Betti

I sent copies of the certified copy, since the instructions say to send copies and then bring the original to the interview if requested. But I have just sent off my application and of course don't know yet if I will receive an RFE for it or not.

Good luck!

I am currently waiting for the letter telling me the appointment for the biometrics. I am getting impatient. My NOAs had the dtae 08/19, how long does it usually take for the biometrics-letter to follow? From the timelines here I saw everything from 1 to 9 days. I hope to get it before the weekend!

I got an RFE in email. Yet to get the actual letter though.... Thinking out loud here. waiting.....

Do you have any idea what it might be? Did you make a copy of your package and have a chance to look it up?

I hope it's nothing big that can be solved quickly...good luck!

Hey BigBubble, did you get a certified copy of the marriage certificate? I hope everyone is doing well, I sent the RFE response on Saturday, and it should get to Missouri this week. For those of you who do not know I recieved an RFE for a copy of the marriage certificate, which, as a matter of fact, I sent with both I-485 and I-130. I sent 2 photocopies of a certified copy with the package, so have no clue why the RFE. This time I sent the actual certified copy which cost me $26.50. If they send me another RFE with the same content, then I'm getting a gun!

Keep your timelines updated, and good luck to everyone who just started their process!

Really? You got an RFE for sending copies of the certified copy? That's what I sent, too, let's see if I'll get an RFE for the same thing. This will be interesting!

Good luck for a smoother journey from now on!

Hehehehe.....:-)

My sister from germany was just here for 2 weeks and brought me one bottle of the ketchup and 3 packages of vanilla-Milchreis from Dr. Oetker. I will find a special occasion to eat it very soon, I'm sure ;-)

If your J-1 visa is subject to the 2 year residence requirement, you will not be able to adjust status without a waiver. Check it on your visa, that would probably be the first step to take before you can even start to adjust status.

You will need a co-sponsor, since your husband does not have any income. But you said your parents in law will help you in this regard?

Good luck.

My favorite German things:

Hela Gewuerzketchup - the one with the light green lid

Knoppers

Nippon

Milchreis

Thueringer Rostbratwurst - the small ones

Pumpkinseed-roll with a thick slice of cheese on it. I told my mum she will have to greet me with one at the airport when I come to visit next year :-)

Thank you for the answers...it sounds rather complicated to do all this.

My current passport is still vaild for a bit, I guess next time I am in Germany I'll just go and get "abgemeldet", so I can apply for my passport through the embassy in Houston when it's time to do so.

Thank you!!!

Hi y'all,

My husband and I just got married a week ago and I am trying to figure out, where to go to change my name and get new documents.

I am in the US on a J-1 visa right now, just applied for AOS. I am still "gemeldet" in Bremen, Germany. Do I have to go to the Buerger-Service-Center on my next trip to Germany, bring my marriage certificate and apply for a new passport in my married name? Can I do that from Texas somehow, through the consulate maybe? Also, will our marriage just be valid in Germany or do I have to go somewhere and let them check the certificate to make it official?

So many questions, I hope some Germans have been there before and can help me out :-)

Thank you in advance and have a great Sunday!

Bettina

Hi there!

I am currently here with a J-1 visa which is still valid until 9/19. I just got married last Saturday (8/8) to my wonderful husband and sent out the AOS via FedEx 2 day-delivery yesterday. My package is in Memphis, TN right now :-)

Good luck for a fast and smooth journey to all of us!

Yes, I do have a SSN already with my J-1 visa. So I can just go to the SS office on Monday, show them my passport and marriage certificate and get the card changed into my married name, even though the j-1 expires on 9/19?

Thanks for your answers!

Hi y'all,

I have yet another question.

I will get married on Saturday (yay!) and am planning on sending out my AOS package on Wednesday. I plan on going to the SS office on Monday, to get my card updated with my married name. I thought I could just bring my marriage certificate and passport, with the J-1 visa showing the expiration date 09/19.

Now I heard that this might not be possible, as my visa is about to expire and the SS office will not produce a new card in this case. Does anybody know something for sure here and might be able to tell me, if I will be able to get the new SS card?

Also, I know that Texas only gives out drivers licenses, if you have a visa that is still valid for at least 180 days from the day of applying. Does that mean I will have to wait for my greencard to get the license switched over into the married name?

Thank you so much for your help!

Betti

Thanks for the quick answer, Bobby_Umit!

I appreciate it if you or anyone could explain about G-325A a little more clearly.

So if my husband is USC and he is the petitioner of me, the beneficiary...filing for I-130,

On my husband's G-325A, on the little box on the bottom of the form, he writes his name as an applicant.

On my G-325A, on the little box on the bottom of the form, I write my name as an applicant.

Am I correct?

Yes, that is correct!

Thank you for the quick answers!

One more question...did you submit the extra page only once or 4 times, 1 for each page of the G-325 A?

PS do not forget to have one for each page of the G-325

Wow, you answered my question before I asked it! Thanks! :-)

Hi y'all,

I am sure that this question has been asked and answered before, but my search on this site as well as USCIS was not successful.

I am preparing my AOS package at the moment and my fiance has lived in 9 different places over the last 5 years. There is only space for 5 on the G-325 A. Do I just submit an extra page with this form to list the other 4 on it? If so, do I make a note of some kind on the G-325 A itself (something like "to be continued on extra page"?) and how do I format the extra page (name and address is enough?)

Thank you for your answers and sorry for not finding it myself!

Bettina

Why do you file I-485EZ instead of I-485?

I do file the I-485.

I file the I-864 EZ instead of the I-864, because my husband-to-be has a high enough income to sponsor me without assets and we meet the other criteria for this as well.

The answer for the alien number would be to write None in the field, since you don't have one and shouldn't leave the space blank. If you entered the USA as a visitor without any visa, yes, your current status is Visitor.

Confusing papers...I just filled out my AOS paperwork, too and it took quite some time :-)

Congratulations! And thank you for your detailed post, it's always interesting to read about the interviews!

Tank you Melian and Terry D., that helped a lot!

It's tough in the beginning to understand how everything works, takes some time to figure it out. :-)

They don't have to be certified for the application anymore, as it says on the USCIS website. Just provide the original at the interview if requested.

Hey guys,

I would like to ask for your opinions. I will send in my AOS package in the second week of August and am preparing everything now to try to stay ahead of it a bit. I am adjusting from J-1 and that is still valid until 09/19, but I will get married on 08/08 and will send in my application as soon as I get the marriage certificate.

So if you have time, I would be VERY thankful if you could look over this list and tell me if it is complete or if there are errors in it...Thank you!!!

1 coverletter for the whole package (all of it together)

1 coverletter for I-130 (this package includes the I-130, the G-325 A for both my fiance and me)

1 coverletter for I-485 (this package includes I-485, G-325A for me, I-693, I-864-EZ)

1 coverletter for I-765

my fiance (then husband) the USC has to complete:

G-325 A (all 4 pages) with 2 passport-pictures

I-130 with a copy of the birth certificate, a copy of the marriage certificate and a check for $355 (do we have to attach any pictures here as well?)

I-864-EZ with the W2 of 2008, the 3 most recent tax returns and either the last 6 paystubs or a letter from the employee, confirming the employment and salary

I read somewhere that the I-864-EZ has to be notarized, is that correct?

I have to complete:

twice the G-325 A (all 4 pages) with 2 passport-pictures (1 for I-130 package and 1 for I-485 package?)

I-131

I-485 with 2 passport-pictures, a copy of the international birth certificate, a copy of the pass (all pages, including the J-1 visa, the I-94 and all empty pages), a copy of the marriage certificate and a check for $1010

I-765 with copy of passport pages biographics and J-1 visa, copy of I-94 front and back, copy of marriage certificate and 2 passport-pictures

I-693 in the sealed envelope from the civil surgeon (I will go next monday to do the medical exam!)

Now I have another question...I read somewhere that the USC must copy all pages of the passport (including empty pages) and attach it as well. But which form do I need to attach it to?

So all together I would need 2 pictures of the USC and 6 of myself, right?

As you can probably tell, I am confused :-/

Thank you!!!

Thank you!

I have just found out that Pro Med South here in Austin does it for $177, if I don't need any vaccinations. And I think I have them all. Yay!

No problem.

If your J-1 will expire after you have already applied for AOS, that's no problem. As soon as you have the NOA 1 your status chages from J-1 to pending for AOS and that allows you to legally stay until there is a decision for your AOS. The work permit usually takes about 90 days from the day of your application, so you will have a few weeks where you can't work. As soon as your case is approved and you receive your greencard, your status will change from pending to conditional greencard-holder and then you will be good for 2 years :-)

The expiration of your J-1 does not affect the AOS application at all.

As soon as you have the marriage license you can send in your application.

That should read "marriage certificate". A license is worthless as far as AOS goes.

Thank you, Eric-Pris, of course I meant the certificate, not the license. Sorry about that!

Thank you for your responses!

So it's the most inexpensive way to get the shots at a normal doctors office and then go to the civil surgeon for the I-693?

And the $240 are a normal price for it, too, right?

Thanks again!

Hi y'all,

I will get married on August 8th and try to get the AOS papers all filled out beforehand, so I can just send out the application right after the wedding.

I was trying to find a civil surgeon in Austin, TX for the I-693 part of the AOS, and would like to ask if anyone here has a good recommenadtion on where to go?

I looked up the list of civil surgeons online, and started calling different offices to make a price check, but was unlucky in reaching most of them. Dr. Arnold stated a price of $420, if I still need all the vaccinations, "something around $240" if I have all of them. That sounded a bit pricey to me, but then I don't really have any idea how much it should cost.

Any tips for me?

Thank you!