Filling for AOS

[LegalAlienn 125]

Hi guys

We are about to file for AoS these days but my wife will be starting her medschool residency in January in Florida. So our concern is where should we file the AoS. Here at home in Ohio or in Florida since we will probably be staying the whole 2021 down there? Also what are the steps of the whole process once you file it? 
Thanks for the help

[Crazy Cat 42,033]

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Edited December 16, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Loren Y 2,756]

I would file it based on where you will be in a year or so. I know ohio used to be fast with AOS, but not anymore. I would think your looking at 12 months before the interview comes up. Only issue might be biometrics that you have to do a month or so after filing, so it's a tough call. You could use either one, and depending how things play out you could transfer the case if the notice comes earlier than expected. 

[LegalAlienn 125]

The thing is we don’t actually know where we will be in 12 months, cuz she can be placed somewhere else or if not we’ll go back to Ohio or we might just stay in case I get a job, who knows 🙈. However, I wouldn’t mind flying in to Ohio for biometrics day. That would be only me as a beneficiary not my wife right?

Also, maybe dumb question, but are we supposed to be both of us at the interview or just me as a beneficiary? 

[Ayrton 965]

13 minutes ago, LegalAlienn said:

The thing is we don’t actually know where we will be in 12 months, cuz she can be placed somewhere else or if not we’ll go back to Ohio or we might just stay in case I get a job, who knows 🙈. However, I wouldn’t mind flying in to Ohio for biometrics day. That would be only me as a beneficiary not my wife right?

Also, maybe dumb question, but are we supposed to be both of us at the interview or just me as a beneficiary? 

You file based on where you're living when you file. If you're gonna keep your Ohio Address, you can choose to file there. But if you move to another address, you have to notify USCIS within 10 days, so your case will be move to the new place.

[LegalAlienn 125]

15 minutes ago, Ayrton said:

You file based on where you're living when you file. If you're gonna keep your Ohio Address, you can choose to file there. But if you move to another address, you have to notify USCIS within 10 days, so your case will be move to the new place.

So that’s why we are thinking on waiting to file when we move to Florida. Then we can do biometrics and interview down there instead of going back to Ohio right? 
Also I remember at the POE, the officer asked me if Cleveland or Columbus is closer to our home so they could send the papers from the yellow envelope there. I’m so confused lol

[Ayrton 965]

16 minutes ago, LegalAlienn said:

So that’s why we are thinking on waiting to file when we move to Florida. Then we can do biometrics and interview down there instead of going back to Ohio right? 
Also I remember at the POE, the officer asked me if Cleveland or Columbus is closer to our home so they could send the papers from the yellow envelope there. I’m so confused lol

It's up to you if you want to delay filing it until you move.

 

 

The file gets stored until the field office requests it, whatever office the interview takes place.

Edited December 17, 2020 by Ayrton

[LegalAlienn 125]

1 hour ago, Ayrton said:

It's up to you if you want to delay filing it until you move.

 

 

The file gets stored until the field office requests it, whatever office the interview takes place.

Ok

We are also leaning toward filing it with Floridas address but if anyone has any other advice, it is more than welcome.

[ColumbusKat 44]

Just fyi, we moved in July (still within the same state, but would be a different local office.  Ohio actually).  We filed the proper form for moving, called USCIS 3x because we were missing mail about an interview (3 different pieces of mail), was confirmed that the address was changed each time and received emails with updates saying it was changed, but yet every time the mail was still sent to our old address.  This was over a 4 month period.  Luckily the person who moved in to our old apartment was also an immigrant and saved the USCIS mail for us.  It wasn't until we were actually at our in-person interview did the person actually change the address so that the green card would be mailed to our actual address. 

 

Just one example, but something to consider that you might risk losing very important mail if you use an address where you won't receive mail anymore. 

[LegalAlienn 125]

23 hours ago, ColumbusKat said:

Just fyi, we moved in July (still within the same state, but would be a different local office.  Ohio actually).  We filed the proper form for moving, called USCIS 3x because we were missing mail about an interview (3 different pieces of mail), was confirmed that the address was changed each time and received emails with updates saying it was changed, but yet every time the mail was still sent to our old address.  This was over a 4 month period.  Luckily the person who moved in to our old apartment was also an immigrant and saved the USCIS mail for us.  It wasn't until we were actually at our in-person interview did the person actually change the address so that the green card would be mailed to our actual address. 

 

Just one example, but something to consider that you might risk losing very important mail if you use an address where you won't receive mail anymore. 

That’s a valuable note too.

But I also heard that you can inform USPS of changing your address, so every mail that was supposed to be sent to your old address will go to the new address. 

[Ayrton 965]

58 minutes ago, LegalAlienn said:

That’s a valuable note too.

But I also heard that you can inform USPS of changing your address, so every mail that was supposed to be sent to your old address will go to the new address. 

That's true for letters, not for cards (GC/EAD), they are returned to USCIS. 

[ColumbusKat 44]

Yeah I had changed the address with USPS and called/went to the local office MANY TIMES and still nothing was ever forwarded. Just my experience, but I'm betting it happens frequently enough that it's something to consider. 

[ColumbusKat 44]

(something were forwarded, just never the important things haha)