YouAndMeForever

My experience:
Drivers License/Non-Drivers License: No, you don't need to be a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/green card holder) to obtain a (non)driver's license. However, most states won't allow you to have a State ID until you have your EAD. EAD (Employment Authorization Document/work permit) takes 60-90 days from filing to be approved and mailed, so even if you got married and filed for it on your first week in the US, it is very likely that you have to spend 2-3 months without being able to drive or simply having a US ID.
Bank accounts: Some banks won't allow you to open a bank account unless you have your EAD (and a State ID). On the other hand, there are many-many bank chains that will allow you to open a bank account with only a valid foreign passport (or a valid foreign passport+SSN). For example the bank my husband is at (smaller, pretty much local bank), didn't allow me to open a bank account even though I presented my valid foreign passport, my unexpired I-94 (at that time I was still within the 90 days validity of my K1 visa) and my Social Security Card. They told me to come back when I have my EAD and my State ID.
Last but not least (based on my personal experience), it is both mentally and emotionally overwhelming and draining to be in this limbo. Sometimes I feel like even though I'm physically here in the US, I haven't "arrive" yet. I received my EAD card a little more than a week ago, so now my life is easier and I am finally allowed to work. Not being able to work is very crippling. I worked out multiple hours a day, cleaned the apartment from top to bottom and read numerous books to make my body and mind busy. Plus, I spent lots of time on VJ. It is very a reassuring and positive feeling to know that so many people go through the same journey.
My advice is to get married and file for AOS/EAD/AP as soon as you can after arriving to the US. It allows you to start a "normal" life sooner.
Good luck to you!

When you are talking about the government process/procedure, why even take a chance that everything will be alright when there is an easy solution to all this (just cancel the return leg and maintain a copy for proof).
Personally, I would rather just cancel the return leg than leave it to fate that everything will work out.

I actually learned about canceling the return portion while I was researching about the K1 petition back in 2010 on VJ. Chuck this as a learning experience for others should they read this post. It's not about blame, but to inform others.

You have to send the I-129F petition to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox. They will forward your petition to the appropriate service center for processing - either California Service Center (CSC) or Texas Cervice Center (TSC).
The mailing addresses:
For U.S. Postal Service:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660151
Dallas, TX 75266
For Express mail and courier deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-129F
2501 South State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f-addresses

You definitely know what to do in every step. I believe, you doing some research here and being positive all the time helps.

Very useful information Viva La Vida ...thanks

What YouAndMeForever said.

IF you have applied for AOS/EAD in your maiden name you will receive both your work permit and your green card in your maiden name. Accordingly, IF you have applied for AOS/EAD in your married name, both documents will be in your married name. There is no such thing as "automatically change".
Once you receive your green card in your maiden name and you still wish to change your name, it is a more complicated process. That is why it is strongly advised to apply for AOS/EAD already using the married name.
I assume your passport is in your maiden name. IF your green card will be in your maiden name as well, you can travel to Vietnam simply with your valid foreign passport and your green card. However IF you have your green card in your married name, you will have to take a certified copy of marriage certificate with you as well, as a proof of name change. A certified copy of marriage certificate is the proof that both names belong to you.

Thank you so much!

Nice write up on the situation

Your path to another green card is dependent on hat paths you qualify for, family, work, dv lottery ? Having had one in the past in no way gives you a shortcut to a future green card. Visiting visas are for visiting and do not open the door to green cards except to the thousands that abuse them to shortcut the process.

that was funny..
Arrows

Awesome, that's what I thought. Once again, Thank you for all your help here!
Ooh thank you so much for listing all this out! I have everything you stated on my own list, so feels good to compare notes and make sure I'm not forgetting anything important!
I'm also going to include a copy of the sponsorship form and vaccination records that I had submitted with the AOS application, just in case.

Thanks! One more to add to the pile ... my EAD and letter of approval just arrived in the mail.

Thank you so so so much for all your kind words!!!
Fortunately, we will have the same Landlord so I will definitely ask her to check the mailbox and ask the next renters to tell her if I get some mail there!!
Thank you again!
I wish you the best too!!

My experience:
Drivers License/Non-Drivers License: No, you don't need to be a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/green card holder) to obtain a (non)driver's license. However, most states won't allow you to have a State ID until you have your EAD. EAD (Employment Authorization Document/work permit) takes 60-90 days from filing to be approved and mailed, so even if you got married and filed for it on your first week in the US, it is very likely that you have to spend 2-3 months without being able to drive or simply having a US ID.
Bank accounts: Some banks won't allow you to open a bank account unless you have your EAD (and a State ID). On the other hand, there are many-many bank chains that will allow you to open a bank account with only a valid foreign passport (or a valid foreign passport+SSN). For example the bank my husband is at (smaller, pretty much local bank), didn't allow me to open a bank account even though I presented my valid foreign passport, my unexpired I-94 (at that time I was still within the 90 days validity of my K1 visa) and my Social Security Card. They told me to come back when I have my EAD and my State ID.
Last but not least (based on my personal experience), it is both mentally and emotionally overwhelming and draining to be in this limbo. Sometimes I feel like even though I'm physically here in the US, I haven't "arrive" yet. I received my EAD card a little more than a week ago, so now my life is easier and I am finally allowed to work. Not being able to work is very crippling. I worked out multiple hours a day, cleaned the apartment from top to bottom and read numerous books to make my body and mind busy. Plus, I spent lots of time on VJ. It is very a reassuring and positive feeling to know that so many people go through the same journey.
My advice is to get married and file for AOS/EAD/AP as soon as you can after arriving to the US. It allows you to start a "normal" life sooner.
Good luck to you!

My experience:
Drivers License/Non-Drivers License: No, you don't need to be a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/green card holder) to obtain a (non)driver's license. However, most states won't allow you to have a State ID until you have your EAD. EAD (Employment Authorization Document/work permit) takes 60-90 days from filing to be approved and mailed, so even if you got married and filed for it on your first week in the US, it is very likely that you have to spend 2-3 months without being able to drive or simply having a US ID.
Bank accounts: Some banks won't allow you to open a bank account unless you have your EAD (and a State ID). On the other hand, there are many-many bank chains that will allow you to open a bank account with only a valid foreign passport (or a valid foreign passport+SSN). For example the bank my husband is at (smaller, pretty much local bank), didn't allow me to open a bank account even though I presented my valid foreign passport, my unexpired I-94 (at that time I was still within the 90 days validity of my K1 visa) and my Social Security Card. They told me to come back when I have my EAD and my State ID.
Last but not least (based on my personal experience), it is both mentally and emotionally overwhelming and draining to be in this limbo. Sometimes I feel like even though I'm physically here in the US, I haven't "arrive" yet. I received my EAD card a little more than a week ago, so now my life is easier and I am finally allowed to work. Not being able to work is very crippling. I worked out multiple hours a day, cleaned the apartment from top to bottom and read numerous books to make my body and mind busy. Plus, I spent lots of time on VJ. It is very a reassuring and positive feeling to know that so many people go through the same journey.
My advice is to get married and file for AOS/EAD/AP as soon as you can after arriving to the US. It allows you to start a "normal" life sooner.
Good luck to you!

At least you asked before you acted. Many people come here because they didn't. Not good....

The OP has received an explanation satisfactory to her and has asked that this thread be closed.

Thank you for writing out a new post about all of this. Going to ask that this is pinned(even though no one seems to read pinned threads either) so it can be referred to from now on.

Evidently. Personally I think they should go the whole hog and just ban the letter 'F' and the number '69'

One of my posts in the following thread was removed yesterday by a moderator: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/550912-what-i-should-do-after-i-got-pending-condition-green-card-i-751-for-2-years/
All I did was replying to post #11, saying "I agree". How is that "Off Topic"??
Also, I have helped the OP with multiple useful posts in the very same thread.
This forum is way over-moderated.

Yeah, strange things happen here sometimes. Don't let it hold you back from asking for help though.
I have been a pretty active member of this site for a little more than a year. I like to help people, discuss things, and connecting with those who go through the same journey. I'm not perfect (no one is) but when my post gets removed for no reason at all, I wonder whether this place is for me or not. I have seen some moderators abusing their "power", lecturing and belittling members and being arrogant in general. There have been many threads about this, but not-so-surprisingly all of them got quickly shot down and locked. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, instead of being swept under the rug.

Yeah, seems like they think so too.

How is agreeing with someone off topic in a discussion forum? It is not like I just hopped in and said "I agree". There was a conversation taking place and as a last reply I said I agree. What is wrong with that seriously? This is ridiculous. There are hundred times more off topic posts on this site that don't get removed.