Cheat sheet for what to do after POE

[kmg617 26]

My husband will be immigrating here (hopefully) in a couple of months on a CR1 visa. There are a lot of little things we have to do, logistically, as far as setting him up here in America. Has anyone made a cheat sheet of some sort of the all the little tasks that need to be done after POE? I am thinking bank, drivers license, SS office, name on lease, utility bills, etc. Just for my own sanity it would be nice to have a sequential list of TO-DOs once he is here. Because in many cases you can't do "x" until you've done "y" like you can't apply for a drivers license before you have your name on a lease, and you can't be on a lease until you get your SS number. I guess I am feeling a little overwhelmed, in awaiting his arrival.

Any contributions would be helpful as I attempt to create a To Do list!

Thanks!

[TBoneTX 45,267]

This is only a partial answer. Have you seen the pinned thread atop this same forum? You can at least see links to some of the state-level agencies to contact for policy & procedural questions. A lot of places will insist on proof of legal presence in the U.S., meaning the green card; he'll have the stamp in his passport that authorizes his status, and this should serve you well until his green card is physically in hand. Others will insist on a SSN; see this link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/156-social-security-numbers/ .

Many, if not most, utility companies will add names at your request. Bank and apartment-lease policies will vary. Just contact them one by one now, to learn what's required, and be prepared to do some gentle educating in regard to the immigration process and legal presence. Some people might tell you "no" because they simply don't know the rules and are fearful of doing something wrong.

Something to do after the immediate steps is to draw up Wills, medical powers of attorney, and other similar documents. These will serve you excellently as evidence during the ROC phase in a couple of years, and they're crucial to have, regardless.

Edited January 12, 2014 by TBoneTX