AOS Step by Step - Am I missing anything

[Elora & Rob 15]

Hi,

I like to be really organised throughout this whole process and get everything figured out and planned as much as possible. It's just my personality and it means less things can go wrong. So far I have had no isses.

I am moving to the US december 10th and getting married december 14th. Here is my AOS step by step. Can you let me know if I have anything wrong?

What happens once I arrive in the US?

Step by step guide (time frame is an estimate)

1. Point of Entry in the US. I will arrive in the US and get my K1 forms checked by the immigration officer and receive the I-94. – December 10th 2012

2. Apply for a marriage certificate. I do not need a Social Security Card for this. – December 12th 2012

3. Get married within 90 days of Point of Entry – December 14th 2012

4. Complete and send I-485 “Adjustment of Status” with supporting documentation as soon as possible after Marriage. This will include I-765 “Employment Authorization Document” and I-131 “Application for Travel” which is known as Advanced Parole - December 17th 2012

5. Apply for a Social Security number at the local Social Security Administration office. – December 27th 2012

6. Receive my Social Security number – Early January 2013

7. Biometrics – Mid February 2013

8. Receive my combined Employment Authorization Document and Advanced Parole card – Mid March 2013

9. Face to face Interview for Adjustment of Status – Within 1 year

10. Receive my 2 year “Green Card” – Within 1 year

Point of Entry

Upon arrival in the United States I will go through Port of Entry (POE). I will be directed to the non citizens’ line/queue. An officer will inspect my passport and the documents sent to me. I will then be directed to a secondary inspector. The secondary inspector will check to see if the package has been tampered with or otherwise mishandled. Then they will check the documents inside. Once the inspection is complete, my photographs and fingerprints will be taken. Then I will receive my I-94 “Arrival Record”. This may take up to an hour. I will then be able to collect my bags and leave the airport terminal as I normally do and meet you outside.

Applying for a Social Security Number

I will need to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) I should get to the local Social Security Administration office (SSA) office early in the morning as it’s a long wait. As a K-1 Visa Holder I am eligible to receive a SSN upon producing my I-94. I should wait 2 weeks after POE before applying for a SSN. If you I go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the USCIS which would add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN. They advise me to wait the two weeks to be safe. If I have waited 2 weeks and they tell me they cannot verify my arrival record via the SAVE-ASVI system, I would have to return in a few days later.

To apply for a SSN I will need to go to the local SSN office and bring the documents below which prove my eligibility to file for a SSN:

1. The SS-5 form which is downloaded from the internet.

2. My Passport including K1 visa

3. My I-94

4. Another valid form of ID (Birth Certificate)

I need to make sure I bring all the documents. Some SSA staff will not be aware that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN.

Once I have successfully applied for my SSN, the card will come in the mail within about 2 weeks. I can check on the status of the SSN application a calling to the SSA office. If I need your SSN before it arrives in the mail I may ask them for an SSA-7028 “Notice to Third Party of Social Security Number Assignments” to be sent to be sent to interested third party once a SSN has been assigned. Your card, when you receive it, will be marked with the words "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" indicating to an employer that you must also have an unexpired EAD to be eligible to work.

Applying for Adjustment of Status

Along with applying for SSN we also apply for a marriage license. We must then get married within 90 days of me entering the US. Once we are married I can apply for AOS to become a Legal Permanent Resident. The cost is $1,070. The AOS petition will need to be sent to the National Mailbox in Chicago.

What we need to send

1. $1,070 Payment required by the USCIS. Use a personal check so we can track the payment which is made payable to the US Department of Homeland Security. Make a photo copy of the check as proof of payment.

2. A Cover letter which states everything in the package signed and dated by me.

3. Clip a completed G-1145 (E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance) to the back of the cover letter.

4. A completed I-485 form signed and dated by me.

5. A photocopy of my UK passport including the K1 visa, biographical page, K1 visa and entry stamp.

6. A copy of NOA2 "Approval" from the K1 process.

7. A copy of my I-94. Front and Back.

8. A copy of my Birth Certificate.

9. A full copy of our Marriage certificate.

10. An updated G-325A biographical information form filled out, signed and dated by me.

11. 6 US sized Passport photos with full name on the back. Signed and dated. 2 for I-485, 2 for EAD, 2 for AP.

12. An I-693 along with the DS-3025. These will be my medical certificates vaccinations history from the K1 Process. I am not required to have another medical examination as long as my Form I-485 is filed within one year of MY overseas medical examination. The I-693 only needs to vaccination part completed.

13. A completed I-864 which is a more detailed “Affidavit for Support” document filled out by yourself and our co-sponsor. For I-864 the latest complete tax return or tax transcript is required. Two previous years optional but amounts from all 3 years are listed on the form.

14. A completed I-765 “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD) plus supporting documents. The EAD card, known popularly as Work Permit, is a document issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides its holder a legal right to work in the United States of America. A holder can work as long as they carry an unexpired valid EAD and maintain their Legal Status in the US.

15. A completed I-131 “Application for Travel” plus supporting documents. This gives me whats known as me Advanced Parole (AP). This will allow me to leave the US for short periods while AOS is waiting for approval.

I-485's can take anywhere from several months to two years to be approved depending on where you live (every local office has a different waiting period). The USCIS will eventually get to our petition. In the mean time I will receive my combined EAD & AP card.

EAD & AP Processing

Within a few weeks I will be sent a notice stating that my EAD/AP card is in production and they scheduled a biometrics appointment at the nearest USCIS biometrics office to have their fingerprints and photos taken. The EAD/AP usually arrives within 90days of AOS being sent but it can be quicker. The current average waiting time to receive my combined EAD & AP card for our local office is 74 days but this can change.

In an emergency where travel outside of the United States is needed (while a beneficiary's AOS is still being processed) an AP can be obtained quicker by scheduling an Info-Pass appointment at my local USCIS office. I would need to show proof (doctors note, etc) that the travel is a true emergency (such as to see a critically ill relative) and file an AP in person. If approved the AP is likely be issued the same day. If I were to leave the country without an AP the AOS will be considered "abandoned" and I would need to re apply.

Biometrics

I will be required to have my biometrics taken as part of the AOS processing (fingerprints and photos). I will be sent a notice in the mail with an appointment date and time at the nearest USCIS biometrics office to have my fingerprints and photos taken.

Interview for Adjustment of Status

We will eventually receive a letter from USCIS informing us of an interview date (in some cases this may not even be needed) It will include instructions on what to bring to the interview and any required items you may need to complete beforehand. One of the most critical items requested will be "evidence of the relationship" which proves that our marriage is true and faithful (i.e. photos, joint checking account, joint lease etc). It is important to bring my passport to the interview. The interview is fairly painless and may be video recorded and lasts between 15-30 minutes. When approved I will be mailed my 2 year “Greencard" within weeks of the interview.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Elora & Rob

[USA-ALG 63]

Throw in Murphy's Law!

Apply with ample time before deadline.

Secure all your documents in a 3 inch or bigger - binder.

Make double copies of every paper.

Get third person viewpoint to check all requirements off.

THEN... when you mail, send it via certified and "track" it!

GOOD LUCK!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

4. Complete and send I-485 “Adjustment of Status” with supporting documentation as soon as possible after Marriage. This will include I-765 “Employment Authorization Document” and I-131 “Application for Travel” which is known as Advanced Parole - December 17th 2012

Have you verified that Clark County will have your marriage certificate available that quickly, especially if there's a weekend in there?

12. An I-693 along with the DS-3025. These will be my medical certificates vaccinations history from the K1 Process. I am not required to have another medical examination as long as my Form I-485 is filed within one year of MY overseas medical examination. The I-693 only needs to vaccination part completed.

One or the other Rob, not BOTH. If your DS-3025 has all the shots on it, then no I 693 is sent.

If you didn't complete your shots and get them all recorded on the DS-3025, then no need to send a form that is missing shots. Send the I-693, as it will be the complete record.

[Sunnyland 639]

In point # 9 where you mentioned "A full copy of our Marriage certificate". Actually you need to send 1 original of the marriage certificate.

Surely after your marriage (if you marry at a courthouse) they will ask you guys the number of copies (originals) you will want to receive. You can request 3, so you have the extra original to submit with your papers for AOS.

DONT send a photocopy of the marriage certificate, USCIS request an original copy.

[Teddy B 17,252]

In point # 9 where you mentioned "A full copy of our Marriage certificate". Actually you need to send 1 original of the marriage certificate.Surely after your marriage (if you marry at a courthouse) they will ask you guys the number of copies (originals) you will want to receive. You can request 3, so you have the extra original to submit with your papers for AOS.

DONT send a photocopy of the marriage certificate, USCIS request an original copy.

Never send original copies of anything through the mail, they can get lost or USCIS keeps them. USCIS does not require an original copy of your marriage certificate be sent with form I-485, a copy is fine. You bring all originals with you to your interview, if they want to see an original, they will ask you at the interview.

Other than what Nich-Nick posted about the availability of your marriage certificate, it looks like you are good to go.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Have you verified that Clark County will have your marriage certificate available that quickly, especially if there's a weekend in there?

One or the other Rob, not BOTH. If your DS-3025 has all the shots on it, then no I 693 is sent.

If you didn't complete your shots and get them all recorded on the DS-3025, then no need to send a form that is missing shots. Send the I-693, as it will be the complete record.

Thanks Nich Nick. I got all my shots done in the UK prior to the medical. So I just need to send the DS-3025 right?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks Nich Nick. I got all my shots done in the UK prior to the medical. So I just need to send the DS-3025 right?

Correct.

[didopage 337]

The EAD and AP applications require some documentation too, like a copy of your passport again.

When you'll prepare your package, prepare all 3 applications separately (which means sometimes making 3 times the same photocopy) but send them in the same envelope.

"I should wait 2 weeks after POE before applying for a SSN. If you I go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the USCIS which would add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN. They advise me to wait the two weeks to be safe. If I have waited 2 weeks and they tell me they cannot verify my arrival record via the SAVE-ASVI system, I would have to return in a few days later."

Not completely true. I waited 2 weeks after POE, but I still wasn't in the system. That was not a problem though, the SSA employee made a photocopy of my passport/visa/I-94 and told me they would ask for verification with the DHS. A few weeks later, I got a later saying my status was verified and that I would receive my SS card shortly.

No need to come back later so. I would say it even doesn't matter if you go there a few days after POE, or 2 weeks later.

Edited October 31, 2012 by didopage

[SweetieUs 4]

Good job!

[Elora & Rob 15]

thanks everyone.

[Sunnyland 639]

Never send original copies of anything through the mail, they can get lost or USCIS keeps them. USCIS does not require an original copy of your marriage certificate be sent with form I-485, a copy is fine. You bring all originals with you to your interview, if they want to see an original, they will ask you at the interview.

Other than what Nich-Nick posted about the availability of your marriage certificate, it looks like you are good to go.

When he gets married and ready to send his papers for AOS, he will need to send 1 certified copy of the marriage certificate along with this AOS applications. Of course the original of the marriage certificate is kept at the clerk's office or courthouse where the marriage took place.

What we did after we married, we requested 3 copies to be mailed to us. Two (2) of those copies for us and the extra copy for the AOS. What I tried to say by "original" is the copy the courthouse will mail to you which actually its the certified copy as the original never leaves the courthouse. I did not send any photocopy as we did not want to receive any RFE requesting a certified copy of the certificate.

When he receives that "copy" from the courthouse, it will not need to be notarized or anything as that copy will be already certified by them (seals, stamps etc). Hope my clarification helps

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/227980-original-marriage-certificate-or-copy-for-aos/

Edited November 1, 2012 by Chris & Isa

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

When he gets married and ready to send his papers for AOS, he will need to send 1 certified copy of the marriage certificate along with this AOS applications. Of course the original of the marriage certificate is kept at the clerk's office or courthouse where the marriage took place.

What we did after we married, we requested 3 copies to be mailed to us. Two (2) of those copies for us and the extra copy for the AOS. What I tried to say by "original" is the copy the courthouse will mail to you which actually its the certified copy as the original never leaves the courthouse. I did not send any photocopy as we did not want to receive any RFE requesting a certified copy of the certificate.

When he receives that "copy" from the courthouse, it will not need to be notarized or anything as that copy will be already certified by them (seals, stamps etc). Hope my clarification helps

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/227980-original-marriage-certificate-or-copy-for-aos/

I think the point made by Teddy is that a certified copy does not have to be mailed in. It can be a photocopy of a certified copy. Or more simply put--- take the certified copy (all stamped or embossed by the courthouse) and lay it on the glass of a Xerox machine. Mail the output and keep the "original". That works just fine. Then when you go to interview, take the stamped/embossed/certified version for them to examine if they request.

And of course requesting multiple certified copies like you did is also a viable option.

The USCIS can and will approve applications without ever seeing "originals". We are officially done with immigration now that my husband is a citizen. Yet USCIS has never laid eyes on my "original" US birth certificate proving my citizenship, document showing end of first marriage, marriage certificate, tax transcripts, bank statements, or the various other "joint" documents to prove marriage for AOS, removing conditions, and citizenship. So it can happen that they don't bother to actually see originals.