OldUser

Sadly, verbal approvals mean nothing. They're not legally binding. Is your wife a French citizen? Was she born in France?

~ This is not an immigration issue. Moved to Off-Topic ~

No way, we need something similar to the Darwin Award for people shooting their own leg immigration wise. This idea of shredding docs or evidence after naturalizing is somewhat popular amount some immigrants. I don't fully understand why. It's literally proof of how you became a citizen if you ever need to explain it to authorities. I can understand shredding easily available docs such as bank statements etc, but shredding notices etc... Not sure I'm a fan. I'm keeping all I-797 notices I received through AOS to naturalization and digital copies of those. Hopefully will never need it

This is a good question, which I don't have answer to. Maybe it's a thing to try in 10 years? 😃 I'd argue certificate of naturalization is very important doc though. I know somebody close who couldn't get a government related job with passport and passport card. They needed to present certificate of naturalization specifically. This can also happen at SSA when trying to get some benefits. Also, when sponsoring an immigrant, proving derivative citizenship for child or renewing passport. There's more and more stories of DOS asking for certificate again when renewing passport, many years later after successfully renewing it in the past without having to present it. Think of it as "remember me" checkbox on website. Many times you wouldn't have to enter password again, but occasionally the security system will ask you to reenter password. You wouldn't want to have to certificate when you're prompted for it. I do believe PPC is useful to restore the certificate quicker if it's lost or damaged though.

Not surprised at all.

If it's not checked, then it means you're just waiting. At some point in future you'll get scheduled for interview.

Credit card! Risky stuff, glad it worked!

Illegal route may be even worse : 1) OP marries in October 2) Leaves the US 3) Attempts to reenter the US on J-1 with intent to adjust 4) Gets caught by CBP. Held in secondary, questioned, phone and personal belongings searched 5) J-1 is cancelled, entry denied, sent back home 6) Now OP is facing 3+ years consular process overseas AND needs to seek waiver for misrepresentation

@katywalla read my comment posted earlier. You're OK marrying now, filing for adjustment, and leaving the US for trip in December if you have advance parole or green card then. Why is it OK to adjust now? Because you didn't have intent of staying in the US when you last entered to the country. However, if you leave now without filing for adjustment and plan to reenter with intent to adjust, then you have potential issue with misrepresentation / fraud in the future. Most of AOS applicants have interviews nowadays. At the interview adjudicator may dig deep into your relationship timeline, reasons for marriage etc. If they suspect you played the system by entering the US with immigrant intent on non-immigrant visa, you'll have serious issues. Also, the chance of reentering on J-1 after marrying US citizen is also decreasing significantly. That's why it would only be safe to leave on Advance Parole, because then you would be upfront to CBP: yes, I married, yes I have immigrant intent, here's Advance Parole.

Thank you for very valuable datapoints @Ontarkie! Seems like there's a pattern with DMVs!

Did you provide marriage certificate for her only marriage?

Wow, thank you this is super valuable! I almost attempted using PCC at SSA, but I just showed US passport to speed things up (wasn't in mood to try)

Awesome thank you for sharing this report and even sticking to the format 😃 This is super useful! I'm yet to try it at DMV.

You cannot travel on J-1 especially after you marry and apply for adjustment of status. Your option is to marry now in court, apply for AOS immediately (with application for Advance Parole I-131) and hope you get it before your travel. If you don't have advance parole or green card by the time of your trip, you cannot leave the US. You can always have a celebration of your marriage in October as planned earlier. You'll be just legally married by then. Or if you don't want to legally marry until October, you can say goodbye to that trip, it won't happen. You just can't have it all, unfortunately, due to how restrictive immigration process is.

If you use USPS, make sure to send with proof of delivery

Interesting... If you're using Sufshark etc do you think VPN software itself can break DNS resolution? This is what I observed with some VPN solutions in the past. E.g. you disconnect, but then some website domains don't resolve. A reboot may help, or need to look at system DNS settings. I use VPN with VJ exclusively so cannot comment accessing without VPN.

Yes, sadly most of SSA locations now require appointment.

Sadly, they have 120 days to make a decision according to law.

Did you try this link to request missing notice? https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/ndn

Yes, you're allowed to travel. Just don't have any trips over 6 months and try to spend as much time in the US you can. Good luck!

EDLs are not available in California, sadly. I have mDL on my phone, it's an interesting idea. The only concern is privacy when handing phone over to other people.

It depends whether you checked box on I-485 to get new SSN card and whether you get lucky. If you don't receive it within a month, just get appointment at SSA and get replacement card. Typically you can fill form SS-5 to get replacement card with no DHS wording on it. Why is it important? Because you never want to show GC to employer. Many HRs don't understand how immigration works. Especially with 2 year GC, they start freaking out when it expires and ask for new GC and or don't believe the extension letters. So the best course of action is showing unrestricted SS card and valid DL / state ID for I-9. Employer cannot demand to see GC, they must accept List B + List C documents which SS cars and DL are.

Now that I got PPC I'm prioritizing using it for 2 reasons: 1. It doesn't show my home address. I don't want any guy at grocery store, Home Depot or night club / bar to know my home address. With DL, in some states you can get a PO of course and put that as mailing address that would appear on DL. 2. DL number doesn't change (AFAIK, at least in California), but PPC number does change every 10 years. If info gets to wrong hands, I suspect more damage can be done with DL. I just think of TurboTax and some online government websites where they validate identity using DL number.

Different documents - different numbers? Two PP would have different numbers too, even if issues to same person.

At my oath ceremony, we were told to sign it at home on good even surface, because signing at USCIS may result in bad signature or damage to certificate.