Atlanta passport stamping experience

[eltoro]

Our approval notices (courtesy copy) arrived yesterday (July 6) in the mail. Our lawyer advised us that the best days for pasport stamping in Atlanta are Wednesdays and Thursdays, so we decided that I go first today (July 7) and my wife will follow me the next day.

Thanks to excellent info provided by longGC I found my way to USCIS Atlanta without any problems. The $5 parking lot was already full by the time I got there (6:20 AM) and I saw a line of people lined up outside of the building. I parked in the $8 lot (covered parking). Warning - do not use restrooms in that parking lot!! Wait until you get in the USCIS building! Your health, sanity and sense of well being are at stake!

By the time I got to the building (6:24 AM) the line outside already disappeared inside. I passed through airport like security (you pass through a metal detector and your belongings pass through a x-ray machine) and waited in line for a ticket. There was 31 persons ahead of me in that line. At about 6:30 they started giving out the tickets. My turn came about 6:55. The lady at the counter asked me for I-485 approval notice, I-94, any travel documents (AP) and EADs. I surrendered required documentation (current AP and EAD only, I did not offer expired EADs nor APs). Then the lady asked me for my photographs and advised me that they might not be accepted because of a shadow behind my head. I was given the ticket number C302 and asked to proceed to room #111.

Room #111 had about 20 people in there when I got there (it was 7:05 AM). Initially there were two officers taking applicants at the counters #1 and #3. Then more officers joined for a total of 6 officers handling applicants. Fortunately, no sign of bearded man longGC writes about. My turn came at about 7:15 AM. The officer (extremely polite and nice black lady) took the package prepared by the front desk employee, asked for my passport and photographs. She did not mention the shadow behind my head on the photos. Took a fingerprint and signature, stamped my passport and advised me that I am now a legal permanent resident and can work anywhere and travel freely. I was also advised that my permanent resident card should arrive in 6 to 12 months.

I was out of there by 7:30 AM. So, the moral of this story is - the earlier you come the earlier you get out

 

[ADDTX]

Thanks eltoro for all the tips incl. the restroom
Great info. for all Atlantans. Its nice that even after approval you guys take the time to write about your experience so that it can help the rest of us. Very unselfish act indeed!!

 

[eltoro]

How to place I-551 stamp in a full passport

Today (July 8) my wife went down to USCIS Atlanta at 77 Forsyth St. to get her passport stamped. She had pretty much the same experience as me (look above), except for a few things. She was at the door at 6:15 AM, she got a ticket C306 (so five persons ahead of her). She was out by 7:45 AM.

On the side note - her passport was really full. Not even half a page that was empty. Our country does not issue "passport extensions" (a folded piece of paper glued into the passport to make more room for visa stamps), so the only option is to apply for a new passport. The USCIS officer looked for a space in the passport, but she could not find one. So she asked my wife if she had another (third) photograph. She did not have one on her. Then the officer browsed the passport again and placed the stamp over a faded entry stamp to some other country (we could not read what was the original stamp).

If she had a photograph on her the officer would issue the stamp on an I-94, with the photo glued to it. So if you have a really full passport you still can get your I-551 stamp, but take more photos with you

 

[eltoro]

End of the journey for us.

Full timeline:
Location: Atlanta
Petition Date: 5/2000, EB3, Poland
LC (RIR) approved: 6/2001
I-140 approved: 2/2002
I-485 filed: 4/2002 (SRC02-154)
3x EAD; 3x AP
RFE for TB results and EVL: 6/3/2004
RFE response received: 6/28/2004
I-485 Approval: 6/29/2004
Passport stamped: 7/7/2004
Card Ordered: 7/13/2004
Card Mailed (stamp on the envelope): 7/17/2004
Card Mailed (online status): 7/19/2004
Card Received: 7/19/2004

Funny thing is that I picked up the mail around noon today (7/19) and there were our cards, but online status still showed "card ordered". It wasn't until 5 pm today that the status has changed to "processing complete - card mailed".

God bless y'all. I will still participate in this forum, because I am so accustomed to it ;-) See you guys and gals in 5 years

 

[EuCitizen]

My ATL stamping experience.

The parking opposite to the ins building is one big cluster. The guy cannot even count the money. They get only cash BTW, so be prepared.

Got in 6:30. About 30 people in the first line in hall - 1 hour delay. About 10 people for AOS in front of me in room 111 - 30 minutes delay. Out by 8:30.

They are asking you to fill out some form before you get to the window. No pens, just one quite well hidden table. Hilarity ensues (it reminded me of scene from Men in Black when the candidates are doing the test).

First surprise: they would not take my entire family at one time and asked to go one by one. Well, self and wife no problem but how about my 3 yr old son? We managed to go one by one - self to officer A, wife to officer B, by the time my son's number has been called, I was done already so went with him. I feel I was quite close to missing his number and then would have to spend all day there (if anyone from ATL USCIS office is reading this, please get a clue).

I did not give them my AP when requested, so I got a yellow envelope I am supposed to use to send it back. The officer said "no card without it!". Should I try my luck? ;-)

The other exception to the process was my son's photo was not accepted. I was sent to get a new one done to room 100 (next to the first counter in the hall). It took 5 mins and the officer was waiting for me. I got the photos uncut straight from the polaroid and the officer was nice enough to cut them by himself and write my name and number on back etc. Thanks! BTW - I believe it was the same white bearded man longGC was writing about.

P.S.
There seems to be a lot of time to get photos done before your turn comes in. If you do not have them yet, you can do them inside, room 100. $13 a pop.

P.P.S.
Children and USCIS do not mix. If you suspect your children photo is bad though, take him with you - it will save you another trip.