Time spent on collecting documents for AOS (Marriage based)

[MaryLoves 5]

Those who you got a GC by adjusting status from student Visa or work visa to GC because of a marriage with a US citizen, how long did it take for you to collect all the required documents?

Specifically, I am talking about I-485, I-130, and I-864, and all of the sub-documents attached to each of them. If you included I-765 and/or I-131 in the submission, tell me about it too. 

 

I just want to know how long you all spent on preparing the document, and whether you used an immigration attorney or not (, and can you please tell me how much you spent on the attorney too if it is okay to ask). 

I am married, but it has been a few months and we still haven't been able to collect the required documents. 

Edited October 27, 2017 by MaryLoves

[KULtoATL 1,551]

I am a K-1 holder and will only get married in December 2017. However, I already have a bunch of required and supporting documents ready. The rest will probably just take up to a couple of weeks or a month to obtain once I entered the US in November 2017. Only thing that might drag a little would be the certified marriage certificate. 

 

What are you stuck on collecting? You should be able to fill out all the forms and your US spouse can download the IRS tax return transcripts online. Banking, insurance, cellphone plan and utilities proofs, you would have had these in hand if you're able to get your name added as soon as you moved there a few months ago.

 

Some wedding day photos and your older photos from a variety of period from your phone, pendrive etc? E-mails or text messages with your in-laws? Power of attorney template from online?

 

We do not plan to use an attorney. I'm a DIY-er and done all the paperwork for us from the beginning i.e. I-129F.

Edited October 27, 2017 by KULtoATL

[azblk 338]

5 hours ago, MaryLoves said:

Those who you got a GC by adjusting status from student Visa or work visa to GC because of a marriage with a US citizen, how long did it take for you to collect all the required documents?

Specifically, I am talking about I-485, I-130, and I-864, and all of the sub-documents attached to each of them. If you included I-765 and/or I-131 in the submission, tell me about it too. 

 

I just want to know how long you all spent on preparing the document, and whether you used an immigration attorney or not (, and can you please tell me how much you spent on the attorney too if it is okay to ask). 

I am married, but it has been a few months and we still haven't been able to collect the required documents. 

The only thing you really need to start process is marriage certificate for i-130, You can add to that whatever little you have like lease, pictures, bank account. for i-485 you need i-94 or proof you were admitted legally or paroled into the US. AOS takes a long time. You have between now and when the interview comes to collect more documents and evidence. Some people like to front load their packages but if you dont have much upfront especially for new relationships - send what you have and keep collecting more until you go for interview. Do NOT put off filing until you think you have a enough evidence.

[EvieMN 105]

As said above, you can file with only your marriage certificate as proof and keep collecting evidence until it's time for your interview.

I just filed for AOS and yes, it did take me a long time. 

You'll need at least a couple hours to fill all the forms with your spouse. It seems easy but then you get more into it and start thinking about things like "what was the number of my apartment I used to live in 5 years ago?" 

Maybe you are more organized than me but little things like that took some time for me. I wanted every bit of information I file to be correct. 

Photocopying all the documents you need shouldn't take you that long, passport photos take no more than an hour anywhere. 

I suppose you have your birth certificate, passport, I-94 and things like that?

Just follow the instructions for each form, include all the required documents and you should be fine.

Double and triple check everything and one of the most important things - make an EXACT copy of the package you're sending to USCIS for future reference.

We didn't use a lawyer for the initial filing and I hope we won't need one in the future.

[MaryLoves 5]

Thank you everyone for your comments. Since I am already in the US on F-1 Visa, and have been living with my spouse, we should have a good amount of proofs that we have had a life together. Most of the bills we get have both of our names, and our lease has our names too. We don't have that many photos together, but do you think a few will suffice? I only have them in my phone. 

 

Another thing that has been making our collecting required documents slow is tax documents. My spouse is not very organized, and did not file tax returns for the past years. Not just that, but doesn't have the W-2 forms, or remember how where the companies were, and how much was earned and deducted for tax.

I have been to and called IRS and SSA, to no avail. We even talked to some CPA (Certified Public Accountant), and they told me they cannot help or they don't even know what we can do.

What we know for sure is that not enough income was generated, so we have found a joint sponsor (my spouse's mother) because she has been earning good amount of money from her job, and she has been filing tax returns every year. 

It's just that my spouse's tax returns cannot be smoothly collected =( 

 

To make matters worse, it is not tax season right now, so it is harder to find help.

[EvieMN 105]

2 hours ago, MaryLoves said:

Thank you everyone for your comments. Since I am already in the US on F-1 Visa, and have been living with my spouse, we should have a good amount of proofs that we have had a life together. Most of the bills we get have both of our names, and our lease has our names too. We don't have that many photos together, but do you think a few will suffice? I only have them in my phone. 

 

Another thing that has been making our collecting required documents slow is tax documents. My spouse is not very organized, and did not file tax returns for the past years. Not just that, but doesn't have the W-2 forms, or remember how where the companies were, and how much was earned and deducted for tax.

I have been to and called IRS and SSA, to no avail. We even talked to some CPA (Certified Public Accountant), and they told me they cannot help or they don't even know what we can do.

What we know for sure is that not enough income was generated, so we have found a joint sponsor (my spouse's mother) because she has been earning good amount of money from her job, and she has been filing tax returns every year. 

It's just that my spouse's tax returns cannot be smoothly collected =( 

 

To make matters worse, it is not tax season right now, so it is harder to find help.

The only mandatory tax return he needs is from the most recent tax year (2016)

Tax returns from 3 years back are optional; you can include them if you feel they're helping your case.

So if he can somehow get the tax return for 2016 and with his mom as a cosponsor you should be fine!

[MaryLoves 5]

In I-864 instruction, yes it does say "Most recent tax return" but in a later paragraph, it says something like "If you have not filed the tax returns in the previous 3 years even if you were required to do so, do not apply until you finish filing them first".

 

I am scared of USCIS asking why we didn't and deny our case solely based on this :/ 

[SnowFox505 0]

Ok, this thread is great! It's really helpful to know you don't feel the need to submit EVERY piece of evidence with the initial submission, and can gather things over time until the interview.

 

Does anyone know for the certified marriage certificate -  Do you  need to submit an original with the application, or can it be a photocopy and then take the original to the interview?? Thanks!