AOS Filers: February 2010

[John and Camie 39]

Hi Everyone!

Let me share also my biometrics appointment yesterday. Since my husband and I moved to a new state, we made a change of address and the appointment letter was mailed to the old one. So my husband had to make an infopass to the assigned office in FL (old address) and inquired about how I can make the fingerprints in TX (new address). In short, the guy at the local office just advised that I go to any local ASC office and have my fingerprints done as long as I can show the appointment letter and ID.

Original schedule was March 18. Since my sister and I were in the area last March 16, I went to have a walk-in. I was given a form and had it filled-up. When I was about to do the fingerprinting, the guy doing the computer update questioned my identification. He stopped and asked for another ID showing my married name. I told him I did not apply for a driver;s license yet nor a state ID with my married name. He went to his supervisor and asked her about my situation. A moment later, the supervisor came over and told me to bring my marriage certificate since my last name in my passport is different with my application. She asked how far am I from the office.

A little frustrated, the supervisor asked me to come back the next day and bring the document. So the next morning I went back to ASC. The guard recognized my face and she said that my appointment date is still a day early (March 18). I explained to her what happened yesterday, and she said, we will give it a shot but since they are all busy, she cannot assure I can be entertained. Good enough, the lady at the reception was so nice. She took my marriage license and appointment letter and NEVER looked at the date. She stood up and went to the supervisor. After 20 minutes, the sup went out of the room and called my name. Then she said I can do my biometrics already!

Yey! At last! I think she called the courthouse and verified the document I showed.

The funny thing was the guy who did my biometrics. He was the same guy who questioned my ID the first day. He was nice the next day, and he even showed me the picture he took on the computer. Then after that, he gave me back my docs and said you have a great day!

What a relief!

Aww, that's great to hear. Always nice when walk-in works, and especially when the people there are pleasant.

We have our marriage cert. at the ready, though now that I think of it, John might not need it because his last name is still the same. But hell, I'm not taking any chances. Well, except the one Chance, first name John. He's turned out to be pretty friggin' great.

I hope the early walk-in works, Rhiannercakes. Time to get the show on the road, am I right?!!

Thirty minutes to go until I leave to get John for our Bio. Yay!!

Hey Fatima girl, Happy Thursday! Your husband cracks me up, Liz. So glad you got your transfer.

[DoneWaiting 15]

Here is another idea, [i'm inspired today, I guess it was the nice walk I just had]..

If your appointment is at 11, and your better half has responsibility until 2pm.. let your husband leave you at your bio appointment and wait for him to pick you up when he solves his duties.. In the mean time, while you wait go shopping HELLO????? I wouldn’t suggest that to my wife, she will ask for my credit card,

The other option while you wait if find to find a coffee shop and wait there reading a nice book or magazine..

C’mon people, you would not let a man give you ideas how to manage time, right???

Why don’t you try it very early in the morning? You are not walking in early [date] but time due to other circumstances, I am sure it won’t be a such a hassle for them [we hope]

[lizandpat 0]

We (me and other Michigan filers from the January 2010 AOS Filers group) followed that too but here in Michigan, we were told during our biometrics appointments that we have to follow the American naming convention where you drop your maiden last name (father's last name) but keep whatever middle name we were born with (which in our case is our mother's maiden name). I'm really hoping that it won't be an issue during our interview and they'll just let us follow the Philippine naming convention... They did issue my EAD and AP with the name I submitted with the application so I'm hoping the name change issue won't come up during our interview. All of my other documents are already in my married name. It'll be really hard to change them all (especially the military-related documents - my husband is in the Army)

Just wanted to say I know what you mean about doing ANYTHING with the Army...my ex-husband was in for 13 years and it was always such a pain to get anything done!

[Danu 19]

Um, now let's see some action on YOUR case, sista. Damn already.

I can see our case going that way, too. Biometrics and then a century of waaaaaiting.

Oh well, at least I got my Jonafun with me.

Hey ever'body! *huggles* and hope everyone's alright this Thursday. Hey La Liz!!

Tell me about it. I'm so happy to hear of everyone elses transfers and interviews but a little part of me is going "am I next? How about me? Now? Please?". Our fellow Santa Ana filer Shanh still hasn't gotten their interview letter either and their a few weeks ahead of me so I keep hoping they will get it so I can be like "ooooh me next!" I want to start working....or specifically I want my EAD so I can get my cali licence and register my car cuz I don't like driving around on Canadian License/Plates.

And yes, the guard told me I had until 3pm when I forgot my marriage license at home (dont do that ) and not to rush....though we did anyway lol

Edited March 18, 2010 by Danu

[John and Camie 39]

I'm getting ready to head out! I'll let you all know how it goes.

[lizandpat 0]

Aww, that's great to hear. Always nice when walk-in works, and especially when the people there are pleasant.

We have our marriage cert. at the ready, though now that I think of it, John might not need it because his last name is still the same. But hell, I'm not taking any chances. Well, except the one Chance, first name John. He's turned out to be pretty friggin' great.

I hope the early walk-in works, Rhiannercakes. Time to get the show on the road, am I right?!!

Thirty minutes to go until I leave to get John for our Bio. Yay!!

Hey Fatima girl, Happy Thursday! Your husband cracks me up, Liz. So glad you got your transfer.

Girl..you have NO idea...my husband is a riot! His sense of humor is one of the first things that drew me to him! Gotta love how laid back these European men are..hehe!

[John and Camie 39]

Omigod, just as I'm leaving!! Hey Steph!! (F) I shall return!

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I'll have to talk to my husband about some options, he's away at another seminar today.

I'm leaning toward trying to go there at around 9am.

[lizandpat 0]

I'm getting ready to head out! I'll let you all know how it goes.

GOOD LUCK...and behave..hehe!

[Danu 19]

We (me and other Michigan filers from the January 2010 AOS Filers group) followed that too but here in Michigan, we were told during our biometrics appointments that we have to follow the American naming convention where you drop your maiden last name (father's last name) but keep whatever middle name we were born with (which in our case is our mother's maiden name). I'm really hoping that it won't be an issue during our interview and they'll just let us follow the Philippine naming convention... They did issue my EAD and AP with the name I submitted with the application so I'm hoping the name change issue won't come up during our interview. All of my other documents are already in my married name. It'll be really hard to change them all (especially the military-related documents - my husband is in the Army)

That sucks Fatima, I know here in CA I could have changed my middle name if I wanted to. Sounds like a hassle for you!

[Markieboy 104]

Hi! Just noticed that you were from the Philippines. I have a question - did you follow the Philippine naming convention when you changed your name to your married name?

Maiden name: FIRST NAME / MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME / FATHER'S LAST NAME

Married name: FIRST NAME / FATHER'S LAST NAME / HUSBAND'S LAST NAME

or did you follow the American naming convention? ( First Name / Mother's Maiden Name / Husband's Last Name )

That's really a Philippine naming convention? I thought Americans also follow this tradition.

Geez, I'm learning something new everyday... Thanks, Fatima.

[Danu 19]

Omigod, just as I'm leaving!! Hey Steph!! (F) I shall return!

Good luck!

[Markieboy 104]

double post

Edited March 18, 2010 by Markieboy

[fPf_iMc 1]

What is more complicated is for those people who have second names. Coming from the Philippines, almost everyone there has a second name. And I learned that here in US the second name is their middle name, and NOT the maiden name. (what can be more complicated than that! True enough, my husband's middle name is different from his mother's maiden name.

I realized, the important names are just our FIRST AND LAST NAMES then. So if they approve the application (hopefully), we can just write the first and last name (husband's last name) then done.

Let's simplify life! LOL!

[F & J 21]

Just wanted to say I know what you mean about doing ANYTHING with the Army...my ex-husband was in for 13 years and it was always such a pain to get anything done!

haha! It took them 4 months to adjust his BAH to include me as a dependent even though I was already in DEERS AND they were already taking money out of his paycheck for my SGLI coverage!!! (They're sure quick to take money but not when they're giving it out - his paycheck does get deposited into our account like clockwork though). My husband also updated his SGLI to put me as beneficiary and they misspelled my name in EVERY form (SGLI and Record of Emergency Data) except for the last part on Continuation/Remarks. My hubby's Enlisted Record Brief also still says that he's single AND still has his old address BUT it does list 1 adult dependent (me). My hubby said, "Well, USCIS will have to live with that because it's almost impossible to get your ERB changed!". It's so crazy!!! I also have a Certificate of Appreciation from when my husband reenlisted and they hyphenated my name in it! LOLOLOL.

Sorry for the rant! haha. Don't get me wrong, I love the Army and everything it's done for us but it can be a pain dealing with paperwork.

Hey Fatima girl, Happy Thursday! Your husband cracks me up, Liz. So glad you got your transfer.

Happy Thursday to you too, Camie dear!!! :D

(I got my EAD card in the mail yesterday!!!)