Travel before applying for AOS

[Verrou 1,899]

52 minutes ago, lovinglive said:

So do you think that having proof that the I-485 was sent (photocopies and registered mail receipt?) is sufficient then to travel?  Or is that still a risk?

it will be enough to travel 

[Crazy Cat 39,250]

1 hour ago, lovinglive said:

So do you think that having proof that the I-485 was sent (photocopies and registered mail receipt?) is sufficient then to travel?  Or is that still a risk?

It will be 1000% better than not having submitted it at all if she is detained/jailed by ICE......

[Rocio0010 5,565]

21 minutes ago, Misscloud said:

it will be enough to travel 

It’s up to CBP. And sometimes they can be… special, let’s say.

There must be a valid reason, otherwise, I don’t understand OPs reluctance to do a low-key courthouse wedding (or Utah zoom), submit I-485 and wait a couple of weeks to get the NOA1…

[P055UM 259]

3 hours ago, lovinglive said:

I think you get the receipt in the mail, right? and how long does it take?

Timing can vary a fair bit but mine only took 4 days to arrive when I filed in September 

[Demise 1,096]

6 hours ago, lovinglive said:

Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate that.  Unfortunately I don't think there's any way we can do it.  It will be about a month after the I-94 expires.  Would other forms of transport be better, in your view?

You killed the I-129F by not filing in time. File I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131, I-864, and I-693. When she flies have the receipt letter from I-485 with you since it'll serve as proof that she is legally in US by the virtue of being an applicant for AOS.

[lovinglive 24]

5 hours ago, Loren Y said:

As always, If you can make it to Vegas, I can get you married with certificate in hand in less than an hour. If you bring your 485 packet with you, you can add the certificate, and mail it out the same day ( I have had people do this). Message me if you need a quick ceremony with certificate in hand.

So I guess we will get more than one copy of your marriage certificate- including one to send to mail in with the I-485 packet?

[Loren Y 2,732]

17 minutes ago, lovinglive said:

So I guess we will get more than one copy of your marriage certificate- including one to send to mail in with the I-485 packet?

The rules say just send copies, I sent an original one with the 485, then copies for the ead and work permit packets. At the AOS interview I did see the original marriage certificate as the IO was reviewing the packet. The certificate was pretty colorful and stood out in the stack of papers. 

[Family 3,483]

2 minutes ago, lovinglive said:

So I guess we will get more than one copy of your marriage certificate- including one to send to mail in with the I-485 packet?

No matter where you marry, you will get a copy in hand which can be used to file the I-485..for purposes of getting a quick receipt notice. Just do a quick Google search for your local area and you will find many “ mobile” officiants , usually traveling Notaries that also licensed to perform marriages, for less $, than this link ( that includes a bit of venue and party ) https://www.1hourmarriage.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4uaUBhC8ARIsANUuDjVBIbEY6XQYAVTVx8rsSfO3z6zhXeHl3SC526LQRODvB5udkz4N6bUaAmb5EALw_wcB

 

You will then request Certified Copies ( get a few )  of the marriage certificate ( which usually take approximately 3 weeks) . Please note this is true for the quick Vegas marriage as well, and you will need to follow up for the Certified Copies. 

 

Additionally, you will receive an RFE for the Certified Copy of the marriage certificate…and will have no problem providing USCIS a copy of the certified copy at that time. 

 

 

 

[ghostinthemachine 70]

We only filed around 6 weeks after my I-94 "expired". We only just got married a few days before the expiration date with about a couple of weeks planning ahead so just didn't have enough time to gather all the docs, especially from my husband's work. 

 

Specifically didn't travel anywhere during this time as we were super paranoid that we'd randomly be stopped as it just so happens sometimes... if you can avoid to travel, whether it's by air or car, I absolutely would for peace of mind. I definitely would steer clear of any foreign or state borders too, depending on where you live. 

 

If you still have time now I'd suggest gathering all the AOS docs you can now, schedule a quick civil wedding somewhere or have someone just officiate one in their office if that's an option for you and file before the I-94 is too far gone. Wish we would've done it that way last year.

[lovinglive 24]

12 minutes ago, ghostinthemachine said:

We only filed around 6 weeks after my I-94 "expired". We only just got married a few days before the expiration date with about a couple of weeks planning ahead so just didn't have enough time to gather all the docs, especially from my husband's work. 

 

Specifically didn't travel anywhere during this time as we were super paranoid that we'd randomly be stopped as it just so happens sometimes... if you can avoid to travel, whether it's by air or car, I absolutely would for peace of mind. I definitely would steer clear of any foreign or state borders too, depending on where you live. 

 

If you still have time now I'd suggest gathering all the AOS docs you can now, schedule a quick civil wedding somewhere or have someone just officiate one in their office if that's an option for you and file before the I-94 is too far gone. Wish we would've done it that way last year.

And the reason that you wish you'd done it that way is just because of all the stress and fear of being randomly stopped?

[ghostinthemachine 70]

7 minutes ago, lovinglive said:

And the reason that you wish you'd done it that way is just because of all the stress and fear of being randomly stopped?

Yeah, it just added an extra layer of stress to something that's already kinda stressful in itself. 

 

It all worked out OK for us in the end, but if I could go back and get a do over I would absolutely try to get married a little earlier and file before expiry for peace of mind. 

[lovinglive 24]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

It will be 1000% better than not having submitted it at all if she is detained/jailed by ICE......

Thanks for all your advice, and I can't believe that you have 27,000 posts on here!   So just to be clear, if we do a marriage ceremony at the courthouse, and it is already past the I-94 expiry, is there also a risk of getting in legal trouble at the court house itself?  It seems there are police there as well.

 

I ask because there are other people who have authority to perform the ceremony so there could be other options. 

[Rocio0010 5,565]

1 minute ago, lovinglive said:

Thanks for all your advice, and I can't believe that you have 27,000 posts on here!   So just to be clear, if we do a marriage ceremony at the courthouse, and it is already past the I-94 expiry, is there also a risk of getting in legal trouble at the court house itself?  It seems there are police there as well.

 

I ask because there are other people who have authority to perform the ceremony so there could be other options. 

Unless they are interested in your SO for something specific, like a crime, I don’t think there is going to be a need to even ask her for her I-94.

Just curious, why are you reluctant to send the application before the expiration date?

[SalishSea 16,772]

9 hours ago, lovinglive said:

Yes, thanks, we need to travel after the i-94 expires, that's why I'm asking.

Then that’s your personal decision, based on your own tolerance for risk.   It is not a chance-based system or a question anyone here can answer.

[lovinglive 24]

1 hour ago, Rocio0010 said:

Unless they are interested in your SO for something specific, like a crime, I don’t think there is going to be a need to even ask her for her I-94.

Just curious, why are you reluctant to send the application before the expiration date?

Just in my experience today, people on here ask a lot of questions and it's not clear why we don't have the option not to answer!