Mail your I-129F petition to the USCIS Lockbox Address

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Once you complete and assemble your I-129F packet, where do you mail it? Which mailing service do you use? And how do you make sure it’s delivered to the USCIS properly?

This is literally the final step after all the hard work you put into preparing your packet. It’s important to make sure it gets to them the right way. 

It turns out that the instructions are actually very simple. Below, we’re talking about how / where to mail your packet and which courier is best.

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Which address do I mail my I-129F petition to?

Page 12 of the I-129F instructions “where to file” says to look at the USCIS website for the latest address to send your packet. The two direct filing addresses are:

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“For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

P.O. Box 660151

Dallas, TX 75266

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For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-129F

2501 South State Highway 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067”

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Depending on which mailing service you use, whether it’s the USPS or a commercial carrier, you will send it in one of two ways. The Dallas lockbox facility is only if you use the USPS. The Lewisville lockbox facility is only if you use FedEx, UPS, or DHL. 

Secondly, regardless of where you live–California, New York, Texas, Florida, or even internationally– you still mail the final packet to one of these two addresses. 

(Note: you cannot hand deliver it)

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To whom are my letters addressed?

The I-129F packet is not addressed to any particular person. On top of your envelope, you will write “USCIS”… just like how the directions say.

In addition, notice that in my I-129F templates, I often tell you to write “to USCIS officer” in the letter headings. This applies to the Letter of intent to marry, Circumstances of meeting, witness affidavits, and so on. 

You don’t have to put any address on top of those letters. In fact, it doesn’t matter what location you write because all these letters are packaged together… and all end up going to the same lockbox facility anyway. 

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Can I send my I-129F online?

The I-129F petition cannot be filed online. The USCIS only accepts submissions printed on paper and sent through the mail. 

This may sound odd because lots of other petitions are accepted digitally by the USCIS (including the I-130 spousal petition). In addition, lots of other websites will tell you they “process I-129F online”, but that’s not accurate. 

As of now, the I-129F is not accepted online. However, some other documents in your K-1 visa process are submitted online (like the DS-160) during the interview stage.

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What mail service should I use for my I-129F?

These four popular couriers deliver your I-129F petition: 

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• ● United States Postal Service (USPS)
• ● Federal Express (FedEx)
• ● United Parcel Service (UPS)
• ● Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn (DHL)

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Which service is best? 

Well, I recommend any one of them. I’ve tried all of them in the past and found that they’re fairly reliable.

In general, the USPS is cheaper than most commercial carriers and offers expedited, priority mail express, priority, first class, ground, or express mail. 

So, that’s one option. The other couriers have comparable delivery services.

But all things considered, regardless of which mailing service you use, you’ll pay somewhere between $20-$60 total depending on where you live, how heavy your packet is, and so on. The heavier your packet or the faster you want it delivered, the more it’ll cost.

Almost all couriers offer additional features. I recommend some of these features for your sanity to make sure your I-129F is not lost in the mail:

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• ● Express or priority mail
• ● Signature verification
• ● Notification of delivery
• ● Tracking information
• ● Insurance (although not necessary)
• ● Multiple attempts to deliver

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They cost a few extra dollars, but they’re well worth it.

Then, once you choose a mailing service, the procedures to send your I-129F packet are simple. Look online for the nearest courier facility online. In New York City, for example, UPS has over 50 locations. Take your assembled packet there and have it weighed. Then, they’ll quote you a price based on the weight of the envelope and destination. 

Remember: depending on which service you select, you’ll mail it to a different address.

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What happens after I mail it out?

After you mail your packet to the USCIS lockbox facility, they perform a number of functions. I’ve detailed them in a step-by-step sequence (I-129F lockbox steps). A lockbox agent will receive and sign for your packet (if you use signature verification).

The Lockbox facility’s job is to review your packet, cash your check, and forward the case to a USCIS service center that’s accepting fiance visa packets. 

If you signed up for notifications using form G-1145, the lockbox facility will text you when they’ve accepted your form. The USCIS will also send the I-797c NOA receipt #.

For more details on the fiance visa procedures — including how to fill out your I-129F or the K visa interview — join my email list and I’ll send you my guide immediately.

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