... in response to Re: does this cover it?, posted by Lori on Feb 22, 2002Hi Lori,
It is not very difficult, but it does take some patience dealing with INS.
After Thai has rested, you will need to take him to get his Social Security card. Make sure that you tell them that he is work authorized since he has the I-94 in his passport. Download form EM-00154 (Evidence of Employment Authorization for K-1) from the Mag-Anak Forms page (Fiance Related), because they probably won't know what you're talking about. They will look up the memo and verify it.
You only have 90 days to get married and file AOS. Make sure you marry within the 90 days! After the wedding, try to pick up the certified copy of the marriage license ASAP if you can. It took almost 2 months for ours to arrive by mail from the county clerks office. It was during the busy Christmas season. 90 days had already passed when we filed for AOS. They asked me the reason. Satisfied with my answer, they continued to process the paperwork.
After the marriage license arrives, it's time to head down to INS. You can mail the applications, but it is better to submit them in person. Miami INS and most centers accept only money orders or cashier's checks. AOS (I-485) will now cost $255 and $50 for the fingerprint fee. It would be a good idea to file for Advanced Parole $110 (I-131 - Application for travel document) so he can travel out of the US and EAD $120 I-765 (EAD - work authorization) as the I-94 will expire in 90 days after arrival in the US. Form 9003 is not required by most offices anymore. I believe they are supposed to shred the document if you submit it with your paperwork.
Submit what is asked for on the forms. You will need a total of 6 adit photos (side view) for the I-131, I-485, and the I-765. They will only need 5 of the photos. Notarized I-864 (Affidavit of Support) along with the last three years tax returns. If you meet poverty guidelines with income alone, you do not need to submit evidence of assets. If you have a co-sponser, they will need to complete a separate affidavit of support form, along with evidence of income (tax returns, pay checks, employment letters).
At the Miami INS, after you make it through the long line (hours)and arrive inside, you are given a number and sit and wait a few more hours. When your number is called, you submit your paperwork to the INS official at the window. Then you sit and wait until you are called by the cashier. You then receive an appoint letter for the Advanced Parole appointment interview in a few days. There is no interview, you just go in and receive the approved I-512 (Authorization for Parole of an Alien). You may or may not get the other receipts and appointment letters after you pay the cashier or will receive them in the mail. In Miami, you have a separate appointment for each application, AOS, EAD, Advanced Parole, and fingerprinting.
There are a few good AOS pages with check-off lists. http://k1.exit.com/index.html has a lot of good info. Remember the filing fees have increased.
Good Luck,
Dave H.
