KeoKeo

This is sooo helpful. Thanks for the tip as I'm considering changing my last name on my naturalizaiton.

Hi Helpneeded,

You can apply for a name change at any time you want, regardless.

But...You have a chance to do it for FREE with your citizenship application! No extra costs there, other than the $675 needed for the Citizenship Application anyways, regardless of name change or not. There is a part on the N-400 Application form (which you can find on the USCIS website), that asks "Would you like a legal name change"? (or something along those lines). Just checkmark the box "yes", and put the names that you want to change to, in the new "first name" and new "last name" spaces provided. The immigration officer will then confirm this name change at your citizenship interview, and when it is time for your oath ceremony, your naturalization certificate will be in your new legal name, and is legal to use as a document showing a legal name change.

With the Naturalization Certificate in your new changed name, you can then change your other documents afterwards to reflect such. No need to get a new green card or anything like that (lol..would save you the money for a replacement card too). Just change your SS Card, Passports, Driver's License, etc. after citizenship, to your new name, while at the same time updating your new US Citizenshp status too.

So if you can wait another year...Change it then...It will definitely be easier and more cost-effective this way.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your journey too.

Ant

Hey Saratara, I had very similar experience. The lady officer also asked many questions, and didn't approve right away nor stamp anything in my passport. She also mentioned application pending for review, decision to be made in the next week or two by mail. And she also took my I-94 from my passport, but gave me back my EAD and Advance Parole. I hope this doesn't mean disapproval nor 2nd interview. I know exactly how you feel and just pray we'll both be approved soon!

Congrat lkm12005! I have a question. Were you told you're approved for your case right at the interview?

I check mail today, see this email , we sumbited the evidence after our interview at Feb.13rd, we are so happy to get this mail. our AOS took almost 1 year.

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Notice mailed welcoming the new permanent resident.

On February 22, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer's new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later. If you move before you get your new card call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

but i have a question, what is ADIT? can anyone tell me, thanks.

I just had my interview yesterday (2/22/08), and my case was not approved immediately after the interview. The lady officer said it's "pending for review". She said a letter will be sent to us with decision or request for further evidence. I'm worried. I just feel like we got all the bad luck from the beginning we filed the application. Men, I'm so frustrated about this.

I just had my AOS interview yesterday at the San Francisco local office, and the interview was like 20 minutes long, and the lady officer asked many questiones. But I think we answered them all pretty well and she seemed friendly and smiled all the time. But she didn't approved our case at the end of the interview. She said "Everything looks good, but I need to review all the documents again and send you a notice of decision or request for further evidence in the next week or two." What does this mean? Are we in trouble? Will we get a 2nd interview? She seemed to be very detailed and thorough. She asked for almost all the documents, went through all the forms, and looked through all the pictures we bought. I'm worried. Does anyone had similar experience? Do they tend to approve case right away?

Good News! I've got my interview letter today, woohoo It's going be on 2/22/08. Good luck to the rest of you still waiting for your interview date.

I got my AP in the mail on the 15th of December, and my EAD card today in the mail (17th). This is my best Christmas gift! Good luck to the rest of you still waiting for your EAD card.

I got an email today from CRIS(The first one I get from the website on the AOS process!!!)

It had the following to say:

On December 15, 2007, we transferred this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS to our WASHINGTON, DC location for processing and sent you a notice explaining this action. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case has been sent to our WASHINGTON, DC location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

What does this mean? Why was it sent to the Washington DC office when I am living in NC and therefore under the Charlotte, NC office?

Cases transferred to the CSC will be approved without an interview usually. Maybe your loca office has a backlog and thus transferred to other local office for processing.

On December 10, 2007 we received an e-mail about EAD production ordered. Then on December 13, 2007 we received another e-mail about the EAD production order. Why did we receive this last touch about the production order. Is this second production order them mailing it or something?

I had the same thing happend to me. I got the approval email first on 12/06, then again on the 12th. And I got another touch today (the 14th). I assume this is still ok, except their system is acting weird.

Me 3. i got 2 e mail from CRIS. but different dates. Is it a mistake their system make?

I have a question. I got an online update that my AP is approved and the approval notice is sent to me on the 12/06/07. Dos the actual AP document comes in a separate mail than the "approval notice" mentioned in the online status update? Or the "approval notice" inclue the actual AP document that I can use for travel outside of the country? I'm confused. I called the 1800# and they give me two different answer. I just can't rely on their infomation. Anyone know? Much appreciated!

They approved my EAD about a month after they receive my RFE response. But it varies from case to case. But they do have to give you a written decision/update within 60 day after receiving your RFE. And it's by law that they have to approve your EAD within 90 days after receiving your application. Hope that helps.

Do you mean you haven't receive a RFE that you know has sent to you? Then you should request them to verify your address and send it to you again. You don't want to be delayed because the RFE is lost in the mail.

Thanks for all the good adivces. I'll just have to wait patiently I guess.

Hey I need help here. I'm waiting for my AOS appointment and I've planned a trip to HK on the 14th. I just received email notice that my AP is approved and sent on the 6th. Anyone have any clue how long it'll take for me to receive the documentatin? And if I don't receive my AP before the 14th, can I leave the country with just the email approval?Will I be barred from entry if I leave the country knowing that my AP is approved but without receiving the actual AP? Is the email notification of approval sufficient enough? Any thoughts?

I finally have my EAD and AP approved today and I think they're on the way to my home I got two email notification at 7pm last night (12/06/07) that they're approved. Good luck to the rest of you still waiting for EAD.

Congratulation Katya, hope I can get my EAD card soon too

It's is possible, depending on how complete you have put togehter your package and how picky your immigration officer is. I personally got 3 RFE thus far, and application still pending.

Congrat, and thanks for letting us know, since I haven't had a touch since my biometric too. Fingers crossed too, hoping I'll get the interview letter soon.

Congrats too Angerman. I'm stilling waiting for my EAD card hope I can get it soon, crossing my fingers too.

Sent AOS package, I-485, I-765 and I-131 (plus all supporting docs) to Chicago on Sep 15, delivered Sep 18. Waiting for cheque to be cashed and awaiting NOAs.

SaPa_USCan

update:

Cheque was cashed on Sep 24. Waiting for NOA(s).

Received Biometrics letter today in mail... It's on October 25! yaay!!!!!!

Sapa_uscan

Had my biometrics yesterday (Oct27)... no problems at all... finished in about 10 minutes.... the office told me that i should be receiving the EAD and travel docs in about 4 weeks now... i also asked the estimate date for the interview and she said, about 6 month now... so that is around - end of April 2008! yikes!!!

B)

Received EAD yesterday!!! ... yaay!!!! Now wait for the GC interview!

Congrat! You seemed to be the first one to receive the EAD amongst all the September filers

Do you receive more information if you sign up for an account on the USCIS website to receive automatic e-mails or is it the same thing if you just go to the site to check it?

Same, except if you sign up for an account and choose email notification. You'll get an automatic email sent to you when you status is updated. So you don't need to keep checking all the time.

I don't know what's the best option for you, reopen maybe the fastest way if you can prove you never receive the letter. Did you hire a lawyer for your case? If not, consulting with a lawyer may be the best thing to do at this stage, as appealing or reopen or refile seemed to be the possible options. I'm sorry to hear you missed the last step in getting the greencard, you may want to spend couple hundred dollars consultation fees to get the professional opinions.

My case was denied too due to lost of a RFE they sent. but because it was still early in the process, so I chose to refile. For you, since everything is done except an interview, reopen or appeal may be a better choice for you.

Congratulations. Did you come in as K visa? From the timeline in your signature section, you had a really smooth process and it only took you 3 month to have your interview scheduled! Wow, I wish I'll have the same luck and have my interview in 3 months too

You're welcome Jigi. I'm more than willing to share the info with everyone. Thanks for creating this thread, it's very helpful.

hi

THanks KEoKeo ... for updating this... i was really caught up with work so didnt update it. Thanks for updating...

Jigi