Bgail

this thread has answered so many of my questions. i dont know where i'd be without this forum. major props to all those who have long since completed their immigration processes and are here just to help n00bs like me

Correct answer is "NO."
 
USCIS explicitly states not to send in I-944 at this time: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge/injunction-of-the-inadmissibility-on-public-charge-grounds-final-rule "Applicants and petitioners whose applications or petitions are postmarked on or after July 29, 2020, should not include the Form I-944"
Yes, send to Chicago Lockbox: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485-addresses

1- NO... It's good for you to send it. You ain't losing anything by sending it as you already have it. "Better send something than nothing." They will put it a part themselves if they don't want it.
 2- Chicago Lock box is one of the 3 lockbox locations. Residents of Georgia should send it in Chicago.
3- NO STAPLES. READ THE INSTRUCTION VERY CAREFULLY. Paper clips is accepted.
 
Good luck.

Hey Everyone,

Sorry that I have not updated this in a while but I was waiting for the i-797 notices. 

Today I received the i-797 notices for the i-485, i-765, and i-131 with a received date of June 18, 2020 for each. 

The i-485 was filed on paper and the i-130 online. When I mailed the i-485, I sent a copy of the i-797 notice for the pending i-130 form and it appears to have been accepted. 
 
Also, because at the time I did not have access to my IRS transcripts, I sent a copy of my filed IRS 1040 forms with a cover letter explaining why I did not mail the transcripts. It appears that USCIS did not reject the application for failing to send the transcripts; however, there is still a possibility of an RFE. Another thing to note is that I did not send the Medical examination (i-693) forms with the application. 

I will continue to update as the case status updates. 

Thank you, 

Followed this advice and called Transunion. Pressed zero to speak to an agent. They asked a few questions and confirmed that I had no credit. They said they’d mail me a letter in a few days. I will update if I receive it. 

Just call trans union and explain to them that you do not have SSN and that you need a letter from them stating you do not have a credit score/report. They will take your details and send you a letter. I did this and got a letter 3 days after i made the call.

Hi guys! We just sent sent our application after 2 months of working on it lol. Now the waiting game starts... Thank you all for the help and advises. Wish you all luck and fast and easy process! 

No problem!

1) I sent the downloaded PDF I-797 which doesn't look much different from the one they mailed. The PDF has a bar-code and also the tracking number, so they should be able to find it and validate it. I sent my packet the other day so I am waiting for the I-485 to be accepted in order to update this post again. 

2) This is actually one of the cool parts about the online form...Near the final part of the form, you will get to a page where it asks you to upload the evidence. The cool part is that the page is separated into sections for the different evidence required and it tells you exactly what you need to upload prior to submitting. You also get an additional page to upload any additional evidence like a DNA test if needed. 
 
Another cool thing about the online form is that it checks for errors. Prior to submitting the form, you will get to a page that checks all of your inputs to make sure there are errors and nothing that would stand out. Also, even after you submit the form, you are allowed to upload additional evidence at any time; however, there is a disclaimer that says any additional evidence uploaded does not have to be taken into consideration by the USCIS officer. 
 
Hopefully soon they will make the I-485 and all relevant forms eforms so we can save trees, time, money, and stress. 

I always recommend all 3 years of transcripts.   Look at the checklist on website https://www.uscis.gov/i-864.  There is more that "should be included by a sponsor.

Hey guys,

I am making this post to help others and not because I need help. 

First and foremost, many people ask "Why am I required to prove that I don't have credit history if I don't even have an SSN?" and the answer is that in the US, many banks will allow you to obtain credit without an SSN or ITIN. You can read more about this here: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/credit-card-without-a-social-security-number/
 
So, you can get credit without an SSN/ITIN and can have a credit file without an SSN or ITIN. This is why USCIS requires a letter from at least one of the agencies confirming that you do not have a credit file. 

How do you get a letter stating you do not have a credit file?

Simply write a formal letter to one of the three agencies requesting your credit file. In the file state and place the following:

1) Explain that you are requesting your credit file and you do not have an SSN/ITIN. Explain that if no credit file is found, please return a letter stating so. 

2) Provide any names used, date of birth, and any addresses you've lived at
 
3) Sign the form and date it
 
4) Attach a government issued ID

5) Mail it to one of the agency addresses below:

Experian:
P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/faqs/disputes-faqs/
 
Transunion:
TransUnion LLC
Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19016
https://www.transunion.com/customer-support/faqs/credit-reports-and-disclosures
 
Equifax:
Disclosure Department,
P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta, GA 30374
https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/report/how-to-get-your-free-credit-report/
 
I hope this information helps people trying to get this proof. 

Thats why you are not a CBP officer. Also go check what B2 visa stands for. Where is it a crime to give birth anywhere in the world as long as you prove you can pay the required bill? People like you are the problem, sit behind your keyboard and judge others for being truthful.
You think if it was a problem the visa officers renewing my visas 3 times wouldn't have seen that? Yes I had my 3 kids in the US, yes I paid all bills in full and yes after each birth, I renewed my visas without any issue, came into the US at every birth and also declared to the CBP officer at the POE my intentions, had my babies and left the US after each birth. You should be answering questions I asked if you can and not deviate. Thank you

1) If you have no in-care-of name, then you can leave it blank.
2) If you are filing the I-130 + I-485 packets concurrently, no need for this.
3) No, that's asking about other aliens being sponsored on that I-864 (for derivative beneficiaries, which doesn't even apply in your category).
4) Only the I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131 would use one. Some people provided a single form for all of them, and others provided one for each of those forms. Both tend to work. I did the latter (1 for each form)...less leeway for errors on their part IMO.
5) What form(s) exactly? Some forms have 2D barcodes, and you don't want to mix electronically-completed forms with handwritten information....they'll likely scan the barcode and miss the handwritten information. Some forms do NOT have this barcode, and mixed hand-writing and typed on them is fine.
6) I'll defer to others, but if she has not been in the US long enough to establish a credit history, I personally would just declare that she has none. Getting a letter of having no record is a mixed bag of success, and can take weeks.
If she's been in the US 6, 12, or more months, then I would be mote inclined to get something documented as it is not unreasonable to have a credit score at that point.
7) Edition Date in lower left

I’m assuming you’re female given you mentioned your spouse added you to “his” credit card.. may I ask if your current husband is a USC or not, and when you entered on the B2? 
 
The way your questions read it sounds that you’ve been here for a considerable amount of time without legal status given you’ve given birth to 3 children in the US already without ever holding a green card? 
 
Ref questions
Q1, leave blank
Q2, NA you’re consecutively filing
Q3,2.. you list them, just tick no box to their migrating as part of the petition. 
Q4, single form, front of application
Q5, print and write in ink
Q6, follow instruction on form, needs a statement to confirm from credit agency
Q7, bottom left

Well, that it's paid for and that they return home.

I got it through a joint bank account with my husband- it was part of the process and the bank submitted it for me.  I'm a little fuzzy on the memory, so forgive me for that.  I don't know if that would be the fastest route for you but it was the way that I went. 
 
Google the W-8 BEN form - this was what I had to fill out and submit to get the tax number from the IRS.

Okay, cool, just put all the stamps of your visits and also your current I-94. These are anyway part of the paperwork. That way you can explain that you never had SSN and hence no credit history. If you could get the ITIN, that will definitely help as the other kind soul has mentioned. Good luck!

You're welcome,
 
and I think you can contact one of the three credit bureaus to get it. Check either, transunion, experian or equifax.

Thank you everyone for your information! Here is what I ended up doing as for my degree evaluation: 
I have a B.Sc and M.Sc. and the high-school degree to get evaluated. For that I am using IEE for degree evaluation. I ordered general evaluation (document-by-document) for $95.
They will provide one evaluation report verifying all my degrees.  There is no need to mail my degrees as they accepted scanned versions. This is probably due to the current situation with Coronavirus.  So I uploaded all my degrees ( BS and  MS). They said since I have BSc they don't need my high-school degree uploaded. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!! You have been really helpful. 
 
So the only thing I think we missed is the W-2's, but I thought submitting the 1040's and the IRS transcripts. Additionally, we are only summiting my husband's (petitioner) tax returns since I do not file taxes. 

You need an I-130 packet and I-485 packet.
 
The I-130 packet needs an I-130 + I-130A, along with supporting evidence (see the table in the guide).
 
The I-485 packet needs the I-944 + I-864, along with supporting evidence of each form.
It is highly advised to file the I-765 for work authorization and I-131 for travel authorization (to be able to exit the US and return w/o abandoning AOS and completing a visa process abroad). No extra fees for them.
 
You cannot concurrently file online. If you really want to file online, you would file the I-130 packet online, then have to wait for the paper NOA1 in order to file the I-485 packet.
It's simpler & faster to just file everything on paper at this time. At least until they make the I-485 electronic.