What comes after AOS?

[Elora & Rob 15]

Whats next and which forum should I look through?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

After GC approved, live your life for 2 years -90 days. Then file Removal of Conditions, within 90 days before the GC expires. After that, there is nothing, unless you want to apply for citizenship (optional).

[Lainie B 465]

Whats next and which forum should I look through?

You will have a biometrics appointment, then your EAD/SP card will arrive. You may or may not have an interview for your green card.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Whats next and which forum should I look through?

Rob get a folder or shoebox and put things in it to show your marriage as you start building your lives together, especially things that show you co-mingle your finances and live in the same house/apartment. Take photos together. Then if you have an AOS interview, you have a pile of stuff to take as evidence already gathered. If you don't have an interview, continue adding to the file additional bits and pieces that will show a two year relationship that you will mail in with your removing conditions application to get your 10year greencard.

Things to consider are--

Joint bank statements

Joint credit cards

Both names on a lease

Joint tax returns for 2012 and beyond

Both names on car insurance

Both names on some utility bills

Either as beneficiary of the other on work things like insurance, pension, 401k

Car registered In both names

Mail to Mr/Mrs at the same address

If you write checks to pay bills, consider each of you taking turns writing the check from that joint account. It shows you actually use the account and share using it. My bank includes photocopies of checks in the statement, but you may even need to use the carbons or photocopy the checks before you mail them. We don't write many checks, and it's always me but for two years I made sure my husband wrote out the checks occasionally to the lawn guy or to my aunt I help support. It looked good to see that we shared the bank account and the bill paying.

The list is just some examples for you. It doesnt have to be everything on it and you may think of others. Print out and throw in a photo together now and then. You don't have to save everything, but a smattering that covers two years from marriage until you remove conditions. Having that folder or shoebox will remind you when you get a new joint thing to save it. And it will keep you from throwing away that old auto insurance form from 2013 that will prove useful in 2015. They want to see two years together, not everything dated around the time you remove conditions.

Then sit back and enjoy your life. When you need evidence, you'll have a bunch already gathered to choose from and organize.

Edit to add: Best thing about citizenship is not having to consciously plan things that make us look joint and save all that stuff.

Edited January 15, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Also forgot to add to the above-- If it all goes pear-shaped you will have all that evidence gathered to remove conditions on your own and remain in the US, even if not still married. If Elora kicks you out, don't leave without your evidence proving you did indeed marry in good faith and shared a life. I know how you like to plan ahead, so I just threw that in as a FYI.

[KLB 3]

Rob get a folder or shoebox and put things in it to show your marriage as you start building your lives together, especially things that show you co-mingle your finances and live in the same house/apartment. Take photos together. Then if you have an AOS interview, you have a pile of stuff to take as evidence already gathered. If you don't have an interview, continue adding to the file additional bits and pieces that will show a two year relationship that you will mail in with your removing conditions application to get your 10year greencard.

Things to consider are--

Joint bank statements

Joint credit cards

Both names on a lease

Joint tax returns for 2012 and beyond

Both names on car insurance

Both names on some utility bills

Either as beneficiary of the other on work things like insurance, pension, 401k

Car registered In both names

Mail to Mr/Mrs at the same address

If you write checks to pay bills, consider each of you taking turns writing the check from that joint account. It shows you actually use the account and share using it. My bank includes photocopies of checks in the statement, but you may even need to use the carbons or photocopy the checks before you mail them. We don't write many checks, and it's always me but for two years I made sure my husband wrote out the checks occasionally to the lawn guy or to my aunt I help support. It looked good to see that we shared the bank account and the bill paying.

The list is just some examples for you. It doesnt have to be everything on it and you may think of others. Print out and throw in a photo together now and then. You don't have to save everything, but a smattering that covers two years from marriage until you remove conditions. Having that folder or shoebox will remind you when you get a new joint thing to save it. And it will keep you from throwing away that old auto insurance form from 2013 that will prove useful in 2015. They want to see two years together, not everything dated around the time you remove conditions.

Then sit back and enjoy your life. When you need evidence, you'll have a bunch already gathered to choose from and organize.

Edit to add: Best thing about citizenship is not having to consciously plan things that make us look joint and save all that stuff.

Great tips for all of us! although peronsally still have a long way to go ... have learnt so much through VJ!!!