Possibly moving to another state during AOS

[pddp 240]

My husband and I are planning to move from the Midwest to the West Coast sometime this spring or summer. Obviously we'd prefer to wait until my AOS is completed as we've understood that it can be a real mess to move during the process. However, my husband's job transfer might be moving along a bit faster than we'd anticipated, so now we're trying to figure out what to do, just in case...

If we do have to move before my AOS completes, would it make any sense to change our address to that of his parents', who currently live 15mins from us? That way we'd remain in the same jurisdiction and my in-laws would receive my green card in the mail. Or how about doing that AND adding a secondary residence on the West Coast..? Has anyone been in a similar situation..? Clearly, if we can wait, we'll wait. But since we both really want to move and if the job transfer can't be postponed, we're not willing to let this opportunity go by, just because the USCIS can't get their act together in time...

Background: As you can see from my timeline I'm adjusting from K1, filed 11/21/2011, case transferred to CSC, biometrics done 12/14/2011. First marriage for both of us, no children on either side. Should be a straightforward case for the USCIS to process, most likely without an interview. Soonish..?!

Please comment with any suggestions/ideas/experiences! Thanks.

[Ms C 5]

you can ask the post to re-direct all your correspondence to the new address and you don't change anything regarding AOS. Basically everything that is suppose to go to the old house will be sent to the new one, I think this only works for 12 months, ask at the post office

Hope it helps

Edited January 6, 2012 by Ms Carter

[pddp 240]

you can ask the post to re-direct all your correspondence to the new address and you don't change anything regarding AOS. Basically everything that is suppose to go to the old house will be sent to the new one, I think this only works for 12 months, ask at the post office

Hope it helps

So basically not telling the USCIS anything but just changing our address at the post office which will then forward our mail to the new address? Can it be that easy? Has anyone actually done this? This would great, we would just wait until I receive the GC and then update our address at USCIS. Probably wouldn't be much of a delay anyway. Thanks!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So you're planning on moving around March (earliest) and you filed AOS in late Nov. AOS is taking around 3-5 months. You're expecting a GC or interview around late Feb to late April.

I would change your address once you move, online and hard copy. don't forget the I-865 for your USC as well. Also follow up with a phonecall to make sure it's done right. I don't know where you currently live but if you're able to have someone check the mail there, or you have a good relationship with whoever move in you could ask them to let you know if they receive anything for you. USCIS tracks things now so if they send it to the wrong address and you have evidence that you changed your address (keep a copy of the AR-11) then you can prove THEY lost it, not you. You might also get an interview so changing it to your MIL's means coming back to the Midwest for the interview... so changing to the new address (not IL's) is best.

you can ask the post to re-direct all your correspondence to the new address and you don't change anything regarding AOS. Basically everything that is suppose to go to the old house will be sent to the new one, I think this only works for 12 months, ask at the post office

Hope it helps

Sorry but you're wrong. Government mail is NOT forwarded. There is the rare occasion that one slips through the cracks but it's not supposed to happen.

- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080805133530AAT7spH

- http://askville.amazon.com/true-government-mail-forwarded-snail/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=6020054

- http://www.trackitt.com/usa-discussion-forums/i485-eb/431664195/does-usps-forward-green-card-envelope

So basically not telling the USCIS anything but just changing our address at the post office which will then forward our mail to the new address? Can it be that easy? Has anyone actually done this? This would great, we would just wait until I receive the GC and then update our address at USCIS. Probably wouldn't be much of a delay anyway. Thanks!

No it's not that easy, as I said government mail isn't forwarded. It's also against the law because by LAW you are required to change your address within 10 days of moving. If USCIS does a surprise visit (which has happened, is rare but happens) and you're not there, you're in deep do-do.

One of the links above suggest "holding" your mail. That is a viable option for some mail. I know that DMV mail isn't held.

Edited January 6, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[Dave&Roza 748]

Except the USCIS will not allow the USPS to forward their mail. Another option is to place a hold on all mail and have your parents pick it up, but that is good for 30 days. I looked into options as we were also going to be moving during the AOS process. We got the GC before we moved so it was not an issue. I would wait until you actually move to do a change of address--you have 10 days after you move to notify USCIS. I would then have a hold on all your mail for 30 days and have your parents pick it up. Hopefully the change of address will take effect with USCIS or the GC will arrive before you move.

Good luck,

Dave

[kcoyclay1 98]

Best thing is to do a change if address for both of you. AR-11SR and I-865. Because you are pending you need to mail a copy to them so that your application can be updated. Electronic applications do not update pending applications. They gave to be done manually as well.