Lessons Learned (Filing I-485 AOS & I-765 EAD)

[no name 1]

Are copies of the US Citizen's passport required? One of the links on VJ (listed above in the previous post by Devilette) says "yes", but the step-by-step guide pinned in this forum does not say anything about that.

No.

For I-130 (and I assume I-129F) you need proof of citizenship for the US Citizen, which can be a Passport for example. For I-485 its not required.

Also for the I-864 you need proof of citizenship.

You do?

EDIT: I don't see anything in the instructions for I-864 that you need to supply proof of citizenship with it. The checklists says you need tax returns, plus maybe employment letter and paystubs. That's it.

Sorry joint & substitute sponsors need to. I put mine in anyhow!

Edited December 6, 2006 by devilette

[Dr_LHA 3]

Sorry joint & substitute sponsors need to. I put mine in anyhow!

Ah yes, that's true. Even in that case, the USC spouse still doesn't have to send proof of citizenship, only the co-sponsor does.

[mychelle 1]

^that probably applies to a co-sponsor but if you're the PETITIONER you don't need to show proof of US citizenship since you already did that when filing the I-129F.

-proof of co-mingling assets is necessary for the interview but was not asked as supporting docs for I-485.

-i read that part too that you can send one cashier's check or money order for the I-485 fee ($325) and biometrics ($70 fee)...they even gave an example: $395 [although i'm sure it won't hurt to separate them].

[Dr_LHA 3]

^that probably applies to a co-sponsor but if you're the PETITIONER you don't need to show proof of US citizenship since you already did that when filing the I-129F.

-proof of co-mingling assets is necessary for the interview but was not asked as supporting docs for I-485.

-i read that part too that you can send one cashier's check or money order for the I-485 fee ($325) and biometrics ($70 fee)...they even gave an example: $395 [although i'm sure it won't hurt to separate them].

I sent 3 seperate checks. One for I-485 + Biometrics combined, one for EAD and one for I-130 (signed by my wife, because technically she was the one submitting that form).

[E&K 0]

I'm not in the AOS stage yet, but I think you need to make sure that the copy of the marriage certificate is a "certified" one.

Also, I think you need to include an additional copy of the passport and the K1 visa for the I-765.

If you are applying for AP you need payment ($170), copy of the passport, K1, I-94 and 2 more photos - and I think these are different from the rest (3/4 frontal -right ear visible)

[no name 1]

I'm not in the AOS stage yet, but I think you need to make sure that the copy of the marriage certificate is a "certified" one.

Also, I think you need to include an additional copy of the passport and the K1 visa for the I-765.

If you are applying for AP you need payment ($170), copy of the passport, K1, I-94 and 2 more photos - and I think these are different from the rest (3/4 frontal -right ear visible)

Yes, a copy of the foreign spouse's passport is required for the I-485. I submitted a cover sheet- which I found on here in the guides.

Payments: $395 for I-485 + biometrics, $180 for I-765, $170 for I-131

I-485 – Adjustment of Status

a. Two (2) passport photos

b. Full copy of passport

c. Copy of K-1 visa from passport

d. Copy of Notice of Action 2 “approval” of I-129F

e. Copy of current, valid i-94 (front and back)

f. Copy of Birth certificate

g. Certified Copy of marriage certificate

Edited December 6, 2006 by devilette

[mychelle 1]

I'm not in the AOS stage yet, but I think you need to make sure that the copy of the marriage certificate is a "certified" one.

Also, I think you need to include an additional copy of the passport and the K1 visa for the I-765.

i only sent a regular copy of our marriage certificate, since the one i had was the ORIGINAL one (it had original signatures of everyone...us, witnesses, deputy commissioner...etc). we have ordered CERTIFIED copies but we won't get them until a month from now. we will be bringing that to the interview as it is required.

for the I-765, they only asked for the front and back copy of your I-94 (although the I-94 was stapled to the page facing the K1 visa...so it was copied too)

[no name 1]

If you are applying for AP you need payment ($170), copy of the passport, K1, I-94 and 2 more photos - and I think these are different from the rest (3/4 frontal -right ear visible)

That's not true anymore, normal pics are fine.

[Dr_LHA 3]

and 2 more photos - and I think these are different from the rest (3/4 frontal -right ear visible)

No, all photos should be the full frontal 2x2 format. The form is out of date.

[E&K 0]

Thanks for the clarification

[Jas&Pat 0]

I second the lesson about bringing vaccination records. I just had medical done today (have to go back friday for some followup) and because I didn't have records, I had to get MMR, polio, hepatitis, tetanus shots and a TB test. And a blood draw on Friday + checking the tb test (if positive... hello x-ray) They would have made me got chicken pox shots too but I had the scars to prove that I had had it. Ouch. I'm covered with lots of garfield bandaids (It was a women and children's clinic). Fortunately the medical fee included shots or else it'd have been even more painful. So yeah. Definitely bring vaccination records.

And also, always call around and make sure. I had almost settled on another clinic because the medical was cheaper ($115!) but then when I called to check again, I found out it didn't include vaccination supplement and it would cost an additional $90 + whatever the shots cost!- Could be up to $500 total. The clinic I ended up going to was around the mid-ranges when I first called but definitely ended up the cheapest at $175 for medical + vaccination.

[ardilla 0]

Cultivate your sense of humor and get used to hearing "your application is pending."

Order your tax transcripts early.

Make sure you have a certified copy of everything.

Make a photocopy of your entire application before you send it in, including any supporting documents.

Make sure that the translation of any documents is accompanied by a translator's certification. If you are capable of translating, certify the translation yourself. Type the translation

Ensure that you have the correct number of photos for each application (AOS, AP, EAD each require their own photos!), put your full name, DOB, and A# on the back of the photos.

If you are adjusting status from F-1/J-1, make sure to include photocopies copies of all of your SEVIS-20, IAP-66, F-1/J-1 visa, I-94s w/F1/J1 "D/S" notations.

Before sending the application, double check the USCIS web site to make sure that the fees have not increased overnight

[this happened to us when we applied for hubby's first EAD last year].

WHAT WE LEARNED AT OUR INTERVIEW:

If you have ever had an EAD, include copies of this too for the AOS, AP, and EAD petitions/applications. Note that the EAD for OPT (student EAD) has a different A# than the A# given on NOA1/2 for AOS applicants. Use the "new" A# for everything once you get it - stop using the old one on the OPT EAD (it no longer applies).

The officer seemed pleased that he had copies of both of our passports (the whole thing!) in our AOS file. We sent this with the I-485/I-130 packet to prove citizenship of both, along with birth certificates of both of us.

The officer was asking us about which countries we had visited together. The passports show entries and exits of the countries we have visited.

USCIS "prefers" tax transcripts, but they are not required if you have the returns.

[Ladylethal 12]

Is employment letter sufficient or are pay stubs also necessary?

[ridley 0]

Is employment letter sufficient or are pay stubs also necessary?

For financial information, I'd say to send what you have. If you have pay stubs available, go ahead and send them. There seems to be a lot of latitude about what's "acceptable" as financial evidence.

[Ladylethal 12]

Ok, I have tax returns, pay stubs and employment letter. For the K1 I also had bank statements, but they didn't want it, should I get those again or the 3 I have are enough?