Married! Next hurdles...

[Goombah]

Yesterday we were married!  Today we thought we would get some paperwork done and the easy things accomplished.  First rule:  There are no easy things!

Following the guidance of our local county Marriage office (Recorder of Deeds), we dutifly took our Certifide Marriage Certificate copy down the the Social Security office to get her name changed.  "Sorry:  We need DHS documentation showing her status."  'But she is here on a K-1 Fiancee Visa, and per the terms of the Visa we were married yesterday...'  "Yes, the DHS hasn't registered that - come back when you have paperwork from DHS showing they acknowledge she has changed status." 'But we have the Certifide Marriage Certificate showing she has changed status'  "Exactly, she is no long a fiancee, so her K-1 status has changed.  We need something from DHS showing her new status".  'What do you need?'  "Something like an updated I-94, but I'm not really sure.  Call the USCIS office to find out." - end of meeting.

Next we went to the state license office to get her state ID renewed with her married name.  Ignoring the fact that a kid 'served' us, yes, if I didn't know he had to be 16 to work and not be in school, I would have guessed he was 13, that got no-where as well.  His comments:  "Her K-1 visa expires March 16th.  Her updated application will need to go through DHS which will take about 60 days (took 14 last time) - we cannot reissue it here".  Of course, that would mean DHS would be issuing an expired State ID...

Sunday will prove interesting at the airport.  We will have a marriage certificate with us to prove her ID.   The travel agents and recently married friends indicate that will work just fine - but heaven help us if they discover she is a not a citizen.  This is truely frustrating...

Oh well, off to file the I-485 now.  Seems like that wants more paperwork than the I-129F did...

Kevin

[catzenmouse]

Kevin,

 The I-129 is the easy part of this process. AOS is a whole new pain in the @ss! You shouldn't have any problems with your travel as you are staying in the US. Don't know what to tell you about Social Security. We did the same thing you did and got her card in the mail a cople of weeks later. Others here have had similar experiences to yours. Good Luck and a BIG CONGRADULATIONS on your Marriage!!!:D:D:D

Ken

[Goombah]

Thanks Ken.

After we gather everything for the AOS and send it in, how long before we get something back that would allow her to get a state ID, or a drivers license for that matter?  I'm guessing that is at the end of the ~200 day AOS process, but was hoping for some better news...

Kevin

[Admin]

Congrats Kevin!

In the overall scheme of things - the hassles of the BCIS are not all that bad.

Take care,

- Dan

[catzenmouse]

Kevin,

If SS won't give you a number then there isn't much (that I know of) that you can do to get a state ID. You may want to check again with another SSA employee, probably a supervisor, who would possibly know more about what/how to do this. For Elena's Learners Permit we needed her Passport, SSN, a utility bill with her name on it, and the original signed lease for our apartment with her name on it. We fought with them on the lease as they don't keep the originals at the apartment office and they ended up taking a copy after they called the apartment office to verify this. Took us three trips to DMV as they would tell us we needed something, we would go get it and come back then they would tell us they need something else, etc. I was ready to beat some DMV heads by the time we got done with them and all of this was before she could even start the test.

Ken

[Goombah]

Actually, we got her original state ID without issue - noting it was just an ID, not a drivers license, and we got it without a SSN - just her Passport/Visa.  Of course, it is going to expire in a few weeks, but honestly, I doubt most people would look at it that close - so it may have a bit longer useful life.

The SS office really made her feel like she is in limbo - Not a valid K-1 applicant anymore, but not other status either.

I presume we at least get an acknowledgement of receipt for her AOS documents once we file?  e.g.  Something that indicates she is here legally since her I-94 will be expired?

Don't suppose there is anyway to get a new I-94 with a longer expiration date?  That would satisify our State License office, which would then get her a new ID.

Kevin

[Jack]

Congratulations Kevin.
 
Now enjoy life with a Russian woman. Doesn't get much better.

[Bruno]

[size="3"] Congratulations
[/size]

[Bruce]

2nd Bruno  & others.  You should not have no where near the problems of your city cousins in places like Miami and New York.  

[Jet]

I presume we at least get an acknowledgement of receipt for her AOS documents once we file?  e.g.  Something that indicates she is here legally since her I-94 will be expired?

Don't suppose there is anyway to get a new I-94 with a longer expiration date?  That would satisify our State License office, which would then get her a new ID.

 

You will get an I-797 reciept within a month or so after filing AOS. Take THAT I-797 to DMV and you "should" be able to get a new ID good for 1 year. Some states require an EAD card as proof.





 

PS: Congradulations to both of you! :angel:

[RacerX]

Did her K-1 visa expire?  If she has at least a few weeks remaining on it, getting her name changed for new SSA card is easy.

The onliy way you can get a new I-94 is for her to re-enter the US, which she can't do until after you file for Advance Parole as part of the I-485.

My wife's DL "expired" the day after she got it, but funny,  everyone thought it was a typo and she used it for many months.

But once you get her EAD card, everything will be easy to change.

[Goombah]

Racer -

No, her K-1 is still valid - at least we are only around day 65.  But the lady at the SS office claimed that since she married me, her status was changed, and until DHS provides some type of document acknowledging that, they could not change her name on her SS card.  Sounded rediculus to me...

Kevin

[START2]

Hey Kevin,

I haven't visited the forum lately due to much work and just plain tired when I get home.  I see I have much to read especially with the forum changing formats. WOW!!

Congratulations on your marriage!! Today, the 24th, we have been married for 5 months. Much has happened just recently and it will also happen to you soon. I'll try to address as many points as I can that you have posted in this thread.

First of all concerning your AOS. Simply getting married doesn't adjust your status. Only the USCIS can adjust your status. Getting married only moves you to the next step. When you file your I-485(AOS) it will take about a month to receive your receipt. I might mention that at the same time you will file the I-765(This is for her work permit). Besure to file the I-485 for your daughter as well. She won't need the I-765. Send both your wife and daughters I-485 at the same time. You will send them to Chicago and the receipt will be sent to you from Lees Summitt, Mo. Once you get that it will take about 60-90 days to get an appointment at your local USCIS . BTW, we just went to our local office in Nashville yesterday for our appointment. It was quick and easy and they were very courteous. It was about a 4 hour RT for us and my wife and son were scheduled for one day after the other. I called the national office but they would not make the days the same, so we took our chances and took all the documents we needed for both and they gladly did both appointments at the same time. So if this happens to you don't sweat it, I'm sure they will do your wife and daughter at the same time. The documents needed will be the receipt notice of the I-485 and I-765,  your wife's passport with the EAD card(I-94)(expired or not) that she received at POE. If her daughters pic(visa) is attached to her passport that will be good. Also take your daughters EAD card(expired or not). Of course by this time it will be expired. Also take a notarized copy of your marriage certificate. That was all we needed even though we had other docs.  When you arrive, go to the window and show them your receipts. At that time they will ask for the passports marriage cert. They will escort your daughter back for a pic and one fingerprint. I'm assuming your daughter is under 14. Then your wife will be taken back for her pic and 10 fingerprints. No ink these days. It's done from a computer screen. At this point that's it. I was told we'd receive the LPR cards and work permit in 3-6 months. Could possibly be sooner. I understood these cases have priority over the I-129f cases. There is no way to extend her I-94 card.

In limbo? Most definately.  So just sit back and let the process work. Comfort the wife when she gets antsy and impatient.

As far as ID"s go. Get what you can. I tried to get Val a SS card but they wouldn't issue her one. (You can travel to Hawaii on her passport). Actually it wasn't the SSA that refused her it was USCIS. SSA only does as USCIS instructs them. When Val gets her I-765 approved then she can reapply for her SSN. Is it frustrating? Hell yes!!

Your wife can still get a DL. I instructed Val for the TN. Drivers License test. She took the test for a drivers permit and passed. She has what is equivalent to what a first time driver has but can take the physical tomorrow if she chooses. A 16 yr. old has to practice 6 months. Val prefers to practice in town a bit more. I have been the one to train her at this point and it has gone quite well. Here's what TN. required for her to take the test. Passport, a piece of mail with your wife's name and address on it, my ID, and pass the eye exam. She was allowed to take the computer test or the written test. What helped alot when I was at work was that we downloaded the Washington State Drivers License Handbook because it was in Russian. Of course it's not the same but much is exactly the same, so if Val got stuck on something, she did a cross reference.

Congrats once again on you marriage. Hope your daughter is adjusting in school. Our son did just fine and just since August, has advanced to near the top of his class. He won a math contest last week. His teachers are amazed at his improvement. They have only had latino kids in the past and some still know very little english. I'm convinced it starts in the home. Of course when it comes to kids no matter where they are from it starts in the home.

For us, there are still hills to climb. Now we have to deal with the IRS and we've already had a hassle with them. I tried to get my son an ITIN and they turned us down because we sent them too much info. That's right, to MUCH info. I need to file my taxes so all we can do is try again. Wish us luck.

Once again, congrats on your marriage and if we can help, just let us know. All we are doing now is the most recent info.

[Goombah]

Start2!  What a great post!  Thanks a lot.

Kevin

[START2]

Kevin,

Anytime.  That's what all this is about. 

[dostogirl]

Congratulations, Kevin

[Vaughn]

GORKA!  GORKA!

Best wishes, Vaughn

[Maxx]

Congratulations Kevin. Nice family photo too.

 

Maxx

 

[Goombah]

Had a nasty little surprised when I returned home from our honeymoon.  My phone company called and told me they noticed I had been making a lot of calls to Russia, and they had a better plan than the $5/min I was currently being charged!

Apparently Nastya discovered that you could call direct and didn't need to dial that pesty 1-800 number.   Over the past month she racked up a $670 phone bill for $8.38 worth of conversation (via 1-800).

*sigh*

Kevin

[catzenmouse]

Welcome Home!

 Who needs those extra numbers anyway?  How was Hawaii? How was their reaction to the tropical island climate? Details Man Details!

Ken

[Goombah]

Details?  We spent 7 nights at the DragonFly Ranch and one in Waikiki.  The honeymoon suite at the DragonFly was a queen size 4 post bed with a mirrored canopy, in a screened in room that overlook the ocean when you awoke.  The bath and shower were outside, strategicly placed not to be visibile (unless you knew where to look).

There was no "they".  Nastya stayed at the house with my parent (who house sat) and went to school.

Snorkling was great in the Kona area, Jamaica like on Oahu (e.g. not very good).  We snorkled mostly in the bay next to the Place of Refuge, and once in the bay with the Captain Cook monument ("discoverer of the Hawaiian Islands" - strange, I rather thought the polyneasians beat him by a few thousand years).  One morning, spinner dolphins were in the bay, and came to check us out three times.  I counted 52 of them once - and they swam within a few feet of us.  I suspect they would have gotten closer but some idiot was chasing them trying to grab a fin or tail.

Kevin

[Goombah]

[user=297]START2[/user] wrote:

Hey Kevin,

<clip>
 When you file your I-485(AOS) it will take about a month to receive your receipt. I might mention that at the same time you will file the I-765(This is for her work permit). Besure to file the I-485 for your daughter as well. She won't need the I-765. Send both your wife and daughters I-485 at the same time. You will send them to Chicago and the receipt will be sent to you from Lees Summitt, Mo.
<clip>

OK, we are back from our honeymoon and going to try and wrap up the I-485 tonight.  I thought I read on the USCIS that a work permit would be the end result of her adjustment of status.  She is not planning on returning to work anytime soon, do I still need to file the I-765 (EAD)? 

I also read a thread indicating that I needed to file an EAD for her daughter in order to get her a Social Security card (Evia already has one, although it was in her maiden name)?  The SSC is needed in order to be able to claim her on my taxes next year as a dependant (a tax ID number was NOT suggested).  If the AOS results in a work permit, that seems redundant.

We have time, it would be nice if the I-485 was sufficient for both of them!

Likewise, we won't be traveling back to Russia anytime soon (her mother and niece are coming to visit us instead this summer!), so I don't see the need to file the Advanced Parole documents either.  Am I missing anything?

Kevin

[Goombah]

The instructions on the USCIS page are a bit vague.  Technically, she is my spouse now, but I get the sense I shouldn't be filing this as a Family Based Application, since that refers to the I-130...

Ugh.  Suspect I should just follow the form instructions and cry for help when I get confused...

Kevin

[Vaughn]

Kevin:  

We have time, it would be nice if the I-485 was sufficient for both of them!

 

If you've got the time, you can forgo the EAD and Advance Parole for both of them. You'll still need to file new G-325's (no fee) for all three of yourselves, and affadavits of support - 2 of 'em - individually notarized - I know I've told you this before but figure Hawaii might have distracted you, hula skirts and all. BTW, nice trip report, beautiful honeymoon. She's already sampled beaches in three hugely different areas - what's next?

Here's the trend I see happening with respect to AOS. Many cases get forwarded to California now, resulting in Green Cards by mail - but in NO case have I seen or heard of a K-2 child being afforded the same. So, what happens next - if the child's GC is issued (after an interview - we had a 7-year old girl locally who had to interview - sheeesh!) more than 90 days after Mom's is issued, their future processes, particularly Removal of Conditions from their 2 yr cards - become separate processes, that is, you'll file separate I-751's (at twice the fee). IMO only, separating a K-1/K-2 situation only bogs down the system with more interviews & extra caseload, and more uncertainties for applicants (Ho! As if USCIS cares...) They stand fast to the 90-day window rule also, so a mother/daughter getting GC's, say 120-150 days apart will realize vastly different windows for petitioning. All this is later down the line for you; hopefully they're recognizing the extra work they're creating by not handling the cases as a matched pair.

Out of the mouths of babes: The 7 year old who had to interview here for her own GC asked the interviewer, "Can we do this quick? I'm missing school !!"

Congratulations to you and Evia.

Vaughn

PS - But dialing direct is so convenient.

 

 

[Goombah]

OK, just about done with our AOS package but found out Evia doesn't have a I-685A (vacination report).  The clininc told her she only needed that if she was a K-3 applicant!

I suspect we are going to try and just submit the original and translated version of her vacination record, but would appreciate any other suggestions.

Their K-1 Visa expires March 16th.  I know there probably wouldn't be any problem with submitting this a bit late, but it would be nice to get it in under the wire.

Kevin