AOS interview, can we bring bags, phone etc?

[Vani 0]

I have my interview on January 15 in Seattle!

The wait is gone. But stress still remains....

I was wondering if we were aloud to bring bags, phones, coats, etc to the interview? I remember when I was at my Montreal Consulate in Canada I wasn't aloud to bring anything but important documents.

This is making me so stressed and nervous already! One thing that worries me is that we didn't have a big wedding, wedding party nor wedding album We were low on budget and I didn't want to ask my husband's parents to pay everything for a wedding... We just had a really simple wedding at the city hall.

I wonder if that's an issue? *pulls out hair* I read that some interviewers didn't even ask to look at wedding pictures! That would be a relief for me if my interviewer didn't ask for an album...

Thanks for all replies~

[YuAndDan 153]

Only a bag with documents.

When we went to the field office last year, we were kindly told to leave the Cell phone and other BANNED items in the car.

[Vani 0]

Only a bag with documents.

When we went to the field office last year, we were kindly told to leave the Cell phone and other BANNED items in the car.

Sounds stupid but, what kind of bag...

Plastic bag?

[YuAndDan 153]

Only a bag with documents.

When we went to the field office last year, we were kindly told to leave the Cell phone and other BANNED items in the car.

Sounds stupid but, what kind of bag...

Plastic bag?

Plastic bag, when we went to the field office a couple had a nice plastic file box with folders in it to organize their documents.

[JeremyR 8]

I used a cardboard folder when I was at the embassy stage - quick and simple for the security bods to riffle through, nice and organised for me. Bags are awkward at security checkpoints... I spent almost an hour queueing to get into the London Embassy because people in front of me were trying to take in laptop bags full of papers, grocery bags stuffed to the brim, etc. Try and make it easy for security to clear your stuff because if enough people do, everyone gets through quicker, which is good if it's cold and wet and you're queueing outside

[jundp 191]

We had our interview in Seattle on December 10th. I carried my purse, my husband carried his messenger bag, and we both wore coats. We left our cell phones in the car.

Because you have to walk from the parking lot (or bus stop) to the office and we live in Seattle...no way I'd suggest not wearing a coat or having an umbrella! You have to go through security and they xray your bag and you take your coat off, similar to what you do going through airport security.

Make sure you have your documents in order and that you have your evidence of a bona fide marriage. They are really nice in the Seattle office (in my experience) and they seemed to really appreciate how organized we were

Good luck!!!

[jhunjhun 7]

I'm thinking of bringing our scrapbook and plastic folder for our upcoming interview. I'm using a 7 pocket file organizer folder that I bought from Walgreens.

[Vani 0]

I'm thinking of bringing our scrapbook and plastic folder for our upcoming interview. I'm using a 7 pocket file organizer folder that I bought from Walgreens.

Good stuff, I should go to Walgreens or Wal-Mart and take a look on those pocket organizers.

I originally had just 2 pocket folders STUFFFED with paper and files... bad idea huh.

I know where my papers are but to others it might look messy and confusing.

Do you have your interview soon too?

Thank you all for the replies! Makes me feel a lil more relieved =)

Edited January 8, 2009 by Vani

[Jasman0717 9]

Only a bag with documents.

When we went to the field office last year, we were kindly told to leave the Cell phone and other BANNED items in the car.

Definitely no phones

[jhunjhun 7]

I'm thinking of bringing our scrapbook and plastic folder for our upcoming interview. I'm using a 7 pocket file organizer folder that I bought from Walgreens.

Good stuff, I should go to Walgreens or Wal-Mart and take a look on those pocket organizers.

I originally had just 2 pocket folders STUFFFED with paper and files... bad idea huh.

I know where my papers are but to others it might look messy and confusing.

Do you have your interview soon too?

Thank you all for the replies! Makes me feel a lil more relieved =)

Our interview was scheduled on Feb 11, 2009. So far, everything is on right place now...

[Singers 0]

Our interview was in Seattle. They are very laid back there. I brought the diaper bag with a ton of stuff in it to keep our baby entertained/happy/clean/fed plus my purse (giant handbag). My husband brought a small bag with our portfolio of evidence. We also had our cellphones so that we could call our lawyer who was meeting us at the interview. Nobody said anything when I was talking on the phone.

[sunlyk 1]

Not a big deal if you didn't had a big wedding for as long as it's bonafide relationship. I myself did not have a big wedding we don't even have a reception and its only attended with my parents and siblings as witnesses.If I'm not mistaken it's ok to bring cellphone if it's has no camera. Goodluck to your interview please don't stress to much interview is pretty easy.

[carmie and aldo 0]

Im on kinda the same situation.. I had a civil wedding on the courthouse.. due to $$$ problems a that time.. we did have some pics but the digital camera got lost a few days after..

the only pic from my wedding is the one that they take and sell it to you..

so does it really matter if you dont have enough photos from your wedding... i mean.. i got 70+ pics from trips.. family get together's and random pics from friends and stuff with us..

as far as bills and stuff.. we only have the car insurance.. rental agreement.. and bank statements..

is this enough evidence..

on jan the 16th.. is my first anniversary ... sooooooo im confident that my interview is gonna go smoothly

Edited January 8, 2009 by carmie and aldo

[Steph0814 1]

Oh Yeah! I have my interview on the 15th as well in Atlanta. I have one of those big plastic file boxes on wheels, super organized and a photo album and a binder with all the joint evidence. I am planning on only bringing that in, I brought the whole file box in twice now with no problem. When I went for my INFopass apointments they always let me bring in my cell. Do you all think there is a second security check once you get up to the interview room?

[jom 4]

We had our AOS interview in Tampa, FL. Cellphones are not allowed inside the office so we left ours in the car. I only brought my usual handbag and folder with our documents and a photo album.

Goodluck