October 2020 - AOS Filers

[Sarge2155 4,587]

Another month another round of AOS submissions. Please be aware the fee increase, that was supposed to take effect on October 2, 2020, has been put on hold. No one knows with any certainty how long this hold will last, so please take this opportunity to get your October 2020 packets in as soon as you are able as the increase is substantial.    

 

AOS Checklist

• Cover Letter listing Table of Contents
• (Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00)

 

Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Form G-1145 
• Form I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency with applicable supporting documents.) 

   

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process) 
• I-94 
• Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate 
• Translation of birth certificate (if needed)
• Certified copy of Marriage License 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of DS-3025 
• Be sure to use the correct filing code of (c)(9) if this code applies to you. The I-485 instructions explains all the codes in detail. If you are filing under a different code (other than (c)(9) the fee for your AOS will not be correct and USCIS will reject your entire packet.

 

Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)

• Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other)
• 2019, 2018 (optional), and 2017 (optional) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts (transcripts are better if you can get them)
• Employment Verification letter (updated one - not the one used during K1 process) 
• Pay stubs (last 3 months) 

 

Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• I-94 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process) 

 

Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)

• Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page 
• Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp 
• I-94 
• Passport Photos (2) name written on the back 
• Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process  

 

Be sure to double check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase and they can change on a dime so please check. Additionally, check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date, there have been many changes to various forms. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2's. Also consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main cover letter.

 

Make sure you send long form birth certificates and not the short form.  Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.

 

Please consider filing the I-131 and the I-765 even if you don't think you'll need them right now. You never know what changes your life will have on down the road, so I recommend you file these two forms from the start. There is no extra charge to file them (FOR NOW) with your AOS and it's much much easier to submit them all at once.  With the proposed fee increase each form will have a fee, so just in case this hold on the fee increases does not hold and you need to file the I-131 and the I-765 later you won’t have to pay for them.

 

 

There has been much confusion coming out of USCIS, partly due to Covid-19 and partly self-inflicted. This confusion filters on down to the people filing for AOS. The above listing is subject to change at a moments notice so please check, recheck and check again BEFORE you send off your packet for any last minute changes.

 

 

Welcome October 2020 AOS filers to the thread!!!!!!!!

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by Sarge2155

[:Sarah: 84]

 

Thanks for the thread @Sarge2155

 

I filed late at night at fedex on 9/29 but they received it on 10/1. Which one is the official filing date in this case?

 

Anyways, I filed off 485, 864, 944,765, and 131 altogether before the fee increase and this including marriage happened in 2 weeks since my husband's delayed arrival.

 

But I'm relieved that everything is sent off and finished.

 

 

I understand alot of people are waiting at this stage as well due to covid delay.

 

Can I still go ahead and get my husband's SSN at this time? or should we wait till the AOS is over since we didn't write anything for the SSN on AOS files.

 

They only do appointments at this time and refused to set appointments for 14 days when he arrived and told us they'll call back to schedule but nothing till now.

 

 

Anyways, I'm happy my husband is reunited with me...I think waiting for AOS is much easier than K1 in that regards.

 

Hopefully we'll get our NOA1 in a month? seems like. Good luck everyone! 🤞

[Sarge2155 4,587]

37 minutes ago, :Sarah: said:

 

Thanks for the thread @Sarge2155

 

I filed late at night at fedex on 9/29 but they received it on 10/1. Which one is the official filing date in this case?

 

Anyways, I filed off 485, 864, 944,765, and 131 altogether before the fee increase and this including marriage happened in 2 weeks since my husband's delayed arrival.

 

But I'm relieved that everything is sent off and finished.

 

 

I understand alot of people are waiting at this stage as well due to covid delay.

 

Can I still go ahead and get my husband's SSN at this time? or should we wait till the AOS is over since we didn't write anything for the SSN on AOS files.

 

They only do appointments at this time and refused to set appointments for 14 days when he arrived and told us they'll call back to schedule but nothing till now.

 

 

Anyways, I'm happy my husband is reunited with me...I think waiting for AOS is much easier than K1 in that regards.

 

Hopefully we'll get our NOA1 in a month? seems like. Good luck everyone! 🤞

You can join any thread you want, but since everyone in the September thread is so far ahead of you it might be a good idea  to make camp here with other October folks, only my recommendation though.

By all means apply NOW for the SS card if you are able. You are first here so good job and congratulations.

[CMT 45]

Thank you for the list! @Sarge2155

 

We just got our marriage certificate on Friday and we'll start gathering the paperwork for AOS.

Glad that fees increase were put on hold.  We'll try to finish it as soon as possible.

I haven't been reading forums lately so I'm a bit lost - is the I-944 is required again?

 

 

[:Sarah: 84]

16 minutes ago, CMT said:

 is the I-944 is required again?

 

I don't think it's required but everyone seems to say it's best to just send it off "in case" which is what I did as well.

 

I haven't been keeping up with public charge rule and what not...so I just sent it off to be safe, but it's up to you.

 

I did forms in a hurry to shipped it before the fee increase but now that it's on hold, good for the rest of you! 😀

 

 

edit: it seems that it is required now. don't quote me on this but people are saying it is retroactivated. 

Edited October 5, 2020 by :Sarah:

[CMT 45]

42 minutes ago, :Sarah: said:

I don't think it's required but everyone seems to say it's best to just send it off "in case" which is what I did as well.

I haven't been keeping up with public charge rule and what not...so I just sent it off to be safe, but it's up to you.

I did forms in a hurry to shipped it before the fee increase but now that it's on hold, good for the rest of you! 😀

 

edit: it seems that it is required now. don't quote me on this but people are saying it is retroactivated. 

Okay! I couldn't find anything about it but I'll also send it! 

I wanted to send mine before Oct 2 because I didn't want to pay extra, but we got married on Sept 22 and I knew we would not get our certificate in time ☹️ 

[Sarge2155 4,587]

4 hours ago, CMT said:

Thank you for the list! @Sarge2155

 

We just got our marriage certificate on Friday and we'll start gathering the paperwork for AOS.

Glad that fees increase were put on hold.  We'll try to finish it as soon as possible.

I haven't been reading forums lately so I'm a bit lost - is the I-944 is required again?

 

 

Yes it is required as of now! This form has been off and on again many times, it is not only on AGAIN, this time they backdated it so many people that did not send it will have to send it in after they get a RFE. Even if it was not required I would send it in anyway to avoid and hassles later about it. But yes  IT IS REQUIRED NOW!

[Sarge2155 4,587]

4 hours ago, CMT said:

Thank you for the list! @Sarge2155

 

We just got our marriage certificate on Friday and we'll start gathering the paperwork for AOS.

Glad that fees increase were put on hold.  We'll try to finish it as soon as possible.

I haven't been reading forums lately so I'm a bit lost - is the I-944 is required again?

 

 

Work quickly, but thoroughly on getting your packet out ASAP! You never know when things are going to change . I have seen them change overnight. Be sure to check the forms for the correct version and or edition and only get your forms from the USCIS website. Double check your work, then triple check it again. Best to use personal checks in my opinion if you have a checking account. Second credit card works good to, but notify your credit card company of the large purchase from USCIS. Several people's credit card company declined the transaction as fraud because it was so large. Again welcome to the thread and congrats on your marriage. I recommend you apply for your SS card now if your local office is taken appointments, many are not (you can still check the box on the I-485 that you want a SS card issued) if you have not already done so. Even if you have to get it in the maiden name do it.

[CMT 45]

27 minutes ago, Sarge2155 said:

Work quickly, but thoroughly on getting your packet out ASAP! You never know when things are going to change . I have seen them change overnight. Be sure to check the forms for the correct version and or edition and only get your forms from the USCIS website. Double check your work, then triple check it again. Best to use personal checks in my opinion if you have a checking account. Second credit card works good to, but notify your credit card company of the large purchase from USCIS. Several people's credit card company declined the transaction as fraud because it was so large. Again welcome to the thread and congrats on your marriage. I recommend you apply for your SS card now if your local office is taken appointments, many are not (you can still check the box on the I-485 that you want a SS card issued) if you have not already done so. Even if you have to get it in the maiden name do it.

 Thank you for the info! We'll definitely send my husband's personal check.

 

I called the SS office on the week I got here, they are only taking emergency appointments. The lady said I would need a letter from my health insurance company asking for SSN. For that I would have to get married first. I told her my concern about the name changing, since it wouldn't match my I-94. She said as long as I bring my marriage certificate it would be okay because that would be legal proof of name changing. So I just called them today again and I'm waiting for a call back. I am hoping they will give me an appointment, Tricare did not give me a letter but DEERS did so hopefully that will be okay. 

 

Edited October 5, 2020 by CMT

[Sarge2155 4,587]

1 minute ago, CMT said:

 Thank you for the info! We'll definitely send my husband's personal check.

 

I called the SS office on the week I got here, they are only taking emergency appointments. The lady said I would need a letter from my health insurance company asking for SSN. For that I would have to get married first. I told her my concern about the name changing, since it wouldn't match my I-94. She said as long as I bring my marriage certificate it would be okay because that would be legal proof of name changing. So I just called them today again and I'm waiting for a call back. I am hoping they will give me an appointment, Tricare did not give me a letter but DEERS did so hopefully that will be okay. 

 

Were you able to get inputted into DEERS in your married name or did they do it in your maiden name? That was a big hassle for us too they issued my wife's dependent ID in her  maiden name. I had to wait for the GC to change everything over!!!!

[CMT 45]

5 minutes ago, Sarge2155 said:

Were you able to get inputted into DEERS in your married name or did they do it in your maiden name? That was a big hassle for us too they issued my wife's dependent ID in her  maiden name. I had to wait for the GC to change everything over!!!!

oh really?? I had never heard of that! we did not have any problems. 

we got the marriage certificate on Friday and went to DEERS first thing this morning. they asked how I wanted my name and I said just like my married name on the certificate.

[Sarge2155 4,587]

6 minutes ago, CMT said:

oh really?? I had never heard of that! we did not have any problems. 

we got the marriage certificate on Friday and went to DEERS first thing this morning. they asked how I wanted my name and I said just like my married name on the certificate.

Yes that's good even though it is supposed to be standard no matter which ID card office you go to, it's not and especially different states.  Anyway glad you had no hassles!

[retrocrispr 0]

Hi all! I just filed for adjustment (Fedex delivered on Oct 1 successfully). Have any of you had your checks cashed already? How long does this usually take?

[:Sarah: 84]

21 minutes ago, retrocrispr said:

How long does this usually take?

You can easily find answers in the thread of September filers and estimate it yourself.

[Sarge2155 4,587]

1 hour ago, retrocrispr said:

Hi all! I just filed for adjustment (Fedex delivered on Oct 1 successfully). Have any of you had your checks cashed already? How long does this usually take?

Welcome to the thread. I don't think anyone has reached that point yet as it is only October 6th. It can and sometimes does take 30+ days!