Calikitkat

I wouldn't do a last minute power of attorney. seems like more hustle than it'd help.

but i would do brief and to the point letters of explanation, as the above vj-ers have mentioned. have your parents-in-law explain you lived with them. 

explain the job situation and why you only recently started a joint bank account, in a short letter.

I believe the goal is that if you read through the package of evidence you send it tells a story that has no holes in it. all makes sense together. 

This is my opinion:

1) From what I've read on this website, yes, they would need to have the letters notarized. otherwise, you could just forge them. So having them notarized, they can count as proof USCIS can definitely trust.

2) I assume you are not filing jointly. then, she could mention you helped her. Just because you are getting a divorce, doesn't mean you can't help each other in need.

3) You should provide proof acquired during marriage. It sounds like you should be fine with the notarized letters and the rest of the proof you mentioned. Make sure to get the official tax returns from the IRS. I also do not share the medical insurance with my husband. but we did have lease together and bought a car together. Just provide everything you have with both your names on it. I think it's good idea to show her insurance comes to same address as yours. Also, if you are listed as her emergency contact somewhere or she is yours you can show that too. 

4) I believe notification of change of address is meant for you to ensure you get the USCIS letter. I think she can provide any address as long as it is reliable. You can explain in the i-705 at the end of the form, the situation with the addresses if you want.

Best of luck, hope all works out smoothly!

I have signed up to receive text and email when the status of my case changes. yesterday 12/23 was my official appointment for biometrics. but I have done them 12/14. I wonder when the status will change to reflect biometrics received.

I am tracking my case now on the USCIS case status website. I love that they send you sms and email when there's an update. The current status is fees were waived. However, I'm guessing that is a bug on their website since my check was cashed some time ago.

I wonder what was the fastest processing time for the CSC lately.

I made an InfoPass appointment. Explained the letter must have been lost in the mail. The Immigration Officer prince the letter for me. Done. Thanks goodness. All set now.

Does my spouse need to attend the finger printing with me or is it just me?

Great news! Happy for you it worked out smoothly! And good to know best practice is to make an infopass and they can provide you with the letter.

Your spouse doesn't need to come with you. I went by myself. You can try early walk in tomorrow after 2 pm.

When I filed for ROC at the CSC (twice, first time it was filed 1 day early) I could see a signature for both times (even though first time I waived the signature requirement and they still signed for it) and both times it was a USCIS person that signed..

Yes I google'd the person's name and saw pictures in the USCIS office on instagram xD

So you can try and request delivery confirmation from USCIS (there should be a "request delivery confirmation" button on the tracking page) and see if anyone signed for it.. Hopefully if you get a name they might be able to find a specific person who retrieved your application from the PO Box .. it's a long shot but worth the try..

Snorlux, you are right.

Yes, if you ship an item with Signature Confirmation to a Post Office Box, the recipient will receive a notice that there is a package that requires a signature. The recipient will then take the notice to the Post Office window and sign for the package. This is exactly the same process that would happen if you shipped Signature Confirmation to an address and there was no one available to sign for it. For my guide on when Signature Confirmation is required on eBay and Paypal see, How to Use USPS Signature Confirmation Effectively with eBay and Paypal. Remember, only USPS can deliver to Post Office boxes so if you’re shipping with UPS, Fedex, or anyone else it will not be possible to ship to P.O. boxes.

My info which can be added:

Vermont Service Centre

i-751 sent 22 November 2016

i-751 NOA 23 November 2016 (received letter in the mail on 28 November 2016)

Biometrics schedule for 27 December 2016 (apparently mailed on 28 November 2016 but still not received at my house in the mail)

I have not received any information in the post yet about the biometrics appointment. I was only able to get the information on the phone after some serious negotiation and some choice words about spending $590 for this. Has anyone else had a similar experience where it took weeks for the actual biometrics letter to arrive?

I've added your info in the list above

Try to track down the letter. check with your local post office. You need to have it at your appointment. I would call them again and ask them what to do about your appointment if you don't get it in the mail.

Had a successful early walk in for my biometrics today at the Santa Ana USCIS. I went in at 2:14pm and there was no line whatsoever. I was done in 15 minutes. So happy to be done with this in only 2 weeks since I've sent in my ROC application. Now the wait starts. I pray it goes as fast and smooth as it went so far.

California Service Center (27 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
MARIA&ABDO..........10/31/16.........11/01/16.....12/06/16......--/--/--
MICHELLE13..........11/01/16.........11/03/16.....12/06/16......--/--/--
NIKKOSAN............11/03/16.........11/07/16.....12/06/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 11/28)
E&G12.05.13.........11/03/16.........11/04/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--
THISISGEE...........11/04/16.........11/12/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--
TEXANADIAN1.........11/04/16.........11/07/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--
YAMIL...............11/05/16.........11/21/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--

UNCRUSTABLES........11/07/16.........11/08/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--
COTL................11/07/16.........11/09/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--
MYCASE17............11/07/16 ........11/09/16.....12/23/16......--/--/--

ROSYTORRES..........11/07/16.........11/14/16.....12/05/16......--/--/--
G&O7................11/10/16.........11/14/16.....12/07/16......--/--/--
MDZCPA..............11/14/16.........11/15/16.....12/19/16......--/--/--

JESSICATRAN05.......11/14/16.........11/17/16.....12/21/16......--/--/--

ASIANCULTURE....... 11/15/16.........11/17/16.....12/20/16......--/--/--

HIKERWA.............11/16/16.........11/17/16.....12/19/16......--/--/--

KYLE_AND_LINH.......11/16/16.........11/18/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--
DREWC...............11/17/16.........--/--/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

ABO-AMIR............11/19/16.........11/25/16.....12/22/16......--/--/--

LOVING_GIRL.........11/21/16.........11/28/16.....12/20/16......--/--/--
JEFFINMX............11/21/16.........11/28/16.....12/22/16......--/--/--

CAEM................11/21/16.........11/22/16.....12/22/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 12/09)

CANADIAN_1022.......11/21/16.........11/28/16.....12/21/16......--/--/--

AH&JH...............11/22/16.........11/28/16.....12/20/16......--/--/--

TESHAH..............11/28/16.........11/30/16.....12/19/16......--/--/--

SEANIMO.............11/28/16.........12/02/16.....12/20/16......--/--/--

CALIKITKAT..........11/29/16.........11/30/16.....12/23/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 12/14)

Vermont Service Center (14 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date.....Biometrics.....Approved
BLUEBERRYPANCAKE....10/29/16.........11/01/16.......11/30/16......--/--/--
ADVICE_APPLE........11/02/16.........11/07/16.......12/07/16......--/--/--
LAS1023.............11/03/16.........11/07/16.......12/06/16......--/--/--
MEEHAN..............11/03/16.........11/04/16.......12/13/16......--/--/--
MRSDIETCOKE.........11/04/16.........11/07/16.......12/16/16......--/--/--
MAKO1017............11/05/16.........11/07/16.......12/05/16......--/--/--
JCI130..............11/09/16.........11/14/16.......12/12/16......--/--/--
HUSBAND_WIFE........11/11/16.........11/16/16.......12/14/16......--/--/--

MWAS................11/11/16.........11/14/16.......12/15/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 12/02)

JYO_C...............11/15/16.........11/21/16.......12/19/16......--/--/--

BOB&ORLANDO.........11/17/16.........11/22/16.......12/23/16......--/--/--

~YOLY~..............11/19/16.........11/25/16.......12/21/16......--/--/--

TheBigO.............11/22/16.........11/23/16.......12/27/16......--/--/--

JASKAMIIN...........11/28/16.........11/30/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

LESLY87.............11/28/16.........11/30/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

Did you double check that it was delivered to the right address? And who signed for it? I have sent my application to the CA Service Center. They have a PO BOX. So it is somebody from the post office that signs for the application I believe. Maybe they still have it at that post office. I would call them too. And definitely send the email.

Seems like your application has been misplaced.

I have included short letters of explanation with all my evidence for the ROC. E.g. Explain that the 3rd person on our first lease was my father-in-law who helped us qualify as we have never rented an apt before.

My advice would be to include evidence that shows your marriage was in good faith and if you feel the need to explain certain evidence, I would write short and to the point letters to explain it. I would not write a lengthy letter about your whole relationship. Be concise, let the evidence speak for itself. Only supplement it with explanation when necessary.

Anybody can make up stories, so a lengthy letter wouldn't help I don't think. If you show through evidence you did everything together, joint bank accounts, joint tax returns and then explain your divorce, that should be clear enough.

Yes, the extension letter we received. Make sure to bring the green card as they asked me for it

I'm sure what Caem did works fine. We received a notice from DMV stating that her license is expected to expire thus asking for proof of her legal status. Replied back with a copy of her extension letter and our new address. Received it within 2 months with a new exp date 2019.

I applied for a DL in February with my extension letter and never received the DL in the mail. I have to go back every 3 months to get a new temporary one, my DL is stuck on some kind of pending legal presence check, already called them multiple times, nothing I can do Hopefully your DL will go more smoothly.

Thanks a lot for your replies. I have went in for appointment at the Santa Ana DMV today with my green card and extension NOA and they provided me with an interim DL. They said I should receive the new DL card in the mail within a month.

At first, the lady that helped me said she wasn't sure if she can accept the NOA as extension but she checked with her manager and it all worked out. She also asked me for the stamp in my passport but I informed her USCIS doesn't give you the stamp while you have the extension NOA.

By the way, there was no charge for me to renew the DL. Is that always the case?

California Service Center (26 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

MARIA&ABDO..........10/31/16.........11/01/16.....12/06/16......--/--/--

MICHELLE13..........11/01/16.........11/03/16.....12/06/16......--/--/--

NIKKOSAN............11/03/16.........11/07/16.....12/06/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 11/28)

E&G12.05.13.........11/03/16.........11/04/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--

THISISGEE...........11/04/16.........11/12/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--

TEXANADIAN1.........11/04/16.........11/07/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--

YAMIL...............11/05/16.........11/21/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--

UNCRUSTABLES........11/07/16.........11/08/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--

COTL................11/07/16.........11/09/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--

MYCASE17............11/07/16 ........11/09/16.....12/23/16......--/--/--

ROSYTORRES..........11/07/16.........11/14/16.....12/05/16......--/--/--

G&O7................11/10/16.........11/14/16.....12/07/16......--/--/--

MDZCPA..............11/14/16.........11/15/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

JESSICATRAN05.......11/14/16.........11/17/16.....12/21/16......--/--/--

ASIANCULTURE....... 11/15/16.........11/17/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

HIKERWA.............11/16/16.........11/17/16.....12/19/16......--/--/--

KYLE_AND_LINH.......11/16/16.........11/18/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

DREWC...............11/17/16.........--/--/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

ABO-AMIR............11/19/16.........11/25/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

LOVING_GIRL.........11/21/16.........11/28/16.....12/20/16......--/--/--

JEFFINMX............11/21/16.........11/28/16.....12/22/16......--/--/--

CAEM................11/21/16.........11/22/16.....12/22/16......--/--/--

CANADIAN_1022.......11/21/16.........11/28/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

TESHAH..............11/28/16.........11/30/16.....12/19/16......--/--/--

SEANIMO.............11/28/16.........12/02/16.....12/20/16......--/--/--

CALIKITKAT..........11/29/16.........11/30/16.....12/23/16......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (14 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date.....Biometrics.....Approved

BLUEBERRYPANCAKE....10/29/16.........11/01/16.......11/30/16......--/--/--

ADVICE_APPLE........11/02/16.........11/07/16.......12/07/16......--/--/--

LAS1023.............11/03/16.........11/07/16.......12/06/16......--/--/--

MEEHAN..............11/03/16.........11/04/16.......12/13/16......--/--/--

MRSDIETCOKE.........11/04/16.........11/07/16.......12/16/16......--/--/--

MAKO1017............11/05/16.........11/07/16.......12/05/16......--/--/--

JCI130..............11/09/16.........11/14/16.......12/12/16......--/--/--

HUSBAND_WIFE........11/11/16.........11/16/16.......12/14/16......--/--/--

MWAS................11/11/16.........11/14/16.......12/15/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 12/02)

JYO_C...............11/15/16.........11/21/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

BOB&ORLANDO.........11/17/16.........11/22/16.......12/23/16......--/--/--

~YOLY~..............11/19/16.........11/25/16.......12/21/16......--/--/--

JASKAMIIN...........11/28/16.........11/30/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

LESLY87.............11/28/16.........11/30/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

Checked my mail today to have the lovely surprise to find my biometrics appointment letter dated 12/3. I am scheduled for 12/23 but will try early walk in this coming week, towards the end of the week.

I extended mine today in NorCal. Went in-person with my I-751 and got a year extension. No problems.

Thanks, caem. you mean with the NOA paper with the extension we've received, right? that's all you need, right? thank you,

My wife extended hers (reside in SoCal - via mail). Got her new license in mail within 2 months.

Oh you can do it by mail? what do you need to send them via mail? thank you.

The G-1145 is NOT VALID for the I-751 filing. It is ONLY used when you send to a Lockbox. I did send one with my package and no response.

Only works for lockbox. You won't receive any email notification.

Thank you, guys. I feel bad I didn't read that form properly. I've just read somewhere on this website that somebody filed it with their I-751 and they got notified via email but it must've been a confusion.

TheBigO, you were saying you can predict the biometrics appointment date based on the timeline. Please see my timeline in my signature. Thanks for your advice.

My rough estimation from what I've read on this website is that you get the letter with the biometrics appoint approx. 2 weeks after your NOA1 and the biometrics appointment is scheduled at around 1 month after your NOA1. Would you say that is accurate? For me it'll be December 30th or so, hopefully can do my biometrics before the new year

I have done early walk in for biometrics for my AOS, but it didn't seem to speed up the process for my green card much.Still took 5 months to have my green card in hand. But willl definitely try it again this time around. Maybe it would've taken even longer otherwise.

Added my info

California Service Center (27 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
MARIA&ABDO..........10/31/16.........11/01/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--
MICHELLE13..........11/01/16.........11/03/16.....12/06/16......--/--/--
NIKKOSAN............11/03/16.........11/07/16.....12/06/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 11/28)
E&G12.05.13.........11/03/16.........11/04/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--
THISISGEE...........11/04/16.........11/12/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--
TEXANADIAN1.........11/04/16.........11/07/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--
YAMIL...............11/05/16.........11/21/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--

UNCRUSTABLES........11/07/16.........11/08/16.....12/09/16......--/--/--
COTL................11/07/16.........11/09/16.....12/08/16......--/--/--
MYCASE17............11/07/16 ........11/09/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

ROSYTORRES..........11/07/16.........11/14/16.....12/05/16......--/--/--
G&O7................11/10/16.........11/14/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--
MDZCPA..............11/14/16.........11/15/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

JESSICATRAN05.......11/14/16.........11/17/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

ASIANCULTURE....... 11/15/16.........11/17/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

HIKERWA.............11/16/16.........11/17/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

KYLE_AND_LINH.......11/16/16.........11/18/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--
DREWC...............11/17/16.........--/--/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

ABO-AMIR............11/19/16.........11/25/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

LOVING_GIRL.........11/21/16.........11/28/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--
JEFFINMX............11/21/16.........11/28/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

CAEM................11/21/16.........11/22/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

CANADIAN_1022.......11/21/16.........11/28/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

JEFFKADRLIKTORR.....11/22/16.........--/--/16.....--/--/16......--/--/-- (Package returned by USCIS / Used Expired Form I-751 Version)

SNORLUX.............11/26/16.........--/--/16.....--/--/16......--/--/-- (Package returned by USCIS / Filed Early)

TESHAH..............11/28/16.........--/--/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

CALIKITKAT..........11/29/16.........11/30/16.....--/--/16......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (13 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date.....Biometrics.....Approved
BLUEBERRYPANCAKE....10/29/16.........11/01/16.......11/30/16......--/--/--
ADVICE_APPLE........11/02/16.........11/07/16.......12/07/16......--/--/--
LAS1023.............11/03/16.........11/07/16.......12/06/16......--/--/--
MEEHAN..............11/03/16.........11/04/16.......12/13/16......--/--/--
MRSDIETCOKE.........11/04/16.........11/07/16.......12/16/16......--/--/--
MAKO1017............11/05/16.........11/07/16.......12/05/16......--/--/--
JCI130..............11/09/16.........11/14/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--
HUSBAND_WIFE........11/11/16.........11/16/16.......12/14/16......--/--/--

MWAS................11/11/16.........11/14/16.......12/15/16......--/--/-- (Early Walk-in 12/02)

JYO_C...............11/15/16.........11/21/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

BOB&ORLANDO.........11/17/16.........11/22/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--
TEDDY_K.............11/18/16.........--/--/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

~YOLY~..............11/19/16.........11/25/16.......--/--/16......--/--/--

Hi guys,

I was wondering did anybody here filled form I-1145 for email notification together with their I-751? I was wondering how long it took to get the email after USICIS signed for receipt of petition. Thank you,

Hi,

Did anybody have to extend their DL with the NOA at the Santa Ana DMV in Southern CA? I was wondering how smoothly it will go with extending my DL during the ROC processing period. thank you,

Hi guys,

Just made it into the November filers group I will keep you posted regarding my journey through my signature.

My green card just got approved!!!

We had the interview today 2/25, 4:15 pm at the San Diego Downtown office (880 Front Street). We arrived 30 minutes earlier. We started the interview at around 4:20 pm and we were done 30 minutes later.

Our officer was very pleasant and friendly. He started off by swearing us in, asking for IDs and then he asked us: "Tell me your love story." We discussed our relationship from the beginning till the present date. He wanted to know how long we dated before we got married.

Then he asked for proof of relationship, bills with both our names, pictures (with both of us together with family and friends), post cards (wedding, Xmas). We showed our rent contract, renter's insurance, joint bank account and credit card, car contract, car registration and car insurance, jointly filed 2014 tax return. He also asked whether we had joint health insurance which we did.

Another question he asked is what our plans as a couple are.

After that he asked me about where I live, with who (my husband), how much the rent costs and then those yes and no questions on the I-485 forms such as have you ever dealt drugs? etc.

Following that he told us we were approved and that I will get the card in the mail in max 2 months. But judging by the EAD processing time and others experiences shared on this forum, I am almost certain I'll have it by the end of next week (approx in 8 days).

Best of luck to everybody else who is waiting for their green card to get approved! I'll see you in 2 years!

Tomorrow is our interview.

I really nervous for this.

Hope everything will be good.

Best of luck!!! Let us know how it went.

I am sorry, I have only posted a couple of times, but I will fill out my timeline soon (hopefully today)

Anyway, we had our interview yesterday.

First let me say, we had no fraud factors. We are similar in age, my spouse had never been in the US before she began to visit me, she had never overstayed any visas,etc.

We had an early morning appointment (750am). We arrived at 0730, went through security, and sat down in a room full of empty chairs.

Promptly at 0800 we were called to the back. We went into an office with our interviewer. I had a giant stack of documents.

Our interviewer was pretty stern, but at the same time not rude.

We were sworn in.

The interviewer began to ask questions of my russian spouse, but was quickly underwhelmed by my spouse's english, and asked if we needed a translator. I said "she doesn't need one, and anyway we don't have one". Because my spouse is fine with english. But maybe the cadence of the interviewer wasn't good for her. Anyway, quickly the interviewer became frustrated again, and picked up the phone to order a translator.

They kept the interviewer on the phone too long so the interview resumed.

After that it went pretty smoothly. The packet questions were asked, (have you ever been arrested? been a prostitute? etc.) They were asked in the sequence from the aos packet. Then each one was checked off in red pen "no".

The interviewer asked a few questions of my spouse. Why were you married before? Why did that marriage fail?

Then she asked me how we met. She asked me to pronounce the airport in Moscow where i flew...

I found the questions to be "tricky", but only if you are not telling the truth. Had i not been to moscow, which has 4 major airports, I could have chosen the wrong one, nevermind how to pronounce it.

Then we were asked about what evidence we had. I showed our bank account, cell phone family plan with records and bills, our medical insurance on my employers plan and a pet adoption record with our joint names.

I began to show photos, but The interviewer quickly said "i have already seen those! dont show me the ones you already sent!" so, I started showing some new ones, which were taken and kept, to be placed with our file.

Finally, the interviewer said "okay--I am approving your case." and then she stamped our file, with a big stamp.

I was relieved and excited of course, but i was weary that i had heard wrong So the interviewer repeated ..."you are approved, you are now a lawful permanent resident"

YES!

The process was about 35 minutes or so.

As for my thoughts,

I front loaded a lot of evidence, and i feel it did help. I saw many people say it doesn't, but the fact that our interviewer said "don't show me those photos that you already sent" indicates that our file was already viewed and sort of an opinion is formed at bit beforehand. Also, the file that was on the desk was about 4-5 inches thick!!

Good luck everyone!

We are same sex couple too. We had our AOS interview on the 10th of this month. Our interviewer was very nice, my wife is not that fluent in English as well but the questions requires simple answers, such as what is our address, my wife's father and mother names, my birth date. My interviewer was a very nice lady, we have this impression that she was very friendly and patience. So that right away, put relieve to our interview. She then asked me a few questions about how we met, the trip I took to see her, how often I go, where was my wedding, what is my wedding date etc.

She then told me that she did not see any issues with our application and that it is approved. However, she didn't stamp her passport saying that they don't do that often anymore. Only with emergency case with travel plans will they do that. We are in a hurry to travel, so it doesn't really matter that her passport is not stamped. It would have been nice to have some proof . But currently our green card is ordered for production, so I think we will get our green card soon.

Congratulations, guys!!! Enjoy your GC!!! Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences with us!

It took 8 days from the interview date.

I just got my Green-card. 8 days after my interview, 1 day after I got the email saying my card was mailed. This is so exciting, it was a long journey. I am glad it is over.

Congrats on getting your GC, guys! Hubby and I are so excited about our interview cos once I get my GC we can go travel in Mexico! We can't wait, it's only 20 minutes away from SD! I have the interview on Feb 25 so I should have my GC in hand by March 6. For my EAD it also took 8 days from the time it got approved to the time I had it in my hand so I guess 8 days is the standard, quite efficient. And I'm loving USCIS for scheduling us after work!

Happy Valentine's Day to everybody! Have a wonderful one!

Husband's interview was today, went super fast. Didnt ask any questions about us just from the application,(like have you ever been arrested)and were approved!

Cngrats!!!