My Immigration Journey
"Documents, Preparations & Timelines"
Petition To Remove Conditions of Residence (Form I-751)
I-751 Petition To Remove Conditions on Residence (Joint Petition)
Here is the list of items we submitted for our I-751 package: (This time, without the help of our lawyer.)
Our I-751 Petition package was finally sent on June 03, 2008 via Fedex overnight to Vermont Service Center. Since I was only granted a conditional permanent residence for two years, (which means I was issued a green card valid for 2 years), the purpose of this petition is to file a petition to remove that conditions on my residency, which once approved, the USCIS will then give me a green card valid for 10 years.
Here is the list of items we submitted for our I-751 package: (This time, without the help of our lawyer.)
- I-751 Form filled up and signed by both of us (2 pages)
- A photo copy of my green card (front and back)
- Cover Letter (signed by both of us)
- 3 original copies of Notarized Affidavits of friends (3 people)
- Copy of our joint home ownership title
- Copies of our joint bills (2 different bills)
- Copies of our joint savings and checking accounts
- Copies of our joint credit cards
- Copies of our joint federal and state tax returns (2006 & 2007)
- Copies of our joint health & car insurance cards
- Copy of my husband's insurance policy letter showing me as the beneficiary
- Copies of our car title joint ownership
- Copies of postal letters/cards addressed to both of us
- Our photos with families and friends
- Copies of our travel itineraries, tickets & boarding passes
Organization and Arrangement of Documents
Here are the arrangements of the documents I have gathered and I organized them by putting a label on each group of documents. In each group, I just put paper clips to bind them so as not to clutter the papers. Immigration officers hate cluttered paperworks. So, make sure everything is presented neat, clean and organized :).
The I-751 Form
You can download your form online. Take note: You should always download forms directly from the USCIS website just to be sure that the form is not expired. Besides, the USCIS changes or does updates from time to time particularly forms and instructions. Just to be sure, download your form from this LINK.
Our Cover Letter
This is the cover letter that we used in the petition. It was place on the topmost portion of the whole petition package so that when somebody opens it, the cover letter is the first page. Since it is a joint petition, we both signed the letter.
Notarized Affidavit Sample
We submitted three (3) original notarized copies of affidavits from three different people. (our friends). USCIS at least requires 2 affidavits of 2 different people if you want to submit those. Don't forget to notarize them. Below is the sample of affidavit that we used. You may revise it according to how you want it to be.
Letter Notice (Notice of Action)
This is the first document that I received after we submitted the I-751 petition package at VSC, stating that my green card is extended for another year. Take note that you can not check your petition status online (the receipt number is useless), not until you receive your ASC Appointment Notice (biometrics/fingerprinting appointment schedule).
