Jashley820

We hope to file in the next week or so and frankly, I'm just ready to get this paperwork out of the way!! We thought we'd be filing at the end of March, then last week (Good Friday), and here we are - still dawdling!

I think we will feel better once the paperwork is out - but for now there's this immense feeling of nervousness of "starting the process" (at least on my part).

We planned on applying after our wedding... look at my timeline

I walk into our room now and I don't see any paper work scattered all over the floor anymore and it feels great ! I have to say that I was so nervous that I was literally shaking at the Post Office line... hahahahahha

I know how you both feel! We were supposed to married in a court wedding shortly after I arrived in Feb. but family persisted and we waited until March...then things came up and not having a computer, and lacking in cash at that moment meant working from the library and saving up money before we could file!

And I know what you mean by having papers all over the place! lol

Hoping we all get our NOA soon! *crossing fingers*

Our Mayor did our wedding this past weekend, and we didn't tell anyone in order to prevent that from happening!! Everyone would have wanted to be there!!

We're just waiting on the marriage certificate to get filing!!

Good luck April filers!

Amazing! Congrats and best of luck as you move on with your journey!

Outstanding! Best wishes to both of you

In my former topic lasst week, I wrote that I was wondering what happened to my case, because the website said they sent us an RFE, but we never received it.

I did make an infopasss appointment and the lady said, some should have taken our mail, because they did sent it and didn't receive anything back, so well, what was the problem,we should check our mail more often ( how more often than once a day, does she want) she would try to sent us a new one, but it may take up to another 30 days, meaning we only have 2 weeks left to get that needed info.

Last friday, I did receive mail from a unknown girl in washington state. THEY SENT MY RFE TO HER IN THE WRONG ENVELOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

She discovered it and was so nice to sent it to me.

Can you believe that they sent my private info to someone else in the USA!!

This girl was very kind, but it could have been totally been misused and used for identity theft.

If she and we wouldn't have discovered he mistake my case could have been denied by a mistake of the USCIS.

I am very upset, since the lady at the infopass was very ignorant and claimed that they did sent it.

So watch everything very closely, because my NOA and RFE were sent 2 days apart and that confused me, thinking I had everything and the info they wnated were my biometrics. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

Let me get this straight- they put YOUR RFE letter in an envelope addressed to someone else? #######? Who do they have working there??

You will HAVE to show them your passport when you cross this time because it's mandatory since January, 2007. If they do ask you about it, you will have to tell them the truth. Be honest and not lie. Try to bring as much proof with you as possible such as lease agreements, phone bills, etc etc. You have quit your job so that looks bad on you but hopefully that wouldn't come up when they ask you questions.

Not true- Passports are only required for air travel. You can cross at Land POE's using DL & BC until January 2008.

I don't think it comes up in the system with that documentation and I'll tell you why:

I was denied at POE for lack of ties when travelling with my Fiance. I too had quit my job and was naive and didn't bring anything to show ties. They didn't believe I would come back so they sent me back to Canada. They made notations in my passport and told me that if I tried to cross again that I would be banned for 10 years.

I thought that I had a right to visit my Fiance, and that I shouldn't be denied because I lacked ties. So, the next few times I crossed with my parents and showed my B.C. and DL. I brought as much evidence as I could that I was coming back. Also, my parents brought legitimacy to the crossing because they both have jobs, etc. We got through fine. Also, we didn;t mention that I had a pending application. I was just their daughter travelling with them for the weekend.

I saw someone mention that they were going to include evidence of a valid marriage in their AOS packet, is it necessary? How many people have done this, and if not, did it impact the approval?

I sort of thought that type of stuff would be addressed in an interview.

Gracias!

That was me that mentioned it. I know they don't ask for it, but will it hurt if a couple of photocopies and pictures are included? I'd rather try to eliminate the need for an interview all together than have to attend one and present it there. Just my opinion!

i have never been so happy, his card came in the mail this morning. i quess mine and my 18 yr olds will follow. H e was my main concern, as he would turn 21 on the 18th of this month. I want to thank all of you who helped us throu this process, especially to girona40....i wish the best of luck to all!!

Congrats, that's fantastic news. All the best to you and your family.

I thought I had seen a post here on this forum...........maybe not, I read alot this weekend.....

I appreciate the input. Thank you.

I was thinking that the residency and joint account information was something I supplied at interview time?

Maybe someone else can give input regarding the US Citizens passport. I haven't seen anything on here that clarifies one way or another.

As for the bonafide marriage info, it's my opinion that a rock-solid application can only help your changes of getting approved quickly. There's a rumor around VJ that cases that meet a specific criteria don't have to attend an interview. I don't know for sure if that's true or not, but I want to aim for that. I am going to be putting evidence in my initial application. You can definitely wait to present that information at the interview if you feel more comfortable, though.

Thanks everyone for your tips/advice.

Timeline is now updated.

Thanks for doing your timeline Jashley. I apologize if I came off as harsh especially when you thought you had done it already. I hope that the timelines provide some use to you as well.

Mo

It came across a little strong, but I understand the reason behind it. I just didn't understand that the timeline was different from what was in the signature. It was helpful to see how some people got approved WAY ahead of me, and how some are still waiting. Its so funny how things work with all of this stuff...

Thanks everyone for your tips/advice.

Timeline is now updated.

Thanks for doing your timeline Jashley. I apologize if I came off as harsh especially when you thought you had done it already. I hope that the timelines provide some use to you as well.

Mo

It came across a little strong, but I understand the reason behind it. I just didn't understand that the timeline was different from what was in the signature. It was helpful to see how some people got approved WAY ahead of me, and how some are still waiting. Its so funny how things work with all of this stuff...

I haven't done my AOS application yet, but it looks pretty good.

I would add evidence that your marriage is bonafide (i.e.) Joint bank account, joint car/medical/life/house insurance, joint Costco account, pictures of your wedding, pictures of you guys at home, etc. This will help them see that it's a legitimate marriage.

QUESTION: Where does it ask for copies of the US Citizen's passport? Maybe I missed this...can you please tell me where it asks for that?

I guess I'm on this list as well....waiting for them to cash checks and send the first NOA

I am just waiting on the marriage certificate and I'll be sending mine out! Good luck to everyone!

I sent my passport to have my name married name added to it. They said I should have it back in a month.

The only other alternative is to apply for a whole new passport, which would be much more of a hastle. Perhaps you could call Passport Canada and see if there's any way they can do add your married name as an observation and give it back to you the same day. Explain your situation, perhaps they'll be understanding

Thanks everyone for your tips/advice.

Timeline is now updated.

See my signature.

I dont plan on goin gtoo high!! I really do not care for school, much prefer to be working!!! Of course any job in the medical world requires updating ur knowledge!! Thanks all

Scott,

That's terrific that you've decided to go back to school....best of luck and congrats on the scholarship!

Take care....

Hey everyone...

Has anyone actually sent their Canadian Passport away to get thier married name added? I know it costs $12 and you just have to send in your passport with a copy of your marriage certificate- BUT my K1 is in there as well as my I-94, so I don't really feel comfortable with sending it away. Also, I don't live near a Canadian Consulate (at least 5 hours away).

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

To change your name you just have to show your marriage certificate. I have read that name changes are not challenged when you can pull the names from your previous maiden name and your husbands family name. The process should start with your social security card (if you have one) then IDs, DL, bank accounts, etc. There is no other procedure. I asked my mother in law and she said thats it. So thats what I did

I read somewhere else that there is a period of one year after the marriage to change names, but don't quote me on this one since I don't remember where I got that from.

I think it is better to start the AOS process with your married name since that helps to proove you have a bonafide marriage, besides, you save the $$ in changing a GC later, if you intend to change your family name of course.

Best luck

Jess

Edited to add: Congratulations Jashley, may God bless your marriage!

Thank you so much! I see you're recently married as well. Congrats and good luck with your AOS process!

Hi there,

I just got married today and I am planning on changing my name...but I am not sure of how to change my passport to my married name, especially with the K1 visa & I-94 inside the old one (and not to mention the fact that I can't leave until I have AP or the Green Card!!). Has anyone done this? How do you do it? I am Canadian so hopefully it's not to hard...

I used my married name after my marriage to get a SS# which is one of the requirement to open a joint savings and checking account which is happen to be another proof that were married in applying AOS.

I am going to do the same thing I think...just got married today!

Question though- is there anything you have to do to "change" your name after you get married, or is it just a matter of bringing the Marriage Certificate to get the SS#, Drivers License, etc?

Photo copy is fine.

USCIS no longer routinely requires submission of original documents or "certified copies." Instead, ordinary legible photocopies of such documents (including naturalization certificates and alien registration cards) will be acceptable for initial filing and approval of petitions and applications.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Thanks!

Note that you may be required to produce an official certified copy during your interview, so it's probably a good idea to have one in your possession in any case...

Oh yeah absolutely I'll have the original...I might get around to ordering an extra...but I want to file AOS ASAP so I didn't want to have to wait for the office to send add'l copies.

Thanks!!

Photo copy is fine.

USCIS no longer routinely requires submission of original documents or "certified copies." Instead, ordinary legible photocopies of such documents (including naturalization certificates and alien registration cards) will be acceptable for initial filing and approval of petitions and applications.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Thanks!

Hi!

I want to clarify something, hopefully someone can help.

On the instructions for the I-485, it says that a copy of the marriage certificate is required. On the VisaJourney instructions, it says that a certified copy is required.

Is a simple photocopy of the original marriage certificate sufficient, or do I really have to order another one to send in?

Thanks in advance for your help!

How about Communist Party, or Libertarian National Socialist Green Party, things like that.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......that will surely fast track the appoval....

Hey Guys,

I am taking a look at the AOS paperwork to make sure I understand it before I start seriously filling it out.

I have a question about form I-485 Part 3© which reads: "List your present and past membership in or affiliation with every organization, association, fund, foundation, party, club, society or similar group in the United States or in other places since your 16th birthday..."

What things have you put down for this? I have volunteered for charitable organizations, etc, but I don't know if that's the kind of thing they're looking for. Can you provide your experience with this? Thanks!

Part of me can't help but think that they don't release all internal procedures to Joe Public. If they were to release the criteria needed for a quicker AOS approval, people would find some way to manipulate the system I'm sure.

No, they don't. All the field manuals I have seen online contain redacted sections.

I really don't think there's anything one can 'do' - per se - to set a case up for quicker approval. You can make sure the package is tidy and that you have filled out everything properly. But you have no control over Consular Notes, which are a portion of the TOTAL file as it moves to AOS adjudication.

And of course it goes without saying one has no control over a namecheck issue.

What are 'Consular Notes?'

Whoops, I got all excited and gave the impression my EAD was just approved, when it was actually my AOS that was approved today!

So for the list

................................NOA1..........BIOMETRICS...TRANSFER....EAD APPROVAL...AOS APPROVAL

DARESIE...................11/11/06.....02/08/07.........11/29/06......02/20/07............04/06/07

Update for the list....

Approved!!

................................NOA1..........BIOMETRICS...TRANSFER....EAD APPROVAL

DARESIE...................11/11/06......02/08/07......11/29/06........04/06/07

Amazing! Congrats...