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I didn't have my Option C and they suggested I order one, however, I used my most recent NOA and I was approved to be a sponsor. I hope this helps.
 
No, Option C is different from NOA. It took me 3 days to get it mail to me. I would not take any chances with photocopy or scan of it and would always put last years (most recent). Expect possible delays if you substitute any steps.
 
I was approved very fast using an original NOA, all the data they want is in the # Items on a NOA as on a Option C. They only look for the few key # items and they are the same in both values $ and # on the NOA and Option C. They even returned my original NOA. It did not delay a thing, In fact the only delay would of been waiting for my Option C to come.