kyleers

Hi all,

My husband is the UK citizen. He's been here since Dec '05 and his passport is expiring next March. We plan on travelling to Scotland in April so we need to renew his passport shortly here.

My question is, he got his other passport when he was 16 so his appearance hasn't really changed. Obviously there is no name change or anything. Does he need to have a countersignature? Normally we'd just go ahead and do it, but we have absolutely no one who we can think of to sign it for us, so if we don't have to we'd rather not!

Is there any reference online with regard to who needs a countersignature and who doesn't, or do any of you have personal experience?

Thanks!

Just got the approval in the mail today, dated 7/2/08. Our case status hasn't been updated online yet.

"You are deemed to be a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States as of the date of your original admission or adjustment of status. You should receive a new Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 (green card), within 60 days."

SO nice to have this done, one less thing to worry about before baby is due next month!

Next up is citizenship but we'll probably wait on that til next year (earliest we can do it is December).

GL everyone!

All he needs to show his emplyers is a unrestricted SSN card and his state ID.... the NOA1 is not listed on the I-9 form so his employer is not likely to accept that....

If your husband did not get the restriction removed of his SSN when he got his greencard then he may need to go to his local USCIS and request a I-551 stamp to show he is still athorized to work...

Kez/Jwolf

Hmm, no I didn't realize that he was supposed to get his restriction removed from his SSN. For some reason I guess it assumed it would be at the 10 year green card.

Do you suppose if he went down to SS tomorrow they'd remove it and send him a new one? I doubt it would get here before his card expires (in like a week) though. But they usually give a receipt of some sort I think.

We're waiting for the HR dept of his work to call back, and then hopefully they'll be fine with the 2 year green card and NOA1 and this won't even be an issue.

Thanks for your feedback everyone.

Hey, if anyone has a little advice for us we'd appreciate it!

My husband's work has had a copy of his EAD that expired like... last year. And hasn't said anything about needing other documentation. But they finally got around to it, and are asking for new documentation of employment authorization.

So he brought his 2-year GC (expiring next month) and his NOA1 extending it a year to HR. I guess they only made a copy of the NOA1 and not his 2-year GC (hmm). So the HR lady called today and said that the NOA1 is not on their list of documentation they can accept for work authorization (no kidding). I explained to her about the 2-year green card and its extension by the NOA1. And she said, "oh, I guess we don't have a copy of the green card." Just the NOA1, so that's what she's basing the entire conversation off of. So she's now calling corporate to see if they will accept the 2-year GC and its extension letter. I told her if USCIS came to her company and said, "Show us your documents," that would be fine legal paperwork for him to be working. I also told her that he was able to get his driver's license renewed using that letter.

So anyhow, I am guessing once they figure out that he's trying to say it's his legal permanent resident card that's permitting him to work, and not just the NOA1 that they've never heard of, they'll be fine with it. But if not, I have two ideas. One is, is their some USCIS.gov website document that explains to employers that the 2year GC and NOA1 are acceptable? Alternatively, if that doesn't work, I vaguely recall mention of possibly doing an InfoPass appointment to perhaps get a stamp in the passport to renew a year. What is that called? I have a feeling that would tick USCIS off because they have already given him an NOA1 that he SHOULD be able to use, but blame it on his immigrations-ignorant employer, not us.

Thank you!

You won't be able to track an I-751 online until after your biometrics. When you receive the biometrics appointment letter, it will reflect a different case number and that's the case number you will be tracking.

PJ

Awesome PJ, thank you!

I received my letter of receipt (NOA1) today and was able to access the USCIS Case Status ok. From the main USCIS website, I needed to click on the "Case Status Online" link. Next, I created a customer portfolio account. I assume you have already done this. Log in to your account. Then add a case to your portfolio. They want your Application Receipt Number. This is the "Receipt Number" on the notice of receipt letter you received. I did notice that I had to enter the receipt number without the dashes but including the letters in front. (Example: ABC1212312345)

I hope this helps.

I did all that, but when I entered my case number WAC####etc, it said there were no matches. I just thought maybe it takes some time for them to get em in to the system sometimes and wondered what other people experienced. Thanks.

We just got our NOA1 for 3/24/2008!

I have a question, though: we tried to get the case registered with Case Status Online on the USCIS site, and it doesn't recognize it. I am pretty sure I have read others talking about getting touched so I am assuming we -are- able to utilize CSO with an I-571. How long did you guys find it took USCIS to get your Case Status up and running so that you could access it? Thanks!

Edited to add: did you mean to put bairn or brain in your cute new siggie?

Haha, yes it was supposed to be bairn! It's what some folks in Scotland call babies. Its brain does look pretty big in ultrasound pictures already though.

Looks very good - I shouldn't think you will have any problems - joint home ownership, joint car ownership, joint pet ownership and baby 'pictures' - you've hit the big ones (VBG). Congratulations on the 'bairn', and good luck with the Removal of Conditions.

Great, sounds good! Thank you! I see you've got the joint pet ownership down too.

Holy cow! I think you've covered everything, and then some!

A few, very minor, details:

* You don't need to include the passport photos (they will take pictures at your biometrics appointment)

* You don't need to include the employment authorization (it's obsolete once you receive the Permanent Resident Card)

I'm sure you have plenty of stuff--and I wouldn't even think twice about the bank account.

Good luck!

Carolyn

P.S. Congrats on the upcoming baby! Like you, we just sent in our paperwork and included ultrasound pics!

Whew, I'm glad to hear that! I figured I'd be overzealous rather than underzealous.

Thanks, and congrats to you too! You're a week and some change ahead of me. I only had ultrasound pictures from the girls and I goofing around at work (I'm an L&D nurse) so I'm looking forward to seeing my "big" US pictures on Monday, but we're not going to find out what we're having. I guess I'd better get my ticker in my sig too!

Thanks again!

Hi everyone,

Russell and I (the USC) are planning on shipping out the good ol' package to CSC tomorrow and I was going to see if you guys would mind telling me what you think about our List O' Evidence? I'm suspecting it's a little overkill but I just read someone's post last week about how they got RFE'd for no apparent reason and I'd like to avoid that.

The only thing I'm a little worried about is the fact that we don't have any bank records from 2/06-2/07, but we have joint bills and such between that time. I'd really like to avoid going to Wells Fargo if possible because, well, I was so happy to be done with them back in 06! But I will if you think I should. Also, we don't really hang out with very many people outside of work until recently, so my mom and brother did our affadavits. I hope that will be okay too.

Thanks!

3/20/2008

California Service Center

PO Box 10751

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0751

RE: I-751 JOINT PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF STATUS ON:

(K-1 VISA, Conditional Permanent Resident): Russell -------, A#0000000

Dear Sir or Madam:

Enclosed, please find our joint I-751 petition for removal of conditions of permanent resident status regarding my husband, Russell -------- Please also find a check for $545, the fee for this form and biometrics. My husband entered the US on a K-1 visa on December 7, 2005. We are very happy in our marriage and request that this petition be accepted for removal of conditions on the residence of my husband, Russell.

Enclosed also please find the following documents to verify the status of our marriage and ongoing relationship:

• Form I-751 with $545 form payment

• I-751 supplement, part 3 question 9: previous addresses

• 2 passport-style photos of Russell Lowdon

• A brief letter detailing what has happened in our lives since marriage

• Affidavit of Support from Kelli 00000 (Kylee's mom)

• Affidavit of Support from Mark 00000 (Kylee's bro)

• Photocopy of Russell’s Permanent Resident Card (front and back)

• Photocopy of Russell’s Employment Authorization Card (front and back)

• Lease agreement for The Lodge (apartment from 12/05-5/06)

• Lease agreement for Beargrass house (rental house from 5/06-4/07)

• Joint mortgage agreement for home currently owned together

• Warranty deed for home currently owned together

• Joint homeowners’ insurance policy

• Two vehicle titles for Mirage and Altima owned together

• Photocopies of drivers licenses showing shared residence

• Photocopies of bank cards showing joint account

• Photocopies of shared credit card accounts: Home Depot, Chase, CareCredit

• Photocopies of joint dental insurance, health insurance, car insurance cards

• Russell’s life insurance plan showing Kylee as beneficiary

• Kylee’s legal name change request at bank, 10 days after our wedding

• Wells Fargo joint bank account statements: 12/06, 2/06

• Desert Schools FCU joint bank account statements: 2/07, 8/07, 2/08, showing

both Russell’s and Kylee’s paychecks deposited and co-mingling of funds

• 2007 jointly filed taxes

• 2006 jointly filed taxes

• APS joint electricity bill from 4/06, 5/06

• Johnson Utilities joint water bill from 5/06, 6/06, 10/06

• State Farm joint car insurance bill from 8/07, 3/08

• SRP joint electricity bill from 5/07, 1/08

• Qwest joint phone/internet bill from 6/06, 11/06, 2/08

• City of Chandler joint water bill from 1/08

• T-mobile bill showing both Kylee and Russell’s cell phones

• Wedding picture with both families

• Keepsake marriage certificate from church

• Wedding and reception pictures x 5

• Picture together in Kansas before the wedding

• Two luau pictures from honeymoon in Maui

• 5 more pictures from Hawaii on honeymoon

• Alamo rental car receipt from Maui honeymoon

• Two of our plane tickets on our way back from Maui honeymoon

• Golf scorecard from Maui honeymoon (Kylee won!)

• 3 ultrasound pictures of our baby due August 26, 2008

• First anniversary gift from Russell’s parents

• AKC joint registration of our German Shepherd, Gus

• Birthday card 2007 from Kylee to Russell

• Christmas card from Kylee’s uncle and aunt

• Russell’s Father’s Day card 2006 from Sadie, our golden retriever

• First anniversary card from Russell to Kylee

• Christmas card 2007 from Russell’s parents

• Birthday card 2007 from Kylee’s parents to Russell

• Valentine’s day 2006 card from Russell to Kylee

• A card from Kylee’s friend/bridesmaid Teresa after the wedding

• A postcard from Russell’s parents on holiday

• A card from Russell’s parents after their visit in Fall 2006

• A letter from Russell’s grandma Rosie in spring 2006

• Birthday card from Russell’s parents to Kylee, 2007

• First wedding anniversary card from Russell’s aunt

• Graduation card from Russell and the pets to Kylee

• 4 pictures from Russell’s parents’ visit in Fall 2006

• 8 pictures from Russell’s parents’ visit in Fall 2007

• 2 pictures together from Kylee’s nursing school graduation December 2006

• 2 pictures together from New Year 2006/2007

• 2 pictures from visiting Tombstone, Fall 2006

• 1 picture from hiking in Sedona, Spring 2007

• 1 picture together with Kylee’s brother Mark

Please free to contact any of the sources of enclosed documentation for validity of their statements, and you are always welcome to visit our home should you ever desire to do so. Please advise us if you have any further questions related to this petition.

Sincerely,

etc etc

Well, when our grren card case was aproved, the lady said "you should really let us know when you change address..." in a kind of *yeah, you ought to, really, just..because* kind of way.

So I filled out the AR-11, but I'll tell you what: I never even knew about an I-865, so we never sent that in.

Maybe we'll do it next time - next move isn't far away anyway, adn the previous address was his mother's house, where she still lives. I'm not going to panic about it, tbh

JayJay your little mouse at the bottom of your sig cracks me up. "And you have a bogey hanging out." You could still probably send in an I-865 just for posterity.

I am worrying much less about it now since they seem not to care toooo much. Although I send the main AR-11 to Kentucky and it wasn't certified. I wonder if it would be overkill to send it again certified and just include a note to say we wanted to make sure they got it. It's such a pain to get to the PO now because we kinda live ... out in the middle of nowhere. But I think I'll just go in and send everything else certified as well as resend the AR-11 just to be safe. By the books!

Yesterday since I was on a roll with the AR-11 I started looking at the I-751 and typed up the cover letter, what would need to be included on the affadavits, a list of evidence we could use, and even filled out the I-751 with the info we have now. Even though we don't submit it til Feb. 2008. Comulsive organizer much?

Thanks everyone!

Then you're obviously just boring and a life devoted to wiping your child(rens) ####### would be ideal for you.

Is this where you start calling everyone with children "breeders" and "moos"? Yawwwwn.

I really don't consider myself a "ChildFree personn" i'm just a personn that doesn't want kids and got sterilized because most of the people calling themselves CF are bitter souls!

Also their adoration for their pets is creeping me out, like they chose to have subsitute of kids

I don't like kids, i don't hate them, i'm pretty indifferent to kids except the kids of the family.

Oh yeah, if you don't want kids, more power to ya. "most of the people calling themselves CF are bitter souls! " Truer words were never spoken--it's just funny to me that the "CFers" talk and talk about how because they don't have "crotchdroppings" and "sprogs" (just a few of the funnier ones) they have all of the time in the world to party all night and have sex all day... but yet they spend all of that time sitting on the internet and complaining about how they hate women who have children, women who want children, women who are pregnant, children, how women who are pregnant get designated spots at the front of some stores, women who feed their children in public, maternity leave and all that, etc. etc. etc. It's like they try to get as offended as possible so they can go home and gripe in an outrage about it on the internet. "Some duhhh MOO and her chyyyyyldrun looked at me today. OMG. I complained to the store manager and he kicked them out of the store for me." Bitter! It's just all laughable and endlessly entertaining to me.

But anyhow, for sure, if you don't want kids, there's no reason you should have kids. You know what you want (or didn't want) and that's that. Good for you for getting sterilized. And nobody should expect you have kids to or complain about it [my post was totally not directed at you, btw. I thought you sounded very rational and put together]. Similarly, the hardcore CF people who don't want kids shouldn't be sitting around all day crying about children... alas. They almost seem to thing that it's the only thing that defines them as a person. It's like a hobby.

"Also their adoration for their pets is creeping me out, like they chose to have subsitute of kids." lol. I have no kids and I have animals (but I'm not childfree or intend to be) and the other thing that made me laugh about ihatelj's post was that they were talking about how CF people can just up and away to whatever vacation spot they want at the drop of a dime. Well, what about the multitude of CFers who have pets? I don't have kids but you can bet that I'd have to arrange care for my cat, kitten, golden retriever, and chick if I wanted to flee the country at any random moment. The cats can fend for themselves with giant bowls of food and water but the dog has to be let out and the chick drinks and eats (and craps) like there's no tomorrow. Not so easy as it sounds then! I have many times thought about just continuing on the I-10W to San Diego from Phoenix and being at the beach in 6 hours, but then again I also have a fairly functional brain and animals that are my responsibility and bills to pay (apparently the hardcore CFers are all rich and can fly to Greece for the weekend though).

But anyhow, back to the topic at hand, my husband and I don't have kids, nor am I pregnant, but we hope to add to the overpopulation of the world any day now. I am also graduating with my BSN in December, possibly heading into midwifery after that, and working on the labor and delivery floor this fall for my preceptorship (or working in the neonatal ICU) so I love being around moms and babies. I also really enjoyed reading this thread because of that. But I also love hearing other sane opinions on reproduction, too.

Haha, thanks you two.

In the interim I have been typing away and have the I-865 ready to go in the mail tomorrow. I found a post where someone suggested to send copies of the AR-11's to not only the London, KY address, but the local office and CSC as well, and call the 1800 number and ask them to change my address, just to make sure everyone has it. Then follow up in 30 days. I think I'll do all of that because.... well.... it's the USCIS.

Still don't have an answer to my worrying though-- we're late and all (it's been 56 days since we moved + however long it takes them to get the applications), since the AR-11 was supposed to be there in 10 days, and the I-865 was supposed to be there in 30 days. Just wondering if anyone else has been late and had/not had any repercussions for it, just for my peace of mind. (were my husband not at work he would tell me it's no big deal but I can't helllllp it!)

I can't believe myself, I'm usually so organized and the two months since we moved has gone by like nothing (he started his first job here, I started a new job, unpacking the house, teaching him to drive, etc). Sheesh!

Then you're obviously just boring and a life devoted to wiping your child(rens) ####### would be ideal for you.

Is this where you start calling everyone with children "breeders" and "moos"? Yawwwwn.

My gripe was when my friend of 10 years and the best man (who had met one day before) went into the woman's bathroom for a love session... while my mom was in one of the stalls using the restroom.

Hi all,

My husband and I moved shortly after his AOS was approved in May (we moved May 20). We procrastinated on sending in our change of address. I just sent it in a few days ago. Of course when I read it before sending it in I saw that in the fine print it said, "It is illegal to wait more than 10 days to send in change of address and you may be fined, penalized, deported, stoned, etc." So that has me all worried now. I guess the only way they'd really notice that we waited to send it in was if they looked at the CoA and then looked at our lease at the move-in dates. Have any of you procrasinated on the change of address? Did USCIS notice at lifting conditions? Did they care?

Also, since this is the only time we'ved moved during this whole process, I have no idea what to expect in terms of knowing that they have received the change of address request. Can I call them to verify that it's completed and correct, or will they send me a confirmation letter?

Oh #######, I just saw that -I- have to send in an I-865 as well since I'm the sponsor. Is that right? Yikes. Okay now I'm worrying again!

This post smells of racism!!!

Kezzie you're such a racist!!!!1111

Hello,

I'm going to follow the advice of fellow VJ'ers and write my congressman Kenny Marchant about the delay in my husband's EAD and AP documents, and the false information that we recieved in Dallas (see post in the working and traveling section, EAD denied by dallas)

I just need some suggestions on how ya'll went about it to get results. Did you email? Call? did they call you back? Did you give his A# and NOA receiept numbers?

Thanks so much!

I called my congressman's office directly to explain our situation. Like others have said, there is a person who will handle these affairs. I was directed to her, and left a message on her voicemail. She called back within a day or two. I explained our situation in detail, and she told me to send the release form and a letter explaining our situation, and I think our NOA as well (this was for our K1) so that she had all of the background and numbers she needed when she contacted the embassy. When you fax, follow up and make sure they get it. Then in a week or so I'd call back again and see if they'd actually done anything.

The most important thing I would stress is following up. I left it to her for a couple weeks, she didn't seem to do anything, and then when I called her about it again ,I had results in a matter of a few days after that (in the form of an email from the London Embassy telling me my husband had an interview!). Don't be a pain in the booty cos you might burn bridges doing that, but gentle reminders are important. Good luck.

I live in Massachusetts so was surprised when California was mentioned. Can anyone confirm that this is normal activity and that how long can i expect processing to take. I was under the impression that the AOS didnt take that long?

Getting transferred to CSC is a good thing. My understanding is that when you're transfered to CSC that means they feel your application is reasonably "easily approvable" and the best part is that you won't have to go to an AOS interview. They'll just approve your AOS application once they get around to processing it at CSC. Otherwise, it would have stayed at your local office and you would have had to go in person and have an interview and get approved through there.

My husband's AOS got transferred to CSC on April 12 and got approved on May 12. The 270-300 days is a crazy long conservative estimate that they either haven't updated or use to cover their butts. So expect your approval within a couple months (hopefully a month like we got), and congrats.

Thanks so much everybody!

Kylee & Russell

Just logged on to check my email and eight minutes ago USCIS emailed us our three approval letters for Russell's green card! Yay! We applied on January 19, returned our RFE on March 3, got transferred on April 10 to CSC, and got our approval today!

*breathe* Now we get a little time off from all of the waiting!

Thanks everyone for your always-useful advice during our application process!

Well, since I'm going to be facing a similar situation, I can tell you what others have told me about how to handle an address change with USCIS:

--File AR-11 and I-865 with USCIS to the Kentucky address. Make sure you send them registered/certified mail.

--In your case, you may want to CC those to CSC as well.

--Follow up with the misinfo line a week or two after you've sent them to see if they've changed your address in the system.

--Follow up with your *new* Congressional Reps/Senators, if you're changing Congressional districts, and see if they can make sure everything gets in the system for you (ET-US2004 gave me that tip).

Of course, an address change shouldn't be that complicated, but this is USCIS we're talking about, so...

Thanks Pax, I'm gonna bookmark this one--I'm moving on May 27 so I have change my address too. Here's hoping they approve his GC before then!

Sorry, had to start another thread--just woke up at a bleary 6am to find that at 5:30am, the USCIS sent out three emails (they do every time, but I'm not complaining) telling Russell that his EAD is approved as of April 13, 2006! His case just got transferred to CSC on the 10th, too. They didn't even take longer than 90 days from his NOA because of his RFE, either. Time for job hunting!

I woke him up to let him know he could start working now and he said, "I think I'll get some more sleep first."

Thanks, kylee!

Welcome!

I got the same notice about case being transfered to CSC this morning! Woo-hoo! Is there an average for how long it would take from this point?

Kanyiri

Congratulations! If you go find the "CSC Transferees" thread, you can add your name to the list of folks being transferred and look at the time it takes from transfer to approval. It seems like it's anywhere from 2-4 months, but a lot are 2, so I'm crossing my fingers.

CONGRATS!!

Question:

For those that have had their cases transferred to CSC for AOS, why is there no interview?

And since we already reside in Cali, does this "no interview" rule apply to us, or do we have to go in?

Thanks! My understanding is that the cases transferred to the California Service Center and don't have interviews are those that the USCIS deems "easily approvable"... make of that what you will. I imagine (correct me if I'm wrong here anyone) it comes from things like having all your paperwork in order, having a seemingly valid relationship, not being from a country they have concerns about, etc. But that's just my guess... just because a person isn't transferred to the CSC for whatever reason doesn't mean the gov't is worried about them or something, I wouldn't think. The "no interview" thing applies only when you're transferred to the CSC from a local office... so if your case stays at a local office (the place you got transferred to from the Lockbox/National Benefits Center in the beginning) then I think you'll have an interview but I'm not sure. We applied in January and got an RFE and got transferred in April, so it takes a few months to find out if you'll even get transferred.

Kylee, you and Russ ended up sending in the I-693A, right?

Congrats, by the way!

Yes we did send in the I-693A. We faxed his records (both from USCIS and from his personal records) to a nice doctor in Seattle and sent them a money order for $35, and they mailed us back a sealed copy for USCIS and a copy for our records.

I have to note that the panel physician at Nuffield did an absolute [colorful adjective here] job of writing Russell's records down onto the DS-3025.. he didn't even mention anything about Russell having had chicken pox (and that therefore the varicella vaccination would be contraindicated). But Kevin O'Keeffe, the Civil Surgeon in Seattle, looked through and did a much more thorough job. So the difference ended up being that the Nuffield doctor wrote that (I think I'm remembering right here) Russell "MAY be eligible for a blanket waiver" which sound scary... too many maybes in that sentence, and the civil surgeon wrote that Russell's vaccinations are complete. MUCH different, and much more reassuring to have the civil surgeon do his job and tell the USCIS in no uncertain words that Russell's vaccinations are done.

I would highly highly recommend them... they got the papers back to us in a few days and it was only $35 (unlike many Civil Surgeons who want a new physical so they can get your money (as if we don't have enough ####### to pay for already with all of the paperwork we file, travel fees, medical fees, Kinko's copy fees, post office fees, etc).

The other thing we made sure to do was get a copy of the complete medical from Nuffield for Russell's records. So if you guys don't have one, call them up and request one! We still have one copy for OUR records that I made sure Russell got, so we sent the USCIS a full color copy of all of the pages just in case they misplaced our file (as I've heard they're prone to doing). That way they have the medical AND the I-693A right in front of them.

And thanks!

So it specifically says, "your case has been transferred to the CSC"

or do they give you some vague statement that you have to try to interpret like they usually do?

Thanks for the congrats everyone!

Jenn, they sent me an email (three of the same, actually) and updated my USCIS case status online. This is what it said:

"On April 10, 2006, we transferred your I485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status to an office in CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER for processing. Our office in CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER will send you a written decision as soon as processing is complete. You should receive a notice informing you that your case has been transferred to a local office. Please call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283 to receive information about local office processing times."