AoS interview summary - LA local office

[cardamom 0]

We had our interview scheduled for this afternoon at the LA local office. While each case is unique, I hope my summary below helps:

We parked in the $4 lot (one fare for the whole day and the cheapest by far) which is on Almeida street, a few minutes away from the office (which is on Los Angeles Street).

We got to the interview about 40 mins early because I'd read sometimes that there was often a long line for security into the building but it ended up taking only a few minutes. We got upstairs and handed our interview letter to the security officer. We waited in the waiting room with a whole lot of other couples and families for more than one hour, but the security officer was extremely friendly and we weren't worried - everyone seemed to have been waiting for a while. They called out the names when it was one's turn to be interviewed, so one should listen out/pay attention.

The room was a little chilly so it's worth bringing a cardigan, if you are like me, and freeze everywhere. We also brought our books to read as we'd heard the wait could drag on.

We were called in by our IO - an older gentleman. He seemed reasonably friendly, smiled and led us to his office. I expected something dreary but it was a nice, comfortable set up. He had our file open on his desk (God - did I send in that huge lot of paper!!!) and seemed to know our file well. He asked us to swear in first and then asked for our IDs and hubby's Californian DL.

He then said he had to ask me a few questions and asked very basic ones (address, date of birth) and asked for a copy of my birth cert and then our marriage cert. He talked to the hubby about his teaching and his research a bit, and chatted about my work/job search and the origin of my name. Then asked us if we'd been married before (no), any kids (no) and then asked to see our album (which is a HUGE thing and was now lying on his desk). He flipped through the photos and commented on how much he liked them. He then took our passports, made copies, came back and said he had one more case to close up and could we wait out for a few minutes while he finished our paperwork.

Literally, five minutes later, he came out, bearing our acceptance letter (I think this is usually sent in the mail a few days later because we also go the envelope it goes in!) That was it!!! Even my hubby, who thought it would be smooth, admitted this was easier than expected! I asked about the FBI name checks and the IO seemed puzzled but then said oh yes, everything's fine, and that my card would be with me in 90 days. My passport wasn't stamped and I was not asked to either show or hand back my EAD. I did not clarify but I'm assuming we are getting the 2yr conditional card.

Looking back, I'd say this in general: we prepared our intial paperwork really well thanks to VJ and just googling what people had done. We also sent in tons of evidence showing our long history together and our marriage and how we were intertwined in our friends and families' lives (six affidavits, four pages of photocopied/printed photos, bank statements, shared credit cards, our wedding invite etc). I think this helped a lot. We also sent in all three years of the hubby's taxes, as much financial info as we could etc. But we didn't go overboard with the paperwork either - for example, we sent in copies of the first pages of our passports but not the whole passports. We also sent a very clear cover letter, laying out the sectioning of our application.

The wedding album (which we only carried to the interview) definately helped - the photos clearly showed everyone important to us being present there on that day. The IO did ask if it cost a lot (which I thought was an interesting question and maybe implied that if one did such a big thing one must be truly married???)

For the interview itself, we made copies of everything we'd sent in (an extra set to give to the IO if he was missing something) and brought originals and up-to date financial info and had everything organised in separate sections. While none of this was needed in the end, it made us/me feel much more comfortable and in control. And when we unpacked our three folders worth, we could easily/quickly handed the IO what little paperwork he asked to see; it just made everything run smoothly.

I think we acted really naturally and I know we were not really tense at all. I can't explain this because I'm always anxious, but I really felt we had done our best and we are in love/a TRUE couple so we had to just believe everything would be ok.

Lastly, in terms of general (and hopefully NOT condescending) suggestions, and as another VJ poster once kindly advised me: dress neatly but do not over dress, be organised with your folders etc, and do not be so tense that you can't interact with your partner.

And of course, we got a professional but friendly officer!!!!

Not sure how much this helps as each case is so different... but for people in LA, a little bit more practical information: the Federal building has a nice coffee shop in its lobby, esp. if you get there really early and want a place to sit and gather your thoughts. I think you can bring a cup of coffee up with you (though maybe food would be an issue/not advised). Also, the bathrooms are close to the waiting room, in case you need to go, like I did, just before we were called in!

We had our cell phones with us but switched off, though most of the lawyers in the room had theirs on and one person even spoke on his/her phone for quite some time. Reading material is highly suggested by me as it seems to be an office with long wait times.

I want to say a big thank you to VJ-ers - those who answered questions of mine, the May filers, who were a real emotional support and to the general posters, all the info helped in some manner. Good luck to all those out there starting the process and waiting for interviews.

Cheers, Cardamom

[ELW 5]

Great details, thanks!

And CONGRATS on the approval! :dance:

Edited September 22, 2007 by ELW

[Jasman0717 9]

Nice post, thanks for sharing

[Sand 5]

Congratulations ! And Nice Post!

[~*Maria*~ 1]

Congratulations!!

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

Thanks for the review... and Congratulations!

[~krakatoa~ 27]

Thanks for sharing your AOS interview experience! Congrats

[archie07 0]

Congratulations

[forchika 4]

CONGRATS CARDAMON!!!!! on the successful AOS interview!!!!! AGREED nice post!!!!

Fellow May filer

[Sonshyne 2]

CONGRATULATIONS Thanks for sharing

[CK&Tydi 0]

Congratulations,

I got a quick questions. Do they seperate you two in the different room or just in the same room together on the Interview? Thnx.

[ELW 5]

I got a quick questions. Do they seperate you two in the different room or just in the same room together on the Interview? Thnx.

Interviews are done with the couple together in the room, sitting side by side.

[Nancy2015 2]

Congrats!! :dance:

[cardamom 0]

Congratulations,

I got a quick questions. Do they seperate you two in the different room or just in the same room together on the Interview? Thnx.

As ELW has confirmed, we sat side by side BUT, we did notice that there were two couples who went in together and in each case, one half (we think the USC) was sent out to wait while the other half stayed in and was questioned further. In one case, a laywer was present, he also came out and seemed to be annoyed with the USC. Not sure if this is normal...We were about 15 cases in the waiting room and for all the rest, two went in and two came out - no separations. Hope this helps!

[ELW 5]

Interesting Cardamom. I have heard that couples are separated if there is a second interview needed, like if there was any trouble or missing papers in the first interview that require a second interview; that is when the ask all the personal questions to determine if it is a valid relationship (what did you have for breakfast, what side of the bed do you sleep on, etc.).