Updated! Effective April 2, 2007, two U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Service Centers located in Vermont (VSC) and California (CSC) will handle all I-129 and I-539 filings. See our USCIS Service Center Tips for the jurisdiction of each Service Center, the addresses, required filing fees, and National Call Service Center (NCSC) contact information.

USCIS relies exclusively on plain old, printed documents. In fact, USCIS requires only original signatures on its forms, which can otherwise be downloaded, copied, etc.

Any responsible person can sign the certification.

Do not submit taped or other electronic media to USCIS because it has no means of viewing or listening to such items. USCIS relies exclusively on plain old, printed documents. In fact, USCIS requires only original signatures on its forms, which can otherwise be downloaded, copied, etc. Otherwise, USCIS will gladly take legible copies of all documents, even faxes, including labor consultations and other supporting documentation. Indeed, USCIS would just as soon receive 8½ x 11 copies (fax copies are fine) of anything that in its original format - oversize documents, photos that don't fold, bulky brochures bound to one side - impedes the examiner's handling of the petition. Remember that USCIS 2-hole punches all files at the top, so the examiner reviewing the file flips each page upwards. All USCIS forms require an original signature. Sign in blue ink to avoid any question whether the signature is an original or a copy!

Important note for all petitioners: To facilitate the new USCIS security checks, petitioners should provide a copy of the passport biographical data page (usually the page containing the passport holder's photograph) for each beneficiary of any type of petition or application filed with USCIS, except for large groups (over 25). These pages have a way of becoming illegible when faxed, so petitioners should try to get good, legible hard copies instead, or at least have the sender enlarge the copy before faxing. Not all beneficiaries will have a passport at the time of filing, however, nor are they required to do so. If a beneficiary lacks a passport at time of filing, note that fact in the petitioner cover letter or on the beneficiary list and, if possible, include a copy of another government-issued ID instead, such as a driver's license.

A salutary effect of obtaining this documentation in all cases, even those involving large groups, is that it enables the petitioner to copy data, including names, birth dates, etc., straight from the source. It is critical to eliminate errors in beneficiary information, lest there be a discrepancy between the I-797 approval notice and any ensuing visa application.