Brand new AOS person

[Shannon and David 0]

Hi all,

I'm just reading through all of this AOS stuff and I would like to see if I am reading all of the guides, etc. correctly.

1) We've got to go to a civil surgeon (an approved USCIS doctor basically) in order to have the rest of vaccinations done for the AOS application (my husband entered on a k-1 visa and therefore will not need the entire medical done again; I get this part). In other words, I can't take him to my doctor once he's on my benefits and pay for them on the cheap through them. He'll be on my insurance.

2) We don't have to deal with proof of common residence papers in the AOS packet at all. This stuff we have to have ready for the interview, but it doesn't get sent with the AOS I-485. Wait, this makes sense, it's too early for us to prove all this stuff. We just got married and he's been here a month and a half...

3) If we're applying for Employment Authorization and Advance Parole (travel document) with our AOS papers, then we need to include a cover letter and probably a note explaining that we don't have to pay any extra cash for this. SHould we treat this like one big packet? Or 3? The AOS, EAD and AP. I think I read somewhere that these papers get separated at the lockbox. So, should I think three cover letters/three packets or one big huge one?

4) The police clearances for the I-485. Um... didn't we just do all this in the k-1 visa packet? I assume that they don't want us to get all of these papers again. The govt already has all of these originals from when he entered the country from Peru. I assume that we are not attaching anything for these clearances.

5) David and I obviously got married, so my name has changed to reflect that. Is my name change going to cause any weird problems from the move from my old name on the original I-129f application & the I-134 I did for the Embassy in Peru? Obviously I'm submitting the I-864 and when I submit it, I will put my new name. I've already changed my name with Social Security.

6) Biometrics, based on the instructions in the 485, are done through an appt that is scheduled with us after we file. I just wait to get some letter and David goes to his appt. Nothing needs to be done ahead of time.

Thanks for your help! Yay, another whole packet of papers to do, I'm so excited!

Jumping into phase two of the immigration process. It's funny how the K-1 visa flow chart makes it look so easy at the end there. Numbers 20, 21, 22...

Edited June 20, 2008 by Shannon and David

[soulprovider915 4]

Hi all,

I'm just reading through all of this AOS stuff and I would like to see if I am reading all of the guides, etc. correctly.

1) We've got to go to a civil surgeon (an approved USCIS doctor basically) in order to have the rest of vaccinations done for the AOS application (my husband entered on a k-1 visa and therefore will not need the entire medical done again; I get this part). In other words, I can't take him to my doctor once he's on my benefits and pay for them on the cheap through them. He'll be on my insurance.

2) We don't have to deal with proof of common residence papers in the AOS packet at all. This stuff we have to have ready for the interview, but it doesn't get sent with the AOS I-485. Wait, this makes sense, it's too early for us to prove all this stuff. We just got married and he's been here a month and a half...

3) If we're applying for Employment Authorization and Advance Parole (travel document) with our AOS papers, then we need to include a cover letter and probably a note explaining that we don't have to pay any extra cash for this. SHould we treat this like one big packet? Or 3? The AOS, EAD and AP. I think I read somewhere that these papers get separated at the lockbox. So, should I think three cover letters/three packets or one big huge one?

4) The police clearances for the I-485. Um... didn't we just do all this in the k-1 visa packet? I assume that they don't want us to get all of these papers again. The govt already has all of these originals from when he entered the country from Peru. I assume that we are not attaching anything for these clearances.

5) David and I obviously got married, so my name has changed to reflect that. Is my name change going to cause any weird problems from the move from my old name on the original I-129f application & the I-134 I did for the Embassy in Peru? Obviously I'm submitting the I-864 and when I submit it, I will put my new name. I've already changed my name with Social Security.

6) Biometrics, based on the instructions in the 485, are done through an appt that is scheduled with us after we file. I just wait to get some letter and David goes to his appt. Nothing needs to be done ahead of time.

Thanks for your help! Yay, another whole packet of papers to do, I'm so excited!

Jumping into phase two of the immigration process. It's funny how the K-1 visa flow chart makes it look so easy at the end there. Numbers 20, 21, 22...

To answer question #1 I highly doubt your insurance will not cover the Immigration doctor's visit.

Edited June 20, 2008 by soulprovider915

[soulprovider915 4]

#1 I highly doubt your insurance will not cover the Immigration doctor's visit.

#2 You may not need an interview if you get a California Service Center transfer. Save the info just in case.

#3 One cover letter, one package

#4 Unless you have a record with the police

#5 Use your married name on all of the forms

#6 Wait for the letter in the mail about 2-3 weeks after you file normally

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hi all,

I'm just reading through all of this AOS stuff and I would like to see if I am reading all of the guides, etc. correctly.

1) We've got to go to a civil surgeon (an approved USCIS doctor basically) in order to have the rest of vaccinations done for the AOS application (my husband entered on a k-1 visa and therefore will not need the entire medical done again; I get this part). In other words, I can't take him to my doctor once he's on my benefits and pay for them on the cheap through them. He'll be on my insurance.

Any doctor can give the vaccinations so you can use your own family doctor if you get insurance coverage for the shots or it works out cheaper. You have to use a Civil Surgeon, however, to prepare the I-693a which is basically transferring the information about your husband's vaccinations to the proper form - which the Civil Surgeon has. Just bring proof of vaccinations with you to the Civil Surgeon appointment.

2) We don't have to deal with proof of common residence papers in the AOS packet at all. This stuff we have to have ready for the interview, but it doesn't get sent with the AOS I-485. Wait, this makes sense, it's too early for us to prove all this stuff. We just got married and he's been here a month and a half...

You DO have to provide evidence to prove the validity of the marriage upon which you are asking to have status changed. While you won't have 'much' evidence yet, send what you do have in addition to the marriage license. Being married for 1 1/2 months you should have some bills in common, joint bank accounts, etc, things like that, by now. You want to make it as easy as possible for USCIS to agree that you have a valid marriage. If your application is straight-forward and provides clear evidence that you have a bona fide marriage you may well not even get an interview. Your application may be transferred to the California CSC which approves virtually all AOS applications without an interview.

3) If we're applying for Employment Authorization and Advance Parole (travel document) with our AOS papers, then we need to include a cover letter and probably a note explaining that we don't have to pay any extra cash for this. SHould we treat this like one big packet? Or 3? The AOS, EAD and AP. I think I read somewhere that these papers get separated at the lockbox. So, should I think three cover letters/three packets or one big huge one?

While everything is submitted together prepare the EAD and the AP as separate applications complete with their own attachments and copies even if you already have the same copies with the AOS. The packages are separated and processed individually. You shouldn't need three cover letters - just one that mentions all three appllications, but prepare each application as a separate package and then use a binder clip to hold them all together.You don't need to make reference to the fact that there is no fee for the EAD as USCIS is well aware of the fact. The EAD and AP fees are included in the overall AOS fee.

4) The police clearances for the I-485. Um... didn't we just do all this in the k-1 visa packet? I assume that they don't want us to get all of these papers again. The govt already has all of these originals from when he entered the country from Peru. I assume that we are not attaching anything for these clearances.

Other applicants besides those adjusting from K-1 use the I-485 form. I don't recall where it says it but there should be a place on the form that exempts K-1s from re-submitting police forms, along with the exemption of doing a medical unless the medical is more than a year old. No, you don't need to re-submit police records unless you do have some sort of a record. If I am wrong on this I know someone will correct me:-).

5) David and I obviously got married, so my name has changed to reflect that. Is my name change going to cause any weird problems from the move from my old name on the original I-129f application & the I-134 I did for the Embassy in Peru? Obviously I'm submitting the I-864 and when I submit it, I will put my new name. I've already changed my name with Social Security.

It shouldn't. I say 'shouldn't' because anything is possible with USCIS, but I don't believe you need worry. You are providing them with a copy of the marriage certificate so they should be able to make the connection!

6) Biometrics, based on the instructions in the 485, are done through an appt that is scheduled with us after we file. I just wait to get some letter and David goes to his appt. Nothing needs to be done ahead of time.

Correct. David will have a full set of fingerprints taken plus a photograph for the AOS, plus a single finger and photograph for the EAD. Biometrics are done either at a Application Support Center (ASC) for your area or at the local USCIS office. They are the easiest part of the process. He will receive a letter giving him an appointment time. He will bring that letter plus the documents they request with him, he will fill out an information sheet there, have his fingerprints taken electronically, have his picture taken and that is that. It seldom takes very long at all.

Thanks for your help! Yay, another whole packet of papers to do, I'm so excited!

Jumping into phase two of the immigration process. It's funny how the K-1 visa flow chart makes it look so easy at the end there. Numbers 20, 21, 22...

Good luck with the application!

Edited June 20, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Shannon and David 0]

#1 I highly doubt your insurance will not cover the Immigration doctor's visit.

Hi all,

I'm just reading through all of this AOS stuff and I would like to see if I am reading all of the guides, etc. correctly.

1) We've got to go to a civil surgeon (an approved USCIS doctor basically) in order to have the rest of vaccinations done for the AOS application (my husband entered on a k-1 visa and therefore will not need the entire medical done again; I get this part). In other words, I can't take him to my doctor once he's on my benefits and pay for them on the cheap through them. He'll be on my insurance.

Any doctor can give the vaccinations so you can use your own family doctor if you get insurance coverage for the shots or it works out cheaper. You have to use a Civil Surgeon, however, to prepare the I-693a which is basically transferring the information about your husband's vaccinations to the proper form - which the Civil Surgeon has. Just bring proof of vaccinations with you to the Civil Surgeon appointment.

Hi all!

I'm hoping someone re-reads this post... So, I've made an appt with our doctor to get the rest of the vaccinations done and I for the first time actually read the I-693, part 2, #5, Vaccinations. Under "Vaccine Given," it says "Date Given by Civil Surgeon."

So, now I'm thinking that actually the shots do have to actually be given by a Civil Surgeon! Any help? I know that the shots in Peru when he had his first set of vaccines given had to be given by an approved physician (3 of them in all Peru) if he needed any of them redone. That he couldn't get them done by a doctor where he lived and bring proof.

This seems ridiculous when I have health insurance, but it's an HMO. Guess I need to go through them to get the referral, or whatever. Now we'll have to get all his blood work re-done, etc. and pay for it! Again!

Please ignore my other questions in this post. They have already been answered.

Thanks!

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi all,

2) We don't have to deal with proof of common residence papers in the AOS packet at all. This stuff we have to have ready for the interview, but it doesn't get sent with the AOS I-485. Wait, this makes sense, it's too early for us to prove all this stuff. We just got married and he's been here a month and a half...

You DO have to provide evidence to prove the validity of the marriage upon which you are asking to have status changed. While you won't have 'much' evidence yet, send what you do have in addition to the marriage license. Being married for 1 1/2 months you should have some bills in common, joint bank accounts, etc, things like that, by now. You want to make it as easy as possible for USCIS to agree that you have a valid marriage. If your application is straight-forward and provides clear evidence that you have a bona fide marriage you may well not even get an interview. Your application may be transferred to the California CSC which approves virtually all AOS applications without an interview.

Actually the answer is no. Your are NOT required to to prove the validity of the marriage with the I-485 application. My wife submitted only our marriage license and we were approved WITHOUT interview.

4) The police clearances for the I-485. Um... didn't we just do all this in the k-1 visa packet? I assume that they don't want us to get all of these papers again. The govt already has all of these originals from when he entered the country from Peru. I assume that we are not attaching anything for these clearances.

Other applicants besides those adjusting from K-1 use the I-485 form. I don't recall where it says it but there should be a place on the form that exempts K-1s from re-submitting police forms, along with the exemption of doing a medical unless the medical is more than a year old. No, you don't need to re-submit police records unless you do have some sort of a record. If I am wrong on this I know someone will correct me:-).

You are correct, no police report required if adjusting form K-1

Edited July 7, 2008 by fwaguy

[Rosie74 0]

I was under the impression that the police report is not required unless you have been charged for any crime? I am about to file and I am not under K1 via, but under L1.. should I get a police report before I file?

[Shannon and David 0]

#1 I highly doubt your insurance will not cover the Immigration doctor's visit.

Hi all,

I'm just reading through all of this AOS stuff and I would like to see if I am reading all of the guides, etc. correctly.

1) We've got to go to a civil surgeon (an approved USCIS doctor basically) in order to have the rest of vaccinations done for the AOS application (my husband entered on a k-1 visa and therefore will not need the entire medical done again; I get this part). In other words, I can't take him to my doctor once he's on my benefits and pay for them on the cheap through them. He'll be on my insurance.

Any doctor can give the vaccinations so you can use your own family doctor if you get insurance coverage for the shots or it works out cheaper. You have to use a Civil Surgeon, however, to prepare the I-693a which is basically transferring the information about your husband's vaccinations to the proper form - which the Civil Surgeon has. Just bring proof of vaccinations with you to the Civil Surgeon appointment.

Hi all!

I'm hoping someone re-reads this post... So, I've made an appt with our doctor to get the rest of the vaccinations done and I for the first time actually read the I-693, part 2, #5, Vaccinations. Under "Vaccine Given," it says "Date Given by Civil Surgeon."

So, now I'm thinking that actually the shots do have to actually be given by a Civil Surgeon! Any help? I know that the shots in Peru when he had his first set of vaccines given had to be given by an approved physician (3 of them in all Peru) if he needed any of them redone. That he couldn't get them done by a doctor where he lived and bring proof.

This seems ridiculous when I have health insurance, but it's an HMO. Guess I need to go through them to get the referral, or whatever. Now we'll have to get all his blood work re-done, etc. and pay for it! Again!

Please ignore my other questions in this post. They have already been answered.

Thanks!

Hi! Just finally found the information on this under the I-693 instructions. Thank goodness and thank you to the lovely person that posted the link to them (whoever you were!). It said that we would have to go see the Civil Surgeon first BEFORE attempting to complete the rest of the vaccinations and THEN we could go back to our family doctor and get the rest of the series of vaccinations done there. THEN, we return to the Civil Surgeon to get the vaccinations transcribed onto the I-693, part 2, #5.

I just called around to several Civil Surgeon's offices and after several phone calls found a very knowledgeable secretary. (Some of them knew nothing about what I was speaking; others quoted crazy prices. Take your time when finding a Civil Surgeon and call around. Prices did vary wildly!) She said that we should just send in a copy of our DS-3025 (DOS Vaccination Documentation Worksheet) and the immigration person that they had there (YAY!) would call me back with an exact list of what he still needs (for free)... Then we would go to our family doctor and they could give the shots there. Finally, we return to the doctor and for $25 the doc would transcribe it for us! Yay!!

Hi all,

2) We don't have to deal with proof of common residence papers in the AOS packet at all. This stuff we have to have ready for the interview, but it doesn't get sent with the AOS I-485. Wait, this makes sense, it's too early for us to prove all this stuff. We just got married and he's been here a month and a half...

You DO have to provide evidence to prove the validity of the marriage upon which you are asking to have status changed. While you won't have 'much' evidence yet, send what you do have in addition to the marriage license. Being married for 1 1/2 months you should have some bills in common, joint bank accounts, etc, things like that, by now. You want to make it as easy as possible for USCIS to agree that you have a valid marriage. If your application is straight-forward and provides clear evidence that you have a bona fide marriage you may well not even get an interview. Your application may be transferred to the California CSC which approves virtually all AOS applications without an interview.

Actually the answer is no. Your are NOT required to to prove the validity of the marriage with the I-485 application. My wife submitted only our marriage license and we were approved WITHOUT interview.

4) The police clearances for the I-485. Um... didn't we just do all this in the k-1 visa packet? I assume that they don't want us to get all of these papers again. The govt already has all of these originals from when he entered the country from Peru. I assume that we are not attaching anything for these clearances.

Other applicants besides those adjusting from K-1 use the I-485 form. I don't recall where it says it but there should be a place on the form that exempts K-1s from re-submitting police forms, along with the exemption of doing a medical unless the medical is more than a year old. No, you don't need to re-submit police records unless you do have some sort of a record. If I am wrong on this I know someone will correct me:-).

You are correct, no police report required if adjusting form K-1

Thank you for the clarifications.

I was under the impression that the police report is not required unless you have been charged for any crime? I am about to file and I am not under K1 via, but under L1.. should I get a police report before I file?

I don't know anything about L1, sorry...