SOUTHBOUND!!! CALLING ALL CANUCKS!!!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I've found out so much from this forum.

I would appreciate any advise from people who are in the same boat or already made the transition. There are things I found out about, on here, that I had no clue would be an issue.

Right now, I am dealing with my car loan and to see if I can transfer it.

Also, health coverage, some have mentioned a temp coverage until I get added to hubby's.... someone mentioned Seven Corners and CAA? any other Co's offer this type of coverage?

What other details are there, will it be easy to switch my ID's over, driver license?, how about opening a US account?

Feel free to throw stuff my way!

How about moving Co's, anyone find reasonable costs? i'm in Toronto, and want a reasonable cost to move a small amount of stuff. Do I need any special forms driving over boarder for my contents?

Thanks guys!!!!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Once I move and marry, what is the next forms and filings I will need? AP? Adjusted status?

[warlord 73]

Also, health coverage, some have mentioned a temp coverage until I get added to hubby's.... someone mentioned Seven Corners and CAA? any other Co's offer this type of coverage?

Not sure what either one of those are, but AAA might be what they were talking about.

As for getting drivers licences, unfortunatly this drastically varies form state to state so maybe someone from PA will be able to tell you about your new state requirements etc. and how easy or hard or frustrating the process is there to get a licence.

I do believe that most states at least require you to show proper US documentation and a passport or anything else that varifies your nationality and US status...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Once I move and marry, what is the next forms and filings I will need? AP? Adjusted status?

First thing to do is to apply for a Social Security Number about 10 days to 2 weeks after your arrival. Then after you marry, you need to file the I-485 Adjustment of Status application along with an Advance Parole (I-131) and Employment Authorization (I-765 - hehehe at least I think that is the right form number!) All 3 forms are covered by the same fee.

[July09Bride 1]

What other details are there, will it be easy to switch my ID's over, driver license?, how about opening a US account?

Driver's License:

I can tell you this much, Michigan requires 2 pieces of mail with both our names on it with the current address to match the address for the license. In addition, we have to show his K1Visa and I-94. Pay $25 and we're good to go!

US Bank Account:

Most banks will require you to have a SSN before opening up an individual account. I got my fiance a "new" account that is tied in (aka connected) to my checking account, using my SSN as the primary SSN, and his information was added after that. So, technically, it is my account, but he has his own checks, Visa/debit card, etc. I don't touch the account.

Other than that... I don't have any other answers for ya!

[BermyCat 1]

What other details are there, will it be easy to switch my ID's over, driver license?, how about opening a US account?

Driver's License:

I can tell you this much, Michigan requires 2 pieces of mail with both our names on it with the current address to match the address for the license. In addition, we have to show his K1Visa and I-94. Pay $25 and we're good to go!

US Bank Account:

Most banks will require you to have a SSN before opening up an individual account. I got my fiance a "new" account that is tied in (aka connected) to my checking account, using my SSN as the primary SSN, and his information was added after that. So, technically, it is my account, but he has his own checks, Visa/debit card, etc. I don't touch the account.

Other than that... I don't have any other answers for ya!

How long will the license be valid for? I thought I could use my I-94 here too but I can't. In Georgia, they'll only give you a license valid to the expiration date of the document you used to show legal presence. If I used the I-94 from my entry on Dec 19th, the license would have expired on March 19th. I'll have to wait until I get my EAD or GC to show them.

~ Catherine

[July09Bride 1]

What other details are there, will it be easy to switch my ID's over, driver license?, how about opening a US account?

Driver's License:

I can tell you this much, Michigan requires 2 pieces of mail with both our names on it with the current address to match the address for the license. In addition, we have to show his K1Visa and I-94. Pay $25 and we're good to go!

US Bank Account:

Most banks will require you to have a SSN before opening up an individual account. I got my fiance a "new" account that is tied in (aka connected) to my checking account, using my SSN as the primary SSN, and his information was added after that. So, technically, it is my account, but he has his own checks, Visa/debit card, etc. I don't touch the account.

Other than that... I don't have any other answers for ya!

How long will the license be valid for? I thought I could use my I-94 here too but I can't. In Georgia, they'll only give you a license valid to the expiration date of the document you used to show legal presence. If I used the I-94 from my entry on Dec 19th, the license would have expired on March 19th. I'll have to wait until I get my EAD or GC to show them.

~ Catherine

In Michigan, the full G Canadian license, becomes a regular "full" Michigan license. So, I suppose it's good for 5 years, just like mine is. The lady behind the counter didn't say it would only be valid for a certain time. I asked her if his license would be just like mine, and she said "Yes". Luckily for me, she was a supervisor, too.

Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think we will need the I-94. Just the K1. Maybe it's different here, b/c Michigan borders with Canada??? The lady knew about K1 Visas, so I think her answer was pretty accurate.

Good luck, Catherine!

Krista

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Also, health coverage, some have mentioned a temp coverage until I get added to hubby's.... someone mentioned Seven Corners and CAA? any other Co's offer this type of coverage?

Not sure what either one of those are, but AAA might be what they were talking about.

As for getting drivers licences, unfortunatly this drastically varies form state to state so maybe someone from PA will be able to tell you about your new state requirements etc. and how easy or hard or frustrating the process is there to get a licence.

I do believe that most states at least require you to show proper US documentation and a passport or anything else that varifies your nationality and US status...

Hey Warlord! I see you've settled in Colorado, that's where i'm headed too. What was it like getting a license down there? I only have my G2 in Ontario right now, and i'm trying to decide if i should go get my G before I leave or not. I don't want to do it if it's just going to be a waste of my time and they will make me take a test anyhow...

[July09Bride 1]

Hey Warlord! I see you've settled in Colorado, that's where i'm headed too. What was it like getting a license down there? I only have my G2 in Ontario right now, and i'm trying to decide if i should go get my G before I leave or not. I don't want to do it if it's just going to be a waste of my time and they will make me take a test anyhow...

HuggleBuggles...

YESSS!!!! Get your full G License!!!!!!!!!!! Spend the $75 or $94... whatever it is to get the full G. If you do't you run the risk of NOT getting a full license down here. States are moving towards the graduated license. Plus, if it is a "Full G" you won't have to take any test or anything. It will be just like moving from one state to another. When we inquired abput Duncan's license, the nice lady behind the counter wanted to make sure it was a FULL G, not the G1 or G2.

Just my 2 cents... I know I'm not in Colorado, but I do know that the more "complete" your documents are, the easier the transition will be.

Take care!

Krista

[Carlawarla 1]

I've found out so much from this forum.

I would appreciate any advise from people who are in the same boat or already made the transition. There are things I found out about, on here, that I had no clue would be an issue.

Right now, I am dealing with my car loan and to see if I can transfer it.

Also, health coverage, some have mentioned a temp coverage until I get added to hubby's.... someone mentioned Seven Corners and CAA? any other Co's offer this type of coverage?

What other details are there, will it be easy to switch my ID's over, driver license?, how about opening a US account?

Feel free to throw stuff my way!

How about moving Co's, anyone find reasonable costs? i'm in Toronto, and want a reasonable cost to move a small amount of stuff. Do I need any special forms driving over boarder for my contents?

Thanks guys!!!!

It's good you're not afraid to ask questions. Making a seperate thread for each question might be a good idea. I read this and thought..."whoa!". There are lots of threads about all of your questions that you can search for right here on the Canada forum. Page through a few of the pages you're viewing and you might see a lenghthy one on moving, drivers licenses differ by state...check out your state DMV website to see what you'll need.

Read...read..read.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Register at the Post Office - meaning you go in with your hubby and register as a resident of that address. It's a small 5x7-ish form I think and costs about $7-$8 now. Ask at the counter. Note down both your maiden name and married name if you plan to change it. The idea is that the PO apparently only delivers mail to the registered residents. In theory - but sometimes I get junk for other people still.

Do this in the week or 2 after you move. I heard about the need to do this when I visited the SSN office and the lady said - we can't mail your SSN to you unless you are a registered mail recipient at that address.

Frankly for the small amount of money it's peace (and piece ) of mind that your mail is going to get to you during this stressful period

[warlord 73]

Hey Warlord! I see you've settled in Colorado, that's where i'm headed too. What was it like getting a license down there? I only have my G2 in Ontario right now, and i'm trying to decide if i should go get my G before I leave or not. I don't want to do it if it's just going to be a waste of my time and they will make me take a test anyhow...

Well I got my licence here over 11 years ago. I moved here from Canada working on the TN status for the first 6 years and then got married after that and went through the AOS process like everyone else here. I just didn't move down on the marriage thing.

As for the licence at the time I got mine. I walked into the mall and they had a DMV booth there. Handed over my old Ontario licence, took a quick eye test, got a photo of me and told to come back in 10 mins for my licence and that was it. It was good for I think 7 years. After that I only had to get it renewed once and by then things had changed. No more were the little DMV kiosks in the mall and only a few main DMV centers you could go to get your licence. There I had to wait for quite awhile holding my stupid paper number and eventually got to the front.

This time to renew it, I had to show my legal US status (my TN status at the time) and my passport. The next time was the same, they needed my status (Green Card at that point) etc.

Haven't done it for a few years now but I imagine it'll be quite similar.

Now I don't know if Colorado has implemented the temporary DL's though. Some states only allow people on visas or work status to have a licence for that duration only, it's sort of a special temp licence that has a year or 3 year expirary date etc. No clue if we do it or not here and how long it's good for...

[JillA 2]

Register at the Post Office - meaning you go in with your hubby and register as a resident of that address. It's a small 5x7-ish form I think and costs about $7-$8 now. Ask at the counter. Note down both your maiden name and married name if you plan to change it. The idea is that the PO apparently only delivers mail to the registered residents. In theory - but sometimes I get junk for other people still.

Do this in the week or 2 after you move. I heard about the need to do this when I visited the SSN office and the lady said - we can't mail your SSN to you unless you are a registered mail recipient at that address.

Frankly for the small amount of money it's peace (and piece ) of mind that your mail is going to get to you during this stressful period

Good one, I forgot about that and didn't get my mail for the first month I was here! That was SO annoying.

[amberL 0]

Hey Warlord! I see you've settled in Colorado, that's where i'm headed too. What was it like getting a license down there? I only have my G2 in Ontario right now, and i'm trying to decide if i should go get my G before I leave or not. I don't want to do it if it's just going to be a waste of my time and they will make me take a test anyhow...

HuggleBuggles...

YESSS!!!! Get your full G License!!!!!!!!!!! Spend the $75 or $94... whatever it is to get the full G. If you do't you run the risk of NOT getting a full license down here. States are moving towards the graduated license. Plus, if it is a "Full G" you won't have to take any test or anything. It will be just like moving from one state to another. When we inquired abput Duncan's license, the nice lady behind the counter wanted to make sure it was a FULL G, not the G1 or G2.

Just my 2 cents... I know I'm not in Colorado, but I do know that the more "complete" your documents are, the easier the transition will be.

Take care!

Krista

Definitely get the G license here, because in most states the G is the only ontarian license that carries over, ive been lazy and still have my G1 and no way can i get a G by the time I make the move and am going to have to start again from the beginning, but it isnt nearly as long as a process in the US from what I have seen.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

So I will no longer have an Ontario DL? Or do you keep both?

What happens with your health card, do you just let it lapse?

If I forward my mail with Canada Post, do they let you forward to an American address?

Thanks