Where To Mail - California

[JackSD]

I'm a USC, my wife a B2 overstay, we are married and have our forms completed. I have a couple questions. :blush:

We completed the I-130, I-485, I-765, I-693, and I-864, and two sets of G-325A's (one for me, one for her). Anything missing?

On the G-325A's, do we have to send $70.00 or $140.00 since we both filled out the forms?

We live in San Diego, where do we send everything to? There is a district office in San Diego, there is a Service Center in Laguna Niguel, and I've read a lot of people saying to send it to the Chicago Lockbox. I'm confused.

On the I-130, Question 22, "Your relative is in the United States and will apply for AOS to that of a LPTat USCIS office in:". What do I put?

Last question, for "Current Immigration Status", should we put "Overstay", "B2 Overstay", or something else?

Thanks so much, I'm trying to beat this deadline. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[aussiewench]

G-325A's are submitted in support of I-130 and I-485. There are no fees for the G-325A themselves.

As indicated on the instructions when filing a concurrent I-130, the full package is submitted to the Chicago Lockbox

See Guide for Adjusting Status - including a concurrent filing of the 1-130 (http://www.familybasedimmigration.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271)


USCIS Service and Office Locator (https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO)

I'm sorry I can't help with the other question

[VENZwife]

Hey! Congrats on getting everything completed!

That sounds like everything you need! You only need to submit the one biometrics fee of $70 for the alien only. This is for the fingerprinting, background checks, etc.

When you are preparing your packet, be sure to be as organized as possible and send everything attached together in one big envelope. Things tend to get misplaced and overlooked when it is sent separately or loose. You do NOT want that to happen because then you might get a request for evidence, or they could send the whole thing back, which would cause alot of delays and headaches.

When we sent our packet in, we took those little zip loc snack sized bags and put the check and passport photos associated with each individual form and stapled it to the form it went with. Then, we made a cover sheet listing everything that was included in the packet (including listing each form, how much the check was that was attached, how many pictures were included, etc.) and we stacked all the forms together in the order listed on the cover sheet, then clipped it all together with one of those clamp type binder clips.

Make sure you make copies of EVERYTHING that you send and keep it in a safe place. DO NOT send original personal documents (such as I-94, visa, birth certs, etc). They will ask for the originals at the interview, if they want to see them. Also, make sure you put the alien's name and SSN (or date of birth, if you don't have SSN) written in pencil on the back of all passport photos of him/her, and on anything that doesn't have that information on it (such as tax return forms, and other copies of stuff). That way, if anything gets separated, they can match it back up with your file.

Below is what our cover sheet looked like. Please note, FEES HAVE CHANGED since we filed, so don't go by what is written below.:

APPLICATION TO ADJUST STATUS TO
PERMANENT RESIDENT
THROUGH MARRIAGE TO A U.S. CITIZEN

Petitioner: VENZwife Doe (US Citizen Wife)
Birthdate/Place: XX/XX/XXXX (USA)
SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX

Beneficiary: VENZhusband Doe (Alien Husband)
Birthdate/Place: XX/XX/XXXX (Venezuela)
SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX


PACKAGE CONTENTS:
• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
o Check #1088 for $185.00 I-130 fee.
o Envelope containing 2 photographs of alien beneficiary & 2 photos of US citizen petitioner.
• I-485 Application to Register Permanent Resident/Adjust Status
o Check #1087 for $70.00 fingerprint fee.
o Check #1089 for $315.00 I-485 fee.
o Envelope containing 2 photographs of alien beneficiary.
• G-325A Biographic Information form (4 pages) for US Citizen Petitioner.
• G-325A Biographic Information form (4 pages) for Alien Beneficiary.
• I-864 Affidavit of Support (Notarized)
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization.
o Check #1090 for $175.00 I-765 fee.
o Envelope containing 2 photographs of alien beneficiary.
• I-693 Medical Exam Form Envelope (SEALED By USCIS Approved Civil Surgeon)
• Certificate of Marriage
• Birth Certificate for US Citizen Petitioner
• Birth Certificate for Alien Beneficiary. (with attached certified English translation.)
• Copy of I-94 card showing legal entry into the US. (date of entry 01/04/19XX)
• Copy of F-1 visa from Alien Beneficiary passport w/entry stamp.
• Copy of US Citizen Petitioner/Sponsor 2002 Tax Return Transcript & W-2’s.
• Copy of US Citizen Petitioner/Sponsor 2003 Tax Return Transcript & W-2’s.
• Copy of US Citizen Petitioner/Sponsor 2004 Tax Return & W2’s.
• US Citizen Petitioner/Sponsor Employment Letter.


You can put "B2 Overstay" as the alien's current status, or "B2 Expired".

Good luck, and congrats again! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I am pretty sure you send your package to the Chicago lockbox, but that link that aussiewench provided has great info on it on where and how to file. I would send it either through US Post Office with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION/RETURN RECEIPT, or Fedex/UPS/DHL, so I could track it and know exactly when it was received.

[fire]

i was an overstay on J1..i put "J1-out of status"
and send it via ups/fedex..i mailed mine thru usps and their tracking sucks big time. they only scan packages once upon delivery unlike ups/fedex.. they didnt scan my package when it was delivered and i had several days of nightmare thinking it was lost.

[Jake01]

I sent my Package Certified Mail, posted 5th July, Chicago received it 9th July, had certified receipt card back to me on 12th July, and you can track online with the receipt number.

[JackSD]

Thanks for the quick answers. I'll let you know if I have any other questions

[JackSD]

My wife was born in Brazil, she does not have a copy of her Birth Certificate. She has a passport from Brazil and a marriage certificate from a previous marriage that lists her birthplace. Will either of these documents be sufficient.

Documents required to support a bona fide marriage for the I-130. I don't have any of the documents they list on the form. Does anyone have any suggestions? I can get plenty of affidavits, I just don't know what they're supposed to say.

On the instructions for the I-130 it says if I live in California and I'm filing along with an I-485 to submit the application to the Laguna Niguel service center. Is everyone 100% sure that the packet should be mailed to the Chicago lockbox?

[Sweetie]

Hi Jack

I am from San Diego area and filed AOS/AP to Chicago lockbox. My EAD is filed to Laguna Niguel. I do have a question in another thread about this since they are using something called pilot program. And I am not sure what it actually means. But after what I have heard the pilot program should have a very fast processingtime.

[VENZwife]

Re: Birth Certificate:
Unfortunately, you will need a copy of her birth certificate with a certified translation. Does she have any family in Brazil that can help you track it down? If there is no birth record at all, you would have to have a certification from the Brazilian authorities stating that no birth record exists, then affidavits from friends and family stating her birth date and place.

The documents for the I-130 I think are only needed for the interview. Unless this is some sort of pilot for your area that requires you to turn it in with your application. Other than the marriage certificate, you need to bring anything that can prove co-mingling of assets, or other evidence that you share your lives. This can be bank statements of joint accounts, life/auto/health insurance with each other as a dependent or beneficiary, joint utility bills, deeds/lease in both your names, statement of joint loans, letters/correspondence being sent to the same address. The affadavits from friends/family just needs to state that they know you and your wife and that they know you have a bonified and legitimate relationship and marriage.

I am not 100% sure it is the chicago lockbox, but I would send it to wherever the I485 form says to mail it. I think The I-130 and the other documents will be sent to the correct destination for processing.

[aussiewench]

On the instructions for the I-130 it says if I live in California and I'm filing along with an I-485 to submit the application to the Laguna Niguel service center. Is everyone 100% sure that the packet should be mailed to the Chicago lockbox?
I couldn't see where it states that if you live in California to file at Laguna Niguel if filing along with an I-485. It states an I-130 is filed there, but that is if you will be applying for a visa abroad at a US consulate, not when filed concurrently with the I-485

From the I-485 Instructions

Aliens who are immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, as defined by section 201(b) of the Act, and are filing based upon an approved, concurrently filed, or pending Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative;

These aliens must submit their Form I-485, and all supporting evidence to the Chicago Lockbox Facility listed below.

The Direct Mail address for the aliens mentioned above, applying for adjustment of status is:

U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120

[JackSD]

Thank you for your responses on where to mail the packet, its definitely the Chicago lockbox, I've triple verified.

For question 22 on form 1-130, I'm going to put "San Diego, CA", I'm still not sure weather it should be San Diego or Laguna Niguel but there is an office in San Diego, there is a pilot program in San Diego so I'm going to go with that.

Her mom sent us a copy of her birth certificate from Brazil, so I think that was my last hurdle. For the translation, should we number each of the boxes and list their English translation on another page or should we mock up the certificate using Word and fill in the Engilsh transalations?

[Pinkpig]

Jack,

At some point you are going to need an original certified long form birth certificate for both of you. You might want to get her mother on that. Acquiring things in Brazil and then sending them to the US is not an easy process.