My husband is deployed - can signature date be earlier than eligible filing date?

[lgb2015 51]

Hello, 

 

I am eligible to submit my I-751 today. My packet it pretty much ready to go and I was hoping to mail it tomorrow using UPS. My husband is in the military and currently deployed overseas. A few weeks ago before he left I asked him to sign the signature page of my application, but he didn't put a date. Should I put the date he originally signed (which was a few weeks ago, before he deployed) or put tomorrow's date, which is when I will sign, date and send the packet? I'm not trying to do anything sneaky, but there was no other way to have him sign our joint petition. I would love to know any thoughts or experience. Thank you!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

13 minutes ago, lgb2015 said:

Hello, 

 

I am eligible to submit my I-751 today. My packet it pretty much ready to go and I was hoping to mail it tomorrow using UPS. My husband is in the military and currently deployed overseas. A few weeks ago before he left I asked him to sign the signature page of my application, but he didn't put a date. Should I put the date he originally signed (which was a few weeks ago, before he deployed) or put tomorrow's date, which is when I will sign, date and send the packet? I'm not trying to do anything sneaky, but there was no other way to have him sign our joint petition. I would love to know any thoughts or experience. Thank you!

 I like your idea to simplify it. That’s exactly what I would chose to,do. 
if the date was extremely critical, they would ask for a witness or notary to watch him sign. 
 

EDIT: After thinking about it, I think it would also be fine to put the date he signed. You prepared everything early. Most do. As long as USCIS receives it during the specified timeframe is what matters, not the date you finished your submission.

Edited November 5, 2022 by Wuozopo

[Mike E 11,741]

33 minutes ago, lgb2015 said:

      there was no other way to have him sign our joint petition. 

not true. 
 

See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-announces-flexibility-in-submitting-required-signatures-during-covid-19-national-emergency

 

Here is my advice:

 

Your husband should print the page of I-751 that requires his signature, sign and date it, and send you over message or email a legible photo of that entire page.
 

 You should then crop the photo to the 8.5 X 11 aspect ratio, print it, and if there is a line for your signature, sign and date that. 

Edited November 5, 2022 by Mike E

[lgb2015 51]

17 minutes ago, Mike E said:

not true. 
 

See https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-announces-flexibility-in-submitting-required-signatures-during-covid-19-national-emergency

 

Here is my advice:

 

Your husband should print the page of I-751 that requires his signature, sign and date it, and send you over message or email a legible photo of that entire page.
 

 You should then crop the photo to the 8.5 X 11 aspect ratio, print it, and if there is a line for your signature, sign and date that. 

Thank you, Mike! This prompted me to explore more and it looks like this 2020 signature flexibility became permanent policy in July 2022. I'll see if we can make this happen. 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-covid-19-related-flexibilities-0

40 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 I like your idea to simplify it. That’s exactly what I would chose to,do. 
if the date was extremely critical, they would ask for a witness or notary to watch him sign. 
 

EDIT: After thinking about it, I think it would also be fine to put the date he signed. You prepared everything early. Most do. As long as USCIS receives it during the specified timeframe is what matters, not the date you finished your submission.

Thank you for the reassurance! I'm sure it would be fine too, I'm just overthinking over here . 

[Family 4,026]

Signature date CAN be earlier than filing date , so adding actual date is ok.

 

Clearly your husband left it undated so you can choose the date of filing but you’re second guessing yourself…

[JeanneAdil 6,562]

military are required to give POA to spouse (or relative ) before deploying

u should have the POA and submit copy of it with you signing in his steed putting POA by the signature place

[lgb2015 51]

On 11/6/2022 at 7:11 AM, JeanneAdil said:

military are required to give POA to spouse (or relative ) before deploying

u should have the POA and submit copy of it with you signing in his steed putting POA by the signature place

Thank you. Yes, I have POA, but wanted him to be able to sign himself ideally. I think it would just look better, even though there's a good reason.

 

 

We ended up doing as Mike suggested and I managed to print a copy of his signed page that he completed overseas. I linked the USCIS guidance above showing this is acceptable - just in case anyone is looking at this thread later for advice!