Believe me, MannyJ, I was really, really trying to do everything by the book. This was a mistake that I already made and cannot undo. I really, really thought I had double-checked everything and cannot believe I missed this. I partially blame my English husband who has never taken me seriously when I keep telling him how detailed and specific everything needed to be in our application. So... it is not that I was trying to take a chance, but it is that I have made a major error now and I am trying to decide how bad it is and what I can possibly do next...
Just to be clear, our documents have already arrived in New York and been unpacked. So... with that in mind do you have any suggestion as to what I could do at this point. Or do you think I have hung myself and just have to wait?
I've been thinking about this all day. As others have pointed out in previous posts, the UKBA does make it clear (in the Guidance Notes, and I think on the print-out form but I'm not sure) they want only mailed original OR stamped by a living-breathing-teller statements.
But.
They've opened your application package, they've had it for several days now-iirc others who've sent obviously wrong documents have been informed at that point, and you haven't heard anything to that effect...
You haven't got the email 'your application has been assigned to an ECO...', and you haven't got an email or phone call asking for you to supply originals...
At this point all you can do is keep a kettle on (or a six pack iced, which ever works best for you), and try not to be sick with worry.
If they want those originals, they will contact you.
If they reject your application you'll know pretty soon because the timeline is relatively short (says the woman who waited 28 business days for a determination during a time when there were extra bank holidays, and I SWEAR there were extra weekends in there too).
Hang in there, stay strong, and keep posting and reading here to keep your mind occupied. Take walks, have a time-out with friends wherein you leave the smartphone either turned off or on the bedside table so you can get a break!
And just in case, start the process to get those originals in your hand as soon as possible. Although DHL and UPS courier services are hideously expensive, they will get your documents from the UK to the US one whole heck of a lot faster than Royal Mail expedited.
Hmph, ask me how I know that one! £100 would be money well spent to get the documents you need within three days as opposed to around £20 for RM expedited which took us nearly three blinkin' weeks
I thought I would go mad waiting for those papers, I really did-shoulda gone UPS, and if I'm ever in that position again I will!