February 2010 filers??

[Luckygoat 2]

We're bringing;

- Joint lease

- Airline ticket receipts

- Photos from before and after the wedding, and photos of the wedding.

- Joint bank account (kind of). We have a joint account and each have a debit card for it but for some reason I don't show up on the statements. So we're going to go ask them to give us something, otherwise I'll just bring statements and highlight my debit card number on them, so they can see I have the card and it shows up active on the account.

- hopefully, utility bills

- wedding cards from various people congratulating us

- hotel receipts from our second trip to Vegas last weekend (for our 4 mth anniversary. )

- our gym memberships; they're not a family one, but they're for the same gym on the same account

- possibly some personal emails to each other from the last few years, but that depends on whether I find a few I'd deem "shareable"

- the mini-scrapbook I made him

- possibly our Cost Co membership, but I don't know about that because my name can't go on the account without a SSN so right now I'm just a cardholder.

This is a bit too much stuff, you dont want to make it appear that you are tryin too hard to prove your marriage. I think just the major stuff like accounts, lease, insurance, bills, photos, joint property (car home) is what they are looking for. Tickets are good too but dnt try to bring your whole house. lol. I was thinkin about printing emails but i dnt think I will need them, after all I heard they interview office barely looks at anything.

[EmVee 4]

When we had a consult with a lawyer she told us bring way more stuff than necessary at interview time, to be on the safe side. She said that when she represents clients she advises them to bring boxes of stuff if they have it, because the officer tends to take one look at it and say "Yeah... okay, I believe you. Here's your approval." I'm sure she was exaggerating, but I'm still going to bring lots of evidence and hope for the same.

I'm just bringing all the extras because of the trouble I'm having with getting my name on stuff like utilities and the bank statements. My husband is going to call the electric and gas companies today but they'll still only send one statement from last month, which might look a bit suspicious at the interview. And we don't have insurance to show them either.

And Nats, that's weird about Cost Co! When we opened the account the lady said I wasn't allowed be a joint account holder until I have a SSN, so I could come back when I have one and change the account info. Maybe it's just California Cost Co? Strange.

[marie09 5]

When we had a consult with a lawyer she told us bring way more stuff than necessary at interview time, to be on the safe side. She said that when she represents clients she advises them to bring boxes of stuff if they have it, because the officer tends to take one look at it and say "Yeah... okay, I believe you. Here's your approval." I'm sure she was exaggerating, but I'm still going to bring lots of evidence and hope for the same.

Hey EmVee, what your lawyer said totally worked for us. We dragged in 4 photo albums, and a big 3 inch thick binder full of papers. I organized it so it was in folders of importance. When they asked for joint financial stuff - I handed them insurance stuff, bank statements etc... Like Lucky Goat said they only looked at a few things. We didn't even get to the joint bills, gym membership etc... Nor did they look at any photos.So probably not necessary....

But the way I saw it, i'm glad we dragged all that stuff in as there are a few horror stories on here once in a while where people are given tough interviews. I figured if they didn't believe us after all the joint financials, we'd move onto the bills, gym memberships, netflix etc.... then onto the photos then onto the cards joint correspondence phone calls etc... Was good to have lots of evidence... just in case we got that tough interview.

Good Luck you Guys

[EmVee 4]

Hey EmVee, what your lawyer said totally worked for us. We dragged in 4 photo albums, and a big 3 inch thick binder full of papers. I organized it so it was in folders of importance. When they asked for joint financial stuff - I handed them insurance stuff, bank statements etc... Like Lucky Goat said they only looked at a few things. We didn't even get to the joint bills, gym membership etc... Nor did they look at any photos.So probably not necessary....

But the way I saw it, i'm glad we dragged all that stuff in as there are a few horror stories on here once in a while where people are given tough interviews. I figured if they didn't believe us after all the joint financials, we'd move onto the bills, gym memberships, netflix etc.... then onto the photos then onto the cards joint correspondence phone calls etc... Was good to have lots of evidence... just in case we got that tough interview.

Good Luck you Guys

Thanks, Marie! If you don't mind me asking, how long did your interview take? And what kinds of questions did they ask? I'm kind of nervous they'll be questioning our intelligence because we're pretty young and broke to be married.

[marie09 5]

Thanks, Marie! If you don't mind me asking, how long did your interview take? And what kinds of questions did they ask? I'm kind of nervous they'll be questioning our intelligence because we're pretty young and broke to be married.

Oh it wasn't very long at all, maybe 15 minutes about 5 mins of questions:

- how did you meet?

- Have you met each others parents?

- Have you been married before?

- Any kids? Do you work?

- Do you have a lease or joint bank accounts etc?

After those they verified the I-485 then told us we were approved, we had to wait a few mins while they ordered the card online and checked if they needed to take the AP, they did but didn't ask for the EAD.

It wasn't anywhere near as tough as we were expecting.

I think that's all they asked, the full review is in the november filers threads - there's a lot of interview reviews there too from all the other November filers: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/226790-november-filers/

Also this helped (if you're ever bored I know I was waiting for the EAD!):

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/

It has reviews for each USCIS local Office, helps you get to see what questions get asked a lot at your office. One of the ones for my office even told us the best place to park!

Good Luck I hope your interview goes like ours did

[nats6624 0]

When we had a consult with a lawyer she told us bring way more stuff than necessary at interview time, to be on the safe side. She said that when she represents clients she advises them to bring boxes of stuff if they have it, because the officer tends to take one look at it and say "Yeah... okay, I believe you. Here's your approval." I'm sure she was exaggerating, but I'm still going to bring lots of evidence and hope for the same.

I'm just bringing all the extras because of the trouble I'm having with getting my name on stuff like utilities and the bank statements. My husband is going to call the electric and gas companies today but they'll still only send one statement from last month, which might look a bit suspicious at the interview. And we don't have insurance to show them either.

And Nats, that's weird about Cost Co! When we opened the account the lady said I wasn't allowed be a joint account holder until I have a SSN, so I could come back when I have one and change the account info. Maybe it's just California Cost Co? Strange.

Did you get the Executive membership? I have just the gold star. although i don't think you need a ssn for a credit card because victoria secret kept trying to give me credit card and they said i didn't need a ssn. So weird.

[EmVee 4]

Did you get the Executive membership? I have just the gold star. although i don't think you need a ssn for a credit card because victoria secret kept trying to give me credit card and they said i didn't need a ssn. So weird.

We have executive. Maybe that's why?? Some places here just don't want to give out cards without SSNs and others are throwing them at you. Very strange.

And thank you, Marie! I'm going to go read through the links now and see what information I can learn.

[Luckygoat 2]

Thanks, Marie! If you don't mind me asking, how long did your interview take? And what kinds of questions did they ask? I'm kind of nervous they'll be questioning our intelligence because we're pretty young and broke to be married.

Dont worry we are young too. Im 23 and my wife is 20, how old r u guys. I went to the international office at my school today so I could change my status and get instate fees and the lady made a comment about our age...lol. And it doesnt help that we are different races as well. But im not worried.

[EmVee 4]

Dont worry we are young too. Im 23 and my wife is 20, how old r u guys. I went to the international office at my school today so I could change my status and get instate fees and the lady made a comment about our age...lol. And it doesnt help that we are different races as well. But im not worried.

We're both 23. So we're not the only ones. Yay!

My husband's parents are Mexican-American, so my other problem (that I'm going to try and avoid dwelling on at interview) is that I don't speak Spanish and they don't speak English. I've had seven months so I'm okay at Spanish now, but still very far from fluent! But even if I do have to tell the IO, I'm sure he won't be suspicious of us just because my husband's mom and I can't have full conversations without a translator...

[nats6624 0]

We're both 23. So we're not the only ones. Yay!

My husband's parents are Mexican-American, so my other problem (that I'm going to try and avoid dwelling on at interview) is that I don't speak Spanish and they don't speak English. I've had seven months so I'm okay at Spanish now, but still very far from fluent! But even if I do have to tell the IO, I'm sure he won't be suspicious of us just because my husband's mom and I can't have full conversations without a translator...

I'm 23 too which i really didn't think was that young to be married. since i am living in Utah it is kind of the norm. I'm not mormon though lol.

We're both 23. So we're not the only ones. Yay!

My husband's parents are Mexican-American, so my other problem (that I'm going to try and avoid dwelling on at interview) is that I don't speak Spanish and they don't speak English. I've had seven months so I'm okay at Spanish now, but still very far from fluent! But even if I do have to tell the IO, I'm sure he won't be suspicious of us just because my husband's mom and I can't have full conversations without a translator...

You should try rosetta stone apparently it really does work!

[EmVee 4]

I'm 23 too which i really didn't think was that young to be married. since i am living in Utah it is kind of the norm. I'm not mormon though lol.

You should try rosetta stone apparently it really does work!

I was thinking about getting that, but it's really expensive! And I'm picking up a lot just being here, considering pretty much everyone speaks Spanish anyway. Even at the store. Probably once I get a job and money isn't so tight, we'll have another look at Rosetta Stone.

I'm so relieved there are lots of people the same age as us applying!

[Luckygoat 2]

I was thinking about getting that, but it's really expensive! And I'm picking up a lot just being here, considering pretty much everyone speaks Spanish anyway. Even at the store. Probably once I get a job and money isn't so tight, we'll have another look at Rosetta Stone.

I'm so relieved there are lots of people the same age as us applying!

Yeah I think I will get rosetta stone as well. I have to take 2 spanish classes to finish my BA as well. I also lied on my job interview that I know a little spanish lol. I can understand it slightly but not speak. Speaking of job I got 2 job offers at 2 different financial institutes so I dont know what to do. One of them ran a background check and my social came back cleared and legal to work so they are ready for me to start. Im just scared considering I havent gotten my EAD yet and what if the interview officer ask if I worked illegal. lol im jus lost.

[EmVee 4]

Yeah I think I will get rosetta stone as well. I have to take 2 spanish classes to finish my BA as well. I also lied on my job interview that I know a little spanish lol. I can understand it slightly but not speak. Speaking of job I got 2 job offers at 2 different financial institutes so I dont know what to do. One of them ran a background check and my social came back cleared and legal to work so they are ready for me to start. Im just scared considering I havent gotten my EAD yet and what if the interview officer ask if I worked illegal. lol im jus lost.

Yeah it might be a bit dicey to work without the EAD. I don't know... they do ask at interview, I'm guessing. You could schedule one of those infopass appts and ask someone at USCIS if your EAD has been approved or what, and see if they say anything useful. They might be able to tell you if it's being sent out, or if you just won't be cleared to work until after the interview or what.

[LT.Nora 7]

Hello All,

I am a February filler too.. I am just obsessively checking my case online status, since I saw that other people with similar time lines got Interview letters already

Has anybody had any problem with maiden/married name things? The lady at bio appointment gave me hard time that I didn't change my passport to my married name (I am applying for GC with my married name) since I got married in May. I thought once I get the GC I will just go and change my passport in my home country without all the explanations and difficulties? Because my passport is also the only form of ID I have on me.

Also is it really necessary to have both, my husband's and my names on the utility bills as a proof? Now I have couple of bills in my name and he has couple of other bills in his name (all at the same address)?

I haven't even received the interview letter, but I am getting prepared already and I am scared

Good luck to everyone!

[Luckygoat 2]

Yeah it might be a bit dicey to work without the EAD. I don't know... they do ask at interview, I'm guessing. You could schedule one of those infopass appts and ask someone at USCIS if your EAD has been approved or what, and see if they say anything useful. They might be able to tell you if it's being sent out, or if you just won't be cleared to work until after the interview or what.

Yeah I could do that. Im just not sure I should even worry about my EAD since my interview is just 4 weeks away. Im prety sure I will my get my greencard before my cards are ordered.