what to do after i got married

[Candy_Vince 0]

hi guys, i arrived here in US last August 1 on K1 visa...after 3 weeks we got married. I already have my marriage certificate and already went to SS to update my name since I'm now married but I can't get a California I.D as they told me they need my greencard to have cali I.D. My question is , what should I do now that I'm married, should we apply for adjustment of status , how long does it take to have an approval. Also , I want to work because I'm getting bored here now , is it possible for me to work while waiting for my adjusment,by the way I already have my SSN.

Hope you can help me on this.

Thank you so much.

[Otto 83]

Congratulations on the marriage - you're doing good, but time to keep moving forward.

Yes - you need to file AOS (and EAD). The Guides give you all the details on how to do everything (just like the K-1 guides did) - the soon, the better. AOS processing varies - could be several months, could be much longer - most folks take 3-5 months though. The EAD takes 60-90 days to get and will allow you to work while you're waiting for the PR/Green Card.

You're on Step 20 on the K-1 Visa Flowchart

Edited August 25, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[SuperDuper! 230]

It seems like the OP is in a kind of "Limbo Status" since she can't get a Calif. ID.

What form of ID would be considered "official" to a police or Border Patrol type who requests it?

Seems kind of important, since a new immigrant bride could get thrown in the Klink if she didn't have the right ID on her. What a nightmare that would be.

[HWANG0926 0]

Candy-Vince, Actually you CAN get a Driver License (*CA D/L*) Except the expiration date is the date when your I-94 expires. But since you are not doing much, you might as well obtain the driver license so when you do start working & receives your employment authorization card, you can just update with DMV and receive a new card. I would assume you can drive when you have a EAD. It wouldn't make sense for the US government to not allow a D/L when they allow you to work~~~

anyhow, i would suggest going back to the DMV. I worked for us... my hubby just cannot pass his driving behind the wheel test... otherwise he would be holding a VALID CA D/L now.