If you are inside the United States
Depending on the form you are submitting, you may pay your fees:
Online using a credit card, debit card, or bank withdrawal;
By mail with a card, check, or money order; or
In person at a USCIS field office.
I have had no issues using a credit card for about 4 petitions now, and used the G1450 form every time. Like others have said, if you want to be extra safe, and since you are using a debit card/Credit card anyway it's coming out of your checking account, so no real difference in getting a money order or using your debit card. I am a credit card point abuser, I strive to get as many points as possible between 3 Chase credit cards. It is close to criminal the amount of free benefits I get by using credit cards for everything I purchase, but that is my thing. See this article if you need further understanding... https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-card-trifecta/
Most of the time people have problems using cards is they don't have the limits set high enough for a single transaction ( they are purposely set low by card issuers for your protection from fraud), so if you are going to use your card, make sure you have the single transaction limit set high enough ( say 1000 for most petitions, if you are doing AOS, set it to about 1500). Just call your card issuer, and raise your limit for single transactions.
Hello November 2021 AOS filers another month another round of AOS submissions. Please be aware that this checklist is NOT all inclusive and you must consult the USCIS website to crosscheck this checklist against/with. The AOS process has been confusing since the pandemic hit, not to mention the added politics. So please I want to stress that you only use this check sheet as a starting point and guide if you will. The USCIS site will be the final guide. Please ensure that you check your forms for the correct versions and editions because if you use the wrong forms USCIS will reject your application and send it back to you. This is easily checked on the USCIS website prior to downloading your forms. You should also ONLY download your forms from the USCIS website. The current and correct fees can also be ascertained from the USCIS website
AOS Checklist
Cover Letter listing Table of Contents
(Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00)
Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Form G-1145
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page
Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp
Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process)
I-94
Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate
translation of birth certificate (if needed)
Certified copy of Marriage License or Certificate
Passport Photos (2) name written on the back
Copy of DS-3025
Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)
Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other)
2020 (current tax year), 2019 (optional), and 2018 (optional) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts (transcripts are better if you can get them)
Employment Verification letter (updated one - not the one used during K1 process)
Pay stubs (last 3 months)
Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page
Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp
I-94
Passport Photos (2) name written on the back
Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process)
Be sure to use the correct filing code of (c)(9) if this code applies to you. The I-765 instructions explains all the codes in detail. If you are filing under a different code (other than (c)(9) the fee for your AOS will not be correct and USCIS will reject your entire packet.
Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page
Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp
I-94
Passport Photos (2) name written on the back
Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process
Be sure to double check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase and they can change on a dime so please check. Additionally, check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date, there have been many changes to various forms. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2's. Also consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main cover letter.
Make sure you send long form birth certificates and not the short form. Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.
Please consider filing the I-131 and the I-765 even if you don't think you'll need them right now. You never know what changes your life will have on down the road, so I recommend you file these two forms from the start. There is no extra charge to file them with your AOS and it's better to submit them all at once. There has been much confusion coming out of USCIS, partly due to Covid-19 and partly self-inflicted. This confusion filters on down to the people filing for AOS. The above listing is subject to change at a moment’s notice so please check, recheck and check again BEFORE you send off your packet for any last-minute changes.
Congratulations on a successful submission of your AOS packet!
Two months is better than one. The more time together, the better, BUT, really a month or more together is more than a lot of successful visa processes can demonstrate. Not every red flag is a death sentence. Your plan sounds fine. Take lots of photos in different places and at different times. Keep your boarding passes. Expect success. You don't mention his home country, and that IS important, but sounds like Russia or another FSU country. All pretty much the same risk.
