In the US with K1 Visa - Getting married by March - What's the best thing to do for now?

[James and Leny 0]

Hello everyone! :-)

Finally, I'm here in the US now with my beloved fiancé. So happy to be with my James again. :-D We are getting married on March 23rd on a church ceremony. We are very grateful for all the help we got from our fellow VJers. You are all truly God-sent. Thank you so much! :-)

I am wondering if there is something we can do for now which are needed for the AOS while we are waiting for our wedding day. There sure are a lot of paper work to do once we get married and to file for my change of status. It would be a lot of help for us if someone could give us guides on what we can and should do for the moment until our wedding day arrives. We really have not much idea about these things. And with all the wedding preparations (church and reception) my fiancé and I have which we have to comply and finalize all very soon, we are so stressed and have not much time to look around to see what are needed for the AOS. We would really appreciate your inputs and tips (guides, links, etc) about the AOS. We are hoping to get started with the application right away as soon as we get married. My fiancé is a very busy person. It would be of great relief for him if we get some papers done ahead. Thank you so much. :-)

[Greg n Veronica 17]

AOS guide

All the best and looking forward to that day for Veronica and I.

Tips

Edited January 31, 2013 by Greg n Veronica

[James and Leny 0]

AOS guide

All the best and looking forward to that day for Veronica and I.

Tips

Thank you so much Greg and Veronica! :-)

Oh, and I am wondering, when can I get my SSN? I just arrived here a week ago. But we were thinking to apply for it after we get married so I can use his surname and no need for me to file for a name change.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thank you so much Greg and Veronica! :-)

Oh, and I am wondering, when can I get my SSN? I just arrived here a week ago. But we were thinking to apply for it after we get married so I can use his surname and no need for me to file for a name change.

Go and get the SSN NOW!!! If they cannot verify your immigration status in the SAVE database have them look you up by A#. If still not finding you, ask for a supervisor. If they are totally brain dead LEAVE. DO NOT let them do a verify with the USCIS as that will take weeks and your I-94 may expire before that happens and then you have to wait for your EAD card or GC in order to get the SSN. After you leave, write an e-mail to the main SSA office on their website listing the SSA office you visited, the date, time and whom you spoke to and what they told you. You should get an e-mail to take back to the local SSA office to educate them on the procedures for issuing a K-1 a SSN.

After you get married, see if you can get certified copies of the Marriage Cerrtificate that day or the next to include with the package. Some states have a certralized processing system that can take weeks before the Marriage Certificate is available. If you cannot get a certified copy then I would see if you can get an ordinary photocopy to send in and while the AOS is being processed get several certified copies and should the USCIS want one you can send it in when they ask for it. That way you are not waiting for the copies and then submitting to the USCIS--one way to shorten the processing time a bit.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited January 31, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[Greg n Veronica 17]

SSN Info

SSN Guide info

[James and Leny 0]

Go and get the SSN NOW!!! If they cannot verify your immigration status in the SAVE database have them look you up by A#. If still not finding you, ask for a supervisor. If they are totally brain dead LEAVE. DO NOT let them do a verify with the USCIS as that will take weeks and your I-94 may expire before that happens and then you have to wait for your EAD card or GC in order to get the SSN. After you leave, write an e-mail to the main SSA office on their website listing the SSA office you visited, the date, time and whom you spoke to and what they told you. You should get an e-mail to take back to the local SSA office to educate them on the procedures for issuing a K-1 a SSN.

After you get married, see if you can get certified copies of the Marriage Cerrtificate that day or the next to include with the package. Some states have a certralized processing system that can take weeks before the Marriage Certificate is available. If you cannot get a certified copy then I would see if you can get an ordinary photocopy to send in and while the AOS is being processed get several certified copies and should the USCIS want one you can send it in when they ask for it. That way you are not waiting for the copies and then submitting to the USCIS--one way to shorten the processing time a bit.

Good luck,

Dave

Thank you very much, Dave and Roza. My fiancé and I will look through this. :-)

SSN Info

SSN Guide info

Thank you so much again, Greg n Veronica! God bless! :-)