OldUser

My case showed 3 weeks until decision on the day of my oath.

Not sure about I-551 being proof of identity (I think passport is), but I-551 is definitely a proof of status.

Don't enter on Nexus, when coming on K-1 visa. There's thread going on Somebody used Nexus when entering the US and the immigrant visa was never endorsed. You don't want to be treated as a visitor, you need to be treated as K-1 After you cross the border, yes, you can go to Nexus enrollment center and have an interview on arrival. Then, in subsequent trips, when you become LPR, you can use Nexus lanes or lines at the airport. Is it worth it? Totally. Not only you'd get easier entry next time between US and Canada, but you'd also have TSA PreCheck for US domestic flights. And finally, don't pay $120 out of pocket next time. There's plenty of credit cards which reimburse Nexus / Global Entry / TSA PreCheck fees

Up to 90-120 days. You may want to sign up for USPS Informed Delivery, it's free. The package with green card will be sent by Lees Summit Production Facility and you'll most likely know about it in USPS Informed Delivery before USCIS will publish USPS tracking number.

No way to avoid removal of conditions in your case. She must file I-751. Removal of conditions can be avoided when coming on spousal visa. If somebody is married for 2+ years and enters on spousal visa for the first time, they'd get 10 year GC. But you chose K-1. And this means no way to avoid I-751, unless it took more than 2 years since date of marriage to receive green card.

Yes, you can print. Yes, it's good to request missing notice here https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/ndn

Yes, this is the recommendation. Once you marry, it'll be almost impossible to get SSN without green card or EAD. Again, as you can see, changing name at this stage of immigration can result in: 1) Your home passport in maiden name 2) GC in married name 3) Social security card in maiden name People live just fine with such setup, and eventually update all the docs to have matching name. I'd personally just wait for N-400 to change name to keep it simple. On the other hand, even then you'd have to update SS card and your country's passport. So it's really your call when you want to deal with it.

For name change, I'd think long and hard about this. The easiest time to change name is when becoming a US citizen. Before changing name, I'd also check how easy it is to change name in your country. Yes, if you're in the US, you'd have to deal with your consulate of your country to renew passport to have married name. You can file for AOS with married name and get GC with married name, as long as married name is mentioned in marriage certificate (for example it's your spouse's current name)

Congratulations!

Congratulations to both of you! This is a big milestone!!!

Which state? I know this works in California just fine.

I really appreciate your insights there. We rarely get anybody in your situation. Usually, people wonder about it around the time getting first passports for their children, and many don't understand the value. Keep us posted on your N-600, I hope you get it quick!

That's some good old bs from USCIS. Only an immigration judge can terminate your status or you can give it up by filing I-407

Then you're good. You filed new I-751 before you were placed in removal proceedings. Take a screenshot of that message with your computer's date and time showing, for your records and potential future proof.

By the way, @butmajor-leagueas there's this thread where people are discussing the N-600 and whether it's worth applying for it. Could you share your reasons there for applying for N-600? Thank you

Many forms ask for wet signature even if it's then scanned into digital format. It's not a bad idea to get wet signature.

MM/YYYY: August 2025 Location: California, US Business / organization: Walgreens Check type: Identity verification Reason: Return Result: Failure Details: Had to use passport card to verify my identity for item return. I guess it depends on Walgreens location and what I was returning (more expensive item). The check out person denied PC, asked for "ID". I said it's federally accepted ID, but he said "it's hard to scan". Considering big line after me, I just showed DL. I'm pretty sure I could have made him accept it, but just didn't have patience to deal with it this time around.

Did you check your alien status in EOIR? https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/

There are known instances of DOS pushing back and requiring more documentation proving citizenship during passport renewal. IMHO losing passport is easier, as you actually use it for travel etc. Certificate, on the other hand, can sit for years in safe / deposit box without being disturbed. The fact that certificate does not have expiration makes it a lot better document in my opinion. If I somehow could get a drivers license that never expires, for $500 fee, I'd get it without a doubt. I think we'll never come to consensus here. The subject of whether CoC is worth the fee comes up on VJ every 2-3 months. And there's always two camps. I'm always in the camp of "the more proof you have the better". Others may see it as an overkill. I think there's nothing else I can contribute here.

Yes it can. But nobody can predict.

Ideally you should spend a bit less time than that if you can. The rule of thumb is to spend 2x as much time outside of the US than in the US. So, if your previous visit was 30 days, you should spend at least 60 days out of the US before trying to reenter. If you're visiting for 80 days, that means after it, I would not even try to visit for the next 6-9 months, maybe even a year. 80 days is a long visit, even on B-1 / B-2 visa, let alone ESTA. Don't forget, relationship is a two way street. Your fiance can visit you in Europe too and enjoy some things that don't exist in the US.

This is classic. When you're ready and have tons of evidence - nothing is needed. But when you walk in unprepared and emptyhanded - strange things happen. So... The morale of the story is: better to be overprepared. And you're right, you'll need this for removal of conditions.

Congratulations!!! Make sure to update citizenship status with SSA and register to vote.

@Pat J please share whether Resident Since date coincides with any of dates you entered the US

It's not abnormal for N-400 take 6-9 months. Anything under 3 months is speedy lucky approvals.