I think we screwed up...

[kennym 275]

Guys

I wouldn't sweat the evidense stuff just yet.. I also was concerned about this and posted a question about it some months ago, and was told that the USCIS doesnt expect much co-mingling from newlyweds.. this is more something you should prepare for when you are doing the removal of conditions..

Kenny

[A + M 29]

No worries! You 2 will be fine!

We didn't send in any photos, we didn't have a joint bank account, I didn't have a SSN when applying for AOS.

Good luck!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They did ask us for wedding photos at the AOS interview. We forgot them. The IO didn't seem too concerned.

[On-Queue 3]

Hi guys,

We got married on the 19th at the local county courthouse, in jeans and sneakers and t-shirts, and only his mother was present. The reason for that was that we are just not able to have a "real wedding" right now, because we are extremely broke -- we literally had to borrow money for the license and marriage fee, that's how bad things are -- and since we're not religious, it didn't feel like a big deal to us to just have it done this way now and just worry about an actual ceremony when and if we can afford it. Things are just... really bad here and I need to be able to start working ASAP so we kind of rushed it for that reason too.

Of course we look extremely happy and in love on the photos, but I just realized that the way we were dressed and the fact that we didn't have a party (we went to a fancy restaurant with my MIL afterwards to celebrate, but there were no other guests) might make people think that we didn't care about our wedding or something. Am I wrong to assume that we may have accidentally created a red flag for my AOS by not dressing up and having a "proper" wedding? If so, what can we do to fix this problem? We don't have plans for a ceremony anytime soon, for obvious reasons.

I came here on a K1 and we have not yet started the AOS because we're now very concerned about this.

Also, I have a couple more questions:

1. I've decided to take his last name, but I don't have any documents with my new name yet. Will I receive anything before the AOS interview that has my new name on it, which I can use to change my name on our joint account? I understand that having a joint account is good evidence and we do have one, but I've got my maiden name on it since I didn't have photo ID with my legal name when we opened it.

2. We are (as I mentioned above) fairly poor at the moment. My husband is permanently disabled (we have a co-sponsor, that's why I had no problem getting the visa) and I can't work yet. We don't drive, so we don't have a car (or car insurance), and we rent, so we have no property or anything else that might have both of our names on it. I want to include my name on the lease for the apartment, but they refuse to do it because I don't have a SSN yet and as far as I understand it, I cannot get one yet. My question is, what can we bring as evidence in a situation like this? The only thing that has both of our names on it is the bank account, and I can't change my maiden name on it until I have some sort of photo ID that has my new name on it...

Sorry if this is all very complicated. I'm just really clueless and we don't know what to do. Oh, I'm in Texas. Not sure if that's relevant or not.

There's nothing to worry about. If you are honest with what you posted here, they (immigration) can do nothing about it. It's a fact of life; not all can have an expensive wedding, not all can have a car in the next 2 years or so considering that your husband is disabled (assuming that he is not working). Just go with the process; submit whatever you can---they will send you RFE if they need more. If you have nothing to submit more, and if they are not contented with your documents they will request for interview. From there you can explain yourself why you and your husband don't have this and don't have that; Or better yet, you can explain everything like what you did in your post in your RFE (Request for Evidence) if they will send you one.

I know it's a hard and long process but what can we do? Even those with kids, with DNA testing, with everything submitted as per requirements are being called for interview. So Que Sera Sera(Whatever Will Be, Will Be.

[Robert&Karen 264]

As soon as we are married I am adding her to my American Express account. Her credit report will show she opened the account in 1988 and has been paying ever since. Viola, instant good credit record!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

As soon as we are married I am adding her to my American Express account. Her credit report will show she opened the account in 1988 and has been paying ever since. Viola, instant good credit record!

My now husband actually added me to his AmEx account before our wedding. As I didn't change my name on marriage there wasn't a problem with changing the name on the account after marriage. We did send 'joint statements' showing both our names - and one statement showing me paying for my moving expenses on our joint AmEx account as part of my AOS evidence. I was not on the mortgage or title of the house but between bank statements, credit card statements and loan statements for my car (a joint loan to help build up my 'credit' history in the US) it helped to show co-mingling of expenses.

I sent in my application for my green card about 4 weeks after our wedding. By not trying to 'rush' I was able to find lots of evidence to support our relationship including mail sent to both of us at our address, the bill from the movers bringing my belongings, things like that. I had arrived on a K-1 as well and we were also approved without an interview (although it took 22 months to adjudicate my application - I am pretty sure it got 'lost' for a while).

One tip for now as well. It is easy to sit back and heave a sigh of relief after you prepare the AOS package. One thing you can do right now that will help you prepare for the Removal of Conditions package 2 years in the future is to set aside a good sized box and every time you receive something that reflects the two of you living and sharing a life together, just put it in that box. Then, when it is time to collect evidence for the ROC you will be surprised how much you have available and you will be able to pick and choose the 'best' from your selection.

Good luck.

[Robert&Karen 264]

Well with Facebook's new Timeline feature anyone can practically spy on any facet of our lives. Maybe good for AOS evidence, but I think I will keep it private thank you.

I am still at the "hurry up and get here so we can marry" phase. Once my fiancee is here I will get her a CC. Adding her to my bank account and utilities is easy once a SS card is received. Military ID too. I guess I should find the AOS forum and start brushing up on what I am going to need.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

As soon as we are married I am adding her to my American Express account. Her credit report will show she opened the account in 1988 and has been paying ever since. Viola, instant good credit record!

Actually it doesn't work like that anymore. It will help BUILD her score, but it won't be an instant "ta-da". Google it.

[Robert&Karen 264]

Actually it doesn't work like that anymore. It will help BUILD her score, but it won't be an instant "ta-da". Google it.

It will show as if she has had this account since 1998. I did this for a stepdaughter once, looks like she got the card when she was 14. It helped her finance her own car after 4 months.

[menina 50]

this process is so draining that by the the time you get married, you have no energy left! Everyone here is right....don't worry too much. Relax, we all deserve that at this point.

Have to agree with that! By the time you are together again,you are so stressed out, you just want the wedding to be over so you can file for AOS and start the wait all over again! Lol!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It will show as if she has had this account since 1998. I did this for a stepdaughter once, looks like she got the card when she was 14. It helped her finance her own car after 4 months.

Did you google it? It only changed in the last couple of years. Obviously it won't matter either way, won't hurt her, just saying don't count on it any more.

[xocanin 0]

SSN - see this VJ page - http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

That page says I need my passport AND "4. another form of valid ID", which I do not have. All I have is my passport, I can't get a state ID yet and I don't drive. And the name on my passport is my maiden name...

Am I missing something?

Edited September 30, 2011 by xocanin

[GDHB 3]

That page says I need my passport AND "4. another form of valid ID", which I do not have. All I have is my passport, I can't get a state ID yet and I don't drive. And the name on my passport is my maiden name...

Am I missing something?

Good question.

The VJ page says you need another for of ID, but SS-5 doesn't say that.

From SS-5:

"If you are not a U.S. citizen, we must see your current U.S. immigration document(s) and your foreign passport with biographical information or photograph."

... and ...

"You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766."

I don't recall my wife needing anything other than the passport/Visa and I-94.

We were fortunate enough to have a DSS officer who knew what she was doing. Asked for the I-94 straight away.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

We just visited our local SSA office within the last couple of months. No more forms to fill out. We just sat down at the window, answered the questions as the service person asked them, and her computer did the rest.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

That page says I need my passport AND "4. another form of valid ID", which I do not have. All I have is my passport, I can't get a state ID yet and I don't drive. And the name on my passport is my maiden name...

Am I missing something?

Your visa is sufficient as "other ID". Its got your photo and your name. I took just my passport and I *think* my birth cert just in case. Do you have ID from your home country to take in case?