Philiran

Wow - congrats MeggyMo on getting your EAD:) You must feel elated!

Thanks too for the advice, I'll call them tomorrow!

Re: SS process - likewise! We received conflicting information about the process and then when we discovered the wealth of information on VJ, we were within the last 2 weeks of my husband's 1-94 expiring and the clerk said "no can do."

My issue is that the 2-week cut-off is not clear from the SSA website. How should folks know NOT to apply for a SS within that 2-week period? Now I'm stressing about filing taxes because one of my Ethiopian colleagues mentioned that my husband needs a SS card for me to claim him on my taxes. Is that true?

I'm hoping that when he gets his EAD, we'll be able to get his SS or is that even wishful thinking???!!!

Thanks for sharing the informative links kiwirst! It seems to have a useful purpose, having the EAD and Advance Parole on one document!

We just received an NOA that my husband's adjustment of status app was transferred to California Service Center. I recall several of folks in this thread having same happen to them - is is really much faster?

Another question - once my hubby gets his EAD, can he get a SS#, or do we have to wait for his green card to come in? We really missed the boat on the whole SS card issuance:(

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Finally received our biometrics appt. letter for Feb. 9th (we submitted our AOS packet on 12/18/2010 and they received it 12/23/2010). I'll call the Alexandria office and see if we can "walk-in."

How long for the EAD to come after the bio appt.? We still haven't gotten my husband's SS card and missed the deadline when we finally figured out he could get one 2-3 weeks upon arrival (doh!!!)

Also, I'm thinking of changing my name (hyphenate my last name) - would it impact any of the forms my husband filed since I'm the US spouse? I couldn't figure out how the deadline for changing a name in VA but I would imagine the sooner the better!

Glad that everyone's process seems to be working well!!

Ok - thanks, makes me feel comforted! I assumed it was the back-log.

Good to also know that it'll be in Alexandria. For some reason, I thought it would be at Fairfax.

Have a great weekend!

Hey all,

We submitted our AOS packet on 12/18/2010, received NOAs on 12/23/2010 but still no biometrics appointment - should I be freaking out? We're based in the DC area and maybe there's a backlog but still looking at everyone's timeline gives me reason to worry (sigh). Or maybe it's because my hubby is Iranian???!!!!

- S

As far as I know, InfoPass appts can be made in Fairfax. My friends were able to get appts via InfoPass but that was several months back. Recommend that you contact the customer service number and ask. The customer service folks at CIS are pretty helpful and I've had good experiences asking about our AOS packet and I-131...

Received NOAs for the EAD and 485 (yay!). Now all we need to do is to re-file the I-131 along with a copy of the NOA and we should be set! Hopefully no RFEs to come in the mail (aaacckkkkk)

Good luck everyone!

Hi all,

We submitted our AOS packet on Dec. 18 via FedEx and it was received on Dec. 20. We received 2 text messages and 2 emails on Dec. 23rd and now waiting for the NOA to come in the mail (our check was also cashed on Dec. 23).

Through a different topic discussion, it looks like another Dec AOS filer submitted her paperwork before Dec. 15 and already has a biometric appt. scheduled for the second week in Jan - hope we all have the same luck:)

The only snafo we had was a rejection notice for our I-131. We selected the wrong option under section 2 and now have to refile the 1-131 once we get our 485 NOA. Other than that, we're praying that everything gets quickly approved!!! Fingers and toes crossed!!

Merry Christmas and seasons greeting fellow December AOSers! We also submitted our AOS packet on Dec. 18 and received 2 text messages and 2 emails coinfirming receipt on Dec. 23. Hopefully, we'll have a biometric appt. soon after (congrats on getting a quick appt. date)!

Please keep us posted!!!

Ok - I just noticed that this is for January 2010 - duh! Sorry for posting in this group...I meant to send update to January 2011...got confused and I'm blaming it on the holidays and pain of putting the AOS packet together!

I'm in the same boat - submitted all of our AOS paperwork last Saturday via FedEx (paid an arm and a bundle) to get it delivered within one business day and according to the tracking number it was signed and delivered last Monday morning.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any movement with my check (getting it cashed) or texting/email per the G-1145. I am freaking out! Could the delay be for a RFE - doesn't DHS cash the check anyways?

Hi,

My fiance (now husband) is also Iranian and we had our K-1 interview in Ankara. We also received a CD which we surrended at the POE and my husband did not have a DS-3025 which may have been on the CD.

I also told my husband to get all major vaccinations in Iran (since it's so inexpensive) and he brought an up-to-date yellow vaccinations card to his medical interview and all he needed was another shot which was administered by the Turkish doctor.

We filed our AOS last weekend and did not include the 693 form since I'm pretty sure they have a copy of his vaccination card on file. If we get an RFE for this info, we'll go to a civil surgeon to transcribe his vaccinations on the form - but from reading the instructions, it seems that it was not mandatory since every K-1 in Ankara had to get their medicals done by the Turkish doctor (recommended by the Embassy).

Hope this helps!

S

All you need to copy is your father's passport biographical page not the entire thing or if he was born abroad and does not have a birth certificate in the US (like in my case) he might have a Certificate of Birth Abroad - good luck!

Thanks for setting this up! We're about to mail the AOS packet today and fingers crossed for some action in January:)

I did see on other discussions that we should have 4 copies of the G-325? Is that correct? Thus far we only have one and I didn't see any instructions where we'd have to make extra copies.

Let me know your thoughts!!!

We will - thanks!

Great thanks for the clarification! We'll go ahead and file it for the spring/summer:) Hopefully his GC will come by then! When his GC comes, he can travel freely without any hassles, right?

Thanks a lot! This is super helpful! Love the cover letters too...will be using them when we file:)

Kathryn41 BTW - we finally got our Marriage Certificates in the mail. When I spoke to them mid-week the clerk said that no one had recorded it yet and I tried to impress upon her that we need the certificate! It just sucks that we live in the metro DC area but got married in GA so all we could do is communicate via phone and mail for the certificates. It was Fulton County - they should have recorded our marriage 30 days from the event - which would mean on Dec. 7 not Dec 15th!

Thanks - I totally agree! We requested 4 copies, one to carry when traveling and the others for bank, DMV, etc.

So we're about to file our AOS (yay - our Marriage Certificates finally came in the mail!) and were wondering whether we need an I-131. Is the purpose of the I-131 for K-1s who do not yet have a GC or does one need one if my husband gets his GC? I thought all LPRs are allowed to travel abroad once they have their GC - am I missing something?

We'd like to go to Iran to meet his family (they haven't met me yet) but don't know when exactly. Kindly advise!

Thanks a lot for the advice! This blog/forum is waayyyy better than an immigration lawyer - they usually don't have that much time to spare!

What about if my K-1 husband doesn't have a SS? We tried to get one but we were too late - it was during the last week of his 90 days. Can I file for him even though he doesn't have a SS? Should I get an ITIN#?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks all! I ended up calling the USCIS customer service line and the USCIS person (most probably a contractor) was very helpful. He explained that no one should be looking at my husband's status and if stopped by CBP, my husband would be ok because we got married within the 90 days mark. We would only experience problems if my husband was out of status 90 days or 180 days.

He said that while there is no actual deadline for filing the AOS, DHS always recommends that couples file the AOS whenever they have gotten married, as soon as they have everything in order. He said that I shouldn't worry and that I should file the AOS as soon as we have the certified marriage certificate.

Hopefully, if our certificate doesn't come by next week, I'll be able to get a copy in Atlanta. It's just too bad that while our wedding was on Nov. 7, the freakin' country clerk hasn't recorded it yet - even after the instructions state that our certificates would be available for sale 30 days after our event. Sigh...

Ok - will wait to file and cross our fingers TSA or gate agents don't call attention to his I-94! I'll definitely make copies of the I-129 F approval notice and marriage license. Thanks a lot!