Del A.

I got married in October 2019 and, well, I realize I'm late in filing the ROM. I'm in Michigan so I'm following instructions from the Consulate General in Chicago, IL. (http://www.chicagopcg.com/forms/rom.pdf) Page 3 is the Affidavit for Delayed Registration, and item number 4 goes: That the reason for the delay in registering the birth/marriage/death was due to __________________________________________; (Sorry, I...forgot? ✌️)

Questions...
1. Honestly with all the craziness of the past year, this process didn't even cross my mind anymore. What's a good way to fill in the blanks here?
2. I've only really looked into it because my husband and I are talking about traveling in early 2022 - which made me think of my passport, that my maiden name's still on that, and then "oh-shoot-ROM". I've read from an old post that I can just buy my plane tickets under my maiden name, then bring my marriage certificate and Green Card along; and that should be good. Will this still work?

(Side note: Did not expect that much required paperwork! One would think it shouldn't be too complicated. And they want you to provide a pre-paid return label? Cheapskates. 😆 I'm being a diva.)

Hi all! I came here on K1, been married since October, and now thinking about establishing myself financially as early and as quickly as possible. So I'm posting here to get tips from you guys: what are the best ways for me to build my credit, considering I cannot work yet (pending EAD) and might not have to work in the future anyways? (such is my arrangement with my husband)

I did a bit of research and the first things (also the easiest) that came up are 1) Get a secured credit card; and 2) Get my name onto my husband's bank account as an authorized user (not sure how this works in the technical sense). I'm not exactly finance-savvy so I was hoping you guys could give me your two cents worth, if you be so kind. Also, if anyone here has been in my situation, perhaps you could share your experience and takeaways.

Thanks in advance and everyone stay safe and healthy in these times of uncertainty. ❤️

- Del

1 hour ago, Cheric ❤️ said:

We got priority marriage license online on cook county, we just got married on April 21st and I'm so thankful for all the people here for helping me 🙏

Congratulations! That must have been nerve wracking, I can't even imagine.

Thank you, VJ Members! You are heroes. ❤️

11 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

*what are some concrete examples of “proof of intent to marry”?

*what are some things YOU learned going through the process that you wish someone had told you? 

1. Proof of Intent to Marry:
In my case I am the beneficiary and I prepared our K1 packet. I made a "Proof of Intent to Marry" section and, in addition to Letters of Intent from both of us, I included the following:
a) Photos of my engagement ring, plus screenshots of our correspondence with the jeweler
b) Photos that other people took of my then-fiance (now husband) proposing to me
c) Screenshots of our online chat conversations where we talked about wedding plans and such (I used the "search" option and used marriage related keywords we both might have used so I got to pull up conversations from months back even). I labeled each screenshot with the corresponding date of conversation. 
d) A draft of our wedding plans - My husband and I got into it in detail, as in, itemized list of the reception menu, the wedding party, possible florists and caterers, music, etc. I also indicated a tentative wedding date of what I think would fall within the 90 days, serving as some kind of "assurance" that we intend to abide by the rules.

This photo is one page from our packet, showing item c) above:



It might seem a lot but I'm from the Philippines so I guess I can say there's a lot of fraud here, too. Hence my going the extra mile, lol.

2. Things I Learned
I can't say this is "I wish someone told me" but rather, "I wish I did it". So more like a regret, lol. I regret not making at least 2 photocopies of our entire K1 packet, including evidence documents and such, front to back. While filing for AOS I noticed the forms asked similar questions and I thought, "I wish I could refer to the K1 forms to make sure my info matched." Technically I knew how to fill out the AOS forms, but I just wanted to make absolutely certain that I wouldn't contradict anything I've previously submitted because that might come across as fraud. However, it could also be more situational in my case because 1) My husband and I have awful memory, lol and 2) Our info involves dates and years I didn't jot down (facepalm). By that I mean job history and history of residence. My husband has moved houses more than once, been through different employers, etc. And my mistake was I just asked him for the info in person, wrote it down on the form, and filed it. He didn't know it by heart either, he had to get a hold of previous employers to ask, it wasn't easy. And when we got the info, he didn't write it down anywhere else. So when we were asked again later on it was hard for us to recall. 😅

More importantly, having a duplicate copy of the K1 packet would help as your personal reference for subsequent interviews.

On another note, my husband and I chose K1 over CR1 despite all its flaws because frankly, we couldn't bear to be away from each other any longer and so to us, it was worth it. It really is case-to-case preference in my opinion, depending on how you guys weigh advantages and disadvantages. 😊

I hope this helps. Good luck on your journey!

On 2/20/2020 at 1:05 PM, Ad3line said:

Did you file I-131 as well? My 485 and 765 have been updated to show fingerprints have been taken but not the 131. I assume this is normal because the 131 wasn’t even on the fingerprint notice (apparently because it’s bunched together with the 765) but just want to make sure.

On 2/20/2020 at 1:05 PM, Ad3line said:

I assume this is normal as well. The only cases that show the Fingerprints update for me are the I-485 and the I-765.

Same thing happened to me and then a week after biometrics I got a notice in the mail about how biometric data were added to my I-131 file and that I don't need to go to ASC for biometrics anymore, etc. When I checked my case online, my I-131 status was updated accordingly. Safe to say you don't need to worry. 😊

18 hours ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

You can go and take your marriage certificate to the SSA in order to change the name on the social security card

Sigh...... The SSA here in Muskegon, MI told me they couldn't use my marriage certificate alone to change my name.... Said I have to go back once I get my green card....... I'm super bummed

8 minutes ago, Zach2015 said:

We went on January 7 to correct my wife’s name and guess what still no card. We have our interview tomorrow. So once we are approved and my wife has her green card we will be going back to social security to update again. 

Ugh, sorry to hear about that delay... Can't think of why that should happen.

Good luck on your interview!

Okay, I may have realized something. Perhaps my question should be disregarded because it's better to have an updated name on my SSN regardless of the AOS coming through yet or not, given that I will be using my SSN for various things anyways: bank accounts, insurance, etc. I hope I am correct in saying this. Also, I feel silly now about not wanting to do multiple trips. 😅 Trying to be too economical I guess.

Hello all,

I got an SSN before I got married, and now I'm thinking of going to the Social Security office to have my info updated to my married name. However, I found this on the Social Security website:

" Corrected Card for a Noncitizen Adult
If you change your name, become a U.S. citizen, or your immigration status or work authorization has changed, you need to tell Social Security so we can update our records and when necessary, issue a new card. "
Source: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm

The thing is, my AOS packet is still pending. Once my applications come through, am I supposed to "declare" to Social Security that AOS and EAD have been approved? Does that mean I shouldn't have my name updated until then? Because I might be wasting a whole trip/process if I'd have to come back after approval anyways.

Need advice on the matter.

My timeline so far:

January 24, Friday - AOS package shipped via UPS
January 27, Monday - UPS tracking indicated delivered and signed
February 4, Tuesday - Received 3 text messages at half past midnight
February 6, Thursday - Received 3 letters in the mail
February 13, Thursday - Received Biometrics Appointment letter
February 26, Wednesday - Biometrics Appointment

My timeline so far:

January 24, Friday - AOS package shipped via UPS
January 27, Monday - UPS tracking indicated delivered and signed (3 days, 1 business day since shipped)
February 4, Tuesday - Received 3 text messages at half past midnight (8 days, 6 business days since delivered)
February 6, Thursday - Received 3 letters in the mail (2 days, 2 business days since text messages)

Letters Notice Date: January 31, Friday (4 days, 4 business days since AOS package was delivered and signed)

3 minutes ago, Bere said:

You can call the USCIS call center to verify if they received your case. This is what I did 

Thank you, Bere. But actually I just got the 3 text messages after midnight, so I spoke too soon indeed. 😊

When I check the status online, it only says "Case Received" (EAD and AP) and "Fingerprint Fee Received" (AOS). I thought I'd already see if it any of the 3 were approved?

Hi guys, I'm probably being paranoid but I was just wondering if it's normal that I haven't gotten any emails or text messages from USCIS about my AOS yet. My package was signed for exactly one week ago, Jan. 27, Monday. I'm worried because most people here I've observed got their case numbers much sooner.

22 hours ago, AfricanBweBwe said:

We are still in the process of deciding which route to take, and I have a few questions in addition to the ones mentioned above.

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

A K1 is good if you can handle the risk of refusal and if approved, with your spouse, handle the wait and delay of getting an EAD, AP and becoming a participating member of society.  6 to 9 months of Netflix and chill can be a lot of stress for many relationships.

I personally chose K-1 for me (the beneficiary) and my husband knowing full well what we were getting into because:

1) We couldn't bear to spend any more time apart - this is probably the biggest reason why we chose K-1
2) We were confident we weren't gonna get denied - we had more than enough evidence of a bona fide relationship to qualify, I'm very organized with documentation (LOL), and I'm confident in interviews. A lot of K-1 applications trip at the finish line because of failing the interviews due to lack of confidence or failing to answer questions, giving the impression of fraud.
3) We're NOT eager for me to start working and/or travel overseas, so the EAD and AP delay were of no consequence to us. My husband makes decent money and we have a simple lifestyle, and we benefit more from our current arrangement of him being the breadwinner and I the homemaker.
4) Despite the lack of employment and such, I'm not bored or anything like that. And this arrangement makes our relationship easier rather than stressful. (Still pondering on how the "Netflix and chill" status can cause issues?) 😅
There are many other substantial activities to keep you occupied aside from a job, you just have to actually want to do something relevant with your time - learn a new skill or further develop one you already have, educate yourself on a topic of interest, etc. Whatever you choose to achieve in the meantime can also be aimed towards future employment.

So as you can see, choosing K-1 for me was for very tailored reasons; and I understand that most people can't relate as much. I believe that the K-1 path is better for you ONLY IF you feel as strongly as I and my husband did about these 4 points of consideration.

Good luck on your journey and I hope the route you take works best! 😊

Hello all. Disclaimer: I am not an i-751 filer. I've just sent in my AOS package; but I know that the i-751 requires a lot of documentation I should start collecting now. Could someone please enlighten me as to why some people have 500 pages or more? I'm not seeing 2 years worth of just the essential documents amounting to this number, but perhaps I'm missing something. 😅 

Also, can someone please provide a link to an i-751 checklist and/or procedure guide here on VJ? I tried searching and couldn't find anything recent.

Thank you all and good luck to everyone!
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Edit:

Oh, and one more thing.. Can someone also enlighten me on why some people say filing i-751 can be skipped because you can file N-400 anyway? What does this mean?

9 hours ago, Poseidon1212 said:

But I wouldn't wait too long because of new rules

11 minutes ago, minails said:

I have this question too 

I think I've found what this is all about: the new Public Charge rules

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-announces-public-charge-rule-implementation-following-supreme-court-stay-nationwide-injunctions

Additional update:
https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-updates-process-accepting-petitions-relatives-abroad

11 hours ago, Cornflake said:

But I wouldn't wait too long because of new rules

Hope you don't mind me asking; what do you mean by new rules?

3 hours ago, Donald120383 said:

Refiled my I-485. Now fingers crossed🙄

Best of luck! My AOS package was delivered Monday, 1/27 and I am getting antsy about receiving text confirmations already. 😅

15 minutes ago, emma24 said:

How are they supposed to show financial stability other than a sponsor if they aren’t permitted to work at the time of filing?

The US Government does not want immigrants depending on government benefits. The sponsor/petitioner is completely separate from that, and you shouldn't have a problem as long as none of you depend on public assistance: welfare, food stamps, etc.

19 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

The Chicago Lockbox (where you send your AOS application) is not the Chicago Field Office.

That's a relief. We just shipped our package and we used a cashier's check instead. Thank you for your helpful response! 😊

Hi guys, my husband and I are sending out our AOS today. We plan to use money order (possibly 2, if they won't allow just one for the full $1,225) and ship to Chicago IL. I just found a slight hiccup on the USCIS website about the filing fee though. Hoping anyone could help:

According to https://www.uscis.gov/i-485 :
"You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check."
Updated Dec. 26, 2019

However, on https://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-updates-fee-payment-system-used-field-offices :

• Chicago, Illinois;

Effective immediately, these offices will only accept payments in the form of a:

• Personal check;
• Attorney check;
• Business check;
• Debit card;
• Credit card; or
• Reloadable prepaid credit or debit card.

Updated June 19, 2019
 

I'm wondering if it's safe to disregard the conflicting information, go with the most recently updated one? Has anyone here successfully processed their payments through money order/s recently?

Thanks and good luck to everyone! 😊

Hi all

I am a K1 Visa recipient and my husband and I are filing our AOS soon. I have a question regarding the required tax documentation on the I-864, Affidavit of Support. I understand that if we file AOS before the end of 2019 our most recent tax year would have been 2018, and we've got that. But if we file in January 2020, would our most recent tax year be 2019 already, thus requiring the proper documentation for 2019 instead?

I ask because the company my husband works for doesn't send out W2s until February, but we REALLY don't want to wait any longer to file our AOS because my I-94 had been expired since October 22nd. We've planned to file this December 16th but something came up, and we might have to reroute the budget for that one onto something else.... sigh (I know, I know, we're filing late, but life happens and so here we are...) 😅

So I'm thinking:
1) Perhaps USCIS would allow the submission of 2018 records due to the fact that tax season for 2019 won't be over until April 2020 anyways?
2) Perhaps we could include an explanation on our cover letter as to why we're submitting 2018 records despite 2019 ending?

So yeah, I would appreciate any input from anyone who can help. Thank you all

On 11/27/2019 at 7:44 AM, Nitas_man said:

He has to actually file those 1040’s with the IRS.  You can’t just prepare 1040’s and attach W2’s and send them in without filing them.

Yes, of course. His taxes were filed with the IRS.

On 11/27/2019 at 8:07 AM, Nitas_man said:

A copy of a 1040 that was actually filed with the IRS will do nicely

Yes this is what we have. Thank you

8 minutes ago, Strontium said:

So, yes, add his daughter, then check "no". 

Thank you for this. 😊