I have seen cases where the file was transferred to local INS offices. Checked with my lawyer and this is what he got to say. If someone got married just before filing I-485 or if the format/details on the birth certificate are not clear, it triggers a case transfer to local INS office even after satisfactory reply to RFE. Coming to job change, if the INS opens your petition after a 'long time', they are enquiring (RFE) about your job status. If you respond back showing that you are still with the sponsoring employer, the case is cleared with no further questions but if you indicate even a little bit that you have deviated from the path, they are automatically transferring it to local INS office. Even if you do not wait for RFE to notify INS of employer change (to show good faith), they are transferring cases to local office, even if the case is eligible under AC21, 180 day rule. This is the general position of the INS though there might be few exceptions where the service center approves the case after RFE.
For Chicago people, the worst part is that the waiting time is definitely more than an year (local INS office), though the time posted is 6 to 18 months. During this one year period, you will witness the most strange things in life, like EAD going to old address, advance parole going to another, correspondence letters for you and wife going to different address even after you update them with new address, wife (dependant) getting interview call before you, sending the couple back home after realising the error when you go for the interview etc.... They take 12 - 18 months to sort out all these things before finally managing to combine both the files (husband & wife) which are basically sitting in the same building. So processing and approving I-485 is not the actual processing of info. on the forms but trying to locate files in the store room. Good luck to everyone with local transfers.
For Chicago people, the worst part is that the waiting time is definitely more than an year (local INS office), though the time posted is 6 to 18 months. During this one year period, you will witness the most strange things in life, like EAD going to old address, advance parole going to another, correspondence letters for you and wife going to different address even after you update them with new address, wife (dependant) getting interview call before you, sending the couple back home after realising the error when you go for the interview etc.... They take 12 - 18 months to sort out all these things before finally managing to combine both the files (husband & wife) which are basically sitting in the same building. So processing and approving I-485 is not the actual processing of info. on the forms but trying to locate files in the store room. Good luck to everyone with local transfers.