LaneAndDaisy

Left the house at 7am with husband and arrived around 9:15am in Sacramento. There's a long line outside the building, so I waited until about 9:30 to go in (since their appointment letter mentioned to arrived not sooner than 30 minutes before your appointment time). Went through the x-ray machine, then to the second floor (2-200) and there were several people waiting, some with their attorneys (suits and all). I placed my appointment letter in the window box (that was around 9:40am). There are people who arrived after me and got called earlier, I figured their appointment time must be early but they just arrived late, and so i just patiently waited for my turn. Then there's this guy who just arrived (past 10am) and placed his letter in the window box and after 1-2 minutes was called in, then another guy butt-in (pardon the words) and asked the IO, "we were here since (not sure what time) and he got called in?". The IO asked him: "what time is your appointment?" and he answered: "9:30am". Then he was asked to wait and they will looked into it, meanwhile the guy that was called went in to the room. After 5 minutes, they called the other guy- well, actually it's his wife who is for interview, and when she approached the IO, she said: "finally". Her interview took a lot longer than others, maybe the IO is getting even with them?

10:40am, I was called in. My IO's name is Gloria and she was very nice and polite. She told me sorry for the delay and I said: "that's OK". While we are walking to her room/cubicle, she's already asking me if I still live in the same address and I said "Yes, in Cottonwood", and she asked where that is, and I replied: "near Redding" about 2 hours drive from here, and she said: " then you must have woke up early to get here, at least it was not like 4 hours drive."

In her room/cubicle and asked me to remain standing, asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth, etc... and I said yes then I was asked to take a seat. She went through my (thick) files, and went over my N-400 Application form, went through all the questions (one by one) and checking each numbers with a red ink pen. What's your husband's name and date of marriage, date of birth and when I said his birthday is on the 9th, she said "that's close, do you have a gift?" and I replied: "No, not yet, don't have time to buy, but I will.", she smiled.

Then she asked me if I studied the 100 questions and I said yes. She also asked if I studied alone or if my husband helped me. I told her, my husband helped me and I that I also asked my husband those questions and that he cannot answer all. She laughed and told me that is fine because she, herself, cannot memorize all the answers to the 100 questions.

The questions asked:

1. What is freedom of religion?

2. How many senators are there?

3. What ocean is in the East Coast?

4. Name one state that boarders Canada?

5. When was the Constitution written?

6. What is the supreme law of the land?

Then she asked me to read a phrase: "What we pay..."

Then asked me to write: We pay taxes.

Then she wrote 6 and congratulated me. Took a piece of paper (N-652- Naturalization Interview Result) and gave it to me then she went through the N-400 forms again and remembered my 2009 ITR and gave her a copy. I was not able to send in my 2009 ITR with my application because I submitted my application early (February) and all the paperworks are with our CPa, but I did sent a copies of our W-2 forms (mine and my husbands). She told me the oath taking will be on the 17th @ 8:30am and advicved me there's no parking area at that place and I should parked far and just walked and in that way I will not get stucked with the other people attending the oath taking. She said they schedule 800 people for the oath taking. She asked me to sign the forms, and write my full name on the picture ID's. Then we went to this other room and she asked the man there to do this one before he went to lunch. She asked me to wait at the waiting area and she said, congratulations again, and I said Thank you and have a great day.

After less than 5 minutes, the guy called me and gave me Form N-445 (Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony) and explained the procedures, what to bring and the map/location.

And that's my interview experience. Thanks to VJ members for all the advices since I started my journey (CR-1), it's a big help.

congrats po ...may i ask how many years do we have to be in US for the Naturalization?and where can u get these 100 questions to study???im just curious but I know someday Ill plan to get it too...

thanks...

hi there..u seem to need lil help there...yes, u should see a local civil surgeon in ur place to transcribe ur vaccination records to I-693 form...if u need more shots here in the US, u can either have those shots in any local health clinic in ur place or if money isnt an issue to u, u can get the shots in ur civil surgeon's clinic..they also administer it there but price of shots may be costly. I can tell u to keep on looking and call the CS on the fon and inquire about their fees and there u can decide which one offers the best service at a less cost..Some peeps here say some CS try to rip off their applicants by charging way to high..another thing, if ur medical in ur country (before u came to US) is less than a year, ur not supposed to have a complete medical here in the US..just fill out parts 1,2 and 5 of 693 and make sure u sign the form in the presence of ur CS..he/she needs to sign there as well...after all these, u will be given a sealed I-693(for submission with ur AOS packet) and ur personal copy..make sure u wont open the sealed copy..it wont hurt u but u can also include a photocopy of ur vaccination record(in ur country where u had ur first medical for K-1)in ur AOS packet...

Just so u know, some people here get an RFE(request for evidence)for I-693 because they failed to submit it..It will only delay the process then..

Good luck

please read this post..and ull see why some people get RFE for I693 and u can also find the link on how to locate ur local civil surgeon

good luck

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/101202-faqs-forms-i-693-and-ds-3025/

a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to u.......expect the WELCOME NOTICE in the mail soon ....

Alright, my wife arrived in march 20th, just got married on May 15th.

We got the:

I-864

G-325

I-485

i-765

Applications filled out and ready to go. We are unsure how she gets a social security card. We're just wanting to make sure we have everything prepared before mailing anything out. We got this far and don't want anything ruining it! xD

Also

All the info from her medical check-up for the k-1 visa was taken at the PoE airport. She doesn't have any medical info, like proof of vaccinations. Was that in that envelope?

Thanks!

hi...i came here on a K-1 visa too..and ur ready to go but dont u want to fill out form I-131 for Advance Parole / Travel Document Form (so ur wife can come back to the US in case of emergency in her family and she needs to go home to her country while waiting for her GC??)its already included in the AOS fee so why not just include it??...but once she gets her Permanent Resident Card / Greencard that will suffice everything(employment and travel)...and another form G-1145 which is the E-Notification form so USCIS will inform u via email and sms that they received ur packet..this form doesnt cost a cent and its just a 1-page form

p.s regarding her SSN, she can apply now..if in case SS office doesnt want to give her SSN yet under her married name (just like what happened to me) wait till u get the AOS NOA or hardcopy of ur AOS and u can show it to SS Office and u can apply...but its better if u apply now )

good luck

My EAD approved last May 01,2010 and until now,im still waiting in the mail.

hi there Joy..dont worry about not getting ur EAD card yet unless u plan to start working before ur AOS interview..once u have ur GC/PRC, it will suffice everything, I mean ur AP and EAD...I also heard and read in some posts here that some IO during the interview ask applicants to surrender the EAD card and AP dox..

good luck on the 20th...dont forget the PP (Prayer and Preparation)

Ok, thought I knew what was going on with K1, now feel like I'm in college after high school and need some help confirming everything.

Reading the guides, I've got my wife's G325A, I-131 Travel Document, I-864 Affidavit of Support, and I-485 ready for sending. I also have the I-765 which is the Employment Application ready. Is there anything I'm missing? Will the $1030 fee cover all these forms?

Thanks much,

hi there...i guess ur good to go with ur AOS papers...but im just wondering why u didn't include form G-1145..its a 1-page form for E-notification..as soon as they receive ur AOS packet, they will inform u via email and sms..this costs nothing anyway..make sure u have one 1145 form for ur 131, 485 and 765

btw, they added additional $20 fee for the AOS??i remember hubby paid $1010

good luck

CONGRATS! it means ur approved! u dont have to experience the hassle of going to USCIS for an interview...cool...

My wife just got her EAD approved on May 13th and on the site it lists "Document Production" and says that it will be mailed in 30 days. Does that mean 30 days at the latest or do people usually receive their EAD pretty quick at this point?

/quote]

hi Sage...u must expect that after a week..i was notified online through USCIS website about the card production on 4/9/10..that was the first touch i got..and then touched again on 4/14/10 and finally, i got it in mail on 4/16/10...the 30 day time frame is the most they can assure the applicants...my guess is that applicants nowadays get their AOS approval faster than from years ago....

good luck...

thank you Aya and MorrocogurlNY...god bless

Hi everyone..im so elated because I passed my AOS interview today in Milwaukee..

Now I need to wait for my GC/PRC after 2-3 weeks..Thank you VJ for the help..I read posts here about AOS interviews and mine today was a smooth one..The Interviewing officer was not nosey at all. Hubby was of course with me today...

He just asked me to show our state ID's, PP and our original marriage certificate; he wanted to see some bank statements and pics..thats it..and most of the questions he asked were based on my I-485..He didnt even ask me to surrender my AP dox and my EAD card...to those who will have their interview soon, pls. dont worry..Prayer and preparation are ur best defense...I can rate this interview A+ and better than the one at the US embassy in manila

Thank you VJ for the info coz most of our stuff from I-129 to AOS were all tutored by VJ online

P.S. The IO informed us that in 3 yrs after my "removing of condition" stage for the 10-yr.GC, I can apply for a citizenship by taking a test..isnt that wonderful??anyway, one step at a time....

Muchas gracias!

daisy

hi folks..ive some couple of questions for those who have knowledge about this query of mine:

im just wondering if there is a different biometrics and interview sched for the EAD and AP cards? as u can see in my tmeline, my case was not transferred to CSC, and I already have my interview date for my AOS.

do they normally arrive before the GC?

after my biometrics last March, ive not heard anything for my EAD and AP application..i hope to get an sms or notice that those cards are ready for production...i know and im aware that im still within the normal time frame and maybe im just too excited to receive them soon...

i would love to hear ur comments/answers..

muchas gracias

hi folks...just curious..

which comes first in AOS timeline???the RFE or the Biometrics Appt. Letter? once u have the letter and the appt. date for biometrics, does it mean ur simply safe from having an rfe???again, just curious and oh boy it will be a relief if its true...

what a loss for her family in the PI and here..May she rest in peace and God will be there for u in heaven...

our condolences...

for the husband, we're praying for ur speedy recovery..

we are very sad to hear about this accident...

congrats dain and vicky...at last ..the beautiful PI eagle has landed in the home of the GB Packers...

pls. post some pics of u and Vicky together if u wont mind....

paint the town red

lane and daisy

thanks..we will do that...god bless

thanks for the info..yes we will try to give them a call tomorrow via their hotline if not we will directly go to the SS office and see if they have a different lady in charge at the counter..

yes the I-94 is valid till the 18th of March...

K-1 Visa process.

Applied and received SSN, in Maiden name, 2 days after she arrived, 12/18/2009.

In Wisconsin, SSN is required for Marriage License.

Got marriage license and got married 1/29/2010, left courthouse with Certified Marriage Certificate.

Went to SS office to get new SS card with new name after the ceremony, but SS person said that we can't get replacement card until we get EAD.

I am preparing AOS (I-485, I-765, I-131), all in new name. I plan on submitting next week.

Question, is it correct that we can't get new SS card without EAD?

A CENOMAR ( Certificate of No Marriage) is only required for beneficiaries who has never been married in their lifetime ( single never been married ).

For your fiancee, she needs to get her MArriage ceritficate with annotation of her anullment.

Goodluck on the journey.

hi po ate myls...u know when i had my interview, the pre screener asked for both my cenomar/cemar and annotated Marriage Certificate to prove that the marriage was already terminated...but maybe its a case to case basis...depends on how nosey the pre screener /CO is

how are u now???im already here in WI...miss u po...we are getting ready na for our AOS..hope u can help me later with the forms..muchas gracias..daghang salamat ate

hi there B and C..i was married too before in the PI to a fil. guy..ur fiancee may not need exactly a cenomar ( CErtificate of NO MARriage) but indeed she needs a CEMAR ( CErtificate of MARriage)..doesnt matter what she will tell the NSO when she applies for one coz NSO will know anyway..and since she was married what will appear there is her maiden name with her former husband's name, date and place of marriage if her first marriage was registered..if not it will appear as she is single...so bottom line is, whether a cenomar or cemar, NSO will still issue her a copy..and the CO and pre screener will surely ask her if she got it ..btw, she will also be asked by the pre screener/ CO to present the annotated marriage certificate where it says her marriage is null and void, place and date of annulment granted etc....

i think if ever the USEM will ask for her cemar and she doesnt have it, she might be under AP/AR coz she lacks 1 dox...

good luck to u guys,,,,and god bless

congrats po ate movi..finally po..soon ull be here with ur fiance and daughter...

muah..

daisy

hi John and Tin... i checked this post from the Admin under AOS ...i believe Nevada has lots of CS accredited by the USCIS..try other civil surgeons..I called and asked first on the fon what will be required of me before they will transcribe my I 693 form...at first they told me I need to undergo again a complete medical and physical exams here...but that was before my fiance called again their hospital and explained that my medical in the PI was taken less than a year..so only PARTS 1, 2 and 5 of the I-693 will be filled out by the CS..just let Tin bring her vaccination record and Chest Xray CD from St. Lukes and if she needs more shots here, she can get it in another health clinic where the shots are cheap but make sure to get a card of that shot she'll be taking..but I heard she wont need one till next year..

here it is:

Q: Do I need to complete another full medical to adjust status?

Per Section 1245.5 in the Code of Federal Regulations, a medical examination shall not be required of an applicant for adjustment of status who entered the United States as a non-immigrant spouse, fiancée, or fiancée of a United States citizen or the child of such an alien as defined in section 101(a)(15)(K) of the Act and §214.2(k) of 8 CFR chapter I if the applicant was medically examined prior to, and as a condition of, the issuance of the non-immigrant visa; provided that the medical examination occurred not more than 1 year prior to the date of application for adjustment of status.

Q: I received an RFE for Form I-693 and my medical is less than one year old.

Sometimes the medical gets "lost" during the transfer. It is entirely possible that you may receive an RFE for the vaccination supplement (Form I-693), and possibly even for the full medical (Form I-693), even if the medical is current. Here is a helpful post from someone who was able to relocate a lost medical.

Hey I have some good news that I wanted to share so that hopefully others will benefit. I contacted my congressperson who contacted the National Benefits Center and they found my husband's medical. According to the congressman's office, there are two files, a temporary and a main file, and my husbands medical report was in the other one dry.gif

We got an email today from the USCIS that our case is back in processing.

So if anyone else gets this RFE contact your congressperson. I would not even waste your time with infopass. Our case was back to processing literally 1 week after I called the office, and 1.5 weeks after the infopass. Plus we saved a lot of money on another medical

To find a Civil Surgeon in your area you can link here to use the USCIS Civil Surgeons Locator.

hi there..i used my PI address simply because the lady court clerk asked for my street no. & name, city and country where i was born and lived before coming here to the US...so I guess it will appear in my MC..but i dont think it will cause any problems, ryt guys??? but we aint married yet..in a week,,so soon.. B) never been this excited and nervous although this is my 2nd marriage...

god bless and muchas gracias

daisy and lane

Daisy is 2 weeks shy of her 35th birthday. She had some vaccinations at St. Lukes in Manila, and she is scheduled for 2 more vaccinations on Feb 1 here in Wisconsin, one of which is Tdap, and the other is varicella. She did have chickenpox when she was young. She will be going to a local civil surgeon on Feb 2nd to have her DS3025 transcribed to the I-693 for $40.

Two questions:

1. Is the varicella vaccine generally required for AOS?

2. Is the varicella vaccine still required if you had chickenpox at an early age, and if not, how would you prove it?

Thanks, Lane and Daisy

hi konkris...hope this will help..soon we will apply for AOS too...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=307

daisy and lane

congrats dain and vicky....soon ull be together...yippie!!!!!!!!!!