Adding spouse after Greencard lottery processing (DS-260) has begun

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Hey all,

Just wanted to say 'thanks' for all suggestions and information.

You've calmed my mind... somewhat.

I have decided to get married on October 25th this year (2014.

This will give us time to plan and have a beautiful wedding, as opposed to a rushing it.

My case number is OC00001xxx and from what I can tell my earliest possible interview date is March 2015'.

I intend on filling in my ds-260 together after our marriage (Late Oct 2014).

I know this has been covered by many threads, I am just being 100% sure that my calculus is correct.

If not, would it be best for me to complete my ds-260 then amend the document with my partners form when we tie the know. I suspect that doing it this way around, may complicate the issue.

Again, many thanks for all your help.

Given your number there should be no delay if you wait to file the DS260. I can't see that either way is better or worse but filing after marriage is just easier as you don't have to amend the original form. As gulkan said, you need an official marriage certificate to present.

[Thistle 0]

Thanks Emily W, Gulkan and SusieQQQ. Your help and information is highly appreciated.

I'll give it a few days, to mull over the best course of action.

Happy times ahead- regardless...

[AleksandrOk 0]

Hey all,

Just wanted to say 'thanks' for all suggestions and information.

You've calmed my mind... somewhat.

I have decided to get married on October 25th this year (2014.

This will give us time to plan and have a beautiful wedding, as opposed to a rushing it.

My case number is OC00001xxx and from what I can tell my earliest possible interview date is March 2015'.

I intend on filling in my ds-260 together after our marriage (Late Oct 2014).

I know this has been covered by many threads, I am just being 100% sure that my calculus is correct.

If not, would it be best for me to complete my ds-260 then amend the document with my partners form when we tie the know. I suspect that doing it this way around, may complicate the issue.

Again, many thanks for all your help.

How are you going to do? When you are going to amend your ds-260?

[Thistle 0]

So guys,

case number - OC000010xx

To update where we are at:

We got Married- in a beautiful manner, and I'm happy we waited to do it this way...

We're now processing the changing my wife's name (3-4 weeks) then changing her passport (3-4 weeks) total 8(ish) weeks.

I have completed and saved our ds-260 in anticipation for the document (name change and passport) completion, but have not lodged this yet.

However, I noticed that this years numbers are processing at a faster, than usual speed. 400 for the first batch.

I'm wondering if I should just submit the ds-260 now with her name (as per her new married name)?

That would mean I would need to amend the ds-260 when her name and passport issuance dates changes on the passport.

At present I have her name as what she assumed on the day of our marriage. Her passport details are filled in as they are in the current passport (old name). I know if I continued as planned that I can amend this on the form, but the +family member, as our married name, can not be changed once added to the form (even though not lodged).

Just wondering if I should stick to the original plan and wait the extra 6-8 weeks then submit the ds-260, or should I submit our forms and amend in 4-6 weeks?

Don't want to risk missing my appointment here.

Thanks again for your help here.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Don't get necessarily swayed by the high first number. Many people current for October have not got notifications yet and I think there is a delay due to later return time for DS260, new system for KCC etc. I think the jumps will slow next month or two.

That said I don't see any problem with submitting your DS260 now, with all information accurate as of the day you submit the form. This way you know you will not miss the interview. Things like passport details can get corrected later or even at the interview.

Congratulations btw

[Thistle 0]

Final question...
myself and wife now have our temporary I-551 stamped in our passports and are about to activate/ pay for our green card (USCIS Immigrant Fee), then enter the US.

We have also just given birth to our Beautiful girl - Willow.

We will bring her with us in 2 weeks to the USA- understand that she will be given green card - (have her birth Certificate etc).

Do we pay for all three (USCIS Immigrant Fee) now, or do we have to pay for willow's I-551 to be stamped in her passport- and just pay for myself and wife, then willow later?

Also- again wanted to sincerely thank susieQQQ for your commitment to helping people here.

You have been such a huge help to us on this journey.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Final question...

myself and wife now have our temporary I-551 stamped in our passports and are about to activate/ pay for our green card (USCIS Immigrant Fee), then enter the US.

We have also just given birth to our Beautiful girl - Willow.

We will bring her with us in 2 weeks to the USA- understand that she will be given green card - (have her birth Certificate etc).

Do we pay for all three (USCIS Immigrant Fee) now, or do we have to pay for willow's I-551 to be stamped in her passport- and just pay for myself and wife, then willow later?

Also- again wanted to sincerely thank susieQQQ for your commitment to helping people here.

You have been such a huge help to us on this journey.

Congratulations on the new baby!

I presume you mean you have your immigrant visas - they only become temporary I551s once you have entered the US using them.

You can't pay her immigrant fee in advance as she doesn't have a case number, which you need for the payment. You can pay yours now, or pay them all together after you enter - as long as you don't delay too much it shouldn't affect the timing of when you receive your plastic green cards.

[GCquestion 0]

Hi ,

Couldn't navigate to the correct topic , however , I see a lot of helpful members on here and I'm hoping someone will be able to help. My husband won the green card thru the lottery; we both applied and went thru the interview and got our temporary immigrant visas . We came to United Stated on August 5th. Back in our country at the embassy we both received 2 yellow envelopes , 1 each, sealed ; we were told not to open them. When we got to the airport in the states the CBP officer opened both envelopes kept my husband's (the GC winner) and returned mine back- they were doing the same procedure to the other families in the same line. ! month later my husband received his GC but mine hasn't came and its been 4 months - my temporary visa expired 3 days ago. I contacted USCIS In the beginning and they told me to wait; I contacted them again and they were very surprised and confused as to why CPB returned my yellow envelop. Did anyone encounter same situation ?

Anyone's response is greatly appreciated.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Hi ,

Couldn't navigate to the correct topic , however , I see a lot of helpful members on here and I'm hoping someone will be able to help. My husband won the green card thru the lottery; we both applied and went thru the interview and got our temporary immigrant visas . We came to United Stated on August 5th. Back in our country at the embassy we both received 2 yellow envelopes , 1 each, sealed ; we were told not to open them. When we got to the airport in the states the CBP officer opened both envelopes kept my husband's (the GC winner) and returned mine back- they were doing the same procedure to the other families in the same line. ! month later my husband received his GC but mine hasn't came and its been 4 months - my temporary visa expired 3 days ago. I contacted USCIS In the beginning and they told me to wait; I contacted them again and they were very surprised and confused as to why CPB returned my yellow envelop. Did anyone encounter same situation ?

Anyone's response is greatly appreciated.

Your envelope definitely should not have been handed back, and I'm surprised that USCIS was just "surprised and confused" when you called them without offering you a solution. I'm certain this is why you don't have a plastic green card, you need to contact them again and ask them how to remedy this ASAP.

Also please note that your visa was single use and expired the day you entered the US as an immigrant. However - The entry stamp next to the visa has converted it into a temporary green card (form I551) valid for 12 months from date of original entry i.e. till August 4 2016. So you can re-enter using this until then. But you still need to get the green card issue sorted out ASAP.

[GCquestion 0]

Your envelope definitely should not have been handed back, and I'm surprised that USCIS was just "surprised and confused" when you called them without offering you a solution. I'm certain this is why you don't have a plastic green card, you need to contact them again and ask them how to remedy this ASAP.

Also please note that your visa was single use and expired the day you entered the US as an immigrant. However - The entry stamp next to the visa has converted it into a temporary green card (form I551) valid for 12 months from date of original entry i.e. till August 4 2016. So you can re-enter using this until then. But you still need to get the green card issue sorted out ASAP.

Thank you so much for your quick reply Susie !

[SIR UBA 0]

Please help me solve my problem on adding my spouse to ds260 where I don't have add applicant option