especially if we have to send the whole two years) and this make the package as a whole, huge. Did anyone use those two hole fasteners? I saw in the instructions on USCIS website they suggest using it for thick and bulky papers but we are hesitant to make holes on our documents. Did anyone have any luck with using those or just binders and clips? 
 

Would appreciate any feedback and advice you may have.  Good luck to everyone who is also sending out packages. Thank you

1. I paid for my ROC with a credit card and had no issues, but I know some people have issues. I agree with others that it is not the best way to pay, but it was the way we wanted to pay and we were fine.

 

2. I included all bank statements of our joint account from the day we opened it (about 7 months after we got married, because that was when I started working and it made sense for us to transition all our finances to a joint account) up to a week before I filed. It was a lot, but comingling of finances is the main thing they look for when you apply for ROC. I only sent the statements for our joint account though, because that was where both of our incomes were deposited, and all our household expenses were paid from.

 

3. Focus on documents that do list both of your names. If a utility bill is only in one person's name, it does not mean anything. We had our power bill in both of our names, but water and gas were only in my husband's name, so we only included the power bill statements.

 

4. Use the Filing Tips USCIS provided: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/form-filing-tips. This does not mean that your packet will be declined if you don't follow these instructions, but why would you not want to make it easy as possible for them to process your application?

 

Good luck!

[Greencard-22 43]

Thank you all! Will definitely use a check! 

[bobarola 5]

2- All of our bank accounts are joint. We sent statements for every month in the 6 months prior to filing ROC, and statements from every 3 months (ie Jan, Apr, Jul) prior to that (since AOS was approved, 1-2 yrs). Also copies that some CC have e/o as authorized user and last 6 months of statements. I think what's important is showing order and consistency, and not seemingly random, disorganized or sneaky

 

3- Utility bills under one name can still be useful if each of you have a different utility under your name. As they will still show the same home address, making it clear that you are each financially responsible for accounts at the same home address. ie you may have electricity, cell phone and cable, your spouse may have gas, water, and heating, etc. We also showed that each of us have different subscriptions that deliver to our home address.

 

4- We used two hole fasteners at the top, they seemed to appreciate it at the AOS interview (ROC was approved w/o interview). Also a cover letter and organized each section with page markers/tabs. If you use those, put them at the bottom, not side. 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by bobarola

[Cheschirecat 176]

10 hours ago, Greencard-22 said:

Hi everyone, would love to have your advice.

 

Our 90 day window to submit our ROC opened today and we’re finalizing the  package. We were originally going to send it out today but decided to wait to make sure we have everything we need to get. Just have a few questions. 
 

1. Credit Card payment - My wife and I live in New York. We don’t know which service center we will get but we were thinking of sending a credit card payment. When we filed before for the two year GC we paid with check. Did anyone file with credit card and was there a significant difference? Worried that our case might not be at a facility that does credit card payments because we’re sending from New York. But I saw a lawyer’s video on YouTube and he said applications are started sooner with a credit card payment. So,  we’re curious if we should send our payment that way. 
 

2. Banks statement and Credit card statements - we printed out all our statements from the time we opened the joint accounts but it is so thick and bulky. Was thinking of doing the last six months of both the bank and credit card statements and then every two months starting from when we opened our account. Would love some insight on what others did for these. Not sure how to send it. Also if we decide to send the bank statements - every two months since we opened the account + last six months, should we include another file in our package just for our rent checks because some of the statement will be left out that include our rent payments? What do you suggest? 

3. Utility Bill - Did anyone have an issue with their utility bill being in one name? We tried early on when we opened it to get it in both our names but we were told that it could only be in one persons name. Will this be an issue? 

Btw - For the utility bill we were planning on sending statements for every two months from when we started to now. Since the bills were pretty much the same every month.

 

4. Package - Did everyone use paper clips and binder clips to organized their paperwork? A lot of our paperwork, the statements for example are very thick (especially if we have to send the whole two years) and this make the package as a whole, huge. Did anyone use those two hole fasteners? I saw in the instructions on USCIS website they suggest using it for thick and bulky papers but we are hesitant to make holes on our documents. Did anyone have any luck with using those or just binders and clips? 
 

Would appreciate any feedback and advice you may have.  Good luck to everyone who is also sending out packages. Thank you

There’s a September ROC group

[mjoyceb 16]

Hi, there's a September filers ROC group: 

 

[Joyoussinger 1,410]

17 hours ago, bobarola said:

We used two hole fasteners at the top, they seemed to appreciate it at the AOS interview (ROC was approved w/o interview). Also a cover letter and organized each section with page markers/tabs. If you use those, put them at the bottom, not side. 

This is stated on the USCIS website and is the way we did ours.

[Greencard-22 43]

20 hours ago, mjoyceb said:

Hi, there's a September filers ROC group: 

 

Hi, I saw that. Although our  90 day window opened for September we still have to wait for a few documents so we are actually sending out our package in October. I also didn’t want to hijack a thread and thought this would be easier. Will def post my experience when I send out my package for October filers 

 

Thanks again to everyone who responded and gave me some great insights! Really appreciate it! Goodluck to everyone!!