jjose1234

Hi guys. I got my green card in the mail this morning and I have a concern with the name on it. I am totally confused on what to do now because I changed my name when I get here in the US and I've been using the new name ever since. I got the new name on every identification card that I have. To make it more understandable, here is how and when I changed my name. FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES, I WILL NOT USE MY OWN NAME AND JUST MAKE UP A NEW ONE. Any name similarities is not intended.

> Before I got to the US and got married, the legal name from the foreign country is: "Michael Douglas, Alexander, Smith" (First name, Middle, Surname)

> When I got married, I decided to drop the other name (Douglas) from the first name, use my surname as my new middle name, and get my spouse's last name as my last name as well. New name is: "Michael Smith Stiller"

> I used "Michael Smith Stiller" as the new legal name for every identification card I applied for in the US including the application for AOS I-485 as the new legal name.

> When we got to my AOS interview, the person who interviewed us said that the name on the green card can only be the name on the birth certificate (Michael Douglas Alexander Smith). But because of marriage they can change only the surname. Hence, they can go with Michael Douglas Alexander Stiller. This is the name written on my green card right now.

I need some advice from you guys for this. I am happy that I got my spouse's last name in my green card but I am worried that all my other identification cards will not be in the same name as the green card. I understand that the green card is the main identification for getting a job and all that. Even my EAD card before I got my green card is in "Michael Smith Stiller." I want my green card to be the same name as my other cards and I find out that only birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, and court name change document are the only documentations allowed with the form I-90. I don't have a court name change document but all the other documents are all in my original full name. Any advice for me out there? Will the court allow me to change my name even though it's been almost 9 months since I have been using my new name after marriage? I just don't like sitting this one out and leave it like that because I may be committing something unlawful for having two different names in different federal IDs. Thank you for the advice.

26 minutes ago, Scandi said:

I was just reacting to the part where the poster said he was notified that his AOS was approved. Which is obviously not the case.

Oh yes. My bad. I was out of context on my post there.

1 minute ago, Joyoussinger said:

Take with you everything the interview letter tells you to bring. No worries about the I-797.  Good luck! 

19 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

Calm down, bring everything bonafide.

 

I-797 of EAD approval can be discarded now, no need to worry about it. The actual card will be sent soon. 

Thank you! That gave me a big relief.

Hi!

I was just notified that my application for adjustment of status was approved last week and they have scheduled an interview on February 6, 2020. I am so nervous right now and I am not expecting it to be this quick since we just filed the application last July 2019. I'm asking for some tips to keep in mind for the interview. I know we just need to provide proof of our marriage to be bonafide plus bringing some documents. But what are the experiences of other people here?

Another big concern I have right now is the I-797 approval notice of my EAD. When I opened the letter envelope with an envelope opener, I accidentally cut the document inside. I was so shocked, the I-797 approval notice is cut in half now. I researched online how to get a replacement for this and it turns out that I need to file a form I-824 and it costs $465 and it takes about 5 months to 13 months based on the USCIS processing times. My interview is next month so I don't think filing that will help me in time. I can bring the I-797 for the EAD approval with me but the document is cut in half but can I present my EAD card instead when it arrives? Advice from you guys will be really appreciated. Thank you!

1 minute ago, Hank_ said:

Carry a copy of your marriage certificate ..  

 

 

Thank you.

I suddenly realized this because when I saw the ROM form on Philippine Embassy website it says on the right column "WIFE" which is not applicable to us. Good thing someone knows a thing or two regarding this case. I should just forget about reporting the marriage until some kind of miracle happens like the Philippines recognize same sex marriage. Should just carry some additional documents while travelling, then. Thanks for the reply!

On 1/10/2019 at 9:24 AM, Hank_ said:

Can't complete ROM,  Philippines does not recognize same sex marriage.

 

Don't worry about the name on the green card and passport not matching ... carry a copy of the marriage certificate when international traveling.

Hi

I was looking for a topic like this because I am on the same case. I changed my name when I got married to my husband. I am trying to apply for advance parole and researching on how to report the marriage to the Philippines with the case of same sex marriage. So is it sure that we cannot report our marriage because of same sex marriage unrecognized in the Philippines? And if I get my green card in the future with my married name, is it okay to not worry about the name on my passport not matching (maiden name) and just carry a copy of the certificate of marriage? I'm just anxious about what will happen in immigration counters in airports in that case.

Hi

We are about to submit the AOS packet along with the EAD and AP forms via FedEx. But do we really need to include proof of relationship aside from the marriage certificate that we have? And do green card applicants always go through interview or are/were there some who sent enough proof of relationship already in the AOS packet so that they were exempted for an interview?

Just now, MariekeH said:

When you submit your AOS application, that will inform USCIS that you got married, because you'll have to send your marriage certificate with it.

Do I have to submit the AOS application before my visa expires or is it between the 90 days within I got in the United States? Visa expiry is on June 26 but I just got in the US on May 13 and my 90th day is around Aug 10. 

Hi there. 

Me and my husband just got married just under a month now and I am wondering how am I able to inform the USCIS that the marriage has gone through? Do I have to do anything with regards to any paperwork? It says on my visa that the k-1 visa expires on June 26 and I just dont want to get in trouble after that since we got married anyway. Thanks for the replies!

4 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Did you apply for the Advance Parole (I-131) ?    Did you receive it already?

 

Even with the AP card  you don't not need a CFO sticker.   As said CFO is for exiting emigrates ... you are not the first to travel using an AP card.

I haven't filed the document yet because I am planning to file the forms I-485, I-765, I-131, I-864, and I-693 all at once. I'm still looking for a civil surgeon for the I-693 and MMR vaccine. Okay, thank you for clarifying that. So I just need to bring my marriage certificate to explain the difference in the name in the passport and sticker from the AP card?

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

As for CFO that is no longer an issue ... CFO is for exiting Emigrates ONLY!    Once you possess your green card you are no longer an exiting Emigrate and the sticker is not required and NO ONE asks to see the certificate from the seminar.    

 

 

CFO sticker is not needed once you are a green card holder.    

NOT NECESSARY!

But I may be leaving US for the Philippines for a family visited in the foreseeable future, maybe in the next 10 months. I won't still have a green card by that time.

Hi there. So I just got married with my husband a few weeks ago and I applied for Advanced Parole travel document under my married name. I remember back in the seminar in CFO that whenever I go back to the Philippines and then return to the US, the immigration officer will always ask for the certificate that I have completed the seminar. But the passport and the certificate that I have and the sticker that is attached in my passport are all in my maiden name. These documents wont show the same name as the one that will be in my travel document. So should I update the name that appears on my passport to my married name and will that still bear the same passport number? And how do I do that? All other IDs that I got when I got here in the US are all under my married name. 

19 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

You can do it two ways. If you are absolutely sure what you need to complete your vaccinations then have them done at the public health department (PHD) in your community. Be sure to get a receipt. Call around to inquire what it cost to have the vaccinations from your DS-3025 and your PHD receipt to transpose to a I-693. My wife needed the flu shot, went to Walgreens for $10 and brought the receipt to a CS. But before that she called around and was told by one Dr that she needed the entire physicals completed and he wanted to charge $500. We said no thanks and kept calling around. Found a Dr that knew what we needed and charge was $75.00 to complete the I-693. We submitted our AOS package and had no problems. So call around first for pricing.

Right. I found out that the clinic inside the military base where my husband is assigned to can give the MMR vaccine, which is the one that I need, for free. So could it be any doctor who could fill out the form or is it only a certain group of doctors?

6 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

You do not complete the I-693, the civil surgeon will complete it.  You bring the DS-3025 to the civil surgeon.   If there is a vaccination needed you will know at that time.

 

The number of vaccinations received varies with each person, some vaccinations are not required if you had the disease as a child

 

 

I just found out that I need the MMR. I'm just going to have that then go look for a doctor to fill out the form.

4 minutes ago, junkmart said:

I got the MMR prior to seeing the civil surgeon. I just went to the public health clinic in the county where I live. They gave me a print out showing that I had received the vaccine. I took that print out with me to the civil surgeon, who then completed the I-693. I didn’t do K1 process. I did everything from in the US. So I don’t know exactly what you need to do with regard to your situation exactly.

I see. The doctor just needs proof that you were vaccinated and with that, they will be able to complete the I-693.

8 minutes ago, junkmart said:

If D means not routinely available in your home country, then that is one you will need to get here. It is widely available in the US. If cost is a concern to you, I would suggest that you google the public health clinic in the county where you live. Most offer low cost vaccines. I got my MMR for $8, while at Walgreens it was over $100.

When you got your MMR, did you also give the doctor your Form I-693?

4 minutes ago, junkmart said:

I forgot one, the flu shot, which is seasonal.

Okay it looks like the flu vaccine for me has been totally waived. I just need to do some more research regarding the MMR thing with a "D" (not routinely available) remark.

6 minutes ago, junkmart said:

The three that are usually age appropriate are Tdap, Varicella, and MMR.

So I have checks on Tdap and Varicella. But on MMR, I have a blanket waiver legend "D" on it and it is not checked. So should I still go to a civil surgeon for that vaccination?

So I've been in the US for about 2 weeks now and I was finally married with my fiance about a week ago. I am now going to apply for adjustment of status (AOS) but the lady said back in SLEC that I still have one vaccination that needs to be done and that needs to be done upon application of AOS. I've been going over the medical examination report they handed over me and trying to figure out what is the other vaccine that I still need to complete my Form I-693 to be handed to that civil surgeon. I've been give 2 vaccines in SLEC, it was Tdap and Varicella vaccine. Do you guys have an idea where to look on the document what is the other vaccine needed for AOS? Thanks so much for the replies.

21 hours ago, boris64 said:

There is another fee that must be paid.:

 

The Philippine Travel Tax is PHP1,620.00 (approximately $35.00). All passengers departing from the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) are expected to pay the Airport Terminal Fee of PHP750.00 (approximately $17.00). No one is exempt from paying the Airport Terminal Fee.

 

This is seperate from the terminal fee that is included with the ticket when flying from NAIA.

 

https://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/

 

We paid it at the gvt annex office at the Mall of Asia on the second floor behind McDonalds.

This is a part of the receipt that I got when we purchased the ticket. It says that there is “Philippines - Travel Tax” in the breakdown. Would this be the tax?

Hi there so I’m about to depart on Monday and I just want to ask if I need to pay the travel tax? I already have my receipt of my flight and there is already a paid travel tax there for the Philippines. So should I still pay it or not? Thanks for the replies!

23 hours ago, JosephRose said:

Hello.. I was sputum too.. You don’t need to bring the cd to the interview and yes, it is considered a device at some point.. Goodluck in your interview.

Thank you for the reply and I just left the thing here at home. Got approved earlier.

18 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Leave the CD at home.  In fact I am not sure who would ever want the CD .. I will bet my wife still has hers, even though I suggested she can toss it out.

I see. So even if you are already in the US, no one is going to require you to present that. I'll just hold on to it. Thanks for the heads up.

Hi good day.

I just completed my interview this morning and gladly they approved my visa. I am just waiting for the delivery of the documents and my cfo appointment. But what are the documents that CBP officers are gonna ask for at the port of entry in the United States?

Hi there. So I’m about to go to my interview tomorrow and I also have this cd of chest radiograph that the saint luke’s extension clinic gave me when I completed my medical exam because I had a sputum collection done about a month ago. Do I need to bring that one to the interview or should I just leave it? I don’t know if it is considered as a device and devices are not allowed inside the embassy. 

Thank you all for the advice. Apparently I really need to bring my phone with me since I use it for carpool services to get to the embassy and back. I’m not booking a hotel for the interview so I’ll just bring someone else with me. 

Hi! My interview is already on the 29th of April and I am planning to go to the US Embassy alone. So if I go alone, I don’t have someone to carry my phone for a while when I am inside the embassy. Where do applicants leave their phone during the appointment? Or do I need to have someone come with us and hold on to our gadgets for the meantime until the appointment is finished? Thanks so much for the replies!