Clarifications with Adjustment of Status as a K1 Visa holder

[EatBulaga 485]

16 hours ago, Tooddy said:

 

Also, I wanted to ask if the DS-3025 form from St. Luke’s Medical can be accepted in place of Form I-693. The DS-3025 I have is valid until November 2025—do you know if USCIS will accept it for my Adjustment of Status?
We’re doing the AOS filing ourselves, and honestly, these forms are driving me crazy. I’ve been researching nonstop, but the more I read, the more confused I get. It’s really frustrating. I’d truly appreciate your help in making sure we file everything correctly. Thank you so much in advance!

Yes. You can submit DS-3025 with the I-485.

It doesn't mean that USCIS may not RFE for an I-693 later.

[EatBulaga 485]

17 hours ago, Tooddy said:

 

Our marriage certificate doesn't reflect my married name, it only reflects my maiden name and my husband's name.

If that is the case and you want to keep things simple, I would just submit the I-485 with the maiden name and apply for the SSA in the maiden name. You can change name in the N-400 and change the name with the SSA after that.

 

As @Crazy Cat said, you can technically use any combination of the names on the marriage certificate for the I-485. But if the marriage name you choose is different from the maiden name, then it may be a little more confusing and require more explanation with the SSA, airline travel, billing names, etc.

[EatBulaga 485]

16 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

1. US marriage certificates show maiden name of female / marriage certificates do not change the name/ we are able to do that after marriage (if we choose) for SS cards, DL , banks, etc    Electing to change last name is our choice so the marriage certificate has maiden name on it 

Depending on which county the marriage certificate is issued, you can choose to list the marriage name along with the maiden name. Doing so makes it easy for airlines to connect the marriage name to the maiden name when travelling and easier with billings, etc.

 

[Tooddy 1]

On 8/24/2025 at 10:41 AM, smilingstone said:

 

Yes, with the DS3025 you don't need the 693. Just include a cover letter stating your K1 medical was completed when and is valid until when. 

Should I include a separate cover letter for each form to explain its purpose, or is it sufficient to provide one general cover letter on the first page that addresses all the documents in the packet?

[Tooddy 1]

On 8/24/2025 at 7:33 PM, EatBulaga said:

If that is the case and you want to keep things simple, I would just submit the I-485 with the maiden name and apply for the SSA in the maiden name. You can change name in the N-400 and change the name with the SSA after that.

 

As @Crazy Cat said, you can technically use any combination of the names on the marriage certificate for the I-485. But if the marriage name you choose is different from the maiden name, then it may be a little more confusing and require more explanation with the SSA, airline travel, billing names, etc.

 

We weren’t made aware that I had the option to choose a preferred name instead of using my maiden name or my married name. As it stands, the document only reflects my complete maiden name, my husband’s complete name, and the date our marriage was registered

[smilingstone 730]

1 hour ago, Tooddy said:

Should I include a separate cover letter for each form to explain its purpose, or is it sufficient to provide one general cover letter on the first page that addresses all the documents in the packet?

 

It's best to include a seperate cover letter for each form that includes who it is addressed too, the applicants full name, A number, a full list of content (the form, itemized supporting docs), etc. You can also sign and date these covers with a wet signature. This will help give USCIS an overview of what's in each application, as well as seperating them. 

[Tooddy 1]

28 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

 

It's best to include a seperate cover letter for each form that includes who it is addressed too, the applicants full name, A number, a full list of content (the form, itemized supporting docs), etc. You can also sign and date these covers with a wet signature. This will help give USCIS an overview of what's in each application, as well as seperating them. 

 

Thank you so much for your help. This proof of residency process is really overwhelming—just one document, yet it feels like a mountain to climb. And it’s not even the end of it! Getting this sorted is just the first domino… next comes applying for a driver’s license, then opening a bank account. It’s all connected, and every step depends on the last.

17 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

Depending on which county the marriage certificate is issued, you can choose to list the marriage name along with the maiden name. Doing so makes it easy for airlines to connect the marriage name to the maiden name when travelling and easier with billings, etc.

 

Thank you so much for your help. This proof of residency process is really overwhelming—just one document, yet it feels like a mountain to climb. And it’s not even the end of it! Getting this sorted is just the first domino… next comes applying for a driver’s license, then opening a bank account. It’s all connected, and every step depends on the last.

[EatBulaga 485]

5 hours ago, Tooddy said:

 

Thank you so much for your help. This proof of residency process is really overwhelming—just one document, yet it feels like a mountain to climb. And it’s not even the end of it! Getting this sorted is just the first domino… next comes applying for a driver’s license, then opening a bank account. It’s all connected, and every step depends on the last.

Thank you so much for your help. This proof of residency process is really overwhelming—just one document, yet it feels like a mountain to climb. And it’s not even the end of it! Getting this sorted is just the first domino… next comes applying for a driver’s license, then opening a bank account. It’s all connected, and every step depends on the last.

 

Since your husband lives with his grandmother and does not have any bills in his name, he should arrange some bills transferred to his name and your's for the purpose of getting the REAL ID driver's license/state ID. The REAL ID will be your proof of residency. 

 

Some bills may require the owner of the property like the water bill in the county we live in Georgia. Most other bills like electricity, gas, phone, cable, internet, trash pickup, etc. can be transferred to the tenants name. In Georgia, you just need 2 different utility billing statements to get the REAL ID.

Edited August 26 by EatBulaga

[Tooddy 1]

4 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

 

Since your husband lives with his grandmother and does not have any bills in his name, he should arrange some bills transferred to his name and your's for the purpose of getting the REAL ID driver's license/state ID. The REAL ID will be your proof of residency. 

 

Some bills may require the owner of the property like the water bill in the county we live in Georgia. Most other bills like electricity, gas, phone, cable, internet, trash pickup, etc. can be transferred to the tenants name. In Georgia, you just need 2 different utility billing statements to get the REAL ID.

 

What should I answer with this question? 

"Have you ever applied for an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad?"

Is it a yes or no? I answered no, because the k1 visa is a non-immigrant visa and I didn't apply for it, my husband did. Am I right?

[Crazy Cat 45,199]

1 minute ago, Tooddy said:

I answered no

Correct.  A DS-260 is an application for an immigrant visa.

[Tooddy 1]

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Correct.  A DS-260 is an application for an immigrant visa.

Thank you for answering, AI answer's different. Thank you so much.

[Crazy Cat 45,199]

16 minutes ago, Tooddy said:

Thank you for answering, AI answer's different. Thank you so much.

Well, like you said,a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa. It is not "an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status".  

AI is not a good source for immigration questions.  That's why moderators remove AI when we see it here.

Edited August 26 by Crazy Cat

[Tooddy 1]

32 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Well, like you said,a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa. It is not "an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status".  

AI is not a good source for immigration questions.  That's why moderators remove AI when we see it here.

 

That's where the Adjustment of Status takes place, tho I've also learned that K1 visa has an intention to live permanently in US. That's why it's confusing. Can I also just provide them a certified copy of our marriage? We got married recently, and it's difficult to request an original one because we kinda lived far away from the courthouse.

[Tooddy 1]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

Well, like you said,a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa. It is not "an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status".  

AI is not a good source for immigration questions.  That's why moderators remove AI when we see it here.

 

I still have a lot of questions. About the Visa Stamp, what is it? Is it different from the Visa Printed inside my passport? Is it different from Visa Foil? Cause the lady staff from the clerk office said, that its not it. Even stating that my VISA has a line across it and they wouldn't accept that. I've already looked and it shows that the visa they were looking is the one already printed inside my passport. Please enlighten me on this. 

[EatBulaga 485]

22 hours ago, Tooddy said:

 

That's where the Adjustment of Status takes place, tho I've also learned that K1 visa has an intention to live permanently in US. That's why it's confusing. Can I also just provide them a certified copy of our marriage? We got married recently, and it's difficult to request an original one because we kinda lived far away from the courthouse.

You should be able to order as many copies of the marriage certificate from the courthouse as you need. Just browse your county marriage registry site. We ordered 10 marriage certificates after we got married. 

 

K1 visa is valid just for 90-days. One can theoretically use the K1 to get married in the US and return to their country.

 

21 hours ago, Tooddy said:

 

I still have a lot of questions. About the Visa Stamp, what is it? Is it different from the Visa Printed inside my passport? Is it different from Visa Foil? Cause the lady staff from the clerk office said, that its not it. Even stating that my VISA has a line across it and they wouldn't accept that. I've already looked and it shows that the visa they were looking is the one already printed inside my passport. Please enlighten me on this. 

Visa stamp is from a different process from the K1. Since you have the K1, your best option to stay is to adjust the status with I-485.

Edited August 27 by EatBulaga