Nat26

Researched all day and fond SSA manual where it says they have to accept my Extension Letter and even explain how to put it in their system...

Went back to SSA office, of course had to pull out my manual. got a stinky eye from the worker, but they accepted it! BUT.. just because they can't process it through their computers , it has to be done manually... which might take up to 4 weeks.. still better not driving for 1 month then for half a year....

But now with gov shutdown nothing is moving, and I'm stuck again....

53 minutes ago, nightingalejules said:

This is indeed an unusual and awkward situation... how did you get the DL in your married name to begin with, if you didn't have it on your SSN? 

I'd go to the RMV and try to talk to a manager.... bring DL, Green Card + extension, SSN, Passport, Marriage Certificate - anything you can think of that can prove that you're the same person.

I'd also go back to the SSA and talk to a manager there... some people still don't understand that the extension letter should be considered exactly the same as a valid green card. See if they'll allow the change if you talk to someone else.

Does your passport have your married name in it?  If so, you could make an Infopass at USCIS and try to get the I-551 stamp in your passport. They usually wouldn't do it until your extension letter is almost expired, but you may be able to explain your situation and get the stamp - which has the same document number as a green card and should be accepted anywhere the green card is accepted. Then you can go back to RMV and SSA and see if they'll listen to you then.

Sorry this is so convoluted for you... you're in a bit of a catch 22 situation, and there doesn't seem to be a clear way out.

Thank you for your reply. 

I honestly just went to the website and submitted a form for name change, attached my certificate of marriage and thats it.. got a new license within a week. Maybe I got caught between changes, since now they have to match last names with SSA . I though it was weird too that I was able to change my last name on DL without it being compared to SSN  but can't renew it without it. 

Yes, my passport has my new last name, in fact every document I have already has updated name. I scheduled appointment for info pass in 2 weeks, my extension expired May,1st, so hopefully they'll stamp it. 

16 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

If you have not changed your name in the 2ish years since you have been married, just keep using your maiden name - keep your licence, ability to drive and save yourself the trouble.  When you do get your green card, go back and change your documents then, if you still care to do it.

Its been 3 years.. . I did change my name everywhere but taxes. My husband always did them for me, so I never had a visual reminder... I know its my fault on this, but still

Thats a good thought!  I have my new last name everywhere: DL, insurance, car title etc... Do you think if I just come to RMV and ask them to give me DL on my maiden name they'll just change it back?

49 minutes ago, sweetswinks said:

 

Do you mean November 2016 applicants?

yes, sorry. of course 2016 not 2017 . 

Hello everyone,

I searched all topics here but couldn't find the answer to my situation.

Hope that someone here had a similar situation because I'm desperate for advise.

My local SSA won't process last name change ( marriage) because I have Extension Letter. They told me I have to wait & come back with permanent GC to do it.

Now I'm receiving a letter from RMV saying that my MAss DL won't be renewed at the end of this month because of mismatch with SSA. I'm calling RMV explaining the situation, but of course there is nothing they can do, the last name has to match in order for their system to allow renewal... I'm calling USCIS next explaining situation again, but as expected getting the answer that Extension letter is a valid form to confirm my residency but as SSA is a separate institute I have to follow their rules.

Now I'm stuck and screwed. Feels like everyone just pointing fingers to each other. If I do nothing my DL will expire in 2 weeks and I won't be able to drive/go to work till I get my permanent GC comes, which can take 4-5 months. The idea of loosing my job is so frustrating and so unfair, considering I have all necessary documents to submit ;/ 

 Anybody experienced same problem?

Any ideas or advises on what can I do in this situation?

12 minutes ago, Roy&Chanel said:

OH MY GOD you are so lucky!!!!!!!

 

So my USC spouse called USCIS, to enquire on my biometrics explaining that we have to travel and might not be able to get our biometrics letter before we leave. 

Unfortunately, there is nothing much we can do, but to wait for the letter to come. And we have reconfirmed with USCIS, if you miss biometrics without rescheduling, IT IS A DENIAL unlike some other posts and other forums I searched through saying you can just explain or reschedule/walk-in.

The officer said we have only two options:

1. Wait for biometrics appointment letter, reschedule it, if doesn't come, cancel trip

2. Risk it, go travel, if you're lucky enough, your appointment date might be after your trip, and reschedule it. ORRRRRR DENIAL if its within your vacation days.

 

SO YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH IM DEFINITELY GOING TO WAIT OR CANCEL

Canceling trip is the worst... like can we catch a break ;/ we are all stressed enough over this lol

how long were you planning to go for? they usually mail a notice approx 2 weeks before actual appointment. Look at the ppl timelines, Its pretty much the same for everyone. So if you don't receive your letter before your trip it will be safe to think that you can leave for at least 1 week and be back by the time of your appointment if your letter was mailed on your departure day. Its better then nothing .. just something to think about =) 

Note to all travelers

Upon return to US still pick a Citizen/ Green Card line but go straight to assistant there and tell them you have an extension letter. You'll be redirected to a special line for additional checking, which is much shorter then the super long line for US Visitors. And don't even bother checking in at the kiosk, its a total waist of time, it will read your green card as expired. 

Also make sure to fill up US Immigration Form that they give you on the plane. 

Just got back from Russia, it took me 20 min to go through US custom this way. Last time I didn't pick the right lane and didn't have that Form filled.. ugh.. lost so much time and position in line.. took me over 1h to go through.. 

14 hours ago, Roy&Chanel said:

Yeah there is no one that we know and trust with that. Uscis said there's nothing we can do without the biometrics letter. So yeah gonna cancel my trip rather than risking it and high chances of getting denial if I didn't attend the asc. Sadly my passport expires in March (alternatively I will have to spend the same amount of money with hotel and flight to the embassy in other states as it requires me to renew in person) and my husband only has Feb for 2018 vacation since his annual leaves going to reset next mth. Owell..I just pray hard that it will arrive by Jan 

I hope it will come on time. Received my biometrics letter 3 days before my planned trip .. had to run to the office next day explaining why I need it done so early ( over a week before my scheduled appointment) I just showed my printed itinerary and I was good to go =)) 

On 1/15/2018 at 2:02 PM, bela and menino said:

Get your driver's license or passport. Don't expect your GC within the year. There is a 2 to 5 months gap right now, meaning it can take from 14 to 17 months. They are approving August 2016 right now. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/liftlist.php?cfl=0&op1=4&op2=d&op3=&op4=1&op5=&op6=California Service Center 

I actually called USCIS today to ask about my case. Lady said that they are processing November 2017 applicants at VSC now and If I don't hear anything by April ( extension letter expired on May, 1st) I need to make an appointment with the office and get one more extension.

Just hope this means they start moving faster on our cases... 

On 12/11/2017 at 1:48 AM, Ally86 said:

I have a countdown on my phone's home screen, showing time until my educated guesses at when our case may be updated - and the USCIS app in the Play Store updates every day, telling me that a similar case updated, usually twice per day - so, there is some movement, but it just appears incredibly slow. 

 

@Nat26, take a look at this PDF. It may help, failing that, go ahead and schedule an infopass appointment online to get a stamp in your unexpired passport from your country of origin; that'll extend you further and counts, I believe, as an i551 'form'. It's what I'm planning to do in May, 60 days before my extension runs out.

 

Note that due to the inverted commas in the official memo I attached, I don't think USCIS counts you as 'expired' or out of status until they make a decision, just because the date the extension letter talks about occurs without incident. 

crextensn120203.pdf

Thank you so much.

I downloaded the app too =)) so convenient , good call. 

I've reached out to both SSA and RVM explaining my situation, we'll see if someone will get back to me. If won't hear anything, will go get that i551 stamp and try again ;/  

Its just extra headache during this holliday season..

Hi everyone,

its been more then 6 months :/ is there a wait time limit after which we can officially start complaining about their processing speed? =)

I have a bit of a situation here. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Heres the breakdown

Received my NOA on 5/01/17

Biometrics completed on 06/07/17

I have GC 1 year extension letter till 5/12/18

I recently received a letter from RMV stating that I won't be able to renew my license because of a mismatched information with Social Security Administration. I realized that I never changed my last name on my SSN ( my husband always did taxes for both of us, I didn't even thought of it) So I went to SS Office but they couldn't process the change of my last name because their system apparently doesn't recognize my extension letter and just showing that my DC is just expired. the clerk lady told me that they won't be able to process any changes till I get my permanent green card ... ;/ Its 1 month till my birthday and basically till my license will expire. 

Anybody had a similar situation? or know of any documents I can show to RMV to make them renew my license.. is "being in a process " counts as a valid excuse to drive with expired license?