What Next?

[Wuozopo 4,285]

2 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

We received our marriage certificate in the mail (currently trying to pin them down on the certified copy we paid for) a

What they sent is most likely a certified copy. Does it say somewhere that it is a copy of the record on file at blah blah blah, and have a seal, stamp, or embossing and a signature. That person that signed is certifying it is an exact copy of the record filed with the county. Hence "certified" copy. Just photocopy that for AOS.

 

2 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

I'm aware of and have been looking at the AOS step-by-step guid

It's a bit weak in some respects. By all means do the EAD and AP applications as well. 3 for the price of 1. It is three separate applications all getting mailed together. Each will have their own evidence requirements. Some of the same things are repeated in each application so read the instructions for each...AOS/EAD/AP. Apply in your married name if that's the name you want to go by forever. 

 

2 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

Should I head into the office and get my name changed on the card?

No, no, NO!!! Your Social Security name has to match your USCIS entry name (The name on your I-94). SS office will look you up in the SAVE database. Let it ride until USCIS issues your EAD card or greencard in your married name. Then SS will find you in the database under that name and change your SS card. Those people screw up a lot so don't tempt fate.

 

2 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

Further to the above question, what will happen with my UK Passport? Obviously it is all registered in my maiden name, and has until 2024 until it runs out. Would I be better to keep my maiden name on it until the renewal date, or is it required for me to apply for a new passport/ name change copy/ whatever might be required? If so, how can I do that?

Do it here https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports 

You can get a name change explained here https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

 

BUT your current  passport has to get mailed to the UK. Right now you need it for opening bank accounts, ID at your biometric appointment, etc. Once you get those things sorted and an EAD for photo ID and maybe a WA license, send it off in that long lull waiting for the greencard interview. New passport will only take 3-4 weeks. Old one will be returned with the corner clipped off.

 

2 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

Another glaring confusion for me at present is receiving a US Driver's License. I

You may not get one u til you have something from immigration showing you are allowed to stay in the US. Most visa holders will have a certain length of time noted on their visa.  Right now you have 90 days that you can show on paper...when you entered they marked it in your passort. An EAD card will give you 1 year as shown by the date on it. Their website doesn't show what they require from non-citizens. Call them and ask what foreigners need.

 

2 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

I'm aware that I need a US Driver's License to take for AOS interview, 

No you don't.

Edited June 2, 2019 by Wuozopo

[SalishSea 16,774]

3 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

What they sent is most likely a certified copy. Does it say somewhere that it is a copy of the record on file at blah blah blah, and have a seal, stamp, or embossing and a signature. That person that signed is certifying it is an exact copy of the record filed with the county. Hence "certified" copy. Just photocopy that for AOS.

 

It's a bit weak in some respects. By all means do the EAD and AP applications as well. 3 for the price of 1. It is three separate applications all getting mailed together. Each will have their own evidence requirements. Some of the same things are repeated in each application so read the instructions for each...AOS/EAD/AP. Apply in your married name if that's the name you want to go by forever. 

 

No, no, NO!!! Your Social Security name has to match your USCIS entry name (The name on your I-94). SS office will look you up in the SAVE database. Let it ride until USCIS issues your EAD card or greencard in your married name. Then SS will find you in the database under that name and change your SS card. Those people screw up a lot so don't tempt fate.

 

Do it here https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports 

You can get a name change explained here https://www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

 

BUT your current  passport has to get mailed to the UK. Right now you need it for opening bank accounts, ID at your biometric appointment, etc. Once you get those things sorted and an EAD for photo ID and maybe a WA license, send it off in that long lull waiting for the greencard interview. New passport will only take 3-4 weeks. Old one will be returned with the corner clipped off.

 

You may not get one u til you have something from immigration showing you are allowed to stay in the US. Most visa holders will have a certain length of time noted on their visa.  Right now you have 90 days that you can show on paper...when you entered they marked it in your passort. An EAD card will give you 1 year as shown by the date on it. Their website doesn't show what they require from non-citizens. Call them and ask what foreigners need.

 

No you don't.

As a fellow Washingtonian, I can attest to the fact that she can indeed get a regular DL without regard to immigration status.  

[K1visaHopeful 2,662]

7 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

 

Re. Name change: I'll apply for a fresh card using my married name, no problem! I believe the form is the filing of it is free, correct?

For SSN? Yes SSN is free but you wont be able to change your name on it (it's rare) until after you receive your EAD or GC. 

 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

3 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

As a fellow Washingtonian, I can attest to the fact that she can indeed get a regular DL without regard to immigration status.  

👍Thanks. Good info. I guess that explains why no mention of it on their website like is found on other state DMV sites.

[JFH 12,189]

I’m in WA also (on the beach in Grays Harbor County). Bank of America opened a bank account and gave me a credit card before the SSN arrived. I came in an IR-1 however so was already an LPR by that stage. 

 

I was 42 when I arrived and had been driving since 17 but that counts for nothing unless your license is from Germany, South Korea, Japan, British Columbia or Taiwan. I think I had been driving longer than the examiner when I took my test. Now is a good time to do your driving test while the weather is good. I did mine in February when we lived in the Cascades and there was a foot or more of snow on the ground. I quickly became an expert at chaining up and chaining off.

[AmyOlivia 29]

Thank you all for further insight!

 

I'll not touch my SSN as per Wuozopo's advice; I'm relatively sure that sounds familiar to me now that I've read it, actually. I apologise if you've previously told me that in my various other questions on the forum!

 

In regard to the passport, that makes perfect sense. I've also determined from the discussion I opened in the UK board that I can simply travel using my maiden name & passport, plus a copy of my MC and simply wait for the renewal time in 2024/ late 2023.

 

It's a relief regarding the DL! I'll get brushed up on state laws and just take the knowledge & practical tests when I can. Does anybody know rough costs for each?

[Wuozopo 4,285]

5 hours ago, AmyOlivia said:

t's a relief regarding the DL! I'll get brushed up on state laws and just take the knowledge & practical tests when I can. Does anybody know rough costs for each?

On their website.

 

https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/fees.html