Tooddy

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

Well, like you said,a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa. It is not "an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status".  

AI is not a good source for immigration questions.  That's why moderators remove AI when we see it here.

I still have a lot of questions. About the Visa Stamp, what is it? Is it different from the Visa Printed inside my passport? Is it different from Visa Foil? Cause the lady staff from the clerk office said, that its not it. Even stating that my VISA has a line across it and they wouldn't accept that. I've already looked and it shows that the visa they were looking is the one already printed inside my passport. Please enlighten me on this. 

32 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Well, like you said,a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa. It is not "an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status".  

AI is not a good source for immigration questions.  That's why moderators remove AI when we see it here.

That's where the Adjustment of Status takes place, tho I've also learned that K1 visa has an intention to live permanently in US. That's why it's confusing. Can I also just provide them a certified copy of our marriage? We got married recently, and it's difficult to request an original one because we kinda lived far away from the courthouse.

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Correct.  A DS-260 is an application for an immigrant visa.

Thank you for answering, AI answer's different. Thank you so much.

4 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

 

Since your husband lives with his grandmother and does not have any bills in his name, he should arrange some bills transferred to his name and your's for the purpose of getting the REAL ID driver's license/state ID. The REAL ID will be your proof of residency. 

 

Some bills may require the owner of the property like the water bill in the county we live in Georgia. Most other bills like electricity, gas, phone, cable, internet, trash pickup, etc. can be transferred to the tenants name. In Georgia, you just need 2 different utility billing statements to get the REAL ID.

What should I answer with this question? 

"Have you ever applied for an immigrant visa to obtain permanent resident status at a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad?"

Is it a yes or no? I answered no, because the k1 visa is a non-immigrant visa and I didn't apply for it, my husband did. Am I right?

28 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

 

It's best to include a seperate cover letter for each form that includes who it is addressed too, the applicants full name, A number, a full list of content (the form, itemized supporting docs), etc. You can also sign and date these covers with a wet signature. This will help give USCIS an overview of what's in each application, as well as seperating them. 

Thank you so much for your help. This proof of residency process is really overwhelming—just one document, yet it feels like a mountain to climb. And it’s not even the end of it! Getting this sorted is just the first domino… next comes applying for a driver’s license, then opening a bank account. It’s all connected, and every step depends on the last.

17 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

Depending on which county the marriage certificate is issued, you can choose to list the marriage name along with the maiden name. Doing so makes it easy for airlines to connect the marriage name to the maiden name when travelling and easier with billings, etc.

 

Thank you so much for your help. This proof of residency process is really overwhelming—just one document, yet it feels like a mountain to climb. And it’s not even the end of it! Getting this sorted is just the first domino… next comes applying for a driver’s license, then opening a bank account. It’s all connected, and every step depends on the last.

On 8/24/2025 at 7:33 PM, EatBulaga said:

If that is the case and you want to keep things simple, I would just submit the I-485 with the maiden name and apply for the SSA in the maiden name. You can change name in the N-400 and change the name with the SSA after that.

 

As @Crazy Cat said, you can technically use any combination of the names on the marriage certificate for the I-485. But if the marriage name you choose is different from the maiden name, then it may be a little more confusing and require more explanation with the SSA, airline travel, billing names, etc.

We weren’t made aware that I had the option to choose a preferred name instead of using my maiden name or my married name. As it stands, the document only reflects my complete maiden name, my husband’s complete name, and the date our marriage was registered

On 8/24/2025 at 10:41 AM, smilingstone said:

 

Yes, with the DS3025 you don't need the 693. Just include a cover letter stating your K1 medical was completed when and is valid until when. 

Should I include a separate cover letter for each form to explain its purpose, or is it sufficient to provide one general cover letter on the first page that addresses all the documents in the packet?

2 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

How frustrating, if not enraging.

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Not your fault and definitely not intended as an insult, but this situation seems to reinforce what folks here recommend -- that the CR-1 visa is superior to the K-1 in many ways.

Absolutely—it’s a clear yes. Although the CR-1 visa process takes more time, once you arrive in the U.S. with it, you're immediately eligible to apply for a job.

7 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

1. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your I-485.

2. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your SSA.

3. Yes

4. Not necessary for the I-485. However, you must demonstrate co-mingling of finances, bills, etc., by the I-751.

Also, I wanted to ask if the DS-3025 form from St. Luke’s Medical can be accepted in place of Form I-693. The DS-3025 I have is valid until November 2025—do you know if USCIS will accept it for my Adjustment of Status?
We’re doing the AOS filing ourselves, and honestly, these forms are driving me crazy. I’ve been researching nonstop, but the more I read, the more confused I get. It’s really frustrating. I’d truly appreciate your help in making sure we file everything correctly. Thank you so much in advance!

5 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

To clarify, the question I referred to was "Can I use my married name and new signature when submitting these forms,".  My answer is accurate.

USCIS allows any combination of names on the marriage certificate.  Many, many people change their last name based on the marriage certificate.

We were hoping to obtain a Social Security Number so I can open a bank account and apply for a driver’s license. However, the issue of proving residency is making the process more difficult—even just getting the SSN feels like a challenge. From what I’ve read, the Social Security Administration doesn’t officially require proof of residency for the application, but it seems they might still ask for it depending on the situation. I just want to be fully prepared in case they do.

6 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

1. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your I-485.

2. Does your marriage certificate list your marriage name? If yes, then you can use your marriage certificate for your SSA.

3. Yes

4. Not necessary for the I-485. However, you must demonstrate co-mingling of finances, bills, etc., by the I-751.

Our marriage certificate doesn't reflect my married name, it only reflects my maiden name and my husband's name.

7 hours ago, smilingstone said:

1. Yes

2. You'll need to take your marriage certificate if you want to use your married name for SSA. If you don't have it yet, then stick to your maiden name and update it once you have your EAD. 

3. Yes

4. Would be useful but you don't have to submit that with the initial application. You can submit additional evidence online once USCIS recieve your application and you activate your online account. 

Last week, we visited the government office to request a Declaration of Domicile, since none of my current IDs reflect his address and none of the utility bills are under our names. However, I was informed that they require a U.S. visa stamp in my passport. The K-1 visa I presented was rejected because it had a line drawn through it. I tried to explain that the visa was single-entry and had already served its purpose, so it couldn’t be reused. I even offered my I-94 Arrival/Departure Record as supporting documentation, but they refused to review it.
They said the issue had been escalated to their supervisor, who also deemed it unacceptable. Because the staff member assisting us didn’t have a passport herself, she couldn’t verify the information in mine. As a result, they directed me to another building to have my signature verified and notarized. They also mentioned that having a Florida driver’s license or state ID would make the process much easier—but to obtain those IDs, I first need to provide proof of residency, which is exactly what I was trying to establish through the Declaration of Domicile.

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some guidance on the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. My husband and I got married this past July 2025, and we’re now preparing to file Forms I-485 and I-765.
I have a few questions:
1.     Can I use my married name and new signature when submitting these forms, or should I stick with my maiden name for now?
2.     We have an appointment with the SSA this Thursday. Since my Philippine passport (the only valid ID I currently have) still reflects my maiden name, should I use that name for the SSA records, or is it okay to use my married name?
3.     We plan to file the AOS after the SSA appointment — is that timing alright?
4.     Lastly, my husband lives with his grandmother and mother, but none of the utility bills are under his name. Should we include a separate document or affidavit to confirm that we share residence with his family?
I’ve been doing a lot of research, but the more I read, the more questions I seem to have. Thank you all in advance for your help and insights!