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Unfortunately, the above is incorrect.  Please ignore it in its entirety. It indicates one form sponsoring two immigrants.  (One form from petitioner and one form from joint sponsor.  Instead, there must be two forms, each sponsoring ONE immigrant only.  Two forms from each sponsor, PLUS two I-864a forms from the joint sponsor's spouse.
 
For the spouse beneficiary, the son counts as a dependent, not a sponsored immigrant.  For the son's form the spouse is counted as spouse and the stepson is the one and only immigrant.
 
While an I-864a from the joint sponsor's spouse is not technically required by the USCIS I-864 "instructions", it is a Consular Officer who will make the decision, NOT...USCIS...  In real life, Consular Officers typically want to see an I-864 from a joint sponsors, joint tax filing spouse, as it is a joint obligation.  Provide it at the NVC stage, or face a delay while you get it signed and uploaded later. AFTER the interview.
 
ALSO, it does not matter whether the petitioner and immigrants plan to live in the joint sponsor's home at ANY time.  It takes more than a shared residence to be considered members of the household in this context.  ADDITIONALLY, if you follow my instructions, the joint sponsor's forms will show a household of three instead of four.  Or is it four instead of five?  (Is there a dependent son for the joint sponsor to consider?)  As I mentioned before, the Consular officer will know the correct household size and income requirement to apply when making the decision.
 
This is one of the times, the anonymous quote in my signature is relevant.

You are correct, B&C... gave instructions that apply to non-immediate relative cases where more than one immigrant can be petitioned on the same petition.  In short, he applied the wrong instructions and ignored an instruction that appears on the face of the affidavit itself.  Where you are going to live, has no impact on household size for affidavits of support.  Yes, you pay only one AOS fee, no matter how many family members are immigrating together.

Looks like you have the right idea, but there will be separate set of affidavits and supporting financial documents for EACH beneficiary.  Best practice is to provide I-864a from the joint tax filing spouse/Mom.
 
On the stepson's form from the petitioner, you WILL be counted as wife, and son will not be a dependent as he is the sponsored immigrant.  That keeps the household size correct.
 
On the Joint sponsor couple's affidavits, their households will NOT show both you and your son as part of their household.  Do NOT indicate more than one sponsored immigrant on any of the forms.  The Consular Officer knows how to determine the REAL income requirement for the whole "package".

Help does not always come in the way one expects.  We do not know what you know and don't know.  We only see what you write, and help as we think best.

I did.  Here's the quote.
 
CO can't ask for a person's most recent tax return and expect the 2019 tax return until after the IRS "drop dead date" 

Personally, I always use USPS Priority Mail........it gives you a tracking number, and it usually arrives in 2-3 days.

The cases can definitely be joined at NVC, so that only one AOS fee is paid to cover both.  Happens every day.

The cases can definitely be joined at NVC, so that only one AOS fee is paid to cover both.  Happens every day.

The cases can definitely be joined at NVC, so that only one AOS fee is paid to cover both.  Happens every day.

No.  Your husband must enter before you or with you......but you both can enter together, then immediately return to Germany.

For immigration purposes, the word tax return means form 1040 and ALL supporting forms and schedules, including but not limited to forms w2 and 1099.

And while that is absolutely correct, it is BEST to take the 2019 tax return to the interview if possible.  If a Consular Officer ASKS to see it, it suddenly IS "required" in order to move forward.

No, but the OP asked for helpful opinions.  I corrected your misleading response, in behalf of the OP.  If you want to help, post information that helps.
 

And while that is absolutely correct, it is BEST to take the 2019 tax return to the interview if possible.  If a Consular Officer ASKS to see it, it suddenly IS "required" in order to move forward.

Note, that you are not applying for a green card.  You are beginning an immigrant visa process, with the US Citizen filing a petition in behalf of the spouse.  When the petition is approved, the foreign spouse applies for a CR1 or IR1 visa.  Only when the visa is used and the new immigrant fee is paid, will the foreign spouse receive a green card.  Time for the OP and spouse to start studying guides here and I-130 instructions.

IOE’s have been faster. It’s not really that long anymore. My guess looking at approvals of cases submitted after July 2019, is more 9 months in Nebraska. Also it seems like IOE cases can be accessed from different USCIS center. So landing in Nebraska doesn’t mean staying there anymore.

Hi, 
 
Assuming you were born in Pakistan, this might help you :  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Pakistan.html    
Then click on the drop down for Birth, Death, Burial Certificates. It explains what you should do if you're not in the possession of a birth certificate.
 
If you were born in Saudia Arabia, then click here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/SaudiArabia.html

Only a second car or equity in a second home would be helpful.  It's "liquid" assets that improve the financial picture in this context.  Check USCIS's definition of "liquid".  Consular officers use the same definition.  Primary residence and only car are meaningless in THIS context.

Yes, it's an error, but not an error that justifies an expedite.  If they are sending an RFE, any significant waiting time is over.  They are ready to proceed with a decision.  Expect a decision on the petition, quicker than any decision on an expedite request.

Let's not confuse people further by using the wrong terminology.  There are no "co-sponsors" in immigrant visa cases.  The sister will be a "Joint Sponsor".  If the sister is married, her spouse will be the joint sponsor's household member and provide an I-864a.

Yes, the joint sponsor's spouse.  Sister is joint sponsor.

Only a second car or equity in a second home would be helpful.  It's "liquid" assets that improve the financial picture in this context.  Check USCIS's definition of "liquid".  Consular officers use the same definition.  Primary residence and only car are meaningless in THIS context.

Visa and medical expiration are one in the same.   6 mos after the medical is when everything expires.
 
Why would there be issues?  The expiration date is exactly that.  As long as you arrive any time before the expiration date, no problem 

Probably not additional documents.  Once you have a successful interview, you will undergo extensive additional security checks.  That is where your government work may cause delays, but maybe also help avoid delays.  It's impossible to know.  Be prepared for several months to a year or more delay after the interview.

Let's not confuse people further by using the wrong terminology.  There are no "co-sponsors" in immigrant visa cases.  The sister will be a "Joint Sponsor".  If the sister is married, her spouse will be the joint sponsor's household member and provide an I-864a.