First part of journey complete !!!!!!!!

[bainbridge558 0]

Wow ! It's been an interesting past 3+ weeks !!!!!!!

Departed ORD on the 4th of July to bring Olga home ( damn nice b-day present to myself ! ). Arrived at Domodedeva in Moscow ( I like that airport ) on the 5th and Olga was waiting for me !

Hotter than hell in Moscow !!!!

Took the train to Izhevsk the next day and arrived on the 7th. Spent a wonderful 2 weeks with the family.... in the gardens, camping on the Kama river, and sweating my a$$ off the entire time..... OCHEN ZHARKA !!!!!!! Thank God for fans !!!!!! ( also, the copiuos amounts of vodka and cognac from ALL the various family members and friends helped out too !!!! ) ( I'm actually glad to be back in the U.S. for the chance to " dry out " and have Pepsi WITH ice cubes !!! )

Had a beautiful " going away " party for Olga with the ENTIRE family on the 18th and after a very emotional farewell Olga and I departed Izhevsk on the 20th for Moscow. Spent 2 days in Moscow and on 22 July Olga and I boarded Lufthansa for Frankfurt and then on to Chicago.

A couple of comments about Frankfurt ...... if it is at all possible in the future .... I intend to avoid Frankfurt like the plague !!!! It has become a giant pain in the a$$ !!!!

I don't care where you arrive from .... you will be departing from the absolute farthest gate possible from where you arrived !!! You are going to walk at least 10 miles and go thru a minimum of 3 different security check points, not to mention showing your passport and boarding passes at least a dozen more times !!!! Oh ! almost forgot ..... when you get off the airplane you will find that they have parked you out on the far ramp and you get on a bus to get to the terminal !! About a 10 minute ride.

Olga and I finally arrive at our departure gate .... and the plane is actually there !!! Of course 30 minutes later they get on the PA and announce that due to " technical difficulties " they have to change planes and we will be " bussed " to our new plane. That was a 15 minute bus ride ...... and this flight was FULL ! So, many many bus trips to get all the passengers to the plane .... which of course is parked on the other side of the airport !!! It just seems that Frankfurt has always got problems .... next year we are going to try something different !

We took off about 45 minutes late but arrived in Chicago only 15 minutes late. The flight over would have been great except for the 2 kids sitting in front of us. Talk about a PERFECT tag team ..... when one quit crying the other one picked up crying right on cue !!!! .... for the ENTIRE 8 and a half hours !!!!!!!!!!!! The rest of us behind them kept trying to bribe the flight attendant to break open the bottle of Bailey's she had on the cart and slip half of the bottle to each kid. I think she wanted to !!!!

Arrived in Chicago and of course we are one of 4 international flights arriving at the same time ... so we walk the mile and a half to get to Customs and Immigration and there HAS to be over 200 people in the visitor lanes. Olga's english is good, but I thought I would stay with her and go thru the visitor line just in case there was something she would not understand from the officer once we got to the counter. 45 minutes later we get to the counter ... I talked to the officer and explained that I am the U.S. citizen and Olga is my fiancee from Russia here on a K-1 visa. Officer Divila looked at Olga and starting speaking perfect Russian to her !!! They are chatting away for 20 minutes and the only one that does NOT know what is going on is me !!! He was very thorough and very helpful to Olga and answered and explained every question she had .... when I had a chance to speak the first thing out of my mouth was .. " Where the hell did you learn to speak Russian like that ???? " He said that he has been studying it for 50 years and I am thinking .. " I have A LOT to learn !!! "

We finally arrived here at the house at 7 pm on the 22nd and Olga just loves the house and the little town that we live in.

Spent the next 4 days showing her the area and taking her to meet my family and friends.

Yesterday at 09:56 in the morning we were married !!

Now the next step starts ... and I already have a taste of how that is going to go. After the ceremony I thought I would get ahead of the game a bit so we went to the local SSA office to get her social security number process started. Oh Boy ! I got a " deer in the headlights " stare from the worker behind the counter and after an hour of conversing with the supervisor and an " expert " who had just returned from lunch... they informed me that Olga is here on a K-1 .... but now since we are married and her name has changed ... I have to get a K-3 visa for her and then they can start the process for her social security number ..... that HAS GOT TO BE TOTAL BOVINE SCATOLOGY !!! So, this morning I started to read the guides here on VJ.

Anyway, Olga is here, we are now husband and wife ( 7 months to the day that I sent the I-129F )and the journey starts another phase !!!!!

[AKguy 1]

Awesome! The world was just working out some ways to have a memorable trip to remember from the sounds of it.

Congratulations to you both!

[bainbridge558 0]

Awesome! The world was just working out some ways to have a memorable trip to remember from the sounds of it.

Congratulations to you both!

Oh Yeah !! Thanks AK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[slim 1,525]

Very cool! Sounds like you guys had a nice time!

As for the SSN you can get her a card and number in her maiden name but you'll have to wait until after AOS application (and subsequent name change in SAVE system before she can change her name on her card.) If you go back to SSA office, fill out the SS-5 in her maiden name, you should be good. When they give you the deer in the headlights look again (because they will) inform them that she has to have a number since she's your dependent. They'll get the picture.

She'll get a card that'll say something like "Check DHS documentation for work authorization." Either way though, at least she'll have a number and then can move on to things like an ID card and/or DL.

Edited - don't forget the FOID card application!

Edited July 29, 2010 by slim

[bainbridge558 0]

Very cool! Sounds like you guys had a nice time!

As for the SSN you can get her a card and number in her maiden name but you'll have to wait until after AOS application (and subsequent name change in SAVE system before she can change her name on her card.) If you go back to SSA office, fill out the SS-5 in her maiden name, you should be good. When they give you the deer in the headlights look again (because they will) inform them that she has to have a number since she's your dependent. They'll get the picture.

She'll get a card that'll say something like "Check DHS documentation for work authorization." Either way though, at least she'll have a number and then can move on to things like an ID card and/or DL.

Edited - don't forget the FOID card application!

Thanks Slim !

Yeah, I'm thinking I jumped the gun a bit. I read the VJ guide and it says wait for 2 weeks and when we went to the office, I started the conversation with " Hi .. we just got married ......... and so on. I should have shut my mouth and just said " she needs a ssn "

We'll give it another week and try again.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Wow ! It's been an interesting past 3+ weeks !!!!!!!

Departed ORD on the 4th of July to bring Olga home ( damn nice b-day present to myself ! ). Arrived at Domodedeva in Moscow ( I like that airport ) on the 5th and Olga was waiting for me !

Hotter than hell in Moscow !!!!

Took the train to Izhevsk the next day and arrived on the 7th. Spent a wonderful 2 weeks with the family.... in the gardens, camping on the Kama river, and sweating my a$$ off the entire time..... OCHEN ZHARKA !!!!!!! Thank God for fans !!!!!! ( also, the copiuos amounts of vodka and cognac from ALL the various family members and friends helped out too !!!! ) ( I'm actually glad to be back in the U.S. for the chance to " dry out " and have Pepsi WITH ice cubes !!! )

Had a beautiful " going away " party for Olga with the ENTIRE family on the 18th and after a very emotional farewell Olga and I departed Izhevsk on the 20th for Moscow. Spent 2 days in Moscow and on 22 July Olga and I boarded Lufthansa for Frankfurt and then on to Chicago.

A couple of comments about Frankfurt ...... if it is at all possible in the future .... I intend to avoid Frankfurt like the plague !!!! It has become a giant pain in the a$$ !!!!

I don't care where you arrive from .... you will be departing from the absolute farthest gate possible from where you arrived !!! You are going to walk at least 10 miles and go thru a minimum of 3 different security check points, not to mention showing your passport and boarding passes at least a dozen more times !!!! Oh ! almost forgot ..... when you get off the airplane you will find that they have parked you out on the far ramp and you get on a bus to get to the terminal !! About a 10 minute ride.

Olga and I finally arrive at our departure gate .... and the plane is actually there !!! Of course 30 minutes later they get on the PA and announce that due to " technical difficulties " they have to change planes and we will be " bussed " to our new plane. That was a 15 minute bus ride ...... and this flight was FULL ! So, many many bus trips to get all the passengers to the plane .... which of course is parked on the other side of the airport !!! It just seems that Frankfurt has always got problems .... next year we are going to try something different !

We took off about 45 minutes late but arrived in Chicago only 15 minutes late. The flight over would have been great except for the 2 kids sitting in front of us. Talk about a PERFECT tag team ..... when one quit crying the other one picked up crying right on cue !!!! .... for the ENTIRE 8 and a half hours !!!!!!!!!!!! The rest of us behind them kept trying to bribe the flight attendant to break open the bottle of Bailey's she had on the cart and slip half of the bottle to each kid. I think she wanted to !!!!

Arrived in Chicago and of course we are one of 4 international flights arriving at the same time ... so we walk the mile and a half to get to Customs and Immigration and there HAS to be over 200 people in the visitor lanes. Olga's english is good, but I thought I would stay with her and go thru the visitor line just in case there was something she would not understand from the officer once we got to the counter. 45 minutes later we get to the counter ... I talked to the officer and explained that I am the U.S. citizen and Olga is my fiancee from Russia here on a K-1 visa. Officer Divila looked at Olga and starting speaking perfect Russian to her !!! They are chatting away for 20 minutes and the only one that does NOT know what is going on is me !!! He was very thorough and very helpful to Olga and answered and explained every question she had .... when I had a chance to speak the first thing out of my mouth was .. " Where the hell did you learn to speak Russian like that ???? " He said that he has been studying it for 50 years and I am thinking .. " I have A LOT to learn !!! "

We finally arrived here at the house at 7 pm on the 22nd and Olga just loves the house and the little town that we live in.

Spent the next 4 days showing her the area and taking her to meet my family and friends.

Yesterday at 09:56 in the morning we were married !!

Now the next step starts ... and I already have a taste of how that is going to go. After the ceremony I thought I would get ahead of the game a bit so we went to the local SSA office to get her social security number process started. Oh Boy ! I got a " deer in the headlights " stare from the worker behind the counter and after an hour of conversing with the supervisor and an " expert " who had just returned from lunch... they informed me that Olga is here on a K-1 .... but now since we are married and her name has changed ... I have to get a K-3 visa for her and then they can start the process for her social security number ..... that HAS GOT TO BE TOTAL BOVINE SCATOLOGY !!! So, this morning I started to read the guides here on VJ.

Anyway, Olga is here, we are now husband and wife ( 7 months to the day that I sent the I-129F )and the journey starts another phase !!!!!

Go back to SS apply for her SS card in her MAIDEN NAME and do not leave until they give you a receipt. Go through as many supervisors as you need to. Her name has NOT changed until you get the green card. Where DO they get such ignornat motherf*ckers to work at the SS admin? What dumbf*cks! Why woud she need a K-3 visa, she is already in the country!!!!!!!!!!!!

No problem, they are universally STUPID. When Sergey went in, (K-2)WITH his green card, he was asked "What kind of visa do you have?" He looked at me. I walked up to the counter and said "Get your supervisor. You have NO CLUE what you are doing and I am not going to have my family denied, delayed or inconvenienced because of your ignorance. He HAS A GREEN CARD! HE DOES NOT HAVE A VISA!" The clerk got up, walked to the back. Came back a few minutes later and said "So sorry, my bad" He then issued the SS number.

When she has her green card you can chage her name on the SS card. No need to mention marital status until then, or even then MARITAL STATUS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SS CARDS. She is eligible for a SSN until day 76 on her I-94. Don't delay.

Thanks Slim !

Yeah, I'm thinking I jumped the gun a bit. I read the VJ guide and it says wait for 2 weeks and when we went to the office, I started the conversation with " Hi .. we just got married ......... and so on. I should have shut my mouth and just said " she needs a ssn "

We'll give it another week and try again.

Alla got her SSN 16 hours after arriving. You do not have to wait two weeks. Yes, keep your mouth shut. Fill out the application. There are no questions about marriage on the application. Use her name as it appears on her passport and visa.

[1HappyGuy 45]

I'm with the others. Don't let the idiots at SSA turn you away. If possible, go at a different time so that the person who served you before might not be in the hot seat. My opinion is that early in the morning is best, before the coffee kicks in and as soon as the doors open. Most of the people going to SSA come later in the day and the staff gets really tired of hearing their complaints.

[bainbridge558 0]

Go back to SS apply for her SS card in her MAIDEN NAME and do not leave until they give you a receipt. Go through as many supervisors as you need to. Her name has NOT changed until you get the green card. Where DO they get such ignornat motherf*ckers to work at the SS admin? What dumbf*cks! Why woud she need a K-3 visa, she is already in the country!!!!!!!!!!!!

No problem, they are universally STUPID. When Sergey went in, (K-2)WITH his green card, he was asked "What kind of visa do you have?" He looked at me. I walked up to the counter and said "Get your supervisor. You have NO CLUE what you are doing and I am not going to have my family denied, delayed or inconvenienced because of your ignorance. He HAS A GREEN CARD! HE DOES NOT HAVE A VISA!" The clerk got up, walked to the back. Came back a few minutes later and said "So sorry, my bad" He then issued the SS number.

When she has her green card you can chage her name on the SS card. No need to mention marital status until then, or even then MARITAL STATUS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SS CARDS. She is eligible for a SSN until day 76 on her I-94. Don't delay.

Alla got her SSN 16 hours after arriving. You do not have to wait two weeks. Yes, keep your mouth shut. Fill out the application. There are no questions about marriage on the application. Use her name as it appears on her passport and visa.

Hey Gary !

Sorry about the delay in responding ( vacation is over and I am now back at work ... damn ! )

yep. we did exactly that ... I kept my mouth shut .... applied for the ssn and it is on it's way.

Now, for the first of what I am sure will be a hundred questions regarding the AOS process ........ having just gone thru the SSA routine ........ on the 485 and so on .... do we use her married name or name as in the passport ??? I would think it would be the married name ... but .... a bureaucrat is a bureaucrat in any department .... what has everyone else done ?

[1HappyGuy 45]

We applied for AOS in her former name and that created a problem with SSA. We thought that was how it was suppose to be done, although the USCIS issued her green card in her married name, they didn't change it in their system. So when we applied for her SSN they could not find her in the USCIS system. If you already have a SSN in her former name, it is a lot easier to change the name with Social Security later. That is a fairly common occurrence so do things that way later.

I would use her new name and keep the screw ups by bureaucrats to a minimum.

[slim 1,525]

Go with the name you want on her green card. They'll issue it in either name, it's your choice.

Changing the name on SSN card is very simple after she has a green card.

[bainbridge558 0]

Slim , Happyguy Thanks !

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey Gary !

Sorry about the delay in responding ( vacation is over and I am now back at work ... damn ! )

yep. we did exactly that ... I kept my mouth shut .... applied for the ssn and it is on it's way.

Now, for the first of what I am sure will be a hundred questions regarding the AOS process ........ having just gone thru the SSA routine ........ on the 485 and so on .... do we use her married name or name as in the passport ??? I would think it would be the married name ... but .... a bureaucrat is a bureaucrat in any department .... what has everyone else done ?

Use the name as you wish to have it on her green card. If she wishes to change her name, now is the time to do it. When you get the green card in her married name (if it changes) then go back to SS with your green card and change the name on her SS card.

Alla did not change her name. Not a big deal for me either way and she did not change her name with her first marriage. FWIW it seems to be a lot less complicated that way, but changing a name is no big deal and you can do it any way you want.

[slim 1,525]

FWIW it seems to be a lot less complicated that way, but changing a name is no big deal and you can do it any way you want.

My wife changed her name on all American documents but kept her name on all Russian forms. Super easy. She just applied for AOS in married name then changed the SSN card after green card arrival. Next we went to BMV and got her license in new name. After that, everything was in new name.