HELP! Putting together final AOS packet

[Gperry 0]

Hey everyone... thanks in advance!! We're sitting here together working on this packet now.

I need some help about some details... please answer what you can.

1) Last name change - I came to the conclusion that the Marriage Certificate is an instrument that changed my wifes last name and that the USCIS is understanding that a womans name will be different. So I am filling out the I-130 and she has my last name. However, on the certified translation of her birth certificate she has her maiden name listed and signed. I can't imagine re-preparing the document as I had to save it as an image to get it to print, etc..: Do you think this is okay? We want to be sure to be consistent. I would assume that they are going to be aware that these documents will have both her names.

2) Address: We have a long distance relationship and I am moving to her city and she is moving from the families house where she is currently residing. The packet will be filed on 12/15 while we move on 12/18. In the documents where it ask where you live together I am putting the new address as the current location as 12/2010 - current. Any thoughts on this? I want to receive all correspondence from them at the new address. Again, worried about consistency.

3) Original documents: I am wanting to send copies of everything, for example: marriage certificate, her original birth certificate. I'm pretty sure I've read that you can send copies, but that they may request the original.

4) Proof of marriage: What should we be providing? I could send a copy of the new lease... ( or hold it if asked ), I could have some friends write some letters that we have had a serious relationship since May, we could send actual photos. Please advise. I had settled on sending nothing and letting them ask.

5) TB test: We are waiting for the I-693 to go through because of a hold up making sure she has TB. As of right now it looks like a false-positive or even TB. What should we do? I know I had a vaccine a few years ago for TB and we are pretty sure she has many vaccines with documentation to prove. We just don't have documentation to prove that she's had the TB vaccine. There is a possibility that I can't get this document signed off from the Doctor for awhile. I've read that the doctor can prepare it and say the person is undergoing treatment and not a threat, etc.. ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED. We were a little worried they would boot us out and deny us just because of this reading... but, I can't see how they don't get MANY false-positives from immigrants because of vaccines.

6) Sending the documentation: Would you feel like you had to send this on 12/15 or would it be okay to wait a little? What should she have on her persons to avoid detainment if it isn't filed yet?

7) Is it okay for copies of passports, etc to be in black and white?

That's about all I can think of for now. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

John & Noemy

6)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yay!

1. Sounds fine.

2. Sounds good to me.

3. Send copies. They will ask you to bring the originals to the interview.

4. You need to send something proving a bona-fide marriage. That is in the instructions for the I-130. It says you must submit one or more of the following types of evidence, and it lists the things. I think the lease sounds good.

5. If the TB skin-test is positive they will do a chest x-ray to see if there is signs of active TB. Don't worry. They won't boot her.

6. I would send a complete package as soon as I could... if you have to wait a few more days for the medical, it's okay. Chances of her getting picked up is slim.

7. Our copies were all black & white.

Good luck!

Oh, and post here like you were before:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/130-adjustment-of-status-from-work-student-tourist-visas/

The forum you posted in is for people adjusting from K visas.

Edited December 12, 2010 by Harpa Timsah

[baron555 934]

Hey everyone... thanks in advance!! We're sitting here together working on this packet now.

I need some help about some details... please answer what you can.

1) Last name change - I came to the conclusion that the Marriage Certificate is an instrument that changed my wifes last name and that the USCIS is understanding that a womans name will be different. So I am filling out the I-130 and she has my last name. However, on the certified translation of her birth certificate she has her maiden name listed and signed. I can't imagine re-preparing the document as I had to save it as an image to get it to print, etc..: Do you think this is okay? We want to be sure to be consistent. I would assume that they are going to be aware that these documents will have both her names.

Yes

2) Address: We have a long distance relationship and I am moving to her city and she is moving from the families house where she is currently residing. The packet will be filed on 12/15 while we move on 12/18. In the documents where it ask where you live together I am putting the new address as the current location as 12/2010 - current. Any thoughts on this? I want to receive all correspondence from them at the new address. Again, worried about consistency.

New address is fine.

3) Original documents: I am wanting to send copies of everything, for example: marriage certificate, her original birth certificate. I'm pretty sure I've read that you can send copies, but that they may request the original.

Never send your originals except the marriage certificate must be a certified stamped copy. You can order multiples from your country clerk.

4) Proof of marriage: What should we be providing? I could send a copy of the new lease... ( or hold it if asked ), I could have some friends write some letters that we have had a serious relationship since May, we could send actual photos. Please advise. I had settled on sending nothing and letting them ask.

See above. This is the legal proof of marriage and all you need to send.

5) TB test: We are waiting for the I-693 to go through because of a hold up making sure she has TB. As of right now it looks like a false-positive or even TB. What should we do? I know I had a vaccine a few years ago for TB and we are pretty sure she has many vaccines with documentation to prove. We just don't have documentation to prove that she's had the TB vaccine. There is a possibility that I can't get this document signed off from the Doctor for awhile. I've read that the doctor can prepare it and say the person is undergoing treatment and not a threat, etc.. ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED. We were a little worried they would boot us out and deny us just because of this reading... but, I can't see how they don't get MANY false-positives from immigrants because of vaccines.

You need to send the signed I-693 from the CS. If they will do this regardless of the TB test then you are good to go. If the CS wants to wait, then you wait also.

6) Sending the documentation: Would you feel like you had to send this on 12/15 or would it be okay to wait a little? What should she have on her persons to avoid detainment if it isn't filed yet?

There is not deadline to file the AOS. Wait all you want.

7) Is it okay for copies of passports, etc to be in black and white?

I think so as long as the info is clear. Color is better and more professional. I'd spend the money and have color copies made; small money considering the subject matter desired.

8) Where do we send this thing.. haha? Closest location or what?

Read the instructions.......Chicago Lockbox

That's about all I can think of for now. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

John & Noemy

6)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I disagree with 3 and 4. A Certified copy of the marriage cert is NOT required. It says clearly on the instructions that a normal photocopy will suffice. Also, as I said in my post, you DO need to send proof of marriage for concurrent I-130/485, which is what you are doing. People who enter with K-1s do not need this proof. The OP is not a K-1 (he posted in wrong forum).

Edited December 12, 2010 by Harpa Timsah

[caeremonarius 26]

1) Last name change - I came to the conclusion that the Marriage Certificate is an instrument that changed my wifes last name and that the USCIS is understanding that a womans name will be different. So I am filling out the I-130 and she has my last name. However, on the certified translation of her birth certificate she has her maiden name listed and signed. I can't imagine re-preparing the document as I had to save it as an image to get it to print, etc..: Do you think this is okay? We want to be sure to be consistent. I would assume that they are going to be aware that these documents will have both her names.

For her current name, put her new (married name). Most of the forms have areas that ask for "Other Names Used." Here, you put her maiden name.

2) Address: We have a long distance relationship and I am moving to her city and she is moving from the families house where she is currently residing. The packet will be filed on 12/15 while we move on 12/18. In the documents where it ask where you live together I am putting the new address as the current location as 12/2010 - current. Any thoughts on this? I want to receive all correspondence from them at the new address. Again, worried about consistency.

It should be all right, as long as you're consistent with just one address for everything.

3) Original documents: I am wanting to send copies of everything, for example: marriage certificate, her original birth certificate. I'm pretty sure I've read that you can send copies, but that they may request the original.

If you send copies, be bring originals to the interview. If you send originals, they'll return the originals to you at interview. (At least they did for us.)

4) Proof of marriage: What should we be providing? I could send a copy of the new lease... ( or hold it if asked ), I could have some friends write some letters that we have had a serious relationship since May, we could send actual photos. Please advise. I had settled on sending nothing and letting them ask.

We sent two affidavits from my parents; we brought five more to interview at the recommendation of our lawyer. We had a letter from our bank stating that we had a joint account, copies of proof of joint health insurance, copies of joint credit cards and a couple dozen photos. We brought more evidence and a whole album of photos to interview (the IO only looked at the album; she didn't ask for anything else really).

5) TB test: We are waiting for the I-693 to go through because of a hold up making sure she has TB. As of right now it looks like a false-positive or even TB. What should we do? I know I had a vaccine a few years ago for TB and we are pretty sure she has many vaccines with documentation to prove. We just don't have documentation to prove that she's had the TB vaccine. There is a possibility that I can't get this document signed off from the Doctor for awhile. I've read that the doctor can prepare it and say the person is undergoing treatment and not a threat, etc.. ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED. We were a little worried they would boot us out and deny us just because of this reading... but, I can't see how they don't get MANY false-positives from immigrants because of vaccines.

She should have had an X-ray if the skin test is positive. If she has signs or symptoms of TB, then she'd have to be treated (and the doctor will indicate that she's being treated on the form).

6) Sending the documentation: Would you feel like you had to send this on 12/15 or would it be okay to wait a little? What should she have on her persons to avoid detainment if it isn't filed yet?

Do you think there's a high probability that ICE will be looking for her? If so, I guess be sure that she has her current valid passport and I-94 to show that she came to the country legally.

7) Is it okay for copies of passports, etc to be in black and white?

We made copies of my wife's passport in black and white and had no problems.

8) Where do we send this thing.. haha? Closest location or what?

Read the GUIDES above.

Good luck!

AJ

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Duplicate threads merged so that all of the information is in one place, and merged thread moved to AOS from student, work or visitor visa forum as the more appropriate forum for this application

[Gperry 0]

Wow.. thank you guys for the over whelming response. I'm still working away on this tonight after purchasing ink and getting passport style photos done.

Sorry about the errant post.. I thought I had that down by now. I'm feeling like a trained super AOS future document preparer.

Okay... must.. get... coffee... Thanks gang!

John & Noemy

[JD63 4]

You can get a positive mantoux skin test if there was a previous BCG vaccine administration. You can do a secondary chest xray test, but those are not very sensitive. I know many practitioners have started using the Quantiferon-Gold TB assay to determine if there's a latent infection or just a false positive. I believe the new USCIS guidelines for civil surgeons reflects this and adds this assay as an option for screening of latent TB.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

I disagree with 3 and 4. A Certified copy of the marriage cert is NOT required. It says clearly on the instructions that a normal photocopy will suffice. Also, as I said in my post, you DO need to send proof of marriage for concurrent I-130/485, which is what you are doing. People who enter with K-1s do not need this proof. The OP is not a K-1 (he posted in wrong forum).

The I-130 DOES require proof of marriage so yes you should send a photocopy of the marriage certificate (to establish that you have a petition-able relationship).

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The I-130 DOES require proof of marriage so yes you should send a photocopy of the marriage certificate (to establish that you have a petition-able relationship).

I know... that's what I said.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

I know... that's what I said.

Sorry, I've been staring at code for hours, too much reading and I guess I start to see words that aren't there...

[Gperry 0]

You can get a positive mantoux skin test if there was a previous BCG vaccine administration. You can do a secondary chest xray test, but those are not very sensitive. I know many practitioners have started using the Quantiferon-Gold TB assay to determine if there's a latent infection or just a false positive. I believe the new USCIS guidelines for civil surgeons reflects this and adds this assay as an option for screening of latent TB.

Yes.. she had the BCG vaccine... which resulted in a false-positive.

After running back and forth to the Doctor.. the Doctor now want's to send us to County to run a blood test EVEN THOUGH THE CHEST X-RAYS ARE NEGATIVE AND CLEAR. When I called county to book the appointment they refused and said your doctor needs to sign you off based on the X-Ray. 2 more rounds of calls with County and the Doctor to find that the Doctor is stubborn and will not budge. Fired the Doctor, go to a new one on the list.. way nicer office, way better technology, Doctor agrees with county and says she has no problem signing off. WHAT A MESS!!!! First Doctor has no clue about CDC and USCIS guidelines.. and I'd like to get our $ back.

So... packet is almost done!! It's amazing how many people that help you that you have to educate yourself to inform them!!???

John & Noemy

[Gperry 0]

I-693 received!!

How should I package this.. should I put everything together or separate the I-130 from the I-485 into folders?

Also, what's the best way to send this??

Thank you guys!!!

John & Noemy

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I-693 received!!

How should I package this.. should I put everything together or separate the I-130 from the I-485 into folders?

Also, what's the best way to send this??

Thank you guys!!!

John & Noemy

It doesn't really matter. They're going to take it apart and reorganize it into their own binders anyway. If you want to keep related items together (e.g., tax transcripts with the I-864, etc.) then use paper clips.

Whether you choose USPS or a private courier probably doesn't matter much as all have about the same track record for losing stuff. Whichever method you choose, make sure you get delivery confirmation. Signature confirmation is preferred.

[juliava 80]

I don't know what else I should add, as you already received complete and competent answers from other users.

One little thing: use personal checks for the filing fees, not money orders so you could see exactly when and if they are going to be cashed. Good luck!