OldUser

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.

Which state(s) say Driver's? California DL says "Driver License"

If you mean I-751, then yes. You can successfully remove conditions on your own, without spouse, if you can prove your marriage was real and not for immigration purposes.

This is similar to the sister thread: The focus of this thread is tracking my attempts of using Palau digital resident ID card when interacting with different businesses and organizations. I'm certain the success rate is going to be a lot lower than US passport card. Feel free contributing to this thread if you have this ID or have questions. Below is what Palau digital resident ID card looks like in June 2025:

MM/YYYY: June 2025 Location: California, US Business / organization: Home Depot Check type: Identity verification Reason: Online order pickup Result: Success Details: Got asked for ID by a young man (potentially of Indian origin) at customer services. He looked at it for 20-30 seconds. Literally held it in his hands and checked front and back very closely. He was very curious, probably never seen it before. Said "oh, it's a passport card" right before returning it to me. As he was finding order, I had a little bit of chat about DLs vs passport card as I got his interest. Here, in California DLs and IDs are only valid for 5 years, but passport card is 10 years and it's similar price.

Hi guys, I'm going to create a thread where I'm going to be posting field reports on using my US passport card domestically and internationally. Sure, this ID should be universally accepted in the US anywhere, even to enter federal facilities and cross border with Mexico and Canada by land. However, we all know sometimes clerks and other people make mistakes and reject to accept one form of ID or the other. Feel free contributing to this thread. Below is what US passport card looks like in June 2025:

Worst case you'll get it back with rejection letter I'd think.

Yes, that's a good idea. When filing online, are there question mark icons next to questions giving examples?

Did you move after filing the I-90?

Yes, even though @igoyougoduke posted DIY guide of filing mandamus yourself, it's typically filed by a lawyer. At that point, the only barrier is cost, it's typically about $5k+ (mostly lawyer fees). But anybody who waited over a year after filing N-400 typically gets traction after mandamus. The most fun part though is... Actually, almost every time nobody has to go to court or see judge. Once mandamus is filed, it just pushes USCIS to do their job within 60 days. USCIS adjudicates case, lawyer withdraws mandamus and nobody goes to actual court hearing. Essentially, the last thing USCIS want is to get involved in legal proceedings. And they do everything to avoid it.

Yep, just listened to known YouTube lawyer's show today. Some person had a fiance case approved for beneficiary in banned country and the only way forward was to marry and file I-130, e.g. start over.

Just make sure not to overstay. If you don't get decision before your status is up, leave the country and apply for visa from outside.