Connecticut Dave

Thanks for all the answers! The county clerk is probably a good place to go, but as far as I found out it doesn't matter whether you are a citizen or non-citizen to get ordained (with the United Life Church or whatever.) It really is a question of state legislature. I did some research so here goes:

You have to check with your county clerk and have him formally recognize you as an officiant. You might need to be an ordained minister, you might not. In Connecticut, only 'ministers who are active in their ministry' are allowed to perform wedding ceremonies, so people simply getting ordained in order to wed people can't do it. So the ordainment part is out. In CT, you can also become a Justice of the Peace, which in CT you can do every four years and the slots are distributed via party lines (funny, I know). So, yeah, officiating at a wedding in CT isn't really working out.

My wife and I got married by a friend in Seattle, WA, and there we essentially had to go to the county clerk and get a wedding license for a small fee, which we both signed and then had it signed by our officiant too after the wedding (if I remember correctly). Then she mailed it back to the County Office and a couple of weeks later we had our wedding certificate.

The title says it all. We are living in Connecticut at the moment. It seems like I can't perform ceremonies in CT anyway, but I wonder generally whether I can get ordained (via one of mail-order churches like ULC) not being a U.S. citizen but a permanent resident?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

There's a part on the form for putting your existing name and SSN.

How hard was it to change your name? Benny offered to change his name but I was worried it would mess things up with the immigration process.

It was easy. Once we had our wedding license we filed all the paperwork in the new names, adding a page stating that I'm going to change my name from xvz to xyz. Actually, we didn't change it but added the others name, so our names are now 'myname' 'hername' w/o hyphen. We got the NOA back with the new names on it and I think that settled it. DMV was no problem, they made you sign a piece of paper authorizing the name change (you need your NOA for the AOS for that). The same at the Social Security Office. I think the paper I signed at the SS office was the actual name change document, but it was just a print-out they had me sign.

Now I don't know how difficult it would be if he tries to change his name once his maiden name is in the USCIS system, because that name will be on his work permit, etc. and if that is the case you should wait until the AOS is approved. Otherwise I think you'd have to file some stuff again, using the new name etc... that might not be worth the trouble.

Hope that helps.

It certainly is, . Even though I've had my SSN since 2007, it was really good to see this one with my married name- I feel so official,

Yeah, it is kinda cool. We combined our names and it is neat to see your 'new' name printed on official government documents, cards, etc...

Correct- they are only going to change your last name. They only remove the DHS authorization when you come in with your green card.I went to the SSA office last Monday to do the same thing and I got my new SSN card today in the mail.

Great, thanks for the quick answer! And congrats for getting your SSN card - isn't it a good feeling when things finally move along?

Sorry if this question is redundant. I think I came across an answer to this weeks ago but now I can't find it again.

I just received my employment authorization card today. The next stop is the social security office. Now, I already have a social security card and number from when I worked in the USA two years ago and my card has the DHS stamp on it. As far as I understand it, I fill out the Application for a SSN, go to the office, and will get a new card with the same number, a different name (I'm changing my name), and the DHS authorization stamp - correct?

Sorry again if this is redundant.

Dave

Heute wieder beim DMV gewesen; die wollten alle Dokumente haben, inklusive NOA vom AOS - sieht so aus, als ob ich noch eine Weile auf meine License warten muß.

Dave, hast Du denn schon Deine Social Security Nummer? In den meisten Staaten ist die Pflicht um ne DL zu beantragen.

das mit der Brille ist doof. Ich bin ja auch fast blind (hab ne Brille zum Autofahren) und hatte meine damals vergessen. Hab mir die Buchstaben auswendig gelernt und hab mich so durchgemogelt.

Ja, die habe ich bekommen, als ich vor ein paar Jahre in den USA gearbeitet habe. Sobald das USCIS meinen neuen Namen & Status weitergeleitet hat, kann ich den Namen einfach ändern lassen und der DHS Authorization Stempel entfernen lassen. Das erleichtert ein paar Sachen um einiges.

Ich seh ganz gut ohne Brille, muß aber eine zum fahren tragen (und lesen usw) aber ich wollte nicht nach nochmal 2+ Stunden Warten zurückgeschickt werden.

Danke für die Antworten! Das deutsche Namensänderungsformular liegt hier bei mir auf dem Tisch, aber ich will erstmal abwarten, wie das mit der ganzen AOS Kiste so läuft.

Driver's License erster Versuch schlug schonmal fehl: eye exam und ich ohne Brille. Nächsten Dienstag dann Anlauf Nummer zwei.

Die wachsen gerade. Sag mal, muß der AOS schon eingereicht sein, wenn ich eine Driver's License beantragen will? Ich habe auf deren Website gelesen, daß die mit dem USCIS den Status checken, wenn man DL beantragen will. Wir sitzen immer noch auf unseren Papieren, weil die Bank ewig braucht uns unsere shared account info zu schicken und die Vermieterin ist auch nicht gerade schnell... Ich wollte heute eigentlich los und DL abklären, frage mich aber jetzt, ob sich das lohnt bevor wir vom USCIS gehört haben, daß unsere Sachen angekommen sind.

Dave

Also ich hatte meine DL sogar bevor wir AOS eingereicht hatten. Hatte nur meinen noch gueltigen I-94 mit den utility bill und Scheck mitgebracht, wo sie die Adresse verifizieren koennen.

Nachtraeglich noch alles Gute zur Hochzeit!

Okay, super. Ich wollte nur mal nachhaken, denn der Trip zu dem Driver's License Office ist einer von diesen Tagesausflügen und ich wollte das nicht völlig umsonst machen.

Danke für die Info!

D

JFK ist super was immigration angeht. Geben die noch den Arbeitserlaubnisstempel im Pass?

Wo in CT wohnst Du denn?

Ja, ich habe nach dem Stempel gefragt, aber der Officer hat das eigentlich automatisch gemacht, ohne Fragen oder sonstwas. Nach dem, was ich gelesen habe, ist wohl JFK der einzige POE, der das noch macht.

Wir wohnen in der Nähe von New Haven.

Bin übrigens seit dem 16. August verheiratet! :-) Jetzt geht der ganze Kram mit dem AOS los... irgendwelche Tips?

D.

Glueckwunsch! wir sind ca 20 Min von Danbury CT entfernt. zum AOS: mach von allem Kopien! und lass Dir Nerven wie Stahlseile wachsen!

Die wachsen gerade. Sag mal, muß der AOS schon eingereicht sein, wenn ich eine Driver's License beantragen will? Ich habe auf deren Website gelesen, daß die mit dem USCIS den Status checken, wenn man DL beantragen will. Wir sitzen immer noch auf unseren Papieren, weil die Bank ewig braucht uns unsere shared account info zu schicken und die Vermieterin ist auch nicht gerade schnell... Ich wollte heute eigentlich los und DL abklären, frage mich aber jetzt, ob sich das lohnt bevor wir vom USCIS gehört haben, daß unsere Sachen angekommen sind.

Dave

OMG! I noticed EAD form I 765 was expired on 08/31/08. Any VJ memeber can help me find new version form? Or can i still use this expired form?

Thank you!

The latest are the ones posted on the USCIS website... Current version is 5/27/08

Yes, that is the one i am filling in now. So i will use it since no more new version except Current version .

Thank you!

Hm, I still only get the one expired 08/31/08 from the USCIS website, even though it says the current version would be 5/27/08. Where did you get it?

one in the same

yeah, I can't find any other version anywhere. and I found the "5/27/08" in the lower right corner. I guess this is the right form then. I'll just give it a shot. Thanks!

OMG! I noticed EAD form I 765 was expired on 08/31/08. Any VJ memeber can help me find new version form? Or can i still use this expired form?

Thank you!

The latest are the ones posted on the USCIS website... Current version is 5/27/08

Yes, that is the one i am filling in now. So i will use it since no more new version except Current version .

Thank you!

Hm, I still only get the one expired 08/31/08 from the USCIS website, even though it says the current version would be 5/27/08. Where did you get it?

One more thing: do I file for a 'new' or a 'renewal' on the I-765? I have the temporary one, so I should file for the renewal, right?

d.

Hi,

I've found a few posts on these topics but I just wanted to make sure and ask what I need to do in my case. I have a SSN that I got when I worked in the US for a year, which has the DHS authorization stamp on it. So the way I understood this, is that I

- need to file for the AOS

- wait for the EAD to arrive

- go to the SSN office and have the DHS authorization stamp removed and my new name added

My temporary EAD from the POE on my K-1 will expire by November (we got married in August). Can I use the SSN from the last time I worked here in my applications during that time (I'm planning on doing temp work)? I think I can, right, because the SSN does not change? Now, I saw a couple of posts that said that I need to put the last name combination I want on the AOS forms - is that correct? I only came across this in postings and not in the guides, so I want to make sure. Is this the "Name Change" or do I need to file an extra document at some point?

Thanks for the help!

Dave

JFK ist super was immigration angeht. Geben die noch den Arbeitserlaubnisstempel im Pass?

Wo in CT wohnst Du denn?

Ja, ich habe nach dem Stempel gefragt, aber der Officer hat das eigentlich automatisch gemacht, ohne Fragen oder sonstwas. Nach dem, was ich gelesen habe, ist wohl JFK der einzige POE, der das noch macht.

Wir wohnen in der Nähe von New Haven.

Bin übrigens seit dem 16. August verheiratet! :-) Jetzt geht der ganze Kram mit dem AOS los... irgendwelche Tips?

D.

Hi

Iwondered if you guys can help

I am arriving at JFK on 10th August 2008

Can anyone advised as to how long it may take to get through immigration

Thanks in advance

I got through JFK yesterday on the K-1 and it was a breeze. I managed to get to the immigration booths before the bulk of the passengers arrived at the hall and was done within 10min, which was amazing. The guy at the booth opened the package, looked at the pictures, fingerprinted and photographed me, and then led me to a waiting room in the back, which was already 1/4 full and I thought "Well, here we go." However, as I sat down, I was called to the front almost immediately, got my passport, a smile, the "You have to get married w/in 90 days" line and that was that.

Make sure to ask for the work permit, which they will stamp into your passport right there.

Good luck!

I should add that I was lucky. So, to answer more precisely: I agree with the other posters; I had braced myself for 2-3h of waiting. It's better to be safe than sorry, so you should have plenty of 'free time' between the landing and your next destination.

Oh, die Erinnerung an die Steuererklärung ist gut. Ich mußte meine letzte in den USA machen, was auch kein Spaß war.

@Nina+Matt: Das ist ja toll, daß man das über Post machen kann. Ich hatte schon fast erwartet, daß das auch eine Riesenaktion wird. Jep, ich werde mal den thread abonnieren, dann kann ich mich auch einschalten. VJ haben uns so geholfen, da helfen wir mal zurück.

Bin übrigens gestern über JFK eingereist - superschnell und unkompliziert, ich stand nach 15min am baggage claim!

Hi

Iwondered if you guys can help

I am arriving at JFK on 10th August 2008

Can anyone advised as to how long it may take to get through immigration

Thanks in advance

I got through JFK yesterday on the K-1 and it was a breeze. I managed to get to the immigration booths before the bulk of the passengers arrived at the hall and was done within 10min, which was amazing. The guy at the booth opened the package, looked at the pictures, fingerprinted and photographed me, and then led me to a waiting room in the back, which was already 1/4 full and I thought "Well, here we go." However, as I sat down, I was called to the front almost immediately, got my passport, a smile, the "You have to get married w/in 90 days" line and that was that.

Make sure to ask for the work permit, which they will stamp into your passport right there.

Good luck!

Ok super, danke für die Informationen (und sorry für die späte Antwort - Auszug frißt mich gerade auf...)

Ich habe mit dem Meldeamt telefoniert und die wollen einfach eine Abmeldung des Wohnsitzes, das geht anscheinend auch per Post.

@Nina + Matt: okay, also ich kann einfach von den USA aus schriftlich meine Heirat in Deutschland anerkennen lassen? Einfach per Post zum Meldeamt oder bei der Botschaft in CT? Wir kombinieren unsere Namen, denn der Nachname meiner Verlobten ist ziemlich toll.

Mann, ich war so mit dem Visa-Antrag beschäftigt (und Hochzeitsplanungen), daß ich die deutsche Seite ganz verschwitzt habe. Grrr.

Hi!

Ich werde im August in die USA gehen um zu heiraten und die amerikanische Seite der Bürokratie ist soweit geregelt. Gibt es allerdings außer der Abmeldung in Deutschland etwas anderes, was man beachten muß? Ich muß doch meine Hochzeit in Deutschland auch anerkennen lassen, oder?

Meine Verlobte ist Amerikanerin und wir werden auch in den USA bleiben und soweit ich mich erinnere, ist dann die deutsche Bürokratieseite relativ unkompliziert - aber jetzt kommen doch noch Bedenken, deshalb bin ich für alle Tips und Hinweise dankbar.

Liebe Grüße!

David.

Hello,

Maybe you can ask your question on the subforum regional, you will have more replies from german people.

Good luck

Oha, sorry, my mistake. *moving topic to subforum*

Hi!

I just got my approved visa in the mail last week and everything is set. Let me first tell you that this forums were a huge help with the entire process and made it a lot easier to find our way through the bureaucratic jungle. These forums are sooo valuable, a big cheers to you all. We got way psyched up about the entire process but it turned out to work w/o any complications. It was a breeze.

Now, I have a question regarding the change of status. We are getting married in August, my fiancee is from the US, I'm German, and we are planning on staying in the US after our marriage. What are exactly the procedures I have to go through in Germany? Can I do these things by mail? I know that I have to let them know that I'm changing my residence, but what about the marriage proper? We are not planning to live in Germany permanently in the future, our main-base will be the US and we might be visiting Germany for work or research.

Thanks!

Best!

David