AOS and Evidences of a bonafide marriage

[special4ever 0]

Hi to everyone! I have been doing a lot of reading on this forum, I have been a member for a few months now and this is my first post.

I just got married 3 weeks ago. I came here as a tourist and have overstayed for two months now. I met my husband through a friend (through a telephone conversation but did not meet in person) when he went to the Philippines. After that phone conversation and his vacation, he came back home, found me on my facebook's friend list, added me, then we became friends. I came here to visit my friend from other states. He invited me to visit him too. So, I did. To make the long story short, we got married. I did not want to overstay and got married. But he begged me to stay and asked me to marry him because he never had a woman (after his divorce 3 years ago) that got along well with his 11 yr old daughter. She cried when I told her that I need to go back home. We treat each other as mom, daughter and bff (kids' word that stands for best friends forever). She loves writing stories and letters. She writes letters for me telling me how much she loves me and I love her too. We do things together as a family. She calls me mom. I have always wanted to have a daughter. Having them in my life is a total package that I have always wanted-- a loving husband who acknowledges me as his wife and a loving stepdaughter which I treat as my own. Although, there are times that there are dramas because of his ex-wife but we are able to overcome it.

By the way, this is my second marriage. Before I met my now husband, my first marriage had already been broken irretrievably. When I met him, I was already separated for 2 years and was waiting for my divorce. My first spouse was an Australian. He filed the divorce in his country. I just got the final decree on the 5th month during my stay here. When I finally got it, we were in Vegas with his daughter. He was so happy and he told his daughter that I am staying with them forever. She was so happy. So, we got married on a boat, my stepdaughter walked me on the isle, there were 40 people who came to our wedding, including his families, his friends from work and our common friends.

I've learned that it is inapproriate to come here as a tourist, got married, and AOS. But I had never expected that it would be hard to leave the love of your life. Moreover, how could I say "No" to my ice cream and Pho buddy--my stepdaughter. We really spend a lot of time together. I even went to to watch Justin Bieber's movie with her (PS. Now I know why girls on her age are crazy about Justin Bieber. LOL). We watch her play "The Treasure Island". We go camping, swimming, fishing, hunting and lots of eating! lol

Here are my concerns, though. We are now on the stage of preparing all the documents for the adjustment of status. We tried to change all his bills, bank accounts, insurances and add me in to them, but it did not work because I do not have my SSN yet. Are all these necessary during the submission of the application? So far, what we have for evidences are our pictures taken together and with my stepdaughter from all our times we spend together--from Vegas vacations, roadtrips, and fun routines we do all the time. We also have greeting cards from his family and our friends on special occasions and from our wedding. We also have our wedding signature mat where all the wedding guest had to sign and wrote their wishes for us. We just opened a new joint bank account together from the other bank (not his bank), since his bank needs SSN to add me in. He is trying on to add me to his work insurance, but it has been a week, there is still no feedback from them. In addition to the evidences, I have my monthly magazine subscriptions and all my mails from the stuffs that I bought online that have his address. Are these acceptable for now? Another thing, do we need to write a letter of evolution of our relationship? Is there anything that I need to know or do to prepare for the whole process? Like other evidences, and the preparation for the interview.

Any advice will be highly appreciated. Thank you so much. I apologize if my first post is too long. I thought it would be best to give background about the situation.

Thank you for giving time to read. Looking forward to hear/read your insights.

Have a good day everyone!

Edited July 11, 2011 by lakshmi2010

[san diego 407]

You will be fine. Yes, write a letter of evolution and support with documented evidence. With insurance: it would be advisable to wait for a proof of health insurance.

[Sergi9 110]

Hi to everyone! I have been doing a lot of reading on this forum, I have been a member for a few months now and this is my first post.

I just got married 3 weeks ago. I came here as a tourist and have overstayed for two months now. I met my husband through a friend (through a telephone conversation but did not meet in person) when he went to the Philippines. After that phone conversation and his vacation, he came back home, found me on my facebook's friend list, added me, then we became friends. I came here to visit my friend from other states. He invited me to visit him too. So, I did. To make the long story short, we got married. I did not want to overstay and got married. But he begged me to stay and asked me to marry him because he never had a woman (after his divorce 3 years ago) that got along well with his 11 yr old daughter. She cried when I told her that I need to go back home. We treat each other as mom, daughter and bff (kids' word that stands for best friends forever). She loves writing stories and letters. She writes letters for me telling me how much she loves me and I love her too. We do things together as a family. She calls me mom. I have always wanted to have a daughter. Having them in my life is a total package that I have always wanted-- a loving husband who acknowledges me as his wife and a loving stepdaughter which I treat as my own. Although, there are times that there are dramas because of his ex-wife but we are able to overcome it.

By the way, this is my second marriage. Before I met my now husband, my first marriage had already been broken irretrievably. When I met him, I was already separated for 2 years and was waiting for my divorce. My first spouse was an Australian. He filed the divorce in his country. I just got the final decree on the 5th month during my stay here. When I finally got it, we were in Vegas with his daughter. He was so happy and he told his daughter that I am staying with them forever. She was so happy. So, we got married on a boat, my stepdaughter walked me on the isle, there were 40 people who came to our wedding, including his families, his friends from work and our common friends.

I've learned that it is inapproriate to come here as a tourist, got married, and AOS. But I had never expected that it would be hard to leave the love of your life. Moreover, how could I say "No" to my ice cream and Pho buddy--my stepdaughter. We really spend a lot of time together. I even went to to watch Justin Bieber's movie with her (PS. Now I know why girls on her age are crazy about Justin Bieber. LOL). We watch her play "The Treasure Island". We go camping, swimming, fishing, hunting and lots of eating! lol

Here are my concerns, though. We are now on the stage of preparing all the documents for the adjustment of status. We tried to change all his bills, bank accounts, insurances and add me in to them, but it did not work because I do not have my SSN yet. Are all these necessary during the submission of the application? So far, what we have for evidences are our pictures taken together and with my stepdaughter from all our times we spend together--from Vegas vacations, roadtrips, and fun routines we do all the time. We also have greeting cards from his family and our friends on special occasions and from our wedding. We also have our wedding signature mat where all the wedding guest had to sign and wrote their wishes for us. We just opened a new joint bank account together from the other bank (not his bank), since his bank needs SSN to add me in. He is trying on to add me to his work insurance, but it has been a week, there is still no feedback from them. In addition to the evidences, I have my monthly magazine subscriptions and all my mails from the stuffs that I bought online that have his address. Are these acceptable for now? Another thing, do we need to write a letter of evolution of our relationship? Is there anything that I need to know or do to prepare for the whole process? Like other evidences, and the preparation for the interview.

Any advice will be highly appreciated. Thank you so much. I apologize if my first post is too long. I thought it would be best to give background about the situation.

Thank you for giving time to read. Looking forward to hear/read your insights.

Have a good day everyone!

I think your starting point is your "story" for the interview because you had a life, presumably a job, apartment , bank accounts and responsibilities in your own country. If you did not intend to immigrate when you came here which is the "big issue" in these types of cases, be prepared to explain that to immigration folks.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think your starting point is your "story" for the interview because you had a life, presumably a job, apartment , bank accounts and responsibilities in your own country. If you did not intend to immigrate when you came here which is the "big issue" in these types of cases, be prepared to explain that to immigration folks.

This is incorrect - you won't need to explain anything. It doesn't sound like the OP had immigrant intent anyway, so let's keep it positive.

OP - They will understand that you don't have a SSN and are newlyweds. Hopefully by the interview you will have a SSN and therefore more evidence. You can get a SSN once you get your EAD. Good luck.

[prep.mac 7]

Hi Lakshmi2010:

Like you I am adjusting from B1/B2. You may use the search tab here to see the experiences of some who have successfully adjusted status from B visa category. Just make sure to present proofs of bonafide marriage and that it was entered into in good faith during your interview. That's between you (the couple) and the IO during the interview.

To share with you my journey so far: Two (2) days after we got married with our marriage certificate on hand we went to my USC hubby's bank and requested to add my name to his existing checking account. With the internet and water bills on BOTH our names plus the marriage certificate, Chase went ahead with the inclusion. In 2 weeks, we got check books with BOTH our names on it.

SSN (which is a challenge for me now as seen on a separate thread I just posted) is needed for the auto insurance as you need it to get your state ID and Driver's License so your name be included in the auto insurance policy. That's how it is in Indiana. I am not sure about in other states.

Suggest you try to go ahead get a health insurance and life insurance soon as you can. They would show co-mingling of financial resources.

Point is I didn't need SSN to be included in my hubby's bank accounts and bills.

Please include your timeline.

Welcome to VJ!

My Timelines:

5/02/11 - sent AOS packet (I-130/I-485/I-765) to Chicago Lockbox

5/04/11 - AOS packet received by Chicago Lockbox

5/23/11 - Received NOA for RFE (I-693)

5/27/11 - Sent RFE to DHS Lee's Summit, MO

6/02/11 - DHS Lee's Summit received REF reply

6/06/11 - Biometrics done at Louisville, KY as per NOA schedule

6/24/11 - Received NOA for July 25 interview in Indianapolis, IN

6/30/11 – Received text and email messages EAD card on production

7/06/11 - Received text and email messages EAD card on production AGAIN!!!

7/07/11- Received text and email messages EAD was approved and USCIS mailed me a notice.

7/09/11 – EAD card IN HAND! J

7/11/11 – SSN application @ Bloomington, IN office

7/25/11 – AOS interview @10am in Indianapolis, IN I-130 Petition for a Minor Child of USC

6/25/11 - Sent I-130 packet for stepchild

6/27/11 – USCIS receipt date

6/28/11 - Received text and email messages stating USCIS received it and moved case to CSC

7/01/11 - Touched

7/02/11 – Received NOA1

[ceadsearc 516]

You don't need to send anything to prove your marriage with the application beyond what is required (i.e. your marriage license, etc.). Just continue to gather whatever you have to prove your relationship for your interview. There is a good chance (though not guaranteed) that you will get your EAD prior to your interview and can then get a social and bank account, insurance, etc. together. If not, the interviewer will understand that you cannot get those things because you don't have a SSN, so just get whatever other proof you have. Any evidence you have of your relationship prior to coming here (phone records, etc.) will probably be helpful as well. Good luck!

[special4ever 0]

Thank you so much to all of you. I really appreciate it. I have another question. My hubby and I want to go on a Caribean Cruise. Can I apply for an Advance Parole? If so, do I need to pay an additional of $360 together with my I-130 and I-485?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Advance Parole is free when filed with the I-485. The I-763 is also free when filed with I-485. If you have overstayed by more than 180 days, you cannot use AP even though you will be approved for it.

[special4ever 0]

Okay. Thank you very much Harpa! You are awesome! God bless you.

[BenjaminUKtoUSA 7]

You don't need an SSN to get a bank account. You only need two forms of picture I.D. It clearly says on the SSN website that a number is not required to apply for bank accounts / school etc etc.

[Mrstate 1]

When I file my I-130 the only thing I sent them was a letter from relatives proving that our marriage was real and also we include a letter from my 9 yr old daughter, my husband is her step dad but the they love each other very much and calls him dad, u can have ur stepdaughter write a letter for you about how she knows u, just something to prove that u are in a really good faith marriage, my daughter writes about what we do as a family, other than those letters from her and friends and family I send with my application, if u read the i-130 it has all the intructions there. Ur i130 and i485 and ead goes all together, the instructions in each form will help u what u need to send, goodluck on ur aos journey

[Mrstate 1]

I agree with the other post do not leave the country if u overstayed and aosing, when I recieved my ead card it stated there that even though u have ap uscis have the right to revoke it at anytime so I wouldnt try if I were u just to be on the safe side, just wait it will be worth it

[special4ever 0]

Thank you very much everyone for all your advice. We sent our application two weeks ago with my all the signed forms, stepdaughter's letter, medical insurance, copy of the letters and greeting card we got from our family, wedding photos and other photos. We also included the G-1145 E-notification of application. And we have not heard anything from the USCIS yet. Do you guys happen to know how long it would take them to inform us about our application? Pardon if I have another question. I am totally new to this. Please bear with me. Thank you so much for your patience and your generous replies.

[Pupsik 4]

sounds like you are well on your way. im also around the same time frame you are in terms of waiting. You can see on my timeline how long things have been taking...

[special4ever 0]

Thank you and good for you guys. We sent our application on 26th of July through UPS. We checked the UPS update, it was delivered on the 27th of July. I wonder why until now, we have not received any notifications from them...no email, text or mail?