poochie909

I finally phoned USCIS. They were very helpful and apologized for the delay beyond the estimated waiting time. They told me a should expect an update within 2 weeks. Its probably been 3 weeks. Still waiting.

Wow, you had a lot of time between when you sent and your NOA1, how come?

No idea. What the consensus on following up with a phone call to USCIS. We are past the 6 month estimate but does that really mean anything?

Hi could I please be added to the waiting list

I751 Sent: Jan 10th

NOA: Feb 23rd

Biometrics: March 23rd

Service Center: WSC

It sucks to be still waiting but there's not much else I can do. We are lucky enough to have a lawyer at this point so just hanging on until we hear from them.

Wrong, depending on the state you live in and the country you are from you can obtain a US driver's license just by proving that your home country DL is still valid.

The best option is to go to your local DMV to find out. (And maybe do a bit a research on the DMV website first just so you know what to expect)

Thanks for your responses everyone. There was no problem whatsoever accepting my UK license as proof of driving experience. Perhaps the 60 day residency time limit only applys to 'out-of-state' motorists...just wanted to see my photo id license card and paper 'counterpart'

Vision test was a breeze and Knowledge test had a few tricky questions so I was glad I'd done my homework. Took about 3 hours in total at the North Bergen site and only cost $21.

Good luck to anyone else doing the test!

Maybe youre confused. When I say 'use' my UK license I mean to confirm my driving experience when applying for a permit at the MVC. I don't have a car yet so I would like to avoid doing the road test. I have no intention to drive in NJ without the proper license.

It's not a matter of machismo.

Seriously. I mean really. Getting a driver license in the US, especially compared to the U.K. (let alone Germany where the training for it costs $2,500) is so easy, a caveman can do it.

Yes, now that you are formally a resident of N.J. for many months, you are required by law to get a New Jersey State driver license. Your U.K. license is still valid, and you can use it to show that you are qualified to operate a motor vehicle, but if pulled over you're risking a ticket. Why wait until the inevitable happens, especially as your auto insurance rate will depend on how long you've been licensed in the US?

So be a man, act like one, even if you are a woman, and take the damn' test and be done with it.

We moved to NJ from NY in July 09 but I didn't need to drive until now. I would prefer to avoid doing the road test, use my UK license and do the knowledge/vision tests...anybody have experience with this?

I got my GC in April 2009. Do they ask how long you've been a NJ resident? Is it likely they could even verify if I said we just moved here a month ago?

We moved to NJ from NY in July 09 but I didn't need to drive until now. I would like to avoid doing the road test if possible and just use my UK license and do the knowledge/vision tests...anybody have experience with this?

Do they ask how long you've been a NJ resident? Is it likely they could even verify if I said we just moved here a month ago?

myfico.com were great. It cost me $11 but was worth it for piece of mind. Customer service were really helpful and just needed some info from my wife's credit card bill (she put my name on as evidence for our USCIS interview).

Since she had pretty good credit I get the same score, so not so much pressure to build my own up from scratch.

Next stop secured credit card from a credit union.

Thanks for your help. This site really is great...I Don't know how we would've got through this whole immigration process with out the support on here.

Still having no luck. Did some research online about the services these bureaus force you into when you pay for a report/score.

Experien tried to sell me some service from consumerinfo.com which has hundreds of complaints. Transunion tried to sell me Truecredit.com with the same deal. Freecreditreport.com has had so much bad press it's a joke.

Went for myFico.com because it looks like the credit scores from the others can be inaccurate and got the same message about unable to verify ID. Hopefully I'll be able to talk to a human on their customer support line in the morning.

Usually the only people you ever need to update your address with are: utility companies, credit cards, and then of course your drivers liscense. The credit cards themselves will actually report your address to the credit bureaus in most cases. Now, not all credit cards report/take info from each bureau though.

Updating with the SS office itself isn't really necessary as they won't have any other dealings with you personally in most cases. They have no connection with your 'credit' at all actually.

It is a good idea though, once you are able to get 'in' to the credit bureaus, to make sure all of your personal information is updated. If it's not, then it will make it harder for those who you might try and obtain credit from (or a bank account from in some cases) to verify your identity. Most use the same methods the credit bureaus use verify your identity. Which is what's on the report itself.

Everything from your current address, previous address, phone numbers, etc. is on your report as well as employment history. So it's a good idea to keep this updated.

Thanks alot for the reply. We moved to NJ from NY in July and I updated my address with USCIS then. I'm now wondering if i should have updated my address with SS as well..just never occurred to me.

Since trying online I realized that these may be trick questions because they were asking about stuff well before I even moved here...but thanks for confirming that.

Thanks for the advice I'll try the pay option with my credit card because its registered to my current address.

The most frustrating part of all this has been trying to actually talk to a human about what to do and get advice.

How long ago did you last move?

I've had a problem with getting my report online because of that before.

Their system takes a few months to update after you move and it might be difficult to get verified.

The system will try and 'trick' you into saying you have certain types of loans open, how much they are for, etc... but I wouldn't worry too much about something actually being on your report.

If you call Experian, Equifax, and Transunion, they can talk to you and mail you a physical copy of your report if you can't do it online. They might ask you to mail something in as you were saying, but if they can't verify online, then this probably is your only option.

You might be able to order it online by paying for it through each agency, because a credit card is one way they can verify your identity as well...... that's if they have enough based on the information given anyway.

I wonder if anyone can help me out with this?

I tried to get a credit report but all of the 3 credit bureaus say they are having problems verifying my identity.

I originally went to annualcreditreport.com and put in my SS#, current address and previous address, name, DOB etc...I was surprised to see some questions asking me to confirm details of a mortgage opened in July 2008 and repayment rates. I clicked 'none of the above' and was told I couldn't get my report because of the answers I had given.

After going to all the credit bureaus separately I got the same message. I did a little research and got worried about identity theft. The advice on most sites say to register a 'fraud alert' with one of the bureaus and contact police/and FTC once you find out if/where you have been victim of id theft.

Since then I have been trying to get my credit report to get details whether my SS# has been compromised to go on to the next step but am getting nowhere.

Ive left messages on automated phone services requesting a report..no response.

Ive faxed Transunion my bank statement with current address/2 gov issued ID cards..called them everyday to get a "call back in 48 hours"

The only response Ive got is an email from Equifax confirming a fraud alert and advising me to alert the other 2 bureaus

I'm confused because I guess the problem is I have moved from the address that I applied for my SS card with. Ive tried making requests using only my original address, only my current, both..same result 'can not verify ID'

Each agency has different requirements for verification by mail, including W2 or pay stubs (which I don't have because I'm still looking for work), and all 3 ask for for me to mail copies all of my most important id docs (which I have recently learned is a big package of pain if it falls into the wrong hands) and say it will be 15 days before I even KNOW if I've be defrauded.

Basically If anyone has had this problem or knows the best way to verify my id and get a credit report ASAP so I can find out if I'm worrying over nothing I would really really REEEALLY appreciate it.

Sorry this is so long. thanks in advance.

Well, I went for my written test a couple of weeks ago. Got perfect on my first try. I highly recommend the DMV Driver Handbook Podcasts! I listened once all the way though, and all the questions on the test were taken straight from that.

Hey. Congrats on getting your license. I was wondering if you had a link to these podcasts. Im studying for the New Jersey written test and could really do with the help.

I can only find podcasts for Connecticut... Im guessing these will be different from the jersey rules or do you think its the same for all states?

Then if you can I'd get a NJ license as soon as possible before the trip. It won't be hard...most driving tests here are dangerously simple compared to what your used to in the UK. (assuming you even need to take the test in NJ....)

Yea im screwed... Its on Saturday. A friend had promised to drive but he has an emergency.

Do you think they will really ask how long Ive been a resident in NJ when applying for a license? I know I updated my address with USCIS in mid July but would the NJ DMV be able to check that (or care)?

What type of insurance coverage does your credit card offer when renting a vehicle? Some will do that.

If not, then it's a gamble to go without insurance.

Best of luck. Drive defensively.

called the card company..they offer no vehicle insurance

The legal position is that you should have a NJ licence. Does the rental company know you are resident here and NOT a visitor?

The practical position is that if you are pulled over and give a UK address and show your UK license and passport then you are unlikely to encounter any problems, providing of course the rental agreement shows the address on your UK licence as your residence. You may even escape a ticket as a courtesy to a "confused tourist" I have known it happen.

If however you have the misfortune to be involved in an accident there is a possibility that the Insurance cover may be revoked, But hey what is a little bankruptcy between friends?

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

That's exactly what I'm worried about.

I didn't go into much detail with the rental people about my residency. I guess it was assumed that I am a tourist and I could see them trying to F me over any insurance claim.

I was hoping I could be honest and use my NJ address and rely on their insurance if anything happened. Don't like the idea of being pulled over since here over a year and have been NJ resident since mid June

Thanks for the replys guys.

My wife doesnt drive so no insurance there. I think NJ/PA recognizes the UK license but not sure if there's a problem because Ive been here for over a year.

My insurance from home has expired so I guess I'll get the most comprehensive insurance policy the rental place offers and just be reeeally really careful out there.

I have my green card and EAD that I usually take with me so that should be good ID

I am a permanent resident from the UK (entered on Sept 14th 08) who needs to rent a car to drive from New Jersey to Philadelphia PA.

I inquired at the rental place about driving with a UK license and they didn't seem to think there would be any problem.

Does anyone have any experience renting and driving in NJ & PA with a UK license and whether there would be a problem with insurance or being pulled over?

that list is suggestions not requirements..

all I would do is include a letter stating that you live with family.. or maybe have her parents write a letter stating that you live with them...

We do not live with her folks.

They own the house, and we rent it from them.

They live in a different house in the same city.

I wonder if other proof of address such as documents, bills, pay stubs, etc will make it up for not having a lease contract.

Thank you so much for replying.

oops....

you could still get them to write a letter saying you rent the house from them..

Ya...

I was thinking I shouldn't bother, but now I am considering doing this..

cant hurt. we got a notarized letter to be careful.

good day, i am getting the documents for adjustment of status, but I do not know, what address should i use?

My husband is deployed right now,and before he leave the US, we have both decided that I will be staying at my parents house in NJ.

what address should I use? my husband address in TX, or my current address here in NJ?

Thank you.I really need help.

Use the best address that you will be able to receive mail at.

We used my wife's (USC) parent's address for mailing (on all USCIS Forms except the G-325A). If you and your husband are able to pick up mail at his Texas address quickly then it's fine.

But I'm guessing you're the beneficiary and will need to have quick access to the documentation sent out by USCIS... to bring to biometrics appointment etc.

Mailing address doesn't really matter as long as a you have quick access to USCIS correspondence and you can explain your address situation at the AOS interview.

Set up an account with CRIS to check status online and receive email updates

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp

but it tends to be slower than phoning USCIS

Also a call to USCIS or InfoPass appointment (once your over the 90 day wait period) might move things along.

I got an Employment Authorization approval letter a few days after i phoned in and asked for a check to be made on my application. I still couldn't work but it was comforting to hear id been approved and would get EAD within 30 days.

We are on the same boat. My interview will be next week and I still dont have my EAD. Ive been checking my mailbox almost thrice a day but still no EAD My husband also needs my SSN for him to claim me on his taxes but I guess the interview will be done by the time my EAD shows up in my mailbox. He will just file for an extension. Now, I'l just focus on preparing all the documents needed for our upcoming interview instead of being frustrated whenever i checked my mailbox. Is it okey if we dont have 2008 tax return on our interview day?

Goodluck to us! Godbless!

I always say, stop at the SS office when coing home from the airport (POE).

You cannot prepare and take the copy of the 2008 return with you, without the SSN.

Not true.

We were in the same position - AOS Interview before EAD arrived or was eligable for SSN.

When filing attach a W-7 form to apply for a Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

This means they can bring the Joint Tax Return as proof of Co-Mingling of Finances to show the Interview Officer...A Joint Tax Return and Joint Bank Accounts were all we needed to fulfill this requirement.

I'd contact an accountant asap. might be worth your while if your worried about having enough financial evidence.

After months of endless preparation and worry, our interview day finally arrived yesterday. My husband and I went over our documents and relationship timeline over and over prior to our interview.

Our officer might possibly have been the nicest person I've ever met. He asked for some basic docs like : both passports, drivers licenses, wedding pictures, date of marriage, how we met and what we do for a living. Pretty much the most basic questions possible. He made jokes with us and said how he wishes all his cases were as clean cut as ours. My husband was approved on the spot and his passport was stamped. He also made this statement which I think would be useful to anyone applying for AOS:

The people who worry are the ones that don't need to, and the people who don't worry are the ones who should.

Get your sh(*&t together before your interview....have at least a tax return or joint bank accounts-preferably both just to seal the deal. Go over the questions with your spouse posted on this forum till you both know everything by heart. Also, look clean cut and put together. I wore a white button down a pencil skirt and sensible shoes. My Husband wore a button down, slacks and a tie.

Thank god for this forum, we have learned so much and it helps to know that there have been countless couples who have been through this process and lived to tell the tale. Good luck to all!

Approved at AOS interview today and got I-551 stamp in my passport. (officer was a total gentleman..cant believe we were so nervous)

anyone know how long it will take to get a SS# if i apply in New York tomorrow...reading it may take up to 7 weeks. was hoping to start working asap

im in the same situation. Its around 95 days since they received my application.

Called the number on my NOA and they said i can either make an info pass appointment to apply for an interim EAD or do it over the phone. I chose to do it over the phone. she gave me a referral number and said they would contact me within 45 days.

update - the call to USCIS seemed to have helped. received letter confirming i have been approved and EAD being produced. Have AOS interview on wednesday and infopass meeting on friday.

Can anyone clarify..am i authorized to work now? I know i cant take up employment until have EAD and fill out I-9 for employer but would like to start going into to my potential employers to get to know the place.