In the States...What now?

[redpixie 0]

We finally got back to the US just over two weeks ago and are now looking to get married either in the last week of August or the first week in Sept. Needless to say, I'm a busy bee trying to get everything organised for the big day. (Looking for my dress this week!!! Yippy!!!)

Basically, I have a few questions right now. When we first got here, the immigration lady gave me my "A#" and said I should contact my local agency to make a start on getting my work permit. Firstly, I thought that I was unable to even make a start on getting my work permit until we're married and on the road to AoS. Did they make a change while I wasn't looking, or was the lady wrong in giving me the advice to apply for the work permit and SS card? Secondly, that agency was she talking about? We're living just outside Houston for the time being with my fiance's parents, as we were both living in Ireland and moved back together. I'm at a total loss as to what to do at the moment.

Also, I recently went into a store out here to buy some cigarettes (I know, bad habbit), and was asked for ID. I'm pretty used to that seens as I lived in both California and Florida before, and know how tight restrictions are out here. I presented my GB passport, obviously with visa inside, and was refused service because I didn't have a Texas State ID card. Would it be possible for me to go and get a state ID card with my K1 alone in my passport, or do I need to get the AoS thing sorted first before I head into the DMV to get one. I also need to get a new drivers license for out here, again can I do that with just my UK lisence, passport and visa?

Sorry to be a pain and ask but there seems to be little information as to what to do during the transitional phase of waiting to marry and apply for the AoS. Any help would be much appreciated.

[boohbah 0]

I don't have any input...but I wanted to say that I didn't know they don't consider your passport as some form of ID? As someone once told me, "A passport is the king of all identification"....if that person's saying is wrong, someone let me know so I can go correct him!

I remember when I presented my Indiana ID at this concert in England...the guy wasn't going to let me in because it was "fake". I beeched up a storm with my accent & he gave in. lol

[damulag 26]

I also tried to buy beer in Texas and presented my Ohio drivers license only to be told they only accept Texas IDs. This was over ten years ago but I am suprised that it is still that way.

[Nicoxcx 1]

Surely they shouldnt be allowed to turn down your British Passport WITH visa attached. I have used my Passport in many states to buy Alcohol and to gamble and every time my Passport has been fine.

I have heard that some people have taken their Passport, Birth Certificate & any utility bills etc; to DMV and have been given an ID card, Some places will refuse you if you have no EAD or Greencard.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...hp/t123509.html Seems it varies state to state. Have you tried checking the 'Moving Here and Your New Life In America' section on VJ? it may provide some help

[redpixie 0]

Ahh thanks, I'll take a look at that thread.

Apparently Texas is pretty harsh when it comes to ID a lot of the time. I think that my little run in might have been a one off with a lady who really shouldn't be working in the store. As it was said, the Passport is the king of all ID's, so to be refused cigarettes for not having a valid state ID, when I have a valid uk passport, US visa and entry stamps is really stupid.

Actually, I did run into a similar situation when I was last living here. We were in CA at the time and I was refused a glass of wine in a restaurant with my passport, again including visa and stamp (student visa that time), because there was no reference to my eye colour on the ID page.

Just seems really stupid to me that a person's national form of identification for travel world wide is not accepted, but a laminated piece of card is. Oh well....welcome to Texas I guess.