F1->AOS criminal history required? Document Timing?

[togetmarried 0]

Hello,

I'm gathering up documents to adjust my status from F1. I read through the instructions and I just need someone to help me make sure that I understood things correctly.

I apologize if some of these questions may appear redundant, but this whole AOS business makes me nervous, which makes me keep doubting my comprehension of the written instructions!

Criminal history

1. Just to be absolutely clear, if I don't have any criminal history anywhere in the world, I do NOT have to include criminal record history. Correct? I just check "no" in the forms?

I ask this because I lived in Korea (native), Canada (student visa) and the US (F1) since I turned 16, so I wasn't sure if I need to add more documents regarding my stay in those countries other than my country of origin.

2. The form says that I don't need to include traffic violations that result in fines less than $500 or points. I had a traffic citation for Unsafe Movement related to a car accident, which was dismissed eventually. Later, the other party involved in the accident filed a lawsuit against me to scare my insurance company to pay more. This was eventually dismissed/dropped once the other driver and my insurance company reached a settlement.

Since the citation or lawsuit did not result in any arrest or actual fines over $500, I do not need include any documents related to this. Correct?

Timing

3. I know the photos have to taken within 30 days of the AOS application, but is there a similar limit on documents? That is, does it matter if I obtained my birth certificate 90 days before the actual AOS application submission?

4. Similar to the question #3, does the Medical Examination have to be within certain period from the date of submission?

Thank you!!

Edited October 15, 2012 by togetmarried

[hakka 0]

1. That sounds right. If you have no criminal history, then you have nothing to report. That's how my wife and I did it and we were successful in getting a green card.

2. This is dependent upon circumstance, but the way you describe it sounds like everything was dismissed/dropped. A traffic accident resulting in an insurance payment is so common that I doubt USCIS wants to know about every fender-bender.

3. The 30 days is for photos, not for all the other documents (unless it's something specifically time-sensitive). If you have a valid birth certificate in your possession, it's still valid.

4. The medical exam should be close to the time of your submission. The doctor we went to for the exam said this is not a hard-and-fast rule, but it's better to send off your application soon after getting the I-693 done. Like a few weeks to a month. My doc has seen some cases where an applicant waits a long time (like many months) and then a picky bureaucrat wants to see a new I-693.

[huongkhin 9]

During Biometrics, FBI will run a background check on you. If that fails, you must gather police reports from the the places that you've been living for the last 5 years.

[DandT14 272]

My husbands I693 was done about 11 months before we submitted his AOS. We were nervous about it getting rejected, but it wasn't an issue. It's supposed to be good for a year.

[Hypnos 6,576]

I-693 medical exams are valid for one year from the date of certification by the civil surgeon, and will usually be accepted as valid even if your application is not adjudicated within that year, per this USCIS policy memo

Edited October 20, 2012 by Hypnos

[togetmarried 0]

1. That sounds right. If you have no criminal history, then you have nothing to report. That's how my wife and I did it and we were successful in getting a green card.

2. This is dependent upon circumstance, but the way you describe it sounds like everything was dismissed/dropped. A traffic accident resulting in an insurance payment is so common that I doubt USCIS wants to know about every fender-bender.

3. The 30 days is for photos, not for all the other documents (unless it's something specifically time-sensitive). If you have a valid birth certificate in your possession, it's still valid.

4. The medical exam should be close to the time of your submission. The doctor we went to for the exam said this is not a hard-and-fast rule, but it's better to send off your application soon after getting the I-693 done. Like a few weeks to a month. My doc has seen some cases where an applicant waits a long time (like many months) and then a picky bureaucrat wants to see a new I-693.

Thank you! This really puts my mind at ease..!

I-693 medical exams are valid for one year from the date of certification by the civil surgeon, and will usually be accepted as valid even if your application is not adjudicated within that year, per this USCIS policy memo

Thanks! This is really helpful. I guess I can get things started right away!

During Biometrics, FBI will run a background check on you. If that fails, you must gather police reports from the the places that you've been living for the last 5 years.

Ok, I guess I should get the police clearance from all countries, just in case. Thanks!

[togetmarried 0]

My husbands I693 was done about 11 months before we submitted his AOS. We were nervous about it getting rejected, but it wasn't an issue. It's supposed to be good for a year.

Good! thanks!

[akihon 129]

it's still a better idea to file soon after the medical. you have no idea if they decided to RFE you for it, and then you'll have to pay to get it done all over again. The civil surgeons only accept cash, and the cost to get an appointment alone is like $130-150 CASH.

[Hypnos 6,576]

The civil surgeons only accept cash, and the cost to get an appointment alone is like $130-150 CASH.

Not true, I used a credit card for mine without issue.

Edited October 21, 2012 by Hypnos

[huongkhin 9]

Not true, I used a credit card for mine without issue.

It's vary from office to office.

[akihon 129]

It's vary from office to office.

agreed. the one I went to wouldn't allow insurance to cover any missing vaccinations and only accepted cash.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Indeed, so saying "civil surgeons only accept cash" is incorrect.