New 2017 Forms - I-130 & I-485 w/ I-765 Submission

[Hailey Sattler]

Hello guys!

My husband and I spent months preparing our packet and waiting on documents from the Australian government. January rolls around and instead of continuing to wait, we just opted to do his medical exam and get him re-vaccinated. (OUCH!) So, we finally got the packet sent off and I made a horrible mistake! I didn't realize the fees had changed, I didn't check, it was absolutely my fault. Our forms were sent to Chicago, routed to Florida, and I just received notice from USPS that they are on their way back to us.

Now, am I correct to assume when I get the paperwork back that there will be some kind of processing number associated with our case at this time, and a PD which will still stand upon re-submission? When I resubmit with correct fees (I am still beating myself up for that), will I have to use the new 2017 forms?

If I do have to use the new 2017 forms, could someone help me with clarification on a couple of items on the forms as they have changed?
1. It is asked how I acquired my US Citizenship, and I must choose 1 of 3 options: a) Birth in the US, b) Naturalization, or c) Parents. - I was born in the US to parents who are both US Citizens, as are their parents, and their parents before them. So do I select Birth or Parents?

I did not use my maiden name anywhere on the forms unless asked. I tried to keep my answers simple and not over-analyze... But there were times I felt, as a native English speaker, that I needed a translator for these forms...

I would appreciate any input you are able to give.

Thanks in advance!

[newacct]

Now, am I correct to assume when I get the paperwork back that there will be some kind of processing number associated with our case at this time, and a PD which will still stand upon re-submission?

I doubt it but the PD doesn't matter.

When I resubmit with correct fees (I am still beating myself up for that), will I have to use the new 2017 forms?

If you file (i.e. if they receive it) on or after 4/28/17, you will have to use the new edition. If you file before then, you can use the new or old edition. You will need to include the new fees in either case.

If I do have to use the new 2017 forms, could someone help me with clarification on a couple of items on the forms as they have changed?
1. It is asked how I acquired my US Citizenship, and I must choose 1 of 3 options: a) Birth in the US, b) Naturalization, or c) Parents. - I was born in the US to parents who are both US Citizens, as are their parents, and their parents before them. So do I select Birth or Parents?

Birth in the US. (The old form had the same question by the way.)

[Hailey Sattler]

I doubt it but the PD doesn't matter.


If you file (i.e. if they receive it) on or after 4/28/17, you will have to use the new edition. If you file before then, you can use the new or old edition. You will need to include the new fees in either case.


Birth in the US. (The old form had the same question by the way.)

Where did you find that information about 4/28/17?

USCIS website states: "Filing fees increased for most forms, and we published updated versions of the forms at uscis.gov/forms. We strongly encourage customers to download and submit these new versions, which are updated with the new fees and have an edition date of 12/23/16. We will accept prior versions of forms, with the exception of Form N-400, until February 21, 2017." I was more curious about if I could submit the old forms rather than the new ones, because I would already have a number. I just don't want it to get sent back again.

I just looked at the old form, you are right but it was more specific. It was a 2-part question that also asked if I had gotten a certificate in my own name. The new form has a similar follow up question. The new form is also incredibly repetitive... And the I-130a supplement is 6 pages of reiterating the same information given.

Thus, I would strongly prefer to be able to submit the old form... So I'm hopint the info about 4/28/2017 is right!

[newacct]

On the I-130 page, under Edition Date

02/27/17. Starting 04/28/17, USCIS will only accept the 02/27/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the Form and Instructions.

For the question about whether you got a certificate, the answer is no.

[Hailey Sattler]

On the I-130 page, under Edition Date

Okay! I still had the edition previous to 12/23/2016. I've had this packet ready to go since November, minus the documents we waited so long for.

Another question, if you don't mind: My husband doesn't know his father, and his mother really only knows his name. She's not even sure he's my husband's real father. The form I have doesn't ask for much information on his parents, but the new one does. Do you have any recommendations on how to proceed?

[newacct]

Okay! I still had the edition previous to 12/23/2016. I've had this packet ready to go since November, minus the documents we waited so long for.
is an archive of the 12/23/2016 edition. Editions prior to 12/23/2016 are not accepted since 2/21/17.

Another question, if you don't mind: My husband doesn't know his father, and his mother really only knows his name. She's not even sure he's my husband's real father. The form I have doesn't ask for much information on his parents, but the new one does. Do you have any recommendations on how to proceed?

In the old I-130, when petitioning spouses, both the petitioner and beneficiary need to fill out a G-325A, which I believe asks the same information about parents as the new I-130 and I-130A (specifically, their names, date and place of birth, and place of residence). If you don't have some information about a parent (e.g. birth date) you can put something like "(unknown)".

[Hailey Sattler]

Okay! I still had the edition previous to 12/23/2016. I've had this packet ready to go since November, minus the documents we waited so long for.
is an archive of the 12/23/2016 edition. Editions prior to 12/23/2016 are not accepted since 2/21/17.


In the old I-130, when petitioning spouses, both the petitioner and beneficiary need to fill out a G-325A, which I believe asks the same information about parents as the new I-130 and I-130A (specifically, their names, date and place of birth, and place of residence). If you don't have some information about a parent (e.g. birth date) you can put something like "(unknown)".

Thank you so much for your help. That's what I had done, I was hoping it was correct.

Am I correct in my interpretation of your comment that a G325A is no longer required now that these new forms I-130 and I-130A have been published?

[newacct]

Thank you so much for your help. That's what I had done, I was hoping it was correct.

Am I correct in my interpretation of your comment that a G325A is no longer required now that these new forms I-130 and I-130A have been published?

Yes, G-325A is not used when using the new I-130 to petition for spouse, and I-130A is needed instead. (G-325A is still required for the beneficiary for I-485, same as before.) Make sure if you use the new form you include two photos each for both the petitioner and beneficiary, instead of one each.

[Hailey Sattler]

yes, g-325a is not used when using the new i-130 to petition for spouse, and i-130a is needed instead. (g-325a is still required for the beneficiary for i-485, same as before.) make sure if you use the new form you include two photos each for both the petitioner and beneficiary, instead of one each.

thank you so much! You are incredibly helpful and a lovely human being.

[Marcos Linke]

09/04/2016 - Married Australian Citizen
(Wasted a bunch of time trying to get my husband's vaccination records from Australia)
01/09/2017 - Hubs got completely re-vaccinated
02/18/2017 - Finally sent submittals to USCIS in Chicago
02/22/2017 - Package containing concurrent filing of I-130, I-485, and I-765 delivered to USCIS Chicago
03/01/2017 - Package is being returned because I'm an idiot and didn't check for Form/Fee updates prior to submitting...

How do you know that your package is being returned? Did you received anything online? or Are you just tracking your package?

Thank you!