MAY 2019 AOS FILERS

[JZ38 16]

8 minutes ago, BB Family said:

What was your reasoning by filing using your maiden name? They will issue the card using the name you applied with. I’m not sure if you can change it at the interview. You may be able to since they ask you to confirm your name and sign.  

I haven’t changed my last name yet. Initially I wanted to wait until I become a citizen (to avoid confusion with my current passport), but now I would prefer to change my last name sooner. Ideally I would have changed my last name before filing for my AOS.

[JZ38 16]

1 minute ago, Loo1 said:

I applied for AOS in my married name, all letters etc immigration have sent since have been  in married name. We did biometrics in September, on the form I had to fill out, I filled out in my married name but there was a space for your maiden name. It hasn’t seemed to be an issue about it all. We have our interview on the 29th, i’ll let you know if there is an issue with continuing to proceed with my married name 

Awesome thanks! Did you change your last name officially? For instance, did you do with your SSN?

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, JZ38 said:

I haven’t changed my last name yet. Initially I wanted to wait until I become a citizen (to avoid confusion with my current passport), but now I would prefer to change my last name sooner. Ideally I would have changed my last name before filing for my AOS.

In hindsight it would have been easier to apply in your new name and simply get a new passport 

1 minute ago, JZ38 said:

Awesome thanks! Did you change your last name officially? For instance, did you do with your SSN?

They applied in the new name,  different than your situation 

[JZ38 16]

7 minutes ago, Vgmay2019 said:

I used my maiden name in my paperwork.   I went to dmv to get my I'd  and they told me only uscis  can change my maiden name to my married name. They will ask me when I go to the interview if I want to take my husband's last name.

Got it! This helps. It sounds like first step is to request during my interview to issue my GC under my married name and then change it for my driver’s license and SSN.

[Loo1 91]

15 minutes ago, JZ38 said:

Awesome thanks! Did you change your last name officially? For instance, did you do with your SSN?

I don’t have an SSN number yet, we ticked the box on the EAD for the SSN, we hadn’t heard anything from them yet. I did try get a state ID (not allowed to get a drivers licence yet in Tennessee) even though I had all the requirements, they wouldn’t issue it in my married name until i have something from immigration. 

[BB Family 299]

14 minutes ago, JZ38 said:

I haven’t changed my last name yet. Initially I wanted to wait until I become a citizen (to avoid confusion with my current passport), but now I would prefer to change my last name sooner. Ideally I would have changed my last name before filing for my AOS.

I’m confused. Your marriage license is your name change document. As a k1 there isn’t anything you need to change to married name. You can report your marriage to your home country if you want to have your married name on your passport but this isn’t really necessary or a requirement. When you file you AOS you normally file using your “married” name. Then USCIS issues your EAD/AP Card and Greencard in your married name. If you were able to get a ssn before AOS is completed it will normally be issued in your maiden name (you’re not suppose to be able to file for ssn after marriage as k1 but some still slip through). And you can change it to married name and update you status in the SS system as permanent resident once you get your greencard. If you received license in a state that allows k1 To get one and you didn’t get it in your married name, you’ll be able to update it with marriage license and or greencard. There are no complications to worry about with having your passport and grencard name not match. Most people travel that way and just carry a copy of the marriage license just in case. But either way, you should be able to tell the officer that you’d like the card issued in your married name and just explain your reasoning why you initially filed using your maiden name. Just make sure you have originals of all supporting documents such as marriage license etc. 

[BB Family 299]

Also, as for waiting to use your “married name” once you get citizenship. You have to consider that you’ve lived your life and all records for the 3 years (minimum) leading up to filing for naturalization you have used your maiden name. It will be just as much of a headache to change all those things after naturalization to married name as it would be just to do it now. Just food for thought. 😉

[Reed1812 127]

On 10/16/2019 at 3:29 PM, Reed1812 said:

Had my interview today at El Paso and it was by far the easiest part of my AOS process.

 

Interview lasted 30 minutes, my wife and I were not split up into separate rooms. The officer pulled out my file and asked to see copies of our passports, birth certificates and marriage certificates which he checked against the ones in the file he had. 

 

He then went through how I met my wife before reviewing the wedding pictures. We did bring evidence of our joint life together (bank statements, car insurance docs etc) but he didn't take any copies. He finalized the interview by saying he expects us to be approved and that we should keep an eye on the post. 

 

It's been emotional 

Bloodyhell. Just checked and my greencard is in production!

 

Applied 20th May

Bio letter 30th August

Walk in 3rd September

Interview appointment letter mid September 

EAD combined 23rd September

Interview 16th October

Green card in production 17th October

 

After the frustrating 100 day wait for the biometrics I am reasonably pleased with the progress since then. 

[MateR 68]

3 hours ago, JZ38 said:

I haven’t changed my last name yet. Initially I wanted to wait until I become a citizen (to avoid confusion with my current passport), but now I would prefer to change my last name sooner. Ideally I would have changed my last name before filing for my AOS.

We had our interview today. We asked them about the maiden name vs married name. Officer asked why we kept the maiden name. I said to make it easier to find in the system from the K1. He said he could go ahead and change her name for the GC so it prints out with the married name, hence it being easier to start with that rather than running to court and spending more money on a name change etc later on.

We checked out status - it changed to "My name was changed." - Not sure if we are approved or not and if the green card will be sent to print but the uscis app said "Initial Review."

Not sure what this means. We had no RFE's - we gave all docs + supporting evidence + we added to that supporting evidence today with joint bank account / car insurance in both our names, etc.
Kind of left wondering what will happen next.

[JZ38 16]

3 hours ago, BB Family said:

Also, as for waiting to use your “married name” once you get citizenship. You have to consider that you’ve lived your life and all records for the 3 years (minimum) leading up to filing for naturalization you have used your maiden name. It will be just as much of a headache to change all those things after naturalization to married name as it would be just to do it now. Just food for thought. 😉

Makes sense, thanks!

[JZ38 16]

12 minutes ago, MateR said:

We had our interview today. We asked them about the maiden name vs married name. Officer asked why we kept the maiden name. 

This is so helpful @MateR, I’m planning to do the same and it’s good to hear the officer changed her name for the GC. Would you mind sharing your experience during the interview and what type of questions the officer had? I have my interview in Chicago in a few weeks and would appreciate any insight.

[MateR 68]

3 minutes ago, JZ38 said:

This is so helpful @MateR, I’m planning to do the same and it’s good to hear the officer changed her name for the GC. Would you mind sharing your experience during the interview and what type of questions the officer had? I have my interview in Chicago in a few weeks and would appreciate any insight.

Hey JZ38 - so one of the things i gauged is that the officer for our case may be different from yours. however - our officer stated that since this was AOS from K1 Fiance Visa - he was not going to ask too much because the Consulate in my wife's country did most of the leg work of vetting whether or not it was a bona fide relationship so therefore he just asked formality questions like to state names, birth dates and then asked like 30 questions from what was already answered on the paper document.

Also some advice - wait until you hear the full question before answering.

Our apt was finished within 35 mins.

Good luck and Godspeed.

[JZ38 16]

1 minute ago, MateR said:

Hey JZ38 - so one of the things i gauged is that the officer for our case may be different from yours. however - our officer stated that since this was AOS from K1 Fiance Visa - he was not going to ask too much because the Consulate in my wife's country did most of the leg work of vetting whether or not it was a bona fide relationship so therefore he just asked formality questions like to state names, birth dates and then asked like 30 questions from what was already answered on the paper document.

Also some advice - wait until you hear the full question before answering.

Our apt was finished within 35 mins.

Good luck and Godspeed.

You’re right, it has to be different for each case. Mine is an AOS from an F1 visa. Thanks anyways and hope you get the card in the mail soon!

[Lucky_Mimi 87]

To everyone who is/was k1 fiancee visa holder who had done their interview: Did you bring your DS-3025 (with 1 yr validity) or I-693 transcribed by a civil surgeon? 

 

 

[BB Family 299]

1 hour ago, Lucky_Mimi said:

To everyone who is/was k1 fiancee visa holder who had done their interview: Did you bring your DS-3025 (with 1 yr validity) or I-693 transcribed by a civil surgeon? 

 

 

We brought the DS3025. However it nor any medical questions were asked or reviewed. As long as you filed within 12 months of your medical, you meet the requirement. If it’s after the 12 months that’s when you must have the civil surgeon one and new medical.  

Edited October 18, 2019 by BB Family