magentahaze

Plan is to have mine ready to go off in the mail tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous about it. But I'll be glad when it's out of my hands.

What's the best way to send it off? I know with delivery confirmation. Just USPS Priority mail?

Also, any thoughts on putting tabs on the bottom to indicate different sections of the packet, like these:

or just use paperclips along the top and stagger them?

I'll attach it all together with a large bulldog clip, like I have for my K-1 and my AOS packets.

Hoping to have it all ready today/tonight and ready for the mail tomorrow.

Sounds like a plan. Condolences on your father in law.

Thank you.

Looks like you have plenty of evidence now. If you read the pinned topic at the top of this forum "Chat with USCIS director" It says letters from friends are not considered good proof of relationship and have little value.

I was just thinking in the sense that we don't have anything saying that we own/rent/lease a house or an apartment. Getting an affidavit from my mother in-law was just to state our living situation is that becomes an issue.

Maybe an affidavit from your in-laws saying that you have lived with them since x date? That would take care of the residence stuff I would think. Otherwise I think it looks good!

Yeah, I was thinking to do that. Nothing fancy, just something from my mother in-law stating that we've been living there and together since we got married, helped to take care of my father in-law and paid a few bills, of which I have copies of the checks.

It's been a hell of a month in my household. Our window opened on the 5th, and we were pretty close to being done for a few days following that, but my father in-law went into the hospital and after 10 days of being moved from emergency to ICU to another room, he passed away on the 12th. So we've been dealing with that and my ROC has been put on the backburner.

Anyway, I was wondering if I could get VJ's opinion on my list of evidence if it's all good or if I need anything more:

- tax transcripts 2010 & 2011

- Credit union statements (where we regularly bank)

- Credit union statements (where our car loan is at)

- benefits statements from two different branches of health insurance

- health insurance member card showing me as beneficiary

- reimbursement receipt for my glasses showing my husband as main holder and me as spouse

- copies of driver's licenses

- copies of purchase agreements from when we bought a car with both our names on it

- vehicle registration receipts for 2 years with both names

- copies of car insurance cards showing both names on policy

- copies of visa cards

- copies of Target Red cards

- photos

Anything else I'm leaving out that I should have?

We've been living with my in-laws, so that's why we don't have anything pertaining to mortgage/lease/rental agreement of a house.

You are correct, they are not required. However, I did see a post where someone got an RFE for not including them. I think it depends on the case you can build for yourself.

I will include them, because why not include them, since they are mentioned in the evidence list.

If I were you I'd include them and have your mother in law write one listing the information you mention since it helps fill in the blanks about why you don't have bills/a lease. It seems like that is a place for her to provide the explanation you want them to have.

Well, I was going to write one up for her anyway, just trying to find the best way to word it.

Yes, since you need two affidavits you could have your mother in law write one.

See Evidence of Relationship, number 5.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-751instr.pdf

Do you have health insurance, life insurance, joint bank accounts with 2 names on them? You could also have your parents in law write a lease for you...if that seems appropriate?

I am collecting evidence now too!

Best of luck!

I have copies of health insurance cards and bills from appointments with me listed as the patient but my husband as the main account holder. 2 bank accounts and a car loan with both our names, among other things.

I was just thinking that she could sign one stating what I mentioned before.

And the affidavits are not REQUIRED, but I can include them. I just figured, as we don't have a house, this would be an example of us co-habitating and being financially responsible.

Our window opened on 8/5, but we've been slammed with various family emergencies so I haven't got it out in the mail yet.

Hoping by Saturday or Monday at the latest.

Hiya!

It's been a LONG time since I've posted anything, but figured I have a question that the lovely member of VJ might be able to help me with.

Currently working on ROC. Our window opened on 8/5, but we're dealing with a lot of family issues at the moment and I haven't been able to finish compiling and get it off in mail yet. Hoping by Monday, I'll be good to go.

ANYWAYS... My husband and I still live at home with his parents, due to just not being able to afford to move out, and with my father in-law's various health issues, we need to be around. And currently, my father in-law is in the hospital.

With my I-751, would it be wise to send an affidavit signed by my mother in-law stating that even though we do live at home, we aid with the care and general upkeep of the house and that we pay some bills as well? I have copies of the checks for said bills that we do pay and I suppose I could get copies of the actual bills as well.

Any suggestions would be awesome.

In Iowa, it was flippin' easy! I just had my GC, my still valid BC license, which I was still in the "N" stage of the graduated program, and I think maybe my SSN, maybe not, I can't remember.

I just talked to one of the ladies in the DMV, asked her what I had to do.

I could've kept my BC license, but then I would've had to take the written and driving test. It's not like I'm still going to need it, so they just took my BC license, punched a hole in it, I did a short eye test, they took my picture and I paid $20. Had the temporary one for a few weeks and got the card in the mail shortly after.

Nice and painless.

Heading back to BC in the morning. I'm excited but nervous at the same time.

Hopefully I won't have any hassle at the airport or at the border.

Making sure I have all the info I need with me:

passport - in my maiden name

GC - in my married name

IA DL (for ID at the airport)

copy of marriage certificate

copy of birth certificate (probably don't need it, but better to be safe than sorry)

That sound right? Anything else anyone might think I need?

lol so i've gotten 4 uscis emails now.

first one was status : card production ordered, then decision then card production ordered, now i just got another one saying post decision activity and that my application was approved..

is it just me or the order they send the emails in is mixed up..makes for confusion lol

I noticed that too. With each one I got excited, then kinda mildly happy. I was just glad when my GC got to me in the mail. I think I cried most of that day. Tears of joy. Now to start working on ROC, but after I go back to BC next week for a 3 week visit and get myself FINALLY on track - working, getting myself a car, etc. Then I'll get going on that.

My GC got approved yesterday! (from CSC, no interview)

I didn't have any RFEs, even if i only sent my vaccination worksheet (no I-693). I sent the letter of explanation (for not sending I-693, etc..) i took on this Canadian board and it worked out good!

Good luck to everybody still waiting!

Awesome! Mine got approved from CSC without an interview too. It makes things so much easier doesn't it?

Great to hear!

I've had my GC since November of 2009 and my passport is still in my maiden name. I've never had an issue. I actually don't plan on changing the name on my passport anytime soon, since it's valid until 2014 and I really don't want to give Passport Canada another $90 until its absolutely necessary!

I always fly domestically into Buffalo, NY and then drive across the border, so It's a little different than flying internationally I guess. I book my flights in my married name and use my CO DL as ID in the airport, I use my Canadian passport to enter Canada, and then my GC to get back into the US. I give the CBP my GC and they don't ever ask to see my passport.

Yeah, I'll probably be flying from Moline, IL to Seattle then my parents drive down from Vancouver to come and get me from the airport. My CA passport is still valid until 2012 so I think I may wait until I have to change it to do so.

It's just the booking of the flight that's causing my frustration right now. Like I was saying, my Delta account is still in my maiden name and to change it to my married name they need copies of my marriage certificate, DL... whatever shows and proves my name change. So that's the basis for my frazzled state right now. I plan on heading down in a few weeks and I still don't have a flight. Stupid procrastinating me.

I appreciate the info, though. Thanks.

All you need is your marriage certificate and you will be fine. You may want to look into getting your passport in your new name while you are home....it will eliminate any hassles in the future. I think that you can get expedited service to have it back in 24 or 48 hrs.....not 100% sure on this one but I am sure you can find info on the passport canada site.

Thanks. That helps a little. I was going to take a copy of my marriage certificate anyway, to show the change if my GC needs to be seen. It's just all a little frustrating as I'm still learning all this stuff.

I travelled to Canada in Aug and my passport was still in my maiden name. I booked my ticket in my maiden name so that it matched my passport, then when I presented my AP I asked them if they wanted my marriage certificate, but they understood that I entered on a K1 and that my name had changed with my AOS. Just book you ticket in the name to match your passport and bring your marriage certificate along and you should have no issues.

That's what I was wondering. I've had my GC since about Thanksgiving and I now have that and an Iowa driver's license with my married name. That's what worries me. Having my passport in my maiden name, but all my US ID is in my married name. I'm just a little frustrated and don't know what to do. My Delta mileage account is still in my maiden name as well.

I'm planning on going back to BC near the end of next month, just want to make sure that I'm taking all the necessary precautions in case of something horrible happening, like being stuck at the border.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!!

Just a quick question for those that travelled over the holiday:

how did your experience at the border/customs go if you still have your passport in your maiden name? I'm looking into a flight for next month and wondering if I'm going to get hassled with my passport, marriage certificate and GC.

Arabella, how was your experience?

I wouldn't bother bringing your AOS package or the NOA's. You have your green card now- It's your golden ticket. What is the AOS packet going to prove that the Green Card doesn't?

My passport is still in my maiden name, and my GC is in my married name. I carry a copy of my marriage certificate just in case someone questions the discrepancy. But, it's been a year and nobody has ever questioned it!

I suppose you're right,. I've just been so used to carrying all my paperwork with me.

Yeah, that's what I was going to, just make sure I have a copy of my marriage certificate with me in my passport, just in case someone asks.

Thanks for the info, and the clarification. Like I said, I'm just so used to having EVERYTHING paperwork wise with me, but I really don't need it.

I think that's it. We are leaving on Sunday for Canada and that's what we are bringing.

I was going to ask this question too, actually. I'm heading back next month for a few weeks and was wondering what to bring.

My Canadian passport is still in my maiden name, does that make a difference? I was just going to bring all my NOAs from AOS and my AOS package just to be on the safe side.

I also have my Iowa driver's license too, as a form of photo id.

Well, it's been a productive last few days for me. Got my GC last week, went to the DMV yesterday, got ok'd for an Iowa state driver's license, went to SS today to go and get my card changed.... it's been a long road, I'm glad there's light at the end of the tunnel.

And tomorrow's Thanksgiving!!!

Today was an emotional day in our house.

My GC came in the mail today!!!

I cried and hugged my husband for a bit, just letting it all sink in. Quite a fancy little piece of plastic.

Called my parents in BC right away to let them know the good news.

Yay!!! Soooo happy!!! :D

Grats on GC. 2 months, that must be a record for CSC.

We applied on August 23rd, had my Bio on Oct. 1... yeah, it does seem fast. I would've had it sooner if I started after we got married at the end of May, but I procrastinate.

At least I'm getting it all taken care of before the holidays, so I can fly back to BC in the new year and spend some time with my family.

Thatnks for all the DL feedback, everyone. I'll just have to wait and see what the DMV says when I go in with my husband when he renews his.

Anyways, got the email this morning! GC production ordered!

In Tennessee I needed to show 2 proofs of residency (name on a lease, bills etc), and I needed a drivers abstract (that was less than 30 days old) from my former porvince. I needed my passport as form of ID and my SSN. I originally went in as soon as I had my SSN and got a temp licence valid for the duration of my I-94. Once I had my EAD I went in and had it renewed for the validity of my EAD (~ 1yr). I had to do a little vision test, but no written or driving test. It really varies a lot from state to state, so your best bet is to head down to the DMV and find out for sure. Here is a link to the Iowa DMV website and a section on Foreign Nationals....there should be some info there as well DMV

Good Luck

Thanks for the info. I think I'll just take all my info when I go with my husband when he goes in to renew his license this month and see what I need and what I can get.