Filing for AOS..

[Messybrownhair 251]

Hi all,

I just got my visa and I plan to leave sometime in February.. My wedding is still in April. I'd like to make the most of my time there before the wedding to get a lot of AOS stuff sorted out before the wedding so that hopefully once we get the license, we can send the packet right away. What are the things, aside from getting a SSN and a marriage license that I can do before the wedding? Can I already do the civil surgeon thing?

I would really love some advice because we plan to do this without any lawyers. Also.. can the AOS process be expedited? My fiance is in the military and will be deploying by the end of 2011, so we need my GC right away, since he will be leaving me.

Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can get your whole packet ready and once you get married and get your marriage certificate you can mail it off (include a regular photocopy of your marriage certificate). Look over the forms and have your fiance get stuff ready, like tax returns, etc.

You can go to the Civil Surgeon before your marriage. You can use a part of your medical from your K-1; there is a sticky on the top of this forum about how to get the vaccination portion transcribed by a CS on form I-693 (depending on whether your vaccination history is complete etc).

AOS can be expedited, but from what I have seen, couples with a deployed half go to the interview by themselves without an expedite (and you might not even have an interview). I am not sure the whole process for deployed military though, I am sure someone more knowledgeable about the military will come along! Good luck and congrats on your K-1 approval!

[Ann&wes 1]

You can get your whole packet ready and once you get married and get your marriage certificate you can mail it off (include a regular photocopy of your marriage certificate). Look over the forms and have your fiance get stuff ready, like tax returns, etc.

You can go to the Civil Surgeon before your marriage. You can use a part of your medical from your K-1; there is a sticky on the top of this forum about how to get the vaccination portion transcribed by a CS on form I-693 (depending on whether your vaccination history is complete etc).

AOS can be expedited, but from what I have seen, couples with a deployed half go to the interview by themselves without an expedite (and you might not even have an interview). I am not sure the whole process for deployed military though, I am sure someone more knowledgeable about the military will come along! Good luck and congrats on your K-1 approval!

I am military for 17 years, and have called the Military HelpLine before. I will post the info from the website below, but let me tell you this. They are VERY VERY helpful, only he can call, and he will have to provide proof of deployment and such (orders, letter from CO, or something). Hope this helps. They can expedite ANYTHING you want there. But only valid for the military. They will ask MANY times to make sure. It is actually the Nebraska Center, but they specialize in military now. Good luck and congrats on everything. Good luck...and hope he will have a safe deployment. If you need anything, military or any other advice, let me know.

USCIS has established a toll-free military help line, 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645), exclusively for members of the military and their families. USCIS customer service specialists are available to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (CST), excluding federal holidays.

After-hours callers will receive an email address that they can use to contact USCIS for assistance. Callers will receive assistance with immigration-related information, such as:

*

Tracking their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

*

Notifying USCIS of a new mailing address or duty station.

*

Checking the status of any other application or petition.

*

Bringing a spouse, fiancé, or adopted child to the United States.

*

Obtaining posthumous citizenship for a deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

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Submitting an application for expedited processing.

Members of the U.S. armed forces and their families stationed in the United States or overseas may access the help line using the toll-free number through their base telephone operator or using the Defense Switched Network (DSN).

[Messybrownhair 251]

Thank you both, your replies are very helpful! I don't think his orders will be ready by April but I think we can definitely get a letter from someone higher up in position that will talk about the incoming deployment. hopefully, it will suffice.

another question, when a k1 applies for ssn.. did any of you encounter problems? i was told i needed that + marriage cert to get a military id after marriage

thanks all!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Usually it is advised to wait about 10 days after POE before going to SS office - so your name gets a chance to be updated in their database. Otherwise it takes manual check which can take longer, but it's still not a big a deal. Also don't go too late - you need a few weeks left on your I-94. If you miss this "window" you can always get yours when you apply for AOS and get your EAD. Also, some people have trouble if they marry on K-1 and then try to get SSN after with no EAD - it's best to apply before you get married, say 2 weeks after POE (even though you theoretically should be able to get it after marriage if you have some time left on I-94... but meh...). SS Office people are not paid well and don't know too much about immigration. Good luck.

[Ann&wes 1]

Thank you both, your replies are very helpful! I don't think his orders will be ready by April but I think we can definitely get a letter from someone higher up in position that will talk about the incoming deployment. hopefully, it will suffice.

another question, when a k1 applies for ssn.. did any of you encounter problems? i was told i needed that + marriage cert to get a military id after marriage

thanks all!

Yes, you will need both. From what I understand though, from talking to the SSA, is that my fiance can not get a SSN until we file for the AOS, then show them the receipt, and they will give her one. BUT, I have heard also that most POE officers will be nice and stamp authorization to work in your passport if you ask nicely when you come in on your K1. In that case, SSA will issue SSN so you can work. I have a friend though, and I will ask them specifically about the mil id, as she is on the K1 process and he is here in US. She has a mil id I think. So I will check.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The work stamp a K-1 entrant may get at POE does not actually authorize them to work. On the Employment Verification I-9 form, that stamps does not constitute a valid document. A K-1 may apply to get work authorization, but it usually takes 90 days for that, and it expires when the I-94 does, so it is basically wasted money.

A K-1 is authorized to get a SSN. Go to the SS office before you get married, about 2 weeks after POE and get it. Note the "window" I described above and don't wait too long, if you want it fast. Good luck.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yes, you will need both. From what I understand though, from talking to the SSA, is that my fiance can not get a SSN until we file for the AOS, then show them the receipt, and they will give her one. BUT, I have heard also that most POE officers will be nice and stamp authorization to work in your passport if you ask nicely when you come in on your K1. In that case, SSA will issue SSN so you can work. I have a friend though, and I will ask them specifically about the mil id, as she is on the K1 process and he is here in US. She has a mil id I think. So I will check.

The K1 visa allows you to get the SSN as long as you have at least 14 days left on your I-94. Whoever told you that you need to file AOS before being able to get one lied to you.

The work stamp at the border does NOT allow you to work. It is an outdated stamp that is not supposed to be given anymore but they give it (at JFK) to anyone, not realising that this confuses people and that it means some people are working illegally thinking it's legal.

[Messybrownhair 251]

Thanks everyone!

The POE and SSN is making me worry as I see so many horror stories here in VJ like not being given an i94 or the immigration officer misspelling your name, getting the date wrong.. and also not being given a SSN.. ahh!! I hope it all works out once I leave. ^.^

Okay so SSN and Civil surgeon it is.. What about a state ID and drivers license? How soon can I get those? Thanks again

[SunDrop 59]

What about a state ID and drivers license? How soon can I get those? Thanks again

Depends on the state you're in. In AZ you can't get either until you have your EAD at very least.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Thanks everyone!

The POE and SSN is making me worry as I see so many horror stories here in VJ like not being given an i94 or the immigration officer misspelling your name, getting the date wrong.. and also not being given a SSN.. ahh!! I hope it all works out once I leave. ^.^

Okay so SSN and Civil surgeon it is.. What about a state ID and drivers license? How soon can I get those? Thanks again

I think the people who don't get I-94s are not K-1 entrants, but rather visitors (either from Canada or VWP countries).. Don't worry, that won't happen to you. Also, you write your own name on the I-94, so no need to worry about that. As to getting the date wrong, that is rare... like the officer flipped the numbers wrong on his stamp. Don't worry about that either

Sometimes it's hard to tell who is who on VJ, and one tends to think other people are in the same situation as ourselves, when they are not. It seems to me most "horror stories" are embellished to make the poster seem innocent when they might not be, so don't worry. Yeah, sometimes things get wonky for honest and informed people, but it can usually be fixed. It'll be fine! It's a lot of work but you'll be proud of yourself when you're finished. Good luck.

[BB & MJ 3]

Here's a dumb question, after we marry and start to fill out the AOS I-485 forms, does she fill them out using her new married last name or her maiden/birth name?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You use whatever name she plans to use. If she wants to use her married name from now on, then use her married name, and vice versa. There is no requirement to use a married name.

[BB & MJ 3]

You use whatever name she plans to use. If she wants to use her married name from now on, then use her married name, and vice versa. There is no requirement to use a married name.

Thanks for the reply. So I assume this includes ALL forms that need to be submitted, right?

1. G-325a

2. I-864

3. I-485

4. I-765 (optional)

5. I-131 (optional)

6. G-1145 (optional)

[Messybrownhair 251]

Thanks BB and MJ.. I have the same questions as well )