CupcakeGirl

On 1/6/2017 at 8:10 PM, NikLR said:

Thats awesome.  It does take them longer this time of year.  The NOA1 should be on it's way soon. 

Thank you! Received it last week along with our Biometrics appt notice!

Thanks all! I know all about notaries and the purpose of having documents notarized - I just read a few conflicting things on here regarding the personal affidavits. I think that it is in fact the word "affidavit" that is throwing some petitioners off, thinking they must be notarized. It sounds like USCIS is merely asking for letters of recommendation from people with eyewitness accounts of the couple's valid marriage.

Appreciate your input!

Just got back in town and came home to our NOA dated 12/28/16 and our Biometrics appointment date is 1/23/17. Thanks in advance to @jeffkadrliktorr for updating and being a rock star at keeping this list updated & nice & clean!  

1 hour ago, jeffkadrliktorr said:

California Service Center (23 applicants,0 approved - 0%)

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

FRODY...............................12/01/16.................. 12/05/16...............01/05/17..................--/--/--

SNORLUX.........................12/03/16.................. 12/06/16............... 01/04/16...................--/--/--

VP19................................. 12/03/16................... 12/06/16..............01/06/17..................--/--/-- (bio early walk-in 12/30)

DBURNT........................... 12/03/16.................. 12/07/16..............--/--/--.....................--/--/--

NORRISSF........................ 12/04/16................... 12/08/16................--/--/16...................--/--/--

D+B.................................. 12/05/16.................. 12/07/16...............01/12/17..................--/--/--

JEFFKADRLIKTORR.........12/05/16................... 12/08/16................--/--/16..................--/--/--

JONI.................................. 12/05/16................... 12/08/16................--/--/16...................--/--/--

BIAFRAMAN..................... 12/05/16.................... --/--/16.................--/--/16...................--/--/--

DIAHA86........................... 12/09/16.................. 12/12/16..............01/12/17...................--/--/--

PKIE1985.......................... 12/13/16.................... --/--/16................--/--/16...................--/--/--

STARKILLA09....................12/14/16................. 12/19/16...............--/--/16...................--/--/--

NATONSTAN........................12/16/16................. 12/19/16...............--/--/16..................--/--/--

JUDGENOT.......................... 12/16/16.......... .......12/23/16...............--/--/16.................--/--/--

JOHNXKRM.......................... --/--/--.......... ......... 12/20/16...............--/--/--..................--/--/--

ANNA&ADAM....................... 12/19/16................. 12/20/16..............--/--/16..................--/--/--

ELSIE2500.............................12/19/16.................... --/--/16.............--/--/16..................--/--/--

BILL & KATYA....................... 12/20/16.................... --/--/16..............--/--/16.................--/--/--

GINGERB.............................12/22/16.....................--/--/--................--/--/--...................--/--/--

SAMSINGS........................... 12/23/16.....................--/--/--................--/--/--...................--/--/--

ANTONYDRAGA................... 12/27/16..................12/28/16...............--/--/--...................--/--/--

BLACKRAVEN....................... 12/28/16..................... --/--/--...............--/--/--...................--/--/--

BLAG-TINA........................... 12/28/16..................... --/--/--...............--/--/--...................--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (4 applicants,0 approved - 0%)

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

RAFLEN..............................12/05/16...................12/09/16..............--/--/16.....................--/--/--

LEOSTAR............................12/14/16...................12/19/16..............--/--/16.....................--/--/--

APLUMMERJR...................12/15/16....................12/20/16..............--/--/16....................--/--/--

ELSIE2500..........................12/19/16.....................--/--/--................--/--/--.....................--/--/--

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Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application.

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter.

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment.

Approved = The Date your case was approved.

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Jeff, can you please add me back? Thanks so much!

CUPCAKEGIRL..................... 12/28/16..................... --/--/-- ............. --/--/-- ................. --/--/--

CSC cashed our check this morning!  Now just waiting on NOA...

Quick update - they cashed our check this morning!! So excited!

Just now, jeffkadrliktorr said:

I tried calling but they couldn't help me because they can't access any of my information without the receipt number from the biometrics notice, they can't do a service request until it has been 30 days and they couldn't transfer me to tier 2 because they're not taking calls due to being so backed up

Oh goodness! You don't get a receipt number with your NOA? That's not the impression that I was given when I called last week, but I believe you. I just think this whole process is so robotic and has taken out the human element from things, like rationalization, common sense, etc. I realize that it's not atypical for a governmental institution to be like this, but that's what frustrates me. I'm not expecting 5 star treatment from the government by any means, but if LPRs were just assigned a case manager or if they could just leave an electronic paper trail tracking every move and inquiry on your file, you could easily give them a call, provide your alien #, and have them give you an update with where your case is at.

Did anyone include personal affidavits/testimonials re: your marriage that were NOT notarized? And if so, was your application approved or did they send you a RFE? I didn't see anything in the directions on for the I-751 form that stated they needed to be notarized. I provided a template to everyone who wrote a letter on our behalf, including the oath at the bottom about swearing the information is true and correct, etc. - but sent them as is, without having each person get them notarized. Hoping that was ok.

Seriously, I would have rather hosted someone from USCIS at my house for a couple of weeknights to live with my hubby, my kids and I to prove that we're the real deal, lol. It would have been a heck of a lot easier and less costly!

3 minutes ago, lucybelle said:

 

Well then I wouldn't even mention the green card situation.  Just show DL to get on plane and done.

Exactly what we were planning on doing. Of course, I have these worst case scenarios built up in my head, like "What if they ask to see his Green Card? What if we explain that we sent our packet but haven't heard back yet?" What if what if what if...I get myself worked into a complete pickle!

2 hours ago, jeffkadrliktorr said:

Today is day 28 since NOA1 for me. Have to admit I am getting a bit worried about it taking so long.

 

How long would you guys wait before calling USCIS and seeing what's up?

 

Obviously the whole process will take a long time, but most people are getting their bio appts in like 14 days or less. I just don't want to unintentionally miss my appointment..

I would call, if for nothing else, to ease your concerns. Can't hurt. Good luck!

2 minutes ago, lucybelle said:

My husband (non USC) travels frequently for work and he shows his expired green card & NOA letter when checking in at the counter in the USA.  He mostly travels internationally, but I believe he shows them during domestic flights as well.

 

Check expiration date on your husband's DL.  In my state my husband's DL expires the same day as the green card/NOA.  So even if he didn't need to show green card & NOA letter, he couldn't use his DL because it would be expired as well!

 

If you don't get answers soon I'd suggest contacting a congressman/senator. 

Thanks, Lucy. To be fair, I only sent our petition in on 12/27/16, and it was received by USCIS on 12/28/16. I know we can travel internationally on the expired GC, providing we have the NOA - but since we will be flying soon after his GC actually expires, and still don't have a NOA (nor have they cashed our check - I have been checking daily), that is where I start to get nervous.

I just checked his DL out of curiosity and it doesn't expire until the 2020s, lol - so we are good to go there (thankfully!)

3 hours ago, EM_Vandaveer said:

Did you include a letter of explanation with your packet about how the GC has the wrong date on it? With maybe a copy of his passport stamp to prove it?

it can take up to 30 days after it's delivered to get a NOA1. He's not out of status although he has no proof of that until he gets his NOA1.

that said, once you get the NOA1 and it says his status is extended for a year you still may run into problems with ppl taking the GC date at face value. Erroneous GC expiry date plus one year = still looks like it expired.

I'd keep looking to schedule an InfoPass and get a new passport stamp once you have the NOA1.

 

Thanks for your reply. For some reason, I didn't. I figured they would check our file and my husband's alien number to see that the paperwork is all correct on our end and their end - just the date on the Green Card is incorrect. In hindsight, I would have included that info as well as his passport stamp in my packet. I don't know if they will send that to us as a RFE, which is fine if they do - it's just more unnecessary paperwork that we shouldn't need to do because they made a mistake (I know, I know...that's the beauty of working with the government...it's never their fault!)

Again, my biggest concern is our upcoming travel, even though it's a round trip domestic flight - and I'm hoping what Calikitkat said is correct, that he will only need his driver's license.

When we get back, I'll have to schedule him an InfoPass appointment at the FSC if we haven't heard anything by then.

7 minutes ago, Davejj said:

There's basically no excuse for late filing except if it's for medical reasons which your case wasn't. I wish you and spouse good luck and that this gets resolved positively for y'all.

It's not filed late if it's filed before the deadline. Ours was filed before it expires. The requirement is not "you must file 90 days before your Green Card expires." That is simply when the window opens up.
Thank you very much for the well wishes

17 hours ago, jeffkadrliktorr said:

California Service Center (22 applicants,0 approved - 0%)

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

FRODY................................12/01/16.................. 12/05/16...............01/05/17..................--/--/--

SNORLUX..........................12/03/16.................. 12/06/16............... 01/04/16...................--/--/--

VP19................................. 12/03/16................... 12/06/16...............01/06/17..................--/--/-- (bio early walk-in 12/30)

DBURNT........................... 12/03/16................... 12/07/16..............-01/09/17.....................--/--/--

NORRISSF........................ 12/04/16................... 12/08/16.................--/--/16...................--/--/--

D+B.................................. .12/05/16.................. 12/07/16...............01/12/17..................--/--/--

JEFFKADRLIKTORR......... 12/05/16................... 12/08/16.................--/--/16..................--/--/--

JONI.................................. 12/05/16................... 12/08/16..............01/09/17...................--/--/--

BIAFRAMAN.......................12/05/16.................... --/--/16.................--/--/16...................--/--/--

DIAHA86.............................12/09/16.................. 12/12/16..............01/12/17...................--/--/--

PKIE1985........................... 12/13/16.................... --/--/16.................--/--/16...................--/--/--

STARKILLA09......................12/14/16................. 12/19/16.................--/--/16...................--/--/--

NATONSTAN........................12/16/16................. 12/19/16................--/--/16..................--/--/--

JUDGENOT.......................... 12/16/16.......... .......12/23/16...............--/--/16.................--/--/--

JOHNXKRM.......................... --/--/--.......... ......... 12/20/16...............--/--/--..................--/--/--

ANNA&ADAM....................... 12/19/16................. 12/20/16..............--/--/16..................--/--/--

ELSIE2500.............................12/19/16.................... --/--/16.............--/--/16..................--/--/--

BILL & KATYA....................... 12/20/16.................... --/--/16..............--/--/16.................--/--/--

SAMSINGS........................... 12/23/16.....................--/--/--................--/--/--...................--/--/--

NTONYDRAGA..................... 12/27/16..................... --/--/--...............--/--/--...................--/--/--

BLACKRAVEN....................... 12/28/16..................... --/--/--...............--/--/--...................--/--/--

BLAG-TINA........................... 12/28/16..................... --/--/--...............--/--/--...................--/--/--

CUPCAKEGIRL..................... 12/28/16..................... --/--/-- ............. --/--/-- ................. --/--/--

 

Vermont Service Center (4 applicants,0 approved - 0%)

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

RAFLEN..............................12/05/16...................12/09/16..............--/--/16.....................--/--/--

LEOSTAR............................12/14/16...................12/19/16..............--/--/16.....................--/--/--

APLUMMERJR...................12/15/16....................12/20/16..............--/--/16....................--/--/--

ELSIE2500..........................12/19/16.....................--/--/--................--/--/--.....................--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

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Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application.

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter.

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment.

Approved = The Date your case was approved.

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A large binder clip is your friend

11 hours ago, observatorka said:

I'm suprised that after all those experiences you've decided to file so late, esp around holidays when all the gov institutions have extra days off. Try to get him to nearest office asap.

They sent my first packet back immediately. Other people who sent their packets in the same day as mine have had their checks cashed already. My husband and I work for ourselves in commission based jobs. Surely you can understand there were several factors in play regarding the timing in sending our packet out. I'm not asking for extra leniency and extra time in filing - the requirement was to file within 90 days, which we did.

1 minute ago, Calikitkat said:

I was just reading on another thread that you can go to infopass without appointment, you can try and see if they print the NOA for you. for domestic flights, he only needs to show his DL so you shouldn't have any problems there. 

They aren't very nice at our Field Service Center...not at the entrance, anyhow. When we were trying to sort out the (incorrect) expired Green Card issue, we waited as a walk in in the office in Miami, but the Field Service Center that is local to us - which were advised to follow up with when we got back into town from our cruise, where we discovered the typo on the Green Card - would not let us even speak to the information desk. The security guard made us go to a kiosk at the front of the center and get an appointment that way - and of course, that was several weeks away. The immigration agents in there were super nice, but up front was a whole different story.

And thank you SO much for the info about the domestic flight. My stomach has been in knots for days over this. He nearly got deported when we found out about the typo - the original agent at the office we went to was refusing to give him a stamp, saying we shouldn't have let it expire, etc...refusing to look at our file and see that my husband had not even entered the United States until 3/2014, so how on earth his Green Card could have been dated for 1/2014 was impossible, as we weren't even married yet and he wasn't in the country. It took escalating the issue to a supervisor to get that sorted, and he has gotten flagged by immigration both times he's flown back into the country for 2 quick family visits back to the U.K. because of it. It's just been a bit of a nightmare and I will be so grateful once he gets his NOA, the conditions are removed, he gets his 10 year GC, and can apply for citizenship.

15 minutes ago, Calikitkat said:

I would definitely call USCIS and explain the situation to them and see what they advise. perhaps you can go to the closest USCIS office and they can print it on the spot for you. this is what happened with somebody who did not get their biometrics appointment in the mail. they did an infopass and got the letter at the office.

Thanks! I did call USCIS last week to see if I could get his passport stamped and they said no, that I just had to wait for the NOA letter to arrive. I tried unsuccessfully for 2 weeks to get an appointment online and each time, it said they were full. I guess it can't hurt, though. We are planning to fly within the U.S. next week, after his GC expires. If he has a state driver's license, that's all he will need, right? Again, it's a domestic flight and not an international one. I think that's what I am most worried about - about them pulling him aside in the airport and sending him on a plane straight to the U.K.

So my hubby's Green Card expires on 1/7/17.
We filed to remove conditions on 12/19 (later than I wanted but with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, etc. this is when we filed.)
Mailed it Priority Express and the CSC received it on 12/20.
The problem?
I wrote the check amount correctly ($590) but accidentally wrote the words part out to say "five hundred and 90/100." Silly mistake on my part.
USCIS sent the whole packet back, saying it was rejected due to the wrong check amount.
I didn't receive that packet from them until 12/24.
I rewrote the check, but this time for $680, since the cost went up on 12/23 (just my luck!) and printed & filled out a new form (since the form was updated on 12/23/16.)
Resent the whole packet back on 12/27 (the next day the post office was open) and it was received at the CSC on 12/28.
I have yet to receive a NOA nor have they cashed my check.
I am worried because my hubby is technically out of status as of Sunday - and worried what is holding it up is because they printed the wrong expiration date on my hubby's Green Card (they printed it as 1/7/16.) We have gone to USCIS field service centers numerous times about this but since they stamped my hubby's passport effective through 1/7/17, we elected to wait to replace his Green Card once we had to apply to remove conditions.
Obviously, my hubby has a job here, a life here, etc. and I'm worried - if his application is limbo, isn't he technically out of status? We don't plan on traveling internationally until we have his NOA, but until then, I just worry about the what ifs. Is he "protected" since we submitted our packet within the 90 day window? I have the tracking receipt, as well as the cover letter and the I-751 we sent all scanned in and saved to my computer - not to mention the affidavits, the mounds of paperwork, and proof I submitted along with the application.
I checked the December filers thread and the folks who submitted their applications the same day as me all had their checks cashed already.
Thank you so much in advance for any insight you can provide.