forms and fees

[TKSR15 7]

Hi new to the VJ

I am sponsoring my wife, I-130 asks for her family name then later asks for her other names including maiden name. In family name should I put her married family name (my last name) or her maiden name, then her married name where it asks for other names?

Fees. if filing I-130 and I-485 they each have a fee, I think i130 is $420 and i485 is $1070 do I send the sum of both same check?

In Brazil after you are married they no longer give you a birth certificate, your marriage certificate serves as that document, will that work? Also when sending copies certified copies or the instructions say only photo copies?

Is a cover letter needed?

Great to find such a useful pace for info, really enjoy reading all the help and support everyone gives.

Thank you.

[NikLR 13,227]

Is your wife in Brazil or in the USA?

[TKSR15 7]

Is your wife in Brazil or in the USA?

She is in the US. Came to visit, When we went through immigration in Atlanta the Immigration office asked why not apply for her citizenship, but she does not want to give up Brazilian citizenship, so he (the immigration officer) suggested AOS. I had never heard of AOS until then. We have been married 10 years with 2 kids (the kids have dual citizenship) and are here with us. We still have a residence in Brazil. I have heard some say that it is fraud to come as a visitor then get married but we are already married, and decided to stay if possible.

Thanks.

[NikLR 13,227]

Your wife cannot gain US citizenship without first being a legal permanent resident in the USA and passing the residency requirements for at least 3 years. So whomever you talked to in "immigration" had no idea what they were talking about in regards to that. Also you wife will not lose her Brazilian citizenship should she ever decide to become a US citizen.

If you are both CURRENTLY in the USA then yes, she can adjust her status.

I'm going to move your thread to an AOS forum so that you can get all the answers you need. The current forum is about obtaining a visa. You don't need a link, the entire thread is moved so just continue to post on it with all of your questions.

~~moved to AOS from W, T, and S visas from IR1/CR1 process and procedures~~

[TKSR15 7]

Your wife cannot gain US citizenship without first being a legal permanent resident in the USA and passing the residency requirements for at least 3 years. So whomever you talked to in "immigration" had no idea what they were talking about in regards to that. Also you wife will not lose her Brazilian citizenship should she ever decide to become a US citizen.

If you are both CURRENTLY in the USA then yes, she can adjust her status.

I'm going to move your thread to an AOS forum so that you can get all the answers you need. The current forum is about obtaining a visa. You don't need a link, the entire thread is moved so just continue to post on it with all of your questions.

~~moved to AOS from W, T, and S visas from IR1/CR1 process and procedures~~

NLR thank you so much for the help.

My wife at this point is not even intrested in citizenship just her green card. Thanks for that info.

my other questions are

Fees. if filing I-130 and I-485 they each have a fee, I think i130 is $420 and i485 is $1070 do I send the sum of both same check?

In Brazil after you are married they no longer give you a birth certificate, your marriage certificate serves as that document, will that work?

Also when sending copies certified copies or the instructions say only photo copies?

Thanks.

[NikLR 13,227]

Photocopies are fine.

As for the rest I'll let the AOS people answer. I went through the visa process so I'm not as familiar with the AOS finer points.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Duplicate thread removed; do not start multiple threads on the same topic.

[tangrien 7]

NLR thank you so much for the help.

My wife at this point is not even intrested in citizenship just her green card. Thanks for that info.

my other questions are

Fees. if filing I-130 and I-485 they each have a fee, I think i130 is $420 and i485 is $1070 do I send the sum of both same check?

In Brazil after you are married they no longer give you a birth certificate, your marriage certificate serves as that document, will that work?

Also when sending copies certified copies or the instructions say only photo copies?

Thanks.

Do separate checks. The I-130 and I-485 are technically separate filings, even though with AOS you virtually always file them concurrently. My advice based on the Visajourney guide (and proven to work from my own experience) is to make two packets: an I-130 packet and an I-485 packet. The packets should be separated either by placing them in their own large envelopes, or using a separate large document clip for each packet. You'll then mail them both together when you apply, but inside your package there will be two distinctly separate packets (and a master cover letter which explains to the immigration officer who first opens the package what is going on). If you follow this advice, you'll naturally have two separate checks because each packet will require its own individual payment.

As for the birth certificate/marriage certificate thing... I'd be interested to hear what others from Brazil ended up doing, but my suspicion would be that including the marriage certificate and a letter explaining Brazilian custom would be acceptable. Surely, though, if this is the normal practice in Brazil then many people would have gone through this same dilemma before and can give you better advice.

Good luck on your journey!

[TKSR15 7]

Do separate checks. The I-130 and I-485 are technically separate filings, even though with AOS you virtually always file them concurrently. My advice based on the Visajourney guide (and proven to work from my own experience) is to make two packets: an I-130 packet and an I-485 packet. The packets should be separated either by placing them in their own large envelopes, or using a separate large document clip for each packet. You'll then mail them both together when you apply, but inside your package there will be two distinctly separate packets (and a master cover letter which explains to the immigration officer who first opens the package what is going on). If you follow this advice, you'll naturally have two separate checks because each packet will require its own individual payment.

As for the birth certificate/marriage certificate thing... I'd be interested to hear what others from Brazil ended up doing, but my suspicion would be that including the marriage certificate and a letter explaining Brazilian custom would be acceptable. Surely, though, if this is the normal practice in Brazil then many people would have gone through this same dilemma before and can give you better advice.

Good luck on your journey!

Thank you,

Do you have any idea what I should do about long names in small spaces?

[tangrien 7]

I'd try to make it fit (I know that is a stupid answer). But if it truly doesn't fit, then try to make it fit anyway, and then next to the box for the name write "see attached" and then attach a paper that lists the full name in all of its glory. Make sure on that attached paper that you reference what that is (i.e., so-and-so's full name and that the name wouldn't fit in the box provided). Unfortunately, I'm not speaking from experience here or from a position of authority - you should probably seek a second opinion.