Unsure whether I can leave and re-enter US

[A + M 29]

Hello everyone! I have a question for you guys and need some advice! This is what worries me: Me and my husband plan to visit Slovenia (my country of birth) sometime early this summer. I (non US citizen) entered on K1 visa last May and married last July in New York City. I applied for AOS, EAD, AP last October. The EAD & AP were approved last December and AOS was approved in January. However, when I received my GC in the mail there was incorrect data on it so I had to apply for I-90 which still isnt approved. Also, me and my husband still didnt register our marriage in Slovenia or through a Slovene consulate here in US. After getting married, I took my husbands last name and kept my maiden name too. My Slovene passport is valid until 2017 BUT only shows my maiden name. My question is: Can I leave US and come back to US with the paperwork I have so far (EAD & AP, my Slovene passport ONLY showing my maiden name, and with a I-90 still pending) ? Will I experience any issues when coming back to US? Is there a possibility they won't let me enter US? What name should I put on my airline ticket?

Thank you!

Edited May 5, 2011 by A + M

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You are a permanent resident so your AP is invalid now. Since you had to turn in your GC to get some errors fixed, you should go to your local USCIS office and ask for a I-551 stamp in your passport to prove you are a permanent resident so you can travel. I repeat, AP is invalid now. You should enter as a permanent resident, because you are one!

The airline ticket should match your passport (so maiden name). Bring a copy of your marriage certificate in case there is a question about the name. Bon voyage!

[Inky 1,110]

Yup make an infopass right away and go in to get the stamp.

You cant use the AP. Don't leave the US without the green card or the I-155 stamp in your passport.

http://infopass.uscis.gov/

[A + M 29]

You are a permanent resident so your AP is invalid now. Since you had to turn in your GC to get some errors fixed, you should go to your local USCIS office and ask for a I-551 stamp in your passport to prove you are a permanent resident so you can travel. I repeat, AP is invalid now. You should enter as a permanent resident, because you are one!

The airline ticket should match your passport (so maiden name). Bring a copy of your marriage certificate in case there is a question about the name. Bon voyage!

Yup make an infopass right away and go in to get the stamp.

You cant use the AP. Don't leave the US without the green card or the I-155 stamp in your passport.

http://infopass.uscis.gov/

Thank you so, very much for your replies!

I took your advice and scheduled an infopass for next Thursday!

Can the airline ticket show both last names (my maiden last name and my husband's last name) ?

For how long is the I-155 stamp valid? Until the day I get my GC?

[SpelaD 4]

The name on your airline ticket needs to match the name in your passport. And have a copy of your marriage cert. with you.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You have heard of James Bond, haven't you? His code name is 007.

Well the Green Card has a code name too: it's I-551. It comes in form of a plastic card, or a stamp, but it means the same: the person whose photo is on this document is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

The stamp is usually valid for a year, but you should have the new plastic card much earlier than that. If not, get another stamp and don't worry, your residency clock is already ticking, whether you have the actual card or not.

Edited May 7, 2011 by Just Bob