Next step after marriage?

[EnglishLove 112]

Okay, so I've been doing tons of researching on what to do in case our visa was denied (since I truly thought it was going to be lol) but not so much on once my fiance gets here and we get married. We have the date set btw! Is there a link on step by step process once we're wed? I know we file for Adjustment of Status but do I request social security first or after? 

[coltr 92]

I included all the steps I took in a guide here:

This might be a little more detail than you need,  but hope it helps!

[EnglishLove 112]

Just now, coltr said:

I included all the steps I took in a guide here:

This might be a little more detail than you need,  but hope it helps!

Perfect! Thank you!!! I knew there was something like this out there lol

[coltr 92]

You might also find this thread helpful where I discuss preparing your AOS packet. It includes a list of the documents I submitted, as well as instructions for how to complete the forms, and common mistakes:

Make sure to scroll down, as there is more in the thread.

 

Also, congrats! Life is about to get much more relaxed now that you are here :-) Just prepare for likely a long wait on EAD and AP. It can be helpful to start thinking about volunteering work, DIY, on the house, studies or a hobby! Make the most of it as it's likely going to be one of your only opportunities to sit back for a while.

 

Edit: Just realised your fiance is moving here, not the other way round!! Haha

 

Edited July 18, 2019 by coltr

[EnglishLove 112]

1 minute ago, coltr said:

You might also find this thread helpful where I discuss preparing your AOS packet. It includes a list of the documents I submitted, as well as instructions for how to complete the forms, and common mistakes:

Make sure to scroll down, as there is more in the thread.

 

Also, congrats! Life is about to get much more relaxed now that you are here 🙂 Just prepare for likely a long wait on EAD and AP. It can be helpful to start thinking about volunteering work, DIY, on the house, studies or a hobby! Make the most of it as it's likely going to be one of your only opportunities to sit back for a while.

 

Edit: Just realised your fiance is moving here, not the other way round!! Haha

 

Perfect thank you! And my fiance is moving the US with me next month!!

[coltr 92]

You must be excited! It's an exciting journey, and the pressure will seriously be off once you have closed the distance.

 

Assuming you are filing AOS yourself and not using an attorney, make sure to take your time with filing AOS; it's best to get it right the first time and not to rush it. I actually missed a tax document in my packet and had to race back to the post office and beg for them to give it back before sending it, and I'm meticulous usually, so it's easily done. Be sure to triple check everything, and I'm happy to help out with any questions you have.

 

Now is a good time to start gathering the last 3 years of tax transcripts, as well as proof of income. I actually submitted 6 months of paystubs, an employer letter as well as last year's tax return. You can download or order these online from the IRS website. Also make sure you gather your tax forms from the past 3 years so you can provide total income for those years on the I-864.

 

A word of advice which nearly caught me out - the 2018 tax forms changed the line numbers, so when the I-864 asks you for line 22 from your IRS form 1040 (total income), it's actually line 6 on the new forms. For previous years, you will need to use line 22.

[Loren Y 2,756]

First step is SS card. DO that the day you land, or the next day, it will make life so much easier down the road. People wait. and it ends up creating nothing but problems down the line. I took my fiancee at the time the very next day, about 18 hours after landing at LAX, then driving to Las Vegas, and her information was in the system, so don't procrastinate. Had her card 14 days later, then bank accounts, insurance, ID, and everything else goes really smooth once you have that magic number. You can print your fiancees I94 at the airport if they have a internet kiosk, it is available that fast. I actually printed it from my phone while we were waiting for the bags to come around the belt after POE. Used google cloud print to print a few copies on my printer at home.

[EnglishLove 112]

1 minute ago, Loren Y said:

First step is SS card. DO that the day you land, or the next day, it will make life so much easier down the road. People wait. and it ends up creating nothing but problems down the line. I took my fiancee at the time the very next day, about 18 hours after landing at LAX, then driving to Las Vegas, and her information was in the system, so don't procrastinate. Had her card 14 days later, then bank accounts, insurance, ID, and everything else goes really smooth once you have that magic number. You can print your fiancees I94 at the airport if they have a internet kiosk, it is available that fast. I actually printed it from my phone while we were waiting for the bags to come around the belt after POE. Used google cloud print to print a few copies on my printer at home.

Thank you so much! My fiance lands at almost midnight so we may have to wait until the next day. Do you have to have an appointment or just walk in?

[Loren Y 2,756]

12 minutes ago, Pooley said:

Thank you so much! My fiance lands at almost midnight so we may have to wait until the next day. Do you have to have an appointment or just walk in?

You can just walk in. Not sure where you are located, but check out the locations from their website now so you already have a start. Double check on the website that they do issue SS cards at that office, I want to say that 95% of them do it, but there some cities that have multiple offices ( Las Vegas for example) and they only do new cards at 2 out of the 3 I think it was. If you only have one office close to you, I'm sure they do everything at that office. It is usually a madhouse in there unless you are in a smaller town. Took us 1.5 hours to get the card form processed, if you are in a bigger city don't go on a Monday for obvious reasons. Also you can print the application out before hand off their website so you have it ready to go when you arrive. First thing I gave my fiancee when we got to the car, I told her I had a surprise for her, and I think she thought it was flowers or something, nope, it was a clipboard and pen with the SS card application on it. I handed it to her and said welcome to America, Land of the Free, Home of more paperwork than you have ever had to fill out in your life. LOL, I'll never forget the look on her face, but she still married me, so I guess it is something we can laugh about now.

 

Also, as a quick note, they will look at the arrival date on your I94 and probably say there is no way your fiancees information is in the save system, it takes a few weeks. Not anymore, it's pretty much instant,try to be polite about it, but just have them check the system even if they say there is no way. That is what I was told, but I said could you please check, and he came back from the computer with a surprised look on his face, but grudgingly admitted it was in the computer.

Edited July 18, 2019 by Loren Y