Spaniard married american and got some doubts

[icv21 110]

Hello!! My name is Iris and I'm from Barcelona-Spain.

I've been reading this forum the past 3 weeks and I finally decided to create an account.

Last April I came to visit my american boyfriend with an ESTA, and after dating for 5 years we got engaged 1 day before my flight was leaving to Spain..... So we decided we didn't want to be apart anymore and I stayed the next day I didn't get in my flight, and the next day we got married in the court!!!! ( we have plan to have a ceremony when all the process is over )

Right now I'm a overstayed because I exceeded the 90 days, and I'm aplying for AOS I didn't even know it existed since the plan was going back to Spain and getting the visa K-1.

It wasn't planned at all, and I'm still waiting for my police record from Spain to start the AOS process. Since I didn't come with any documents obviously for something like this.

I've been reading a lot from here and trying to learn all the process. I will also be filling for a work authorization.

I'm translating all the documents by myself. and filling myself.

I would like for you all to feel free for any tips on how to do things the best.

I have some questions:

My marriage certificate has my single name. Do I fill papers with it??? But if I want it changed should I use the husband name??? Or change it legally in the future after having the GC???? I'm confused.

Is it legal to translate documents by myself???

How many pictures do you recommend to send with forms??? I have joined bank accounts already

Thank you so much this forum is awesome!!!!!! I was feeling so lost before I found it and we can't afford a lawyer.

Sorry if I ask things that are already out I have to learn how it works

[Ryan H 3,791]

Moved from Adjustment of Status from Family Based Visas forum to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum.

Edited August 27, 2014 by Ryan H

[lesthatsri 9]

Hi Iris,

I understand your feelings it is a great adventure you are in now

Your marriage certificate doesn't necessarily need to state your married name. If you wish to change it for your green card and your work authorization you will need to fill the paperwork with it. Whatever name you use in the forms is the name that will be printed on your card. My marriage certificate didn't declare my married name and I used a combination with my husband's and my name. All my paperwork has been processed like this. Some forms like the Biographical information has a separate spot to fill "Others names used". This is where you will put your maiden name. If you want to change it after GC you will need to pay $450.

You don't need a certified translation for your birth certificate. I had my brother in law which is fluent in Spanish and English do the translate for me, and then I created the document in illustrator (It has to be an exact copy: stamps, lines, signatures, etc). It also has to have a box where it says that the document has been translated from spanish to english and it's accurate and has to be signed by the person that did it. It cannot be signed by yourself or you will get an RFE. (A request for a new translation).

I didn't send any pictures with the original package. Since it says that the package required initial evidence I sent:

- Joint bank accounts

- Cellphone bills with call history (showing how much we call each other)

- Marriage certificate.

At the point of my application, I didn't have a lease agreement because we were living with his parents. Now we do, and I will take it to my interview.

Please check our guides for further reference on filing your forms http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

If you need any help don't hesitate to ask.

EDIT: Do you need a police record from Spain? As far as I know, this document is not required for the application. Only your birth certificate. I didn't file one since your background check will be done with your biometrics appointment and the FBI.

Edited August 27, 2014 by lesthatsri

[mymarriagejourney 113]

You don't need the police record unless you have convictions.

[icv21 110]

Thank you for writing! I thought I needed the police records to proof that I don't have any criminal records. I have never been arrested or even have a traffic ticket

So can I just not add it with my form I-485???? I've been waiting for this documents for 3 weeks, it's the last thing I need to have the package.

[CdnRN 40]

You will be fine sending the package without proof you have no record. Good luck!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Police records are not required. Go through the instructions line by line and you will see. The form instructions are at uscis.gov

[icv21 110]

Ok!! I'm so existed now! And I hate I wasted time haha. Thank you!!!

[icv21 110]

I even printed the instructions of each form. I don't know why I just made up in my mind that I needed to proof I didn't have any criminal history. I just read it again and it's right seems I don't need it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If you don't like to waste time, then have you finished your medical appointment with a Civil Surgeon?

[icv21 110]

They didn't give my police records to anyone in my family and I couldn't ask for it from outside Spain so I had to go the vice consul here in Spain and he made a paper I had to sent to Spain.... I sent it in July and I'm still waiting to get a response.

Since I figure out I would have to translate that document, I was waiting to get it here and once I had it get the appointment for the medical exam. I heard it's very fast and I was worried of this police paper taking too long and my medical exam expiring or something. I mainly didn't want to pay for a doctor twice

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Well you don't need the police paper, so on to the next thing! Good luck.

[icv21 110]

Thank you so much

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hi Iris,

I understand your feelings it is a great adventure you are in now

Your marriage certificate doesn't necessarily need to state your married name. If you wish to change it for your green card and your work authorization you will need to fill the paperwork with it. Whatever name you use in the forms is the name that will be printed on your card. My marriage certificate didn't declare my married name and I used a combination with my husband's and my name. All my paperwork has been processed like this. Some forms like the Biographical information has a separate spot to fill "Others names used". This is where you will put your maiden name. If you want to change it after GC you will need to pay $450.

You don't need a certified translation for your birth certificate. I had my brother in law which is fluent in Spanish and English do the translate for me, and then I created the document in illustrator (It has to be an exact copy: stamps, lines, signatures, etc). It also has to have a box where it says that the document has been translated from spanish to english and it's accurate and has to be signed by the person that did it. It cannot be signed by yourself or you will get an RFE. (A request for a new translation).

I didn't send any pictures with the original package. Since it says that the package required initial evidence I sent:

- Joint bank accounts

- Cellphone bills with call history (showing how much we call each other)

- Marriage certificate.

At the point of my application, I didn't have a lease agreement because we were living with his parents. Now we do, and I will take it to my interview.

Please check our guides for further reference on filing your forms http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

If you need any help don't hesitate to ask.

EDIT: Do you need a police record from Spain? As far as I know, this document is not required for the application. Only your birth certificate. I didn't file one since your background check will be done with your biometrics appointment and the FBI.

Couple of incorrect things:

The translated copies do not have to be in similar format to the original, that is one way to do it; it is also possible to do it in a more "flow" manner, which does not quite follows the format bu the sequence. Professional translators do it this way because they get paid for translations and emulating the original format takes time, which means less income

I do a lot of translations for people I help in a volunteer position and it's more a matter of preference for the person who asks for it. These translations are used in immigration procedures and I have never seen a RFE because of it.

You can translate yourself. I've done this too -for myelf, and for immigration matters, no RFE. However, it is correct that there has to be a statement as to the accuracy of the translation and stating as well that the person translating (which could be you) is fluent in both languages.

[2ndMessiah 184]

Also you need to file your I485 concurrently with an I130.