DIY AOS Filling

[babybabycakes 1]

Hello Guys,

 

My fiance and I decided to do-it-ourselves to file for my adjustment of status. Our previous immigration lawyer (who worked to process my K1 visa) fee is just way higher than what we expected, specially with the  USCIS filling fee too. All is good so far though.

 

I have prepared the following:

• Cover Letter
• G-1145
• I-485
• G-325A
• I-864
• I-693
• I-765

 

Supporting Documents

• Passport Bio Page (photocopy)
• Passport Visa Page (photocopy)
• Birth Certificate
• Most Recent I-94 and Travel History (printed)
• I-129F USCIS Approval Letter (scanned copy - my fiance lost the original one! thankfully he scanned it and sent it to me thru email before)
• Marriage Certificate

 

I have also prepared I-131 (Advance Parole) but I wasn't sure what to write on "Reason". Will it be acceptable if I write "To visit family"? And for the "Country to visit" I only wrote "Philippines".

I was just wondering, when the time comes, can I still travel anywhere aside from Philippines? or is it something I need to include in advance?

TBH, I am still thinking about submitting this since I am following US naming standard, and I want to avoid questioning. 😣

 

Another question, do I need to attached a copy of my Vaccination from St. Luke's Manila as supporting document to my I-693?

Does my supporting documents such as Marriage and Birth Certificate needs to be original or can I send copies instead?

Lastly, since I decided to follow US naming for now which is (Maiden first & middle Name (as used in visa) + husband's surname) will it be okay to write my married surname on all the forms instead of my maiden surname?

 

 

That's all I can think for now. Please let me know if I missed any form/s or supporting documents.

Thanks in advance!

[vivostu 17]

10 minutes ago, babybabycakes said:

I have prepared the following:

• Cover Letter
• G-1145
• I-485
• G-325A
• I-864
• I-693
• I-765

Be wary on relying on guides and videos that mention G-325A as the info might be outdated. G-325A is not needed after 06/09/2017: https://web.archive.org/web/20170427053222/https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

[babybabycakes 1]

12 minutes ago, vivostu said:

Be wary on relying on guides and videos that mention G-325A as the info might be outdated. G-325A is not needed after 06/09/2017: https://web.archive.org/web/20170427053222/https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

Noted. Thank you!

 

CORRECTION BTW: I have I-797C not I-129F. Sorry about that.

Edited January 7, 2019 by babybabycakes

[M&JB 80]

28 minutes ago, babybabycakes said:

Hello Guys,

 

My fiance and I decided to do-it-ourselves to file for my adjustment of status. Our previous immigration lawyer (who worked to process my K1 visa) fee is just way higher than what we expected, specially with the  USCIS filling fee too. All is good so far though.

 

I have prepared the following:

• Cover Letter
• G-1145
• I-485
• G-325A
• I-864
• I-693
• I-765

 

Supporting Documents

• Passport Bio Page (photocopy)
• Passport Visa Page (photocopy)
• Birth Certificate
• Most Recent I-94 and Travel History (printed)
• I-129F USCIS Approval Letter (scanned copy - my fiance lost the original one! thankfully he scanned it and sent it to me thru email before)
• Marriage Certificate

 

I have also prepared I-131 (Advance Parole) but I wasn't sure what to write on "Reason". Will it be acceptable if I write "To visit family"? And for the "Country to visit" I only wrote "Philippines".

I was just wondering, when the time comes, can I still travel anywhere aside from Philippines? or is it something I need to include in advance?

TBH, I am still thinking about submitting this since I am following US naming standard, and I want to avoid questioning. 😣

 

Another question, do I need to attached 

Lastly, since I decided to follow US naming for now which is (Maiden first & middle Name (as used in visa) + husband's surname) will it be okay to write my married surname on all the forms instead of my maiden surname?

 

 

That's all I can think for now. Please let me know if I missed any form/s or supporting documents.

Thanks in advance!

You can use your maiden surname as your middle name like we do in the Philippines. Just make sure to be consistent in writing in all forms you’re submitting.

[vivostu 17]

3 minutes ago, babybabycakes said:

CORRECTION BTW: I have I-797C not I-129F. I am confused what's the difference between the 2 😑

That might be the I-129F receipt notice. Approval notices are usually sent on I-797:

What does it say for "Notice Type"?

32 minutes ago, babybabycakes said:

I have also prepared I-131 (Advance Parole) but I wasn't sure what to write on "Reason". Will it be acceptable if I write "To visit family"? And for the "Country to visit" I only wrote "Philippines".

I was just wondering, when the time comes, can I still travel anywhere aside from Philippines? or is it something I need to include in advance?

The I-131 is a multi-use form. For your case putting "To visit family" and only "Philippines" is fine; travel to other countries is also allowed in your case (regardless if they were or weren't listed at I-131 filing).

[babybabycakes 1]

2 minutes ago, M&JB said:

You can use your maiden surname as your middle name like we do in the Philippines. Just make sure to be consistent in writing in all forms you’re submitting.

Hi! I've read so many blogs, posts and comments about this matter. It is very confusing. I think it works for some, and didn't for others.

And they said it's really up to you. That's why I decided to use whatever is written on my visa except the surname since I am taking my husband's.

[babybabycakes 1]

2 minutes ago, vivostu said:

That might be the I-129F receipt notice. Approval notices are usually sent on I-797:

What does it say for "Notice Type"?

The I-131 is a multi-use form. For your case putting "To visit family" and only "Philippines" is fine; travel to other countries is also allowed in your case (regardless if they were or weren't listed at I-131 filing).

 

Mine says "Notice Type: Receipt". Should I still attach it as supporting document?

And thank you for your reply about the I-131

[Hank_ 9,173]

5 hours ago, babybabycakes said:

Hello Guys,

 

My fiance and I decided to do-it-ourselves to file for my adjustment of status. Our previous immigration lawyer (who worked to process my K1 visa) fee is just way higher than what we expected, specially with the  USCIS filling fee too. All is good so far though.

 

I have prepared the following:

• Cover Letter
• G-1145
• I-485
• G-325A     
• I-693    COMPLETED BY AUTHORIZED CIVIL SURGEON!!!!
• I-765
• I-864 !!!

 

Supporting Documents

• Passport Bio Page (photocopy)
• Passport Visa Page (photocopy)
• Birth Certificate   COPY IS FINE
• Most Recent I-94 and Travel History (printed)
• I-129F USCIS Approval Letter (scanned copy - my fiance lost the original one! thankfully he scanned it and sent it to me thru email before)   THIS IS YOUR (copy) NOA2 from your I-129F approval
• Marriage Certificate   certified copy from the country recorder

 

I have also prepared I-131 (Advance Parole) but I wasn't sure what to write on "Reason". Will it be acceptable if I write "To visit family"? And for the "Country to visit" I only wrote "Philippines".

I was just wondering, when the time comes, can I still travel anywhere aside from Philippines? or is it something I need to include in advance?

TBH, I am still thinking about submitting this since I am following US naming standard, and I want to avoid questioning. 😣

 

Another question, do I need to attached a copy of my Vaccination from St. Luke's Manila as supporting document to my I-693?

Does my supporting documents such as Marriage and Birth Certificate needs to be original or can I send copies instead?  COPY IS FINE

Lastly, since I decided to follow US naming for now which is (Maiden first & middle Name (as used in visa) + husband's surname) will it be okay to write my married surname on all the forms instead of my maiden surname?   ABSOLUTELY USE YOUR MARRIED NAME ON ALL DOCUMENTS!4

 

 

That's all I can think for now. Please let me know if I missed any form/s or supporting documents.

Thanks in advance!

AOS can easily be done without an attorney .. USCIS states that on their website even.   

 

Advance parole is more so an emergency travel document to allow entry back into the USA.     "To visit family" would be fine for a reason     I would not look at the AP card as a general international travel card.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-485instr.pdf   <<  Follow this for what is required

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485Checklist

 

You must submit the I-864 along with supporting documents (most recent tax return & W2) showing your husband's income meet the I-864P poverty guidelines

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864

Edited January 7, 2019 by Hank_

[Hank_ 9,173]

5 hours ago, babybabycakes said:

 

Mine says "Notice Type: Receipt". Should I still attach it as supporting document?

And thank you for your reply about the I-131

You need the APPROVAL NOTICE .. this is the 2nd I-797C received .... once USCIC approved the petition .  

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

7 hours ago, babybabycakes said:

Hello Guys,

 

My fiance and I decided to do-it-ourselves to file for my adjustment of status. Our previous immigration lawyer (who worked to process my K1 visa) fee is just way higher than what we expected, specially with the  USCIS filling fee too. All is good so far though.

 

I have prepared the following:

• Cover Letter
• G-1145
• I-485
• G-325A
• I-864
• I-693
• I-765

 

Supporting Documents

• Passport Bio Page (photocopy)
• Passport Visa Page (photocopy)
• Birth Certificate
• Most Recent I-94 and Travel History (printed)
• I-129F USCIS Approval Letter (scanned copy - my fiance lost the original one! thankfully he scanned it and sent it to me thru email before)
• Marriage Certificate

 

I have also prepared I-131 (Advance Parole) but I wasn't sure what to write on "Reason". Will it be acceptable if I write "To visit family"? And for the "Country to visit" I only wrote "Philippines".

I was just wondering, when the time comes, can I still travel anywhere aside from Philippines? or is it something I need to include in advance?

TBH, I am still thinking about submitting this since I am following US naming standard, and I want to avoid questioning. 😣

 

Another question, do I need to attached a copy of my Vaccination from St. Luke's Manila as supporting document to my I-693?

Does my supporting documents such as Marriage and Birth Certificate needs to be original or can I send copies instead?

Lastly, since I decided to follow US naming for now which is (Maiden first & middle Name (as used in visa) + husband's surname) will it be okay to write my married surname on all the forms instead of my maiden surname?

 

 

That's all I can think for now. Please let me know if I missed any form/s or supporting documents.

Thanks in advance!

AOS it would be silly to use a immigration lawyer

 

If you can't fill it out then life will be difficult for you in the USA,  It is basic and I would say  anyone with at least 6th grade education can fill it out.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

9 hours ago, babybabycakes said:

Hi! I've read so many blogs, posts and comments about this matter. It is very confusing. I think it works for some, and didn't for others.

And they said it's really up to you. That's why I decided to use whatever is written on my visa except the surname since I am taking my husband's.

Follow the information that @Hank_ has posted. It's the most current and correct information. You can't go wrong following his instructions.

 

What ever naming convection you used for your marriage is the name you should continue to use going forward as that is now your legal name. Your goal should be to eventually have all your ID's including your passport in your "new" name. It will just make your life easier. No more "do I do it this way" or "do I do it that way" etc. which will end the argument that is going around in your head.

[babybabycakes 1]

7 hours ago, Hank_ said:

You need the APPROVAL NOTICE .. this is the 2nd I-797C received .... once USCIC approved the petition .  

Hi! My fiancé didn’t received any letter from USCIS aside from the receipt, and a letter from NVC for my case #. Mmm...

[babybabycakes 1]

6 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

AOS it would be silly to use a immigration lawyer

 

If you can't fill it out then life will be difficult for you in the USA,  It is basic and I would say  anyone with at least 6th grade education can fill it out.

Well, I wont be quickly to judge other people who used an attorney. They just might have so much extra money to spend. Who knows? 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

But yes, an immigration lawyer is not a must that’s why I am actually doing most of it myself except the affidavit of support form to be filled out by my American husband. And we are mostly done. Just need to recheck everything now. Thanks!

[icanbenobody 187]

57 minutes ago, babybabycakes said:

Hi! My fiancé didn’t received any letter from USCIS aside from the receipt, and a letter from NVC for my case #. Mmm...

Ours too..NVC letter is acceptable..we didnt get RFE..but in our cover letter we explain why we dont have the approval letter..i could send you my cover letter for our aos if you like.

[icanbenobody 187]

15 hours ago, babybabycakes said:

Hello Guys,

 

My fiance and I decided to do-it-ourselves to file for my adjustment of status. Our previous immigration lawyer (who worked to process my K1 visa) fee is just way higher than what we expected, specially with the  USCIS filling fee too. All is good so far though.

 

I have prepared the following:

• Cover Letter
• G-1145
• I-485
• G-325A
• I-864
• I-693
• I-765

 

Supporting Documents

• Passport Bio Page (photocopy)
• Passport Visa Page (photocopy)
• Birth Certificate
• Most Recent I-94 and Travel History (printed)
• I-129F USCIS Approval Letter (scanned copy - my fiance lost the original one! thankfully he scanned it and sent it to me thru email before)
• Marriage Certificate

 

I have also prepared I-131 (Advance Parole) but I wasn't sure what to write on "Reason". Will it be acceptable if I write "To visit family"? And for the "Country to visit" I only wrote "Philippines".

I was just wondering, when the time comes, can I still travel anywhere aside from Philippines? or is it something I need to include in advance?

TBH, I am still thinking about submitting this since I am following US naming standard, and I want to avoid questioning. 😣

 

Another question, do I need to attached a copy of my Vaccination from St. Luke's Manila as supporting document to my I-693?

You dont need I-693 if you already done DS-3025 vaccination record from st lukes..its all you need for evidence of medical record

15 hours ago, babybabycakes said:

Does my supporting documents such as Marriage and Birth Certificate needs to be original or can I send copies instead?

Lastly, since I decided to follow US naming for now which is (Maiden first & middle Name (as used in visa) + husband's surname) will it be okay to write my married surname on all the forms instead of my maiden surname?

 

 

That's all I can think for now. Please let me know if I missed any form/s or supporting documents.

Thanks in advance!