AOS Filers: February 2010

[candhan 1]

Hello,

So we have our AOS interview on May 13th, and I've just began to prepare everything to carry to the interview. On my IL, I am seeing that I need to carry " A certified copy of your Marriage Document issued by the appropriate civil authority". I don't know if I am confusing myself here, and I just want to make sure. When we submitted the AOS package, I just photocopied our original marriage certificate and this was fine - I didn't get a RFE. For the interview, do I need to order a certified copy of our Marriage Certificate? Also, I am currently in F1 status (on OPT), so I already had a Social Security number and card for years before we were married. I haven't changed my name on my social security as yet, because I figured that I could just change it after the Green Card process; that way, I will change my name and my status at the same time. Did anyone of you have a SSN before you were married. If so, did you change your name before or after the interview. Does it even matter?

[luckykat 1]

Hello,

So we have our AOS interview on May 13th, and I've just began to prepare everything to carry to the interview. On my IL, I am seeing that I need to carry " A certified copy of your Marriage Document issued by the appropriate civil authority". I don't know if I am confusing myself here, and I just want to make sure. When we submitted the AOS package, I just photocopied our original marriage certificate and this was fine - I didn't get a RFE. For the interview, do I need to order a certified copy of our Marriage Certificate? Also, I am currently in F1 status (on OPT), so I already had a Social Security number and card for years before we were married. I haven't changed my name on my social security as yet, because I figured that I could just change it after the Green Card process; that way, I will change my name and my status at the same time. Did anyone of you have a SSN before you were married. If so, did you change your name before or after the interview. Does it even matter?

Hi candhan! We have the same interview date!

I'm not too sure about the marriage certificate part, since I went ahead and ordered a bunch of certified copies when we got married, just in case. But regarding the name change - I did the same thing as you, filled out the forms in my maiden name and thought I'd just change it after getting the green card. However, after frequenting this forum, I found that if you do that, you have to fill out a form requesting the change and it will cost like $290 (and perhaps $80 for biometrics) to do so!! However, you CAN ask the immigration officer interviewing you to change your name for you and they will. That's what I'm planning to do. (Although in some cases they mess up and still issue it in your maiden name. Hope that doesn't happen, because I want to save some money!)

By the way, I'm an F-1 student as well. I usually post in this forum: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/243264-february-2010-filers/

Edited April 21, 2010 by luckykat

[luckykat 1]

Also, I am currently in F1 status (on OPT), so I already had a Social Security number and card for years before we were married. I haven't changed my name on my social security as yet, because I figured that I could just change it after the Green Card process; that way, I will change my name and my status at the same time. Did anyone of you have a SSN before you were married. If so, did you change your name before or after the interview. Does it even matter?

Oops, sorry, misread that. I guess you're talking about changing the name on the SSN, not the name on the GC. I believe in that case, you might have to wait until getting the GC, because I've read on these forums that they won't change it until you bring them the GC with your married name on it.

[tinypyramids 0]

Wow, that was quick...just got the card production ordered text this morning! How long does it typically take from card production to receiving the GC?

[Markieboy 104]

Wow, that was quick...just got the card production ordered text this morning! How long does it typically take from card production to receiving the GC?

Typically, 2-4 weeks. But some have received theirs much sooner.

Congratulations!

[candhan 1]

Thanks for your input luckykat. I'll order some certified copies of the marriage certificate just for in case.

And yes, I was talking about changing my name on my social security card. The thing is my marriage certificate shows that I changed my surname, so I used this to have my name changed on my drivers license, AND I USED MY MARRIED NAME ON ALL MY AOS PAPERWORK. ( By the way, all my bills, joint insurance etc etc has my married name). However, I did not change my name on my SSC, so I was just wondering if to go ahead and change it before or after the interview.

This leads to another question I have. When we submitted our application, we submitted copies of my husband's tax docs for 2006, 2007, 2008 because at the time we had not filed our taxes for 2009. We eventually filed our taxes for 2009, JOINTLY. I was planning to carry the paperwork for 2009 to the interview, because this is supporting evidence or our wonderful marriage and relationship. Did this same situation happen to anyone/everyone? Did you, or do you plan to carry the paperwork for 2009 to the interview?

Even though we filed jointly, our tax guy said that I had to USE MY MAIDEN NAME TO FILE, simply because my married name is NOT on my social security card yet. So I'm here saying to myself, what if I show the IO our 2009 tax docs, he's like why did you use your maiden name, and I tell him, I didn't change my name on my SSC as yet, and then he's like, "WHY?".

Am I seriously over-thinking this?

Hope I'm not confusing anyone, but any inputs?

[luckykat 1]

I was planning to carry the paperwork for 2009 to the interview, because this is supporting evidence or our wonderful marriage and relationship. Did this same situation happen to anyone/everyone? Did you, or do you plan to carry the paperwork for 2009 to the interview?

That's what I plan to do.

As for the maiden name on the tax paperwork, I'm just guessing but I don't think it'll be a big deal. I'm pretty sure they see last name discrepancies between various documents all the time.

[Lorenzoid 12]

Even though we filed jointly, our tax guy said that I had to USE MY MAIDEN NAME TO FILE, simply because my married name is NOT on my social security card yet. So I'm here saying to myself, what if I show the IO our 2009 tax docs, he's like why did you use your maiden name, and I tell him, I didn't change my name on my SSC as yet, and then he's like, "WHY?".

. . .

Your tax guy's advice is in line with what we experienced. My wife has not changed the name on her SSC yet because, like you, we waited until she had work authorization so we could make both changes at the same time. The IRS rejected the tax return that we filed in her married name, telling us that the name did not match the SSN, so we had to re-file using her maiden name even though her married name is her legal name.

[Eric_Jew Nug 2]

Wow, that was quick...just got the card production ordered text this morning! How long does it typically take from card production to receiving the GC?

first off, congrats on the approval! but aint it something that you might actually get the greencard before the AP? this immigration system is a mockery.(forgive my lil rant, just frustrated with USCIS) happy for you on the approval!

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I stopped wasting my time with the USCIS website's case checker.

Probably won't look at it again until Removing of Conditions, though I wonder if it's going to be just as unreliable by then too

[piscesforever 1]

I stopped wasting my time with the USCIS website's case checker.

Probably won't look at it again until Removing of Conditions, though I wonder if it's going to be just as unreliable by then too

I think your EAD/AP Approvals will arrive later. Your NOA1 date is March 1st (or Feb 26). My NOA1 notice date is Feb 16. My card was ordered for production only Thursday last week.

Edited April 21, 2010 by piscesforever

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I think your EAD/AP Approvals will arrive later. Your NOA1 date is March 1st (or Feb 26). My NOA1 notice date is Feb 16. My card was ordered for production only Thursday last week.

Yeah, I know.

I'm just a little irritated that nothing's even been touched, my AP's the worst.

Well, according to my timeline I might see AP soon, so who knows!

[DoneWaiting 15]

YES, delays, delays, delays.. Delays ???

no activities, no answers, a lot of frustrations, etc, etc, etc..

Has been the story for all of us [with some exceptions].. Nonetheless, USCIS/CSC work with their own itinerary [whatever that means]. Some of us have received activities for AP/EAD no AOS, some have the AOS and no AP or EAD.. and some of us [ME] nothing..

The website is practically useless, it is just a physiological way to keep you quiet or stress.. or how someone wrote, paraphrasing: "it is an extra service we are giving you"..

If we get frustrated and worry and start calling USCIS, they will tell us "you are still within the guidelines - timing" so, what else to do? just wait a little longer..

I dont blame them thought, I am sure they have too many cases for one person.. So, let me continue doing what I been doing best since our submission..

Edited April 21, 2010 by ImWaiting

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Well, you got transferred to CSC. Sure, CSC is taking a while... but you don't get an interview. I would have liked that

EDIT: Is VJ a bit slow today, or is it me?

Edited April 21, 2010 by Rhiannercakes

[Eric_Jew Nug 2]

YES, delays, delays, delays.. Delays ???

no activities, no answers, a lot of frustrations, etc, etc, etc..

Has been the story for all of us [with some exceptions].. Nonetheless, USCIS/CSC work with their own itinerary [whatever that means]. Some of us have received activities for AP/EAD no AOS, some have the AOS and no AP or EAD.. and some of us [ME] nothing..

The website is practically useless, it is just a physiological way to keep you quiet or stress.. or how someone wrote, paraphrasing: "it is an extra service we are giving you"..

If we get frustrated and worry and start calling USCIS, they will tell us "you are still within the guidelines - timing" so, what else to do? just wait a little longer..

I don’t blame them thought, I am sure they have too many cases for one person.. So, let me continue doing what I been doing best since our submission..

what bugs me, is that USCIS/NBC/CSC claims that that they process case the way they are received. thats the farthest thing from the truth, and though you are happy to see each person get their approval, it only adds to your frustration, when someone who has the same timeline as you, or submitted after you get approved and you are still stuck in wonderland.