USC4SPOUSE

My humble 2 cents - Just get the Driver's permit in her maiden name. Bring all the documents and let them do the talking. Try to go to a location where they see a immigrants often. Do not go to a location where they've never seen an I-797. I am positive that your wife should be able to get a driver's permit in her maiden name. You can take care of the name change later. Focus on getting her an ID for now. All the best, USC4SPOUSE

I just wanted to let you all know that we had out interview on Monday 05-06-19 and got approved on 05-07-19 around 5pm. Our lawyer was present. Note: We filed concurrently I-130/I-485 ourselves. We hired a lawyer to come to the interview with us to ensure we would be treated fairly and professionally. We arrived 10 minutes before our appointment, and checked in right away. It took about 30 minutes for the officer to call us. The officer called me (the petitioner) in first. This is common practice at the Minneapolis Field Office. To be clear, this is not the same as a Stokes Interview. He spent most of the time verifying the information on the form was accurate. Then, asked a few relationship questions. Maybe 5 or 6. I gave short but specific answers. I believe my portion lasted for 30-40 minutes. We had front-loaded a lot of concrete evidence of bona fide marriage with our petitions; as Form I-130 requires. Our stack of evidence was heavy on commingling of finances since the day we met. I actually added my spouse to my car insurance 3 months after meeting. Of course, we brought even more evidence with us. We did not send affidavits or many pictures (about 20). Evidence presented at the interview: 2018 joint taxes. (We had also filed jointly for 2017). Printout from employer's website that shows that I -the petitioner- pay ~$500 per paycheck for employer-sponsored benefits for both of us. health insurance dental insurance vision insurance life insurance disability insurance group accident life insurance, life insurance ($750,000) - my spouse is the sole beneficiary IRA Beneficiary Information 401K Beneficiary Information evidence that my spouse has online access to the 401K and IRA, 3 most recent pay stubs from petitioner and beneficiary. My husband is the sole beneficiary on every policy. It was all about the commingling of finances. The officer never asked for pictures or anything like that. We had sent a few with the petitions but it was just the two of us in the pictures. We are a same sex couple and keep to ourselves. The officer was also interested in our work schedules. I had originally wanted to print our work schedules for the interview - as we have nothing to hide. Though, I really did not have time. It was not a big deal BUT I did think I had left no stone unturned and clearly, I had not. The officer also pointed out that I earn significantly more than my spouse. He commented that I seem to pay for most expenses. My response was that I work hard and I enjoy providing. He asked us each other's salary. We knew them. We do not keep secrets at home. My direct deposit also goes into our joint checking account to which my husband has always had full access. No issues there. What's mine is his. That's how we run our household. Long story short. The officer handed my spouse the standard letter most people get stating the case would be held for review and to wait 120 days before submitting an inquiry. Though, disappointing, we carried on. Then, the next day - Tuesday 05-07-19 around 5pm - we got the "New Card Being Produced" notification. my thoughts to you: focus on concrete evidence of bona fide marriage; i.e., the money trail - evidence of commingling of finances and evidence of cohabitation, if you want a quick approval. Show plenty of evidence that ties you both to the same address as evidence of cohabitation. If you live in Minnesota, you may include your Certificate of Rent Paid. It may seem redundant but such level of detail will reassure your Immigration Services Officer that your marriage is bona fide. front-load as much evidence as you can with your petitions. Submit evidence since the day you met - not just since the date of your marriage. Otherwise, it may seem like you met on Monday, married on Tuesday and filed for AOS on Wednesday. Show them you have a history. The process is invasive. Don't fight it. Show you have nothing to hide and show them everything you have. Be creative. The whole "We don't have a joint checking account because my spouse does not have a SSN" or "I have not gotten the EAD/AP yet" is really not an excuse. It is in your best interest to not show up empty-handed. Show deference for the process. Realize that spouses of US Citizens are ELIGIBLE to apply for Adjustment of Status but are NOT ENTITLED TO adjustment of status. Adjustment of status is a matter discretion and administrative grace. Last but not least, dress professionally. Men - wear a nice suit and tie. Women - wear a suit, as well. As we were checking in with our lawyer, folks could not tell who the lawyer was or what kind of petition this was. By dressing professionally, and staying away from jeans and loud prints, you will command respect and drive the message home that you are an established marriage. Those are my humble two cents. Everything we did, worked for us. and may work for you, as well. We got approved within 24 hours. In contrast, I have seen people wait for several months for a decision from the Minneapolis Field Office. Do your due diligence and you will be fine. All the best, USC4SPOUSE

Do not quote me on this but I am pretty sure the marriage certificate is evidence of her name change in Minnesota. I would bring a certified copy to the DMV. The one located on East Lake St is very much familiar with all the intricacies of issuing documents to immigrants. I would go to that location. They are helpful. The officers there are either immigrants or married to one or simply people with diversity skills. Your spouse will not be able to take a road test there BUT at least, you will be able to ask if the documents you have are OK. They may even tell you where to go, etc.

Do not forget that every case is different. If your letter says that they want to see your original birth certificate or a certified copy, then make sure you have one. All the best, USC4SPOUSE

The interview notice comes from the NBC. It generally takes about a week because they mail it via First Class mail. That is the slowest. I would just start preparing your evidence for your interview. All the best!

We are about to send the EAD/AP renewal for my spouse. The 180 day window opened on 02-01-19 but life got busy and we are sending both forms this week. You do not have to pay an additional fee. All you have to do is include a copy of your I-485 pendig I-797. I would make 2 copies and attach one to the I-765 and another one to the I-131. Here are the two addresses for our category. (c)(9) Pending family-based Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status and: You filed your application with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox, AND your receipt number begins with “MSC” USCIS Chicago Lockbox For U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Attn: FBAS P.O. Box 805887 Chicago, IL 60680-4120 For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: FBAS 131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor Chicago, IL 60603-5517

Congratulations! That worked out beautifully! I am very happy for you!

He is just embarrassing and so are his followers.

You're welcome. It is a good thing that they are catching these glitches. The San Francisco Field Office (among others) experience a system glitch in early 2018 which caused the system to stop scheduling interviews for cases filed in 2017 and instead it started scheduling cases that had just been filed in 2018. The interviews were scheduled as "employment based interviews" even though those cases were marriage based. Imagine that... People were getting green cards within 90 days in San Francisco and many cities - all at the expense of 2017 filers. Very unfair.

Several things come to mind: I would ask the landlord if they can add you as an occupant. That may be an option. You do not have to be employed to be on the lease, either. Just ask. Some ideas for you: 1. You may submit a notarized affidavit of residence stating where you live and how long you have lived there. Here is an example. https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-for-Proof-of-Residence 2. An Advanced Health Care Directive. No one is too young for one AND USCIS takes this document very seriously. You can find an example specific to your state's laws here http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289 I highly recommend getting this document. In the event that -God forbid- anything ever happens to you and you are not able to make medical/end-of-life decisions for yourself, you want to make sure that your loved ones know exactly what your wishes are. I am not going to sugarcoat it. It is a morbid conversation to have but it is worth doing - not just for USCIS. 3. Emergency Contact Information. Your husband likely has you listed as his emergency contact at work. Print that page. If you have him listed as your Emergency Contact anywhere, with your physician for example, print that. 4. Beneficiary of Life insurance/401K. If your husband has life insurance and/or 401K, he should list you as his beneficiary. Print the beneficiary page. 5. Your Child's birth certificate. Your husband's name should be on it. That is evidence. 6. Any bills related to raising your child (food/doctor visits/anything). 7. Notarized Financial Power of attorney. Here is an example LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY Date: ____________________ Principal: I, ___________________________________ Name of principal hereby name and appoint: Attorney-in-fact: ______________________________________ Name of Attorney-in-fact to be my Agent (attorney-in-fact) to act for me in any lawful way with respect to the following initialed subjects: INITIAL ______ (A) Manage Real estate 1. The powers of the Attorney include, but are not limited to, at public or private sale, the right to buy, sell, convey, bargain, assign, grant, transfer, lease and grant options or amend or modify any leases or options, on any and all real property owned by me now or in the future, including my homestead. Also, my Attorney may exchange, borrow against or mortgage any real property owned by me. Also, my Attorney may obtain liability, property damage, theft, flood, and any other type insurance. 2. Execute and deliver deeds, transfers, mortgages, charges, leases, assignments, surrenders, releases and other instruments required for any such purpose. ______(B) Banking transactions 1. To do any act that I can do through an agent with a bank or other financial institutions. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to: 2. Open, maintain, close bank accounts (including, but not limited to, checking accounts, saving accounts, certificates of deposit), brokerage accounts, retirement plan accounts, and other similar accounts with financial institutions; 3. Conduct any business with any banking or financial institution with respect to any of my accounts, including but not limited to , making deposits and withdrawals, negotiating or endorsing any checks or other instruments, with respect to any such account, obtaining bank statements, money orders, warrants and certificates and vouchers payable to me by any person, firm, corporation or political entity; ________ (C) Retirement benefit transactions 1. To act for me and represent my interests in all matters affecting my retirement savings or pension plan I may have. This power includes, but is not limited to, the power to continue contributions, change contributions amounts, change investment strategies and options, move assets to other plans, receive and manage payouts. My agent cannot add himself as a beneficiary unless he is already a designated beneficiary as of the signing of this document. Right to Compensation. My Agent will receive no compensation except for the reimbursement of all out of pocket expenses associated with the carrying of my wishes. REVOCATION - The Principal has the right to revoke this Limited Power of Attorney Form at any time. I am fully informed as to all the contents of this form and understand the full import of this grant of powers to my Agent. Signed this _______ day of _______________, 20____ ______________________________ Principal ______________________________ ______________________________ Signature of first witness Signature of second witness STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF _________ The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____ day of __________ of 20____, by ____________________________________________________________ _______________ who is personally known to me or who produced ______________________________________ as identification and who did not take an oath. ______________________________________ Notary Public (Print name) ______________________________________ Seal Notary Public (Signature)

The San Francisco Field Office likely realized that it would be unfair to schedule you next, since you just filed on 09-21-18. I know of someone with PD 08-16-17 who got scheduled for interview on 01-09-19. In a nutshell, you have a lot of folks ahead of you.

Just a heads up... Bozo Trump has a large following here. You wouldn't think so given the nature of this site. 🤣

You may be able to get reclassified as resident for tuition purposes. The University of Minnesota makes it retroactive to 1 year. So you might even be able to get a refund for the difference between resident tuition and out of state tuition. You'd have to double check. This is the form the University of Minnesota uses. https://admissions.tc.umn.edu/PDFs/ResidencyReciprocity.pdf

Yes, it can take up to two years. Remember that the MSP Field Office serves Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota & Western Wisconsin. So that's a lot. My spouse did apply for the combo card and it was approved within 137 days - on 07-31-18. I updated the timeline but did not update my signature. Sorry! 🙂

Welcome to the thread! There is also a facebook group - Minnesota AOS Filers, by the way. To answer your question - We did a walk-in at the ASC (Application Support Center) in Saint Paul, and had no issues. Look at my signature below which lists our timeline. In a nutshell: 03/16/2018 - Priority Date 04/06/2018 - Received Biometrics Appt Notice for 04/18/2018 04/12/2018 - Biometrics early walk-in. I know that you can do an early walk-in; however, I am not sure if you can do a walk-in past your appointment date. If I had to guess, I would think that it is fine to do so. I have seen people successfully do that and I have also seen others reschedule their Biometrics appointment. Your call.