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15 hours ago, Alix64 said:

Yes I saw that too. It seems that USCIS sends files to MSC whenever the other "usual" centers are overloaded with files. Anyway

 

Are you guys going to do the N400 after this? Or during this? Or not at all?

 

 

 

I think I'm going to wait for my green card if the petition isn't done and my window for n400 opens. How about you guys?

9 hours ago, Caligirl1 said:

CR1? Marriage based.i came to the us on esta/ tourist visa,never left,got married and applied for AOS ( ok,that's the short version) lol

Oh okay! Not CR1 then. Hehehe CR1 is also marriage based but usually married outside the US, entered the US before the 2nd wedding anniversary. 😊

4 hours ago, Alix64 said:

yes i know but where can I find the delay for that center, since USCIS is only mentioning Cal, Nebraska, Potomac, Texas and Vermont...

even a little approximation would be appreciated 😉

 

I have just found this https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/processing-times-faqs

but not very helpful. 

 

 

I saw a thread here on VJ also looking for the processing times so they made their own excel sheet. And mostly are CR1s sent to MSC. They theorize that there's no processing times still it's not much data to gather? Lol. But seems like MSC is fast too! 

By the way @Caligirl1, are you CR1 too?

Just got my case number! Didn't think it would be this fast! Lol! 

my case number starts with MSC. Looked it up and said it's Missouri service center. But I can't see that when I check processing times. Would that change? 

Edit: just looked it up again. So MSC is National Benefits Center. Hope this is a "fast" one! Lol but it still isn't in the "processing times" choices though

I just sent mine two days ago through UPS and it wasn't priority mail but already arrived today. My husband asked USPS and it would arrive at the same day but should be set as a priority mail. Prices differed by $3, USPS more than UPS. 

6 hours ago, Caligirl1 said:

And,got this afternoon textmessage from USCIS with my Casenumber!👍😃

Wow! That's fast! You should make your timeline so you can easily keep track!

4 hours ago, Caligirl1 said:

Wow! Just saw on my bankaccount,pending charge for USCUS,credit card! 👍😃

That's nice! 

Sent my package today through UPS! Wish us luck! 💕

All the above replies are correct. I just want to chime in and say I am currently on the same boat. came here August 20, 2020, our 2nd year wedding anniversary is on September 25, 2020. But I had to come earlier because my visa expires when my medical expires (September 3, 2020) which was before our 2nd year anniversary. So I had no choice but to come here before our 2nd year marriage anniversary. 

So I am filing this Monday since my 90 day window opens this Sunday May 22nd based on my DATE OF ENTRY August 20, 2020 and not our second year anniversary. 

28 minutes ago, Family said:

You will bring originals ( marriage, birth …)  to the interview , but you should keep a complete Copy as Filed of any submission to USCIS.

Okay. Thank you so much!

3 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

• In preparing your packet, remember:
  • Do not use binders or folders that we cannot easily disassemble.
  • Use fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated.
  • Sticky tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. For easy filing, place the tabs on the bottom of the page, not the side.
  • Do not use heavy-duty staples; instead use fasteners or heavy clips.
  • Do not submit originals unless specifically required. 
  • Do not submit oversized documentation unless it is necessary.
  • Send single-sided copies of your supporting documentation.

Wow! This is really helpful! Thank you so much! 

Hi VJ Community! I'm in the organizing part of my printed papers and I was wondering if I need to send anything original to USCIS? Like our marriage certificate? Son's birth certificate? Or would a copy of everything be okay? 

Also, is it okay to have the 3 hole binder at the left side or would a 2 hole puncher on the top be best? 

I was also wondering about something I read in another thread. It said that CR1 would probably not have their interviews waived. If that's the case, then should I make double copies so I can bring it to the interview or not? Or maybe for personal use?

Sorry I have a lot of questions. I hope someone can help! Thanks!

22 hours ago, Iscir said:

Yes. I wrote a short letter explaining why we opened our accounts after being married for so long, and why there wasn't much activity on them (we use mostly cash). Not sure if it made a difference or not, but it did give me peace of mind 😅

Yeah, being able to explainreally does give peace of mind. Thank you so much!

22 hours ago, Iscir said:

Just in case it helps you, I experienced something kind of similar. We didn't have a lease with both of our names due to covid (I was supposed to go sign in person but then everything was shut down and I couldn't), and then when we moved they only allowed my husband's name on the lease. So what I did was write an explanation of our living situation (why I wasn't on the lease), and then add documents showing that I lived in those addresses, like a repair bill that I signed, mail addressed to me showing my address, and even emails about me asking the landlord to add me to the lease. Just tried to show the full picture of our situation so they didn't have to guess anything.

I've been trying to find those little stuff too. Thank you so much! Such a big help!

10 hours ago, M@K12 said:

 

Copy of Greencard both side

Copy of WIfe's US Passport

2 years Tax transcript - Joint Filed

Health/Car insurance card copies, Car Registration, Car Purchase receipt,

Haven't had name on lease until I moved to Texas - so 2 months old lease at a time of application,

Old Driving Licenses of both me and my wife with Same address, 

Credit cards copies of both (hiding all numbers except last 4  and CVV) where my name was not on CC statements, 

Couple of photos from each trip/function attended - 15-20 max

Random Bank/Credit Card statements 3-4 per year different months - added those months when we went on trips

Authorized Beneficiary page of My 401K and my wife's 401K where we have listed each other

 

 

My understanding is you won't need too much/ bulk of documents.  Don't worry about quantity. what you need is whatever you have make the most of it. As long as Financial Docs are good. You won't have any issues. 

 

Thank you for this list! 

11 hours ago, Iscir said:

Yes I had the same issue with my ssn, and then we moved so we didn’t open accounts until I had been in the US for almost a year.
I sent about 10 pictures starting with a wedding photo, until the most recent photo from a trip we had before sending my application. 
I also added different documents showing we were living together (we didn’t have a lease with both of our names so I had to be creative), plus life/health insurance, passport stamps and travel itineraries from the date we married until our most recent trip plus itineraries we had for future trips. 

Did you have a part in your packet where you explained why you opened late or whatnot? Thank you so much

11 hours ago, Marieke H said:

I did not send any pictures with my ROC application. ROC is really about an ongoing marital union and financial comingling. Pictures are not the strongest evidence. I did send proof of financial comingling going back to the start of our marriage.

Are you CR1? I'm thinking of adding pictures because we don't have a lease or any purchases under both our names. We rent but to our relative so only proof are the checks. Then we moved and live with his parents so we just contribute and dont really have a rental. So I'm a bit on the edge. However, we have a child which most say is the hardest of evidence you can give. Lol!

23 minutes ago, Iscir said:

I came on a CR1 and we didn’t get joint accounts until we had been married for like 3 years, so I sent monthly bank statements from the time the accounts were opened, a screenshot showing when the accounts where opened and a letter explaining why we didn’t get joint accounts sooner.  As for the pictures, I also sent pictures from the time we got married, but I only sent like 10 total. 

I was also planning to add a letter expelaining why we opened a joint account after a few months after entering (my ssn arrive soooo late. Pandemic problems). So you mean 10 total from the time of marriage to when you entered or for everything?

25 minutes ago, M@K12 said:

Yes, I am on CR-1.  Me and my wife had joint account for 6 months when I entered USA. Then due to somebody checked out account and invaded privacy (community member who worked for that bank). 

Then we had separate account  in different bank until We opened joint account just 1 week before applying I-751. I had just bank letter. However, I have included all bank statements even for separate account. 

 

 

Oh! At least you didn't get an RFE! What other evidence did you send?

7 minutes ago, M@K12 said:

I have sent photos since the day I entered in US. Random collection of photos with family trips, trip to Canada, local trips is US, photos of any party-functions attended. Quantity is depends on you. Do not send bulk of photos. 

As mentioned inn early replies, its secondary. Main requirements are important - Tax transcript, leases (if you rent), Car registrations/Lease/Loan, Joint Bank Statements (Random throughout since A/C opened), Credit Cards etc. Don't forget to send copy of  Green Card and A page including list of documents attached.  

 

I am just waiting for my interview. NO RFE. 

Are you on CR1 then? I see peolle sending joint accounts since the time they were married but how could I do that if I was in another country! Lol 

Anyways, thank you for this! 

1 hour ago, Rocio0010 said:

No need to send almost an album. Pictures are considered secondary evidence and in fact, people have been approved without any pictures. They mostly want to see comingling of finances

Okay. Thanks!

1 minute ago, beloved_dingo said:

For pictures it is really a judgment call. I sent around 10 photos, starting around when the AOS was approved (so I did not send any that were already sent). However, most of the other evidence such as proof of financial co-mingling went back to the date of marriage.

 

I look at it this way - if you have a ton of primary evidence like joint accounts, jointly-owned property, beneficiary designations, etc. then just send a small selection of photos. However, if you feel like your evidence is a little weak in any particular area, you can beef up some of the secondary evidence to bolster your package. I don't think a full photo album is necessary in any case though 😄

 

Thank you! 

6 hours ago, Rocio0010 said:

Well, my I-751 is pending and I came here on an F1. Regardless, I followed the instructions to the T and provided evidence from the start of our marriage until the moment of filing. Granted, they already had some of that evidence from our AOS, but I just thought it wouldn’t hurt. So I think I included some wedding pictures (which they already have). But just remember: pictures are not the main evidence. I must have sent 10 pictures covering the two years.

Ohh 10 pictures only? I see yt videos almost sending an album. Lol! Thanks for the reply!

Hi! I have read some forums here stating that the photos we provide as proof can just be from the time I entered the US or time since issuing the green card (for those who has adjustment of status). And I find that very reasonable since we already submitted photos in our petition for my CR1 visa. 

But then the instructions on the I 751 says "..circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date" 

I came in here just a month short of our marriage entering 2 years and I would have been IR1 but I was forced to come early because of my medical expiry (long story). Anyways, it would be 4 years of pictures if this would be the case. I would be glad if anyone has been approved and only showed photos from the time of entry or granting of conditional green card? That would be 2 years less photos.

Thanks in advance.

19 hours ago, magicant said:

Getting ready to send out the i-751 package (removal of conditions) for my wife.

 

I see some recent posts sending the package to

 USCIS
P.O. Box 21200
Phoenix, AZ 85036 

 

Was this changed?  Looking at the direct filing address page for USCIS, if sending via FedeEx, the address (for sending from NY) is:

USCIS 
Attn: I-751 (Box 4072)
2500 Westfield Drive 
Elgin, IL 60124-7836

 

I'm assuming this is where we send to?

 

2 other questions:

Want to confirm no passport sized photos are required.  I didn't see that as a requirement, want to make sure.

And confining that Filing fee is $680 ($595 + $85)

 

Thank you very much.

The first address you placed is for mail from USPS to a list of specific states. The other one is for non-USPS couriers for ANOTHER list of states. 

You can find it here: 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-751-direct-filing-addresses

Thank you for everyone's insights! 

i am travelling on July 28 and I was hoping I could get the biometrics done before I leave. I am on a CR1 so I believe my biometeics won't be waived. I see CR1's getting biometrics earlier than 2 months after filing so I hope I get it (and I think being optimistic is good.)😆

Thanks again everyone!

I just checked my date for filing and it falls on a Sunday. I'm not sure when to send it so I get it on time? I really want to send it on the first day since I am travelling and would like to get most documents before I leave. 

Should I send it on that day? Before that day since it would arrive the next day? Should I use USPS or commercial couriers (I'm making sure so I get the address on the cover letter right)? I need some advice please. Thank you in advance!