Thinking about the next step...

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Me and Russ had our K1 interview date on January 25th and were successful!! Yaaay! I then recieved my passport, visa and the mysterious brown envolope shorty after. We have set our leaving date as May 31st (the wedding will be on June 27th) and we have also:

• worked out my notice date with my employer
  
• finalised all travel plans/pet passport information for our dog Honey
  
• found a new house to rent in NJ and signed the lease, (well Russ has) all ready for him to move in on April 1st
  
• looked at flights for me and Russ (he's coming over to the UK to help me move)
  

So we have most definitely had our hands full. The past few weeks I have not even been on VJ cos we've been so busy. But now, I've been starting to look over the next step... filing for AOS.

I have looked through the guides and guess we'll take it step by step like the K1 petition. But I just wanted to hear from anyone else who's in the same boat. I'm a little confused and daunted at the following:

• Applying for a SS number
  
• Applying for a marriage licence (do I need a SS number to do this)
  
• Finding a civil surgeon to complete medical paperwork (I still am outstanding with my tetanus & MMR vaccinations - should I get them done here or in the US?)
  
• Then, what happens? - we get married and then how do I go about changing my name on my SS card?
  

After that, I guess we send off our appliaction for AOS, Employment Authorisation & Advance Parole? (that step seems simple enough)

Im just a bit overwhelmed that what we have been waiting for has finally arrived. I know there is a UK forum for general questions, which I have been on a lot in the past, but its more for people with their interview coming up. Im neither at the stage of AOS, so inbetween I suppose.

Is anyone else feeling the same??? Sooooo excited but a teensy bit scared! Its coming so fast!

Rachel

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There's a group of UK folks going through or who have completed AOS who keep in touch in a thread. Here's my post in that thread that gives an overall glimpse of the AOS application. UK AOS Thread You can post your questions in that thread for help from UK people you probably remember.

Here is the UK AOS Timeline which opens to 2010, but at the bottom there is a tab for 2009 which would give you an idea of a year's worth of timelines if you like looking at data.

Social Security: VJ has a good guideline I followed. It worked flawlessly How to get a SSN Scroll down a bit to see K1 specific info. The problem with getting a SSN seems to be local offices don't deal with K1s that often, so their inexperience sometimes has them sending you away. You are 100% allowed a SSN as a K1 within a few weeks of arrival and should apply in your maiden name. Don't worry too much about the name on the card because your number is what stays with you forever no matter how many times you might change your name. There are few reasons you would ever even have to show the actual card. Most people memorize the number and just fill it in on forms. The only place I can think of is at the driver's license office. The best time to change the card would be after EAD. You go back and show them you are authorized to work so they removed the "not authorized" writing off your first SS card, and you can change your name at the same time. Most Social Security questions are answered in this forum Working & Traveling Prior to Getting a Green Card

Marriage License: Do you need a SSN? Probably not, but marriage is a state issue and will be decided by the state where you marry. You can marry in any state, not just where you will reside. Check with the county clerk's office in the county/state where the marriage will be. Often their websites will say you need photo id and a SSN, but when you talk to them about it and say you don't have a SSN yet they will say foreign passport is enough. We married just a few days after POE so there was no way to have the SSN yet.

Civil Surgeons: ARGHHH! The most frustrating part of AOS. Nik+Heather (UK posters) started a thread of Civil Surgeons Who Don't Rip You Off which you might find useful. The USCIS website provides a place to search for the nearest CS based on your zip code.

Immunization: If your NHS doc will do the shots free (many will) then get them and an official record of the shots to show the Civil Surgeon. Be sure you don't just ask for tetnus. It's Td or Tdap and has other components besides the tetnus. If you doctor has record of you having chickenpox, then get that in writing unless you took care of that on your immunization form from Knightsbridge (DS3025).

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Social Security: VJ has a good guideline I followed. It worked flawlessly How to get a SSN Scroll down a bit to see K1 specific info. The problem with getting a SSN seems to be local offices don't deal with K1s that often, so their inexperience sometimes has them sending you away. You are 100% allowed a SSN as a K1 within a few weeks of arrival and should apply in your maiden name. Don't worry too much about the name on the card because your number is what stays with you forever no matter how many times you might change your name. There are few reasons you would ever even have to show the actual card. Most people memorize the number and just fill it in on forms. The only place I can think of is at the driver's license office. The best time to change the card would be after EAD. You go back and show them you are authorized to work so they removed the "not authorized" writing off your first SS card, and you can change your name at the same time. Most Social Security questions are answered in this forum Working & Traveling Prior to Getting a Green Card

I think you meant after receipt of the green card.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I think you meant after receipt of the green card.

That would work too, but we actually went back with the EAD. That was enough to have them issue a new SS card. And from there, straight to the driver's license office to take the written and driving test and walk out with a driver's license. EAD was a helpful card.

[brit_la 1]

That would work too, but we actually went back with the EAD. That was enough to have them issue a new SS card. And from there, straight to the driver's license office to take the written and driving test and walk out with a driver's license. EAD was a helpful card.

Couple questions.....

Can you not get your driving license until you have the EAD then? You cant go and get it with just your SS number?

Also, can you go to the Civil Surgeon before the wedding, or does it have to be done after?

I couldnt see the answer to this in the guides and want to try and get as much as I can before the wedding, so I can apply for my AOS as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A driver's license is issued by the state where you will live, so there's 50 sets of rules. Most have adopted a policy that you have to show a certain amount of legal presence left in the US. (In Texas it's minimum 6 months remaining on a visa, like work or student, or your I-94.) Then a license is issued for that length of time. It's to keep people from getting a multi-year license who are about to go out of status. A K1 is pretty much left out with only 90 days on the I-94. The EAD is good for a year, so often is the first thing you could get to allow a license. Or you can wait for a green card. But, check with your state driver's license website for the rules that would apply to you, because there's alot of different requirements. Also you might check to see if you can drive on a foreign license as a "visitor" for a period of time.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

That would work too, but we actually went back with the EAD. That was enough to have them issue a new SS card. And from there, straight to the driver's license office to take the written and driving test and walk out with a driver's license. EAD was a helpful card.

The SS office removed the restriction from Nick's card with just the EAD?

That was a serious flumox then. The restriction isn't suppose to be lifted without I-551.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Great advice! Thank you.

Id like to second Brit_la's question? Are you supposed to see the Civil Surgeon to complete shots and the I-693 before or after marriage? I cant help think that my application for AOS is going to be allover the place with my new and maiden names...

[brit_la 1]

Great advice! Thank you.

Id like to second Brit_la's question? Are you supposed to see the Civil Surgeon to complete shots and the I-693 before or after marriage? I cant help think that my application for AOS is going to be allover the place with my new and maiden names...

Rachel...

As I didnt get a reply on here, I reposted it as another question, if you search for that, I dont know how to repost my posts

But, someone replied to me and they said that yes, they had everything done before the wedding, including the civil surgeon visit and they just waited on their marriage certificate. So, I hope that helps. There was only one person who replied to me about it though. Im also a bit concerned about the whole different name changing thing though too. Hope it all just works out ok.

[brit_la 1]

Rachel...

As I didnt get a reply on here, I reposted it as another question, if you search for that, I dont know how to repost my posts

But, someone replied to me and they said that yes, they had everything done before the wedding, including the civil surgeon visit and they just waited on their marriage certificate. So, I hope that helps. There was only one person who replied to me about it though. Im also a bit concerned about the whole different name changing thing though too. Hope it all just works out ok.

Sorry Rachel,

My original post is on the 2010 UK AOS thread, hope you can find it...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Great advice! Thank you.

Id like to second Brit_la's question? Are you supposed to see the Civil Surgeon to complete shots and the I-693 before or after marriage? I cant help think that my application for AOS is going to be allover the place with my new and maiden names...

Rachel--

I don't think it matters if you do it before marriage. You'll apply in your married name, but your maiden name will be right there under 'other names used" so they will see both names. Your passport, visa, and A file will be in the maiden name, the G325A and other forms will be in married name, the marriage license will show the name change. They'll catch on. They see it every day.