OldUser

Make sure to show up to the first morning appointment no matter what. It's best to be there early than to skip it and discover it was indeed for you at N-400 interview.

@Crazy Cat and others who had it would disagree. It does exist and it does happen. 100% agree with this.

This is not unique. There was a thread about this where people in your situation shared their experiences.

Only IRS

This is naturalization case. I hope it goes smooth. Staying married has so many downsides besides immigration. From spouse accumulating debt to opening credit accounts in spouse name or claiming tax breaks when not eligible. Financial abuse is a real thing.

I'm sure album is OK for interview. You just cannot submit albums as evidence. Make sure each photo is annotated with date, place, occasion and people on it.

IRS and SSA are two different agencies...

Yes

If the expiration date on the card is correct, that's the date you should use in I-751.

Many people go without and successfully naturalize. I will bring one for piece of mind, but I don't mind spending $$$

I think agents nowadays are there to calm you down and give you some answer (even incorrect) so you hung up and don't bother USCIS.

IO may not have time / training etc to conduct I-751. Also, your files may have some internal remarks and comments by USCIS. Even if you bring everything you submitted they may still want to rely on docs they've processed internally. Of course, I'd offer all you brought to IO if they're ready to accept. But be careful not to trigger them, some IOs are very particular and can get rude and angry if pushed.

My personal choice is not to use sheet protectors or similar. There's nothing more annoying to some IOs than people trying to get docs out of plastic bags. Adds time and noise. You can use some paper holders of different colors to groups various docs? Green for financial comingling, yellow for tax returns etc? That's how I would do it. In my AOS interview I had a lawyer who pretty much handed papers to IO as they requested it 😅 Before the interview I gave attorney the papers and he organized them however he used to.

VJ and data points outside suggest many times you end up getting combo even of letter doesn't mention it. Agree with these points. Sometimes I-751 cannot be conducted officially if docs are not in the office though.

No

I don't think you can reopen it at that point. You have to go through filing N-400 again. Only apply when ready to naturalize. Missing oath twice is not the best use of everybody's time and resources. Good luck!

I always asked for draft before attorney filed petition. Even if OP hires somebody he is responsible for petition.

Starting April, you'd have to pay $3005 of adjusment of status fees when she enters the US on K-1 visa and you marry. That's in addition to whatever fees you're filing now for I-129F and embassy. For spousal visa, you'd pay similar fees at the beginning and only $220 for green card when she enters the US. The difference is give or take $2500, that's how more expensive K-1 is compared to spousal visa. Plus with K-1 she'd be stuck in the US for 6-12 months not able to work or travel. Some EADs come fast, while others take 9 months or so. Essentially, if she enters as a spouse, you'd pay fewer fees and she'd be able to start working within few weeks of entering. Even if it's a small part time job, it can make a big difference. Plus, when entering on spousal visa she can travel internationally next day if she desires, while with K-1 she may get stuck for 6-18 months until GC or advance parole shows up.

In theory, missing middle or use of maiden name shouldn't be a problem. You may consider updating all of your banks etc though with your current name. At least when you apply for N-400 you'd be able to show updated documentation. Are you submitting joint tax return transcripts?

People do it all the time. This means she may need to carry marriage certificate when travelling to match names. How easy is it to replace her passport with new married name? Another option is changing name at naturalization stage. That way, her entire immigration history is in one name other than the last bit.

As long as she's been LPR for 3 years and married to you living together for 3 years - yes.

At least they're fixing their mess. There's no reason not to submit evidence from the start. Waiting for RFE or interview just adds unnecessary delay or results in denial, like in your case. Many AOS approved without interview or RFE if everything is submitted from the start. Good luck and tell us how it goes.

At this point it doesn't matter. But it's just the beginning of the fiance route. It's the more expensive route compared to spousal visa. Are you sure you can handle it financially?

Technically it's not the same thing. You cannot travel with the printout. The original is printed on protected watermarked paper.

You got aweful advice for $6000 which is worth suing the lawyer for misconduct...