Residency procedure question

[DallasSteve2]

To the board

I'm filing for my wife's permanent residency here in Dallas, Texas.  I've done this before and I had to go to their office at 4 AM and wait in line and get a number and go to the window and pay money and give them my forms, the whole 9 yards.

Now I went to the BCIS (formerly INS) website to check out their new information and it says:

---------------------------------------------------------------
Forms I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status) that are family based are to be filed by mail with the Dallas District Office. 8101 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247. Forms I-485 that are employment based are to be filed by mail with the Texas Service Center at BCIS TSC, P.O. Box 851804, Mesquite, TX 75185-1204.
---------------------------------------------------------------

"Filed my mail"?  Do I mail in my application now?  Can I get it faster if we go to the office in person or is this a case where they will say "We only accept applications by mail"?  Does anyone know what the current procedure is in the new agency?

Steve

[Edge]

... in response to Residency procedure question, posted by DallasSteve2 on May 13, 2003

Steve - as I recall, Dallas was one of the two INS office where you could go in and get your conditional residency stamp in her passport the same day.  Is this what you did before?

Sounds like the changed this with the new BCIS, which is a shame.  You may be able to call them.  I remember when I was filing I was actually able to get ahold of and talk to someone at the old INS with a few general questions I had.

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to Re: Residency procedure question, posted by Edge on May 13, 2003

Edge

With my ex we went in to their office (after waiting in line about 6 hours) and then they put the stamp in her passport.  Case closed for 2 years until she has to ask to have the conditional status removed.

I guess that's gone.  I called the BCIS (formerly INS) national help line and they confirmed that I have to mail in the documents.  Now the question is how long will it be before she gets a reply.

If anyone needs it the BCIS national help line is 1-800-375-5283.

Steve

[cancunhound]

... in response to Residency procedure question, posted by DallasSteve2 on May 13, 2003

You may be the first guinea pig here - sounds to me just send it by mail, beats the hell out of waiting in line. (certified of course)