ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravelling with 2 year Green Card
I should have mentioned though ...

If you decide not to change your passport, I suggest that there are two critical things you do need to do as soon as you can, and prior to booking anything -

1: Call your preferred airline/s and check their policies regarding these issues - if they'll let you on their planes you're all set because USCIS don't care about any of that as long as you have your valid Green Card when you present yourself at the US POE on the way back.

2: Take your original marriage certificate with you on the trip for the airline check in process (assuming that it does actually show both your married and single names of course!)


Anyone else from the UK have any personal experience regarding the passport amendment thing?

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 19 May 2006 - 12:01 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2006-05-18 23:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravelling with 2 year Green Card


Hi there,
I kept my old passport in my maiden name and used that as the woman at the INS did not change my name, the person I talked to on the BCIS phone line said its best to have them in both, I hope you get thru alright!!!! Have fun though!!!!! :dance:

Hi! I would like to add some information here.
If you don;t wanna have any problem with your last names at all you should send your passport to the Consulate of the country you are from which located here in the United States with the request for to stamp your passport on the last page with your married name. I;ve personally already done that and they've charged some sort of fee for that ,so you should call your embassy here and ask them about the fee and the rest.
My consulate did that for me.
Hope this information will help. :)
Take Care!.


I travelled with American Airlines to and from the UK last month and I had booked my ticket in my married name but my passport was still in my single name. We were marrried 6 months before and there was no problem at any stage during my trip - I had my original marriage certificate with me throughout the journey and that did the trick. And before anyone tells me ... yes, I do realise that some people believe that the airlines don't or shouldn't do that since 9/11 ... but the fact is that some do, regularly and without any fuss or bother. In fact it was the airline that suggested I book in my married name to match the updated name on my airmile account! :thumbs:

You certainly can get your UK passport 'amended'. However, as I understand it anyway, (having briefly checked into that idea before my trip because I wanted to do the same as the OP (my UK passport is less than 9 months old) - you have to pay the same as you would to get a new one, so there's little point in just getting an amendment, you might as well have the new one instead. Mind you ... if they would simply add the new name and leave the old name in there too ... well I guess that would be more worthwhile because it would still be ID for certain UK based things ... I maintain a UK credit card and use it from time to time here in the States to buy secret prezzies for my love. :luv: Hmm, perhaps I'll look into the amendment option again. :reading:

Anyone else from the UK have any personal experience?

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 18 May 2006 - 11:44 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2006-05-18 23:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion2 year Green Card and Traveling
Been there, done that, had no problems in either direction, :thumbs: BTW, I had my ticket in my married name just to complicate matters. :devil: Most people would probably choose to use the name that matches the passport, however, either option is absolutely fine with American Airlines at least, as long as you do as pilot's girl advised and make sure you take the original marriage certificate on the trip, and as long as the certificate shows both your names on it ... The check in agents simply made a note of the details on their computer when I checked in each time. I would suggest checking with your prospective airline as to their particular preference on that issue though.

Have a great time!

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 26 May 2006 - 01:49 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2006-05-26 13:48:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card/Abandoning Status Issues
Hi there,

Looks like you've already had lots of good advice already.

I've just one other thought to add ... I was wondering - depending on your financial circumstances of course - would keeping your current home in the USA and renting it out while you're away (at least until you decided your future) be enough to satisfy the requirements? Just a thought.

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 01 May 2006 - 08:58 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2006-05-01 08:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSome general questions
QUOTE (daphne2109 @ Mar 28 2008, 02:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi all,

I have some questions to ask, (so sorry if some of them are repetitive):

1) what's the meaning of the abbreviation TSC, which I have seen it here in some messages?

TSC = Texas Service Center = One of the various USCIS immigration paperwork processing offices' (Which one you need to use is listed in the official I-751 instructions and depends on your address.)

2) is it mandatory to attach photocopy of passport of the no USA citizen along with photocopy of the 2 year green card, the Form I-751 & the other photocopy docs?

Nope, the passport is not mandatory, in fact you don't need it at all. You must include a copy of both sides of the relevant green card.

3)the affidavit letter of support written by a US citizen friend of the couple must be notorized or sworn, or it can be just written & signed by the US friend of the couple without any notorization ? What's the difference (if there is) between notorized or sworn? (sorry I'm confused by that!!!)

You'll discover there are a multitude of opinions here about the affidavit thing - whether or not they must be notorized or even if you need the darn things at all. However, here's a set of 'Notarial Definitions', quoted from the Texas State Office of Risk Management's 'Notary Public Info For State Employees' web page ...!

AFFIDAVIT: A voluntary declaration of facts, written down and sworn to or affirmed by the declarant ("affiant") before a Notary Public or other officer having the authority to administer an oath.

AFFIRMATION: The act of affirming the truth of a document, not an oath. "I solemnly affirm and declare the foregoing to be a true statement." Note that an affidavit may appear in two forms: a sworn affidavit with oath, or an affirmed affidavit with affirmation. Each has the same legal import.
Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-28 03:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussiontraveling with green card
QUOTE (iansig40 @ Mar 29 2008, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just take your GC and your Romanian passport and you should be fine >there is no need for the other documents !
Have a nice trip !


Unless you've been able to change the name in your passport, I would agree with the earlier posts recommending you take your marriage certificate as well. (Possibly with a certified Romanian translation as well - although I expect Romanian immigration officers are used to seeing that type of document in English.) Having all three items should make sure there's no excuse for any immigration staff giving you any grief at either airport. smile.gif

Have a great time. good.gif

Brit

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 30 March 2008 - 01:46 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-30 01:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLost my copy of I-751 and submittals
QUOTE (motu @ Mar 30 2008, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There is really nothing special about the I751 package - no notarized statements etc. are needed, only copies of lease/rentals/bank/medical/insurance statements are submitted - you can recreate the packet without much work the way I see it. Good Luck


Motu -
I assumed the OP meant the originals of whatever the OP sent have gone astray, which would mean it couldn't necessarily be recreated exactly ... That's how I read it anyway. But of course I may have misunderstood. I agree a similar version would certainly be doable, either using different months' statements or trying to get the relevant companies to produce duplicates, no doubt for a price. (Tammi - thanks for mentioning that the tax man will send copies too!) Unfortunately it would get more complicated if the OP didn't have joint deed/mortgage/lease docs and included one off items such as letters, affidavits, receipts, whatever else. But hopefully the OP only wants the darn thing for its comfort value anyway! wink.gif

All the best,

Brit

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 30 March 2008 - 12:48 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-30 12:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLost my copy of I-751 and submittals
QUOTE (prvisa44 @ Mar 29 2008, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
HI,

I lost my copies of my I-751 and my submittals. Is it possible to request a copy of this from the USCIS and how do I do it.

THANK YOU.


Sorry to say it's very unlikely you could get a complete copy from them. There's a possibility you might be able to get a copy of something specific, but you would have to call them, or try asking at an Infopass appointment, if those are available in your area. You could try writing to the relevant service center's director, perhaps ... appeal to their humanity, good nature, whatever works! I reckon it might be better to ask for a copy of something specific rather than the whole thing.

To show miracles can happen ... We screwed up at our AOS interview stage, but we were lucky and had a decent interviewer guy. (I think he and Kyle ('Tex') had both been tankers in the military, or something like that.) Anyway, we were all chatting so much we both forgot to ask him if he could make copies of the tax papers and let us have the originals back. Luckily we remembered the interviewer's name afterwards, so we wrote to him explaining our mistake and asking if he could possibly make copies and return the originals. He actually did help, although he provided copies not the originals, and I had to go back to the center to collect the envelope quietly from the security guard at the door ... cool.gif but if we ever get audited we can show we once had the paperwork now. huh.gif That's better than nothing, we hope!



Anyway, good luck and let us know how you get on. good.gif

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 30 March 2008 - 02:19 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-30 02:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJust filed I-751 Alone..
Welcome to VJ.com!

It's such a shame you've got to go through this alone, but sounds as though you've got your act together there. yes.gif And Ashish is quite right, there are other VJ'ers here in a similar position.

Things do move slowly here in Texas, so don't worry about not hearing anything yet. For example, the TSC signed for my package on March 10th but I only received a biometrics appointment NOA (Notice of Action) yesterday, almost a month later. Others filed before me and still haven't heard anything. In theory everyone receives some kind of letter confirming a one year extension, but as far as I know hardly anyone who sent their file to TSC since January 2008 has received one yet.

Almost everyone here is friendly and willing to help, whatever your current marital situation (as long as it's legal!) So don't be afraid to ask questions, though it is appreciated if you try searching previous forum threads, guides and FAQs first.

All the best,

Brit
AKA Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 09 April 2008 - 02:08 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-09 14:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionClose call! Biometric apptt in 8 days!
QUOTE (Collie @ Apr 9 2008, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thats good to know. We will be filing our I-751 packet at the end of April and will be on a cruise during mid May, and I just hope that the letter won't come while we are away.

Kat


It looks as though you have two options, depending on your 90 window. Either postpone filing until a week or so before your cruise (you'll still have plenty of time to deal with any hiccups with the filing/RFEs, since your green card appears to be valid 'til sometime in August), or go ahead and file when you intended to and then arrange with that kind neighbour or friend to check your mail every day while you're away. (The USCIS uses official branded envelopes, so it's a 'no brainer' to spot.)

The letter I have only offers a mail option for postponing, so - if I were you - I would check with customer services (1-800-375-5283) before deciding how to proceed. You can confirm whether or not one can postpone an appointment by phone, and exactly how to go about doing so, if necessary. (Of course another VJ'er may well have already done so and will provide that info for you.)

Anyway - Have a great trip! good.gif

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 09 April 2008 - 12:06 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-09 12:03:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionClose call! Biometric apptt in 8 days!
QUOTE (Gulskjegg @ Apr 9 2008, 02:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bingo! They did the same for us. But, ours was 2 days from the day we got the letter and we were at that very moment packing up the car to leave for a 6 month vacation in Canada.

Only after it was all over did we find out we could have called the local office and rescheduled the biometrics for a more convenient time for us. If there is a problem, you may want to call your local office. Our local office returns about 50% of our calls, which is spectacular customer service for the USCIS.


Wow - I don't even want to imagine the potential problems or consequences of a letter giving a few days notice arriving a day after one left home for six months ... ??? wacko.gif (Unless a kind neighbour or friend was checking the mail every single day ...)

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 09 April 2008 - 03:00 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-09 02:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionClose call! Biometric apptt in 8 days!
QUOTE (IrinaNMike @ Apr 8 2008, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was stunned today when Irina received a biometric appointment for a date that is only 8 days away. On the appointment slip was a warning that if she fails to show up, her applicaion will be considered 'abandoned'. Irina and I travel a lot, and we have just returned from a two-week vacation. I hate to think what might have happened to us if the appointment notice had arrived two weeks ago.

Since we're at home now, we will have no problem appearing for the appointment, but I am posting this for the benefit of others who are applying for Removal of Conditions and might not realize that they have to watch their mailboxes very carefully. I certainly wasn't expecting such short notice.


I agree, it's yet another example of how mysterious the whole USCIS system seems to be.

I also got my NOA/Biometrics letter today, though my appointment's on the 17th of April - only 9 days away (although it is 14 days after the 'Notice Date' on the letter.) Just supposing I'd managed to drag my darling hubby away for two weeks, who knows what kind of state I'd have been in coming home and reading that line in the letter saying they would consider my case abandoned if I didn't show up! cray5ol.gif

I - like everyone else here - want to get through the immigration process as quickly as possible, but I do think the USCIS really should send out all appointment letters at least 25 days in advance. That would allow for some mailing time and three week vacationers (not too many in this country! whistling.gif ). Giving less than 10 days advance notice is crazy, specially since everyone then seems to have to wait for many, many months from then onwards for the actual adjudication. But I'm probably being unfair - they must have created some kind of 'fast track' for a select few of us and we'll whizz through the whole process in weeks!?!? Or not.

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 09 April 2008 - 01:15 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-09 01:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAssembling package questions
QUOTE (hello28 @ Apr 8 2008, 11:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi. I'm assembling everything now. I still am not sure if I need the copies of the letters/afidavits or the originals. I know I just need the copies of everything else, but I thought for the letters that I might need to send the originals. thanks!


Hi there,

According to the I-751 form's official instructions, you should send the originals of any sworn or affirmed affidavits.

As for the assembly itself - The USCIS' official Assembly Tips page still recommends using two hole 'ACCO' fasteners, fixed on the top edge of the package. If you don't have 'ACCO' style fasteners, they still suggest using strong clips (I'd use 'Bulldog' style not standard paper clip style ones, if I were you). Of course you could simply do what you did before - it obviously worked! They like you to seperate each section with dividers/tabs that stick out along the bottom edge, not the side. (We used the stickiest sort of 'Post It Notes' along the bottom edge last time and it worked just fine, so I did that again this time too.)

I attached my check in a small, clear plastic bag that was then ACCO'd right there on top of my covering letter.

I shrank 5 different photos so they would fit on one page, printed that page and then included it just below the I-751 form itself. But again, you can do what you did last time - it worked OK then!

Have fun!

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 09 April 2008 - 01:57 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-09 01:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRemoving conditions and traveling out of country...
Ok, so I realize now that you said your wife is going, and you're staying behind ... Doh! If these forums allowed for editing for more than five minutes, life would be so much easier!!! So sorry about that essay in the previous post ... it might prove helpful for somebody, I suppose!!!

Anyway .. To correct myself ... You can certainly file, yes. whistling.gif But I would still call the USCIS to make sure it will be OK for you to handle the biometrics rescheduling part, if that proves necessary. The biometrics appointment NOA simply has a box that you check before you forward the original letter to the relevant biometrics center. No signature or anything else is required, however, there's also nothing about what happens next either, so therein lies the possibility that something could go wrong, and I don't like assuming anything will be logical when it comes to the USCIS!

I hope someone can offer you help with the children's visas. Might be worth posting that bit seperately in the relevant forum.

timeline.gif though, it would still be very helpful! good.gif

Good luck with everything,

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 12 April 2008 - 03:37 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-12 15:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRemoving conditions and traveling out of country...
QUOTE (motu @ Apr 12 2008, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think yes. First of all her green card is valid for 3 months so all she will need after that is the extension letter. In our case the extension letter was the first NOA - (it's also the receipt letter) it came through in 10 days. Good Luck


I'm sorry to hear about your father in law's poor health. rose.gif I must admit that's the one thing I dread happening to any of my English family. unsure.gif

Regarding the filing issue ...

If you're going to file at CSC like motu did - they seem to have their act together at that center. However, I'm sorry to say the others are not as efficient. Unfortunately we don't know which center you'll be filing at, timeline.gif and even if you send it to one, some cases are shipped out to others afterwards ... Anyway, just in case you're covered by TSC or VSC ...

As far as I know, only one or two VJ'ers that have sent in their I-751s since January to either Texas or Vermont have received that all important extenstion letter yet. And we're nearly half way through April. Most of us have only had the NOA Bometrics Appointment Notice. (That's if they've had anything at all.)

One other thing you may not have realised ...

If you are both going to be away for more than a week or two after you file, you should definitely have someone check your mail every day. They need to be watching out for the biometrics NOA. and they may need to be able to give you all the relevant information so you can reschedule the appointment if necessary.

The problem is the biometrics letter sometimes only gives a few days notice about the appointment - I think the recent record is two days notice! The major issue is that letter states that "IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AS SCHEDULED," ... [unless you already checked the box on the letter requesting a rescheduled appointment, copied it and mailed it back] ... "YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED ABANDONED"

It's totally ridiculous and unreasonable, but that's the USCIS for you.

So in light of all that, I recommend you assemble the package beforehand, but wait until immediately after you get back to mail it, as long as that will still be within the 90 day window. Or try calling the 'customer service' people - 1-800-375-5283 and see what they've got to suggest.

Good luck with everything,

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 12 April 2008 - 03:11 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-12 15:07:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWrong postal code
QUOTE (YuAndDan @ Apr 12 2008, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The 2 addresses you posted look the same, and they match the address on the USCIS page you linked to.


No they don't, and yes they do! wink.gif

Good catch, howiegl. Luckily I copied the address from elsewhere or, knowing me, I would probably have got it wrong too. I hope they correct it.

All the best,

Brit

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 12 April 2008 - 04:28 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-12 16:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCopy of Passport not nescessary?
QUOTE (Eveline @ Apr 12 2008, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Correct. A copy of your GC is enough.


Don't forget to include the back as well though. Can't imagine why, but that's the USCIS for you. whistling.gif

FWIW - I included both our driving licenses since they show our photos, names and matching home address too.

All the best,

Sheila
AKA Brit

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 13 April 2008 - 03:44 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-13 15:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionfiled I751 couple of days late
QUOTE (michael s @ Mar 29 2008, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Mar 29 2008, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You will still be fine. There have been a number of VJers who, for one reason or another, were late filing by a few days and they have had no problems. I don't anticipate you having any problems either. Good luck. Which Service Center did you file at?



thanks , vermont .


Nice to see your quick work adding your info, Michael.

It really does seem to help people get more and better responses and also build a good rapport with other VJ'ers, specially those who came from/know about the same part of the world, live in/came from the same part of the States, or who are now dealing with the same USCIS 'Service' wacko.gif Center.

All the best,

Brit

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 29 March 2008 - 07:39 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-29 19:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionfiled I751 couple of days late
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Mar 29 2008, 03:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You will be fine. If they have cashed the check it means that they have accepted the application. Tex'n'Brit, there are a number of us who filed around the same time as you did. None of us have received any notification yet at all - no NOAs, no Biometric appointments, no nuthin'. You might want to add your name to the list of Texas filers here: http://www.visajourn...howtopic=118137 and join the crowd. We can all lend our support to each other as well as use each other's timelines as barometers for our own.


Thanks Kathryn, will do! good.gif

And keep your pecker up, Michael! It would be really helpful if you would complete your profile - adding the bits about what you're filing for and where you're from, where your local office is, etc. That way we can offer you relevant comments without having to pester you for the info and make you repeat all that each time. yes.gif

Brit

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 29 March 2008 - 05:25 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-29 17:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionfiled I751 couple of days late
Since my middle name seems to be Procrastinate, I managed to leave mailing my I-751 package until the 87th day ... which also happened to be the very last Thursday before my card ran out on a Sunday.

I mailed the package using USPS' Express Next Day service on Thursday, March 7th. (My card expiry date was Sunday, March 9th.) I was sure it would be alright. After all, I only live about 20 miles from Mesquite - where the TSC PO Box is - so there's no way there could be a problem ... How dumb was that!!!

I specified I wanted a signature, so I could track the package and make sure everything went OK ...

According to the USPS system they tried to deliver my package to the TCS on Friday, March 8th at midday, but I guess everyone there was at lunch because the USPS tried to deliver but had left notice of their failed attempt! Needless to say there's never going to be anyone around to accept any deliveries at the weekend, so it didn't get delivered until Monday, March 10th - one day late.

I kept a copy of the USPS web page that show all the tracking information - times, places, dates, the failed attempt and who eventually signed for it ... so if I get knocked back I will have something to show the darn thing was definitely there in time even though they weren't there to accept it!

It's nearly three weeks later and I've heard nothing yet ... So there's nothing for it but to sit and wait to see what happens. wacko.gif It's certainly a relief to read that others have been late and not suffered because of it.

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 27 March 2008 - 08:46 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-03-27 20:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionA bit deflated
QUOTE (thndrdancr @ Apr 13 2008, 05:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Like you all said, they didnt want to bother to look, I think. What a bunch of #######. Well 2008 has been a stellar year. And I just got a call from my job this afternoon, they not sure they want to keep me, since I have been caretaking for Mom, my work has slipped and they think I need "retraining" on how to do it. Actually I KNOW how to do it, its just I have been doing the rudimentary important stuff and leaving the unimportant stuff to fix later. Phoooey! Well just venting, you all. Thanks for the ideas. I do appreciate it, their really isnt much you all have mentioned I didnt include except we dont have a will. And those stupid tax transcripts, aghhhhh!

Thanks all for letting me vent!


You're really being out through the ringer right now aren't you, I am sorry. rose.gif

You did get lots of great suggestions, didn't you! But it actually sounds as though you compiled a pretty good package the first time around anyway. You are probably right about the lack of tax papers being the issue because they're mentioned specifically in the instructions. I think you'll help your case a lot by getting those sent off as soon as you can. Unfortunately, unless the RFE requests something specific, there's a slight possibility that some, or all of the evidence you sent before has gone astray somehow. So I think I would rebuild a copy of the same package, with the tax paperwork on top. It's a shame you didn't send copies of all the evidence the first time round ... but do the best you can and explain the situation in the covering letter.

One thing though, you mentioned the letters from friends weren't notarized ... The letters do need to be the originals, not copies and they must either be 'sworn', or 'affirmed'. So if they didn't include the legal affirmation drivel about perjury, etc, you will either have to get new letters that include the correct type of affirmation style wording, or they will need to be notarized.

Don't worry about venting, many of us have done that at some stage, and you certainly have verrrrry legitimate reasons.

Take care of yourself,

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 14 April 2008 - 12:58 AM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-14 00:54:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionA bit deflated
Hi dbp,

I'm sorry you're in this horrid situation. rose.gif

One thing I would suggest is that you forget that logical approach for a start! tongue.gif

The USCIS doesn't care that we've all sent stuff in previous packages earlier in the process. They want nice new copies of everything relevant put together in a nice new package. According to the ex USCIS officer that posted here a year or so ago, it's in the lap of the gods whether our files end up with a lazy officer who flings out RFEs at the drop of a hat, or someone who's actually prepared to do a little bit of legwork to look for something that would have sent before in our records. So unfortunately we can't assume anything they've already had will ever surface again. You would imagine that the extortionate fees we pay would buy us a better service, but no. mad.gif

I know it's going to be a real pain in the butt, specially now. But don't dispair - you can do it!

I think you should definitely get the tax forms and include them in your new, even fatter package. Hopefully you've got this year's done now, so include that as well.

Check the copies of those letters you sent from friends. You did send the originals, didn't you? Were they 'sworn or affirmed', as specified in the I-751 instructions? If not, either of those things might have prompted the RFE. If you need examples, there are a few in the VJ.com Guides, or do a search online for examples. I chose to get mine notarized, for peace of mind.

I'm assuming your photo montage included the wedding through to as recent as possible?

So, a few other things we tried to find ...

Perhaps you have some kind of paperwork connected with any joint trips since marrying? (We didn't.) How about receipts, bills, invoices, or statements that have both your husband's name and your address included on them. We have some and I put as many as I could in, and forthe bank/credit accounts, we also included about one per quarter from each account for each year, if available. What about any paperwork with just his name and address, or even just his signature on them for any household purchases, repairs or maintenance? Specially things like household maintenance services - roof, siding or window repairs, etc, equipment or furniture purchases or repairs, carpet cleaning, air conditioning services, etc?

Has he ever signed for any deliveries of any kind during the last two years? If some of the delivery notes or work orders have your name on them but he signed them, I actually think that's good - it shows your lives are 'intermingled' - just like real married people! Have you ever received any letters or cards with both your names on them? Don't suppose you happened to keep the envelopes too, did you? (Any time something like that came, I shoved the whole thing into my 'evidence' box, so if you haven't already done that before, start doing it from now on, just in case!)

Hopefully that might spark a few ideas for you. If so great, if not, well, I'm sorry I can't think of anything else, but I expect others will come up with some new ideas.

Best of luck, rose.gif

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 13 April 2008 - 03:28 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-13 15:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionrescheduling biometrics
QUOTE (russian_armenian @ Apr 12 2008, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
letter from my lawer- It states that I can make fingerprints on any Wen but have only 87 days to do so if I cannot make it on specified day. hope it helps. looks like they take walk-ins on Wen.


I appreciate you passing on the info, r-a. smile.gif

Your lawyer may well be right about that particular biometrics center in Pittsburg. However, if it was me I would definitely follow the instructions on the USCIS notice instead, specially when the warning is so clear and specific. (BTW, I'm glad your lawyer sent you the original because you'd have needed that to reschedule the official way.) After all, if a lawyer happens to get it wrong, (and it has sadly happened to some VJ'ers) it's not the lawyer or their spouse that has to suffer the consequences. Have you ever tried suing a lawyer?? blink.gif

If I couldn't mail in the reschedule request for some reason, I would first try to call the number on the notice (1-800-375-5283) for help. I might also try to contact a supervisor at the appropriate center about it too.

Anyway, Cari - enjoy your vacation!! good.gif

All the best,

Sheila
Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-12 19:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionrescheduling biometrics
Hi all,

Cari - How long is your piece of string today? tongue.gif Wish I had some facts for you, but hopefully some others will post their data.

The reason for replying was to say to the other folks who replied ... fer Gawd's sake, don't miss yer appointment! ohmy.gif

The Biometrics NOA I received from the TSC last week states in capitals the following,

"PLEASE APPEAR AT THE BELOW APPLICATION SUPPORT CENTER AT THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED.
IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AS SCHEDULED, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED ABANDONED."

I think that's fairly clear. wink.gif

As mentioned by Cari, the Biometrics NOA does have a 'Request For Rescheduling' section. It has a little box to tick (check) and the following,

"Please reschedule my appointment. Upon receipt of your request, you will be provided with a new appointment notice. Make a copy of this notice for your records, then mail the original with your request to USCIS DALLAS, blah blah etc.

Mail a copy of your request to the service center where you filed your I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence."

So that's what I would do, rather than blowing another $545 on starting the I-751 again! smile.gif

All the best,

Sheila

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 12 April 2008 - 04:04 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-12 16:02:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI've been out of the fee loop..what is I-751 fee?
QUOTE (MarilynP @ Apr 13 2008, 01:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The filing fee for a Form is $465.00.

An additional biometric fee of $80.00 is required when filing this Form I-751. After you submit Form I-751, USCIS will notify you about when and where to go for biometric services. You may submit one check or money order for both the application and biometric fees, for a total of $545.00.

http://www.uscis.gov.../I-751instr.pdf


I hope they were sitting down when they read that ... I know we had to when we started back on this next leg of the journey! blink.gif

Edited by Tex'n'Brit, 13 April 2008 - 03:39 PM.

Tex'n'BritFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-04-13 15:37:00