I-130 petition Money Order made payable to USCIS

[Rajblr2016]

Hi,

My USC daughter has submitted an I-130 petition a week ago, on my behalf, to the Chicago Lockbox facility.

While doing so, she had obtained a USPS Money Order in favor of "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services" (fully spelled out) instead of "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" as suggested in the I-130 Form instructions.

Although there is still time for the 30-day wait time to find out (the petition is still at lockbox since there has been no acknowledgement of receipt of application), I was wondering if anyone can share their recent experience of whether this is acceptable or runs the risk of application being rejected.

NCSC (on a phone call) is unable to confirm one way or another.

Is it possible to take any proactive steps to prevent the risk of rejection (if any).

Thanks in advance.

...Raj

[rayb]

Raj,

The "USCIS" payee is normally accepted in lieu of "DHS," despite the instructions to the contrary. Despite that, my personal experience, if the money order is rejected, the entire package, with money order, will be returned to you. Attempts at fixing this without enabling correspondence from USCIS is useless right now. Just wait until the package is rejected or you get confirmation that a receipt number has been applied and you get mailed confirmation.

--Ray H

Hi,

My USC daughter has submitted an I-130 petition a week ago, on my behalf, to the Chicago Lockbox facility.

While doing so, she had obtained a USPS Money Order in favor of "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services" (fully spelled out) instead of "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" as suggested in the I-130 Form instructions.

Although there is still time for the 30-day wait time to find out (the petition is still at lockbox since there has been no acknowledgement of receipt of application), I was wondering if anyone can share their recent experience of whether this is acceptable or runs the risk of application being rejected.

NCSC (on a phone call) is unable to confirm one way or another.

Is it possible to take any proactive steps to prevent the risk of rejection (if any).

Thanks in advance.

...Raj

[Rajblr2016]

Thank You!, Ray. Much appreciate your response.

Interestingly (and unfortunately), she had stumbled upon a web page link while googling that advised payment to "USCIS". (Please see attached).

This url https://www.uscis.gov/us-visa-and-im...pplication-fee must have been a real old one, for - it takes one to that web page on clicking the link...but, does not seem to show up on current url path structure while navigating through the website.

Screenshot highlighting the same is also attached.

Those preparing to file, please DO NOT fall in to the same trap that we did

As advised by you, we do not seem to have any other option other than hope and pray; unless, you believe that this can be produced as an evidence as to
what (mis)lead her to make it payable so.

Thanks again.

[Rajblr2016]

No word yet, and do not know if the M.O has been encashed.

But, as 13 calendar days have elapsed, as of this date, since physical receipt of the i-130 petition by Chicago Lock box, would it be correct to assume that if the lock box had to reject it (for the reason shared earlier), they would have done it by now, given that G-1145 was attached?.

Thanks!

[Rajblr2016]

Huge relief!. Received SMS text and email to say that the Petitions were accepted today (1/11) and sent to TSC. Cheers!