guess were the first january 2014 filers getting package together

[DAAG 1]

I guess we're the first Jan 2014 filers, just getting our package together. read all the posts of the earlier filers. one from 2009 who had dinner with an agent who does ROC interviews, seemed timeless and helpful. We have a Joint bank account joint utilitiy bills, from our previous address In Kansas Moved to Fla a year ago, and have joint utility bills here have our adress on my drivers license, and her state Id card, and did have a lease together, but the realtor used my wifes nickname on the lease papers, on a lease wiich expired in sept, but we're planning to buy a new house jointly soon creating the messy buisness of needing change of address too, and losing what seems like really solid evidence of both having everything we do linked to the old addresses, and virtually nothing linked to the new address, but it will show a joint home purchase, and joint utility bills again if we get the papers signed in time. we just got our new car insurance in fla, and its from USAA so the act kind of like were part of thier family and list my wife in the papers eventhough she doesnt drive yet, which is a help, I think. I already had kids grandkids and even 2 greatgrandkids so my new wife married into being an instant grandma, and great grandma, tho we cant have new kids now, all my grandkids accepted her immediately as thier Lola (grandma in the Philippines Janes native country) and she is inseperable from them, always wanting to include them and take them along, where ever we go. I dont know if anyone else had experienced what i have on life insurance. Aparantly mortal fear of life insurance is taught in the Philippines, and my wife was extremely opposed to me getting it as if having it would make me die, but Ive ben working on her for 2 1/2 years and finally shes ready to accept me getting it. and Ive just decided to get it along with our car ins, for her protection, just incase something happens to me, and im told that may help with our papers too, but it will be starting just before we send our papers and because of my age the agent said it will only last for 10 years. hope those two coincidences dont appear as a problem. Also my wife worked up north and had an opportunity to get medical insurancee for both of us, but it would conflict with my and her tricare from my Naval career, which i included her in and got her a militry dependant ID also, along with getting joint medical and dental coverage from tricare and delta dental. We bought a coconut farm and a Carabao (waterbuffalo) to work it, both jointly in the Philippines, and have papers to show both. some of our joint ventures may seem unorthodox, but I hope they all meet with USCIS's aproval on what theyre looking for. we've grown rather accustomed to eachother having been married for the past 2 1/2 years, and would be lost without eachother. I'd be interested in seeing what evidence already successful applicants submitted, but I rarely see such posts. I havn't seen any for removal of conditions on residency, in any case, so it looks like we're all in the same boat speculating on what USCIS will be looking for. I hope its all straight forward, just wanting to see that we are indeed a real couple, because we simply dont have exactly the same evidence as others, and I think thats reasonable. we do have one condition or circumstance, if you will, that is simply a fact of life, that may raise eyebrows in some quarters. That is that my wife is 25 to my 65. some friends ask how we do things together with that difference, and I say with proper rest excercize, and vitamins... ...she can sometimes keep up with me. The fact is i can outrun her easily as well as most of my grandkids and can outswim them all too. I just neglected to age as rapidly as most, not sure why, and I wouldnt have been happy married to a lady my age who wanted to play dominos and bingo and sit around with a blanket on her legs, I swim fish run exercize, travel around the world, and am always trying to get my wife to join me doing more, I just cant stand to sit around, but she says I wear her out sometimes. and why not, I figure theres plenty of time to rest when I get old. by that time maybe we'll both be ready to sit with blankets on our legs and play dominos. I hope they dont take exception to that. my wife doesnt, and neither do I. Both of our families love us both. Her mom says my wife is 65 and im 25, and we always kid eachother about that. My grandkids always laugh and try to compete when we race accross the parking lot from the car to a store, they can outrun my wife, but some are still shocked to lose to grandpa. But how can papers that we submit show that? I think they have to just look at us and see we belong together. Maybe its partly body languge but we're just happy together.

[victorian221b 12]

Hello!

Looking at the evidences you plan on submitting it appears you have some pretty solid evidences. Change of address is inevitable. The only thing to watch out for is to make sure you have both names on every document to every address you moved to and it appears you are aware of it and will be getting copies of them - which is good.

I recently posted on the sticky thread regarding my evidences. It's on the last page of the thread. So that should give you an idea of what got me approved (along with an RFE hiccup LOL).

Because interviews are not mandatory USCIS needs to be convinced that your marriage is legit without actually seeing you in person. So any shared property ownership, primary beneficiaries listed as each other, financial statements showing both of you have equal or given authorized usage and decision-making and proof that you have lived together are what will help convince USCIS regarding your marriage. There may be a lot of inconveniences especially with changes of address but if you can get any good solid evidences you're good to go. And I think you are.

Just a reminder that if your wife uses a different name on some legal documents make sure to note that on the application form - there is an entry on the form that allows you to do that. So there really shouldn't be a problem with the lease.

Maybe also consider notarized affidavits from your kids and grandkids (and great grandkids if they're old enough to write an affidavit). Sounds like they are all very happy with both of you so that should help too - though it holds less weight to your financial and property documents but it wouldn't hurt to submit them.

Also are there any tax transcripts you can submit?

Good luck!

[DAAG 1]

Thank you Victorian, for your encouraging words. and we have coppies of the original joint tax returns we submitted online for 2011 and 2012, but not the transcripts, that I understand are available from IRS. When I submitted our taxs, I simply printed them twice so wed have coppies. They do not bear signature, because you dont sign them when submitted on line, but they are the completed tax forms actually submitted, simply printed out in duplicate one for our files, and one for USCIS purposes. AS for my wifes nickname used on the rental agreement, I hadnt really thought of it as an alias, It was simply her user name on Filipina Heart, where I met her. she had to pick a user name and called herself Jane, as her real name sounds a little like a male name to some in USA although it sounds feminine in the Philippines. and many people want to seperate her double first name and call her just half of her real name. when I asked her what she preferred to be called, she asked what I like to call her and I said, any name she want ed me to call her, and i told her I was use to Jane, because I'd cslled her that since we'd started writting to eachother, so she said she liked Jane also, and thats what I've always called her and my family calls her too, and without thinking, thats the same name I'd told the realtor who wrote the rental contract, and didn't notice til we met the owner of the house to sign the contract, looking back at the contract i see the realtor did hand write in her real name, but her real name, bears no resemblance to her nick name, however the owner of the house is really casual and laid basck and said he wasn't too concered about contracts, and said just write what we need to and tell him where to sign, so we were so relaxed I didn't really question much, so when I saw the nickname, and told the realtor, she just hand wrote Janes real name in and had Jane initail it. I guess maybe we should include it on the form, but I guess the realtor writting her real name in probably covers that. I like your idea about having kids and grandkids write affidavits, and have already asked 2 of the kids who seem best at such things to write us affidavits. I hadnt even thought of the grandkids doing it but some are plenty old enough and good enough wordsmiths, and they all really love thier lola. the oldest greatgrandkids are just toddlers, but if they could write and would be legal doing it they'd love to. Also Do uou or does anyone know if theres any amount of life insurance uscis looks for, as some people going through the process have told me USCIS really looks for life insurance, and for some reason many seemed to have $250,000 worth of Life insurance, but at my age that much insurance takes a pretty good chunk of my retirements. I was thinking more $100,000, so it'd be enough to protect my wife if anything should happen to me. Thats whats most important to me and IM not usually one to fear rules, because following ones that make sense us usually second nature to me, but I want to make sure there are no glitches that could take my wife and the kids lola away, so Im really overthinking this one, perhaps, but the instructions seem very general and perhaps even vague. Whereas i am certain what they want to see is less vague and general, so trying not to fall short of unstated thresholds is always a fear when perameters are too general. From years in the Navy, I find myself wanting to write a solid firm list of things needed and fill each need, and check them off, as I go to ensure success.I know I could do this and guarantee success every time, but there is no such list to my knowledge. I dont know what the tiers are mentioned in your timeline. Is that just a way of keeping track of RFE'S? We've never recieved one, so far. I guess im not really familar with the meaning of the term "sticky thread" either, and, even after Ive done this whole process myself, without a lawyer, And am at the tail end of the process, I still have difficulty locating particular threads, or subjects on Visa Journey. But When I do eventually locate them they're always helpful.

[H&I 6]

We are in the January packets as well.... it's sad because I had serious surgery at the end of October and kind of lost track of time trying to recover...

and then my husband and I were talking about when we need to do our next package... and realized it was Jan 2... and I was thinking Feb. 2.. I

had 5 days to put a package together... but I sent everything I had... it was due there on the 2nd... but the PO was obviously closed on the 1st... to say

the least I spent the next couple days not doing much.... but we got it out... Thank you GOD

What I can't remember is if they will send me an email telling me they got it... or a letter in the mail... do you happen to know?

Good luck with your package.... really it's not as difficult as the I-130... if you have an questions... if I can' help I will.

[H&I 6]

And DAAG... I also with let you know that there is a almost 16 year difference with my husband and me... and I have grandkids... I sent a lot of pics

with my husband and them together... they love him!!

Even though I sent my packet out already... it was good to read this... I thought it might help you get yours ready... GOOD LUCK...and HAVE FUN!!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/220440-i-751-evidence/

[victorian221b 12]

The Tiers are in regards to the level of the person you will speak with when you call USCIS. Tier 1 are customer representatives who acts as a buffer between you and an immigration officer. They usually help answer generic questions regarding forms, timelines etc. Tier 2 are immigration officers who have more knowledge regarding specific questions you have or special issues regarding your case that Tier 1 normally doesn't have knowledge of.

You shouldn't need to worry about the Tiers until you need to call USCIS - which is necessary when you have waited for a long time and have not heard back from them.

Thank you Victorian, for your encouraging words. and we have coppies of the original joint tax returns we submitted online for 2011 and 2012, but not the transcripts, that I understand are available from IRS. When I submitted our taxs, I simply printed them twice so wed have coppies. They do not bear signature, because you dont sign them when submitted on line, but they are the completed tax forms actually submitted, simply printed out in duplicate one for our files, and one for USCIS purposes. AS for my wifes nickname used on the rental agreement, I hadnt really thought of it as an alias, It was simply her user name on Filipina Heart, where I met her. she had to pick a user name and called herself Jane, as her real name sounds a little like a male name to some in USA although it sounds feminine in the Philippines. and many people want to seperate her double first name and call her just half of her real name. when I asked her what she preferred to be called, she asked what I like to call her and I said, any name she want ed me to call her, and i told her I was use to Jane, because I'd cslled her that since we'd started writting to eachother, so she said she liked Jane also, and thats what I've always called her and my family calls her too, and without thinking, thats the same name I'd told the realtor who wrote the rental contract, and didn't notice til we met the owner of the house to sign the contract, looking back at the contract i see the realtor did hand write in her real name, but her real name, bears no resemblance to her nick name, however the owner of the house is really casual and laid basck and said he wasn't too concered about contracts, and said just write what we need to and tell him where to sign, so we were so relaxed I didn't really question much, so when I saw the nickname, and told the realtor, she just hand wrote Janes real name in and had Jane initail it. I guess maybe we should include it on the form, but I guess the realtor writting her real name in probably covers that. I like your idea about having kids and grandkids write affidavits, and have already asked 2 of the kids who seem best at such things to write us affidavits. I hadnt even thought of the grandkids doing it but some are plenty old enough and good enough wordsmiths, and they all really love thier lola. the oldest greatgrandkids are just toddlers, but if they could write and would be legal doing it they'd love to. Also Do uou or does anyone know if theres any amount of life insurance uscis looks for, as some people going through the process have told me USCIS really looks for life insurance, and for some reason many seemed to have $250,000 worth of Life insurance, but at my age that much insurance takes a pretty good chunk of my retirements. I was thinking more $100,000, so it'd be enough to protect my wife if anything should happen to me. Thats whats most important to me and IM not usually one to fear rules, because following ones that make sense us usually second nature to me, but I want to make sure there are no glitches that could take my wife and the kids lola away, so Im really overthinking this one, perhaps, but the instructions seem very general and perhaps even vague. Whereas i am certain what they want to see is less vague and general, so trying not to fall short of unstated thresholds is always a fear when perameters are too general. From years in the Navy, I find myself wanting to write a solid firm list of things needed and fill each need, and check them off, as I go to ensure success.I know I could do this and guarantee success every time, but there is no such list to my knowledge. I dont know what the tiers are mentioned in your timeline. Is that just a way of keeping track of RFE'S? We've never recieved one, so far. I guess im not really familar with the meaning of the term "sticky thread" either, and, even after Ive done this whole process myself, without a lawyer, And am at the tail end of the process, I still have difficulty locating particular threads, or subjects on Visa Journey. But When I do eventually locate them they're always helpful.

[victorian221b 12]

You will get an NOA letter with an 1-year extension and then a biometrics appointment letter will follow. Good luck

We are in the January packets as well.... it's sad because I had serious surgery at the end of October and kind of lost track of time trying to recover...

and then my husband and I were talking about when we need to do our next package... and realized it was Jan 2... and I was thinking Feb. 2.. I

had 5 days to put a package together... but I sent everything I had... it was due there on the 2nd... but the PO was obviously closed on the 1st... to say

the least I spent the next couple days not doing much.... but we got it out... Thank you GOD

What I can't remember is if they will send me an email telling me they got it... or a letter in the mail... do you happen to know?

Good luck with your package.... really it's not as difficult as the I-130... if you have an questions... if I can' help I will.

[Pat2Bos 2]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your helpful comments. We filed on the 20th of December 2013 and received the one year extension letter on 27th. No Biometric appointment letter yet.

Going by the responses it seems the Vermont center is worse than the California center in terms of RFE etc. Any perspectives on this?

_______________________________

I-751 Packet Sent- 12/20/2013

Received by Vermont office- 12/23/2013

Receipt issued (I-797 (NOA)- 12/24/2013

Receipt/one year extension received- 12/27/2013

Check cashed- 12/30/2013

[victorian221b 12]

It's a toss up. A few April filers who submitted RFE to VSC rec'd responses within 2 weeks. I and a couple of others waited longer to get response.

Hi guys,

Thanks for your helpful comments. We filed on the 20th of December 2013 and received the one year extension letter on 27th. No Biometric appointment letter yet.

Going by the responses it seems the Vermont center is worse than the California center in terms of RFE etc. Any perspectives on this?

_______________________________

I-751 Packet Sent- 12/20/2013

Received by Vermont office- 12/23/2013

Receipt issued (I-797 (NOA)- 12/24/2013

Receipt/one year extension received- 12/27/2013

Check cashed- 12/30/2013

[Pat2Bos 2]

Hey guys,

So it's been two weeks since I received my NOA1 but no bio-metric appointment letter yet, whereas I have seen for most people they get bio-metric appointment letter within two weeks of getting NOA1. Shall I call them to check or just wait? I am bit more nervous as I said earlier that I haven't heard many good things about the VSC.

Thanks for your ideas in advance.

[Yurika & Jim 77]

Hey guys,

So it's been two weeks since I received my NOA1 but no bio-metric appointment letter yet, whereas I have seen for most people they get bio-metric appointment letter within two weeks of getting NOA1. Shall I call them to check or just wait? I am bit more nervous as I said earlier that I haven't heard many good things about the VSC.

Thanks for your ideas in advance.

Why don' you join I-751 December 2013 Filers thread? http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/468657-i-751-december-2013-filers/?p=6744423

You can compare with others progress and ask questions to them

[Pat2Bos 2]

Thanks, Good idea!

[Edi & Sua 1]

Hello,

We just sent ours too few days ago. It shows that it was received and signed by T Cioppa on Jan 21st. They still didnt cash my check.

Good luck everyone.

[DAAG 1]

we got our package off 2 days after the 3 month point, before my wife's 2 year green card would expire received our extension in a week and did our bio apt a couple of weeks ago, just waiting to hear more. Now my wife just realized her Philippine passport will expire soon and the Philippine consulate wants reams of paperwork to accept that she's married and changed her name or get it renewed in her previous name. hate to get papers done In her maiden name when its so important right now to make everything match, but she wants to travel to Philippines to see her mom soon. guess I need to find another forum to ask about that. thanks to everyone who gave us input on submitting our package.