Questions about AOS Interview

[RGH]

I am a USC married to a Salvadorean citizen. We got married 10/4/2003 in El Salvador. We had a baby in 12/18/2003 in El Salvador who is now a US Citizen after filling the paperwork at the US Embassy. The three of us are now living in Miami, FL and last year (04/23/2005) I filed the I485, I130, and I765 forms for my wife. She has a Social Security card and is able to work.

Our AOS interview is scheduled for 03/28/2005 and I have the following questions:

1. Do we need to re-submit the translated birth and marriage certificates?? We already sent these documents when we filled the I485 and I130 forms but I am not sure if I should take them to the interview just in case??

2. Should we take our 2 year old son to the interview ?

3. Any other tips for the interview? What other documentation do we need to take?

Thanks !

 

[e17345]

There have been soooo many postings regarding documentation necessary to bring to the interview...just search this forum and you will find a ton of pointers!

 

[cherr1980]

YES, you must bring ALL your documents to the interview. All documents that are not in English must be properly translated. And please make photocopies of all the documents.
I won't recommend to take a baby in a waiting a room and all that, unless the baby will be part of the application but he/she is not since he is a USC or if you don't get a babysitter by that time. What you should bring to the interview your child's birth certificate (a must), the form or receipt (I don't know) from the US Embassy in El Salvador about your child birth when you registered him/her.
The rest is all around this forum, there are several list about things that you must get to proof a bona fide marriage even you have a child together, like bills in both names, bank statements, pictures,etc.
Good luck,

 

[RGH]

Thanks for the reply. So for the AOS interview, we must translate all the documents all over again even though we mailed them with the I485 and I130 forms ?? It will be a pain and expensive but if we must oh well...

Also will they keep the photos we bring? We our income tax jointly last year and will file jointly again this year. That should help.. my bank accounts, however, are only in my name.. should I add my wife's name to the checking and savings accounts ?

Our 2-year old son has a US passport given to him at the US Embassy in El Salvador when I registered his birth so I should probably bring it.

One last question, after the AOS interview (if approved) aprox. how long will it take for my wife to get her permanent residency status ? We want to go to El Salvador for Christmas this year but I am not sure if she will be able to. Can she travel outside the US after the AOS interview if our petition is approved ? Thanks !

 

[cherr1980]

To answer pretty quickly:
1. You didn't have at the beginning to send any original to the USCIS. The instructions especify that you can send photocopies, but well if you did so now for your health and stress is better to translate all the documents that are in Spanish. How many documents you must translate? It is my understanding that should be just your wife birth certificate and your marriage certificate. How much you pay for the translations?
You need to carry your own documents, is like your own packet and you must carry another one with originals and photocopies for you for your records and other set for the officer. If they want again another document they can take it from it.
You must make copies of your tax return, you must bring it with you. Make a search around this forum there are many other things to bring. Make a checklist. Actually the interview notice give you a checklist.

2. Not always, but they can keep a couple or one picture of you, that depend on the officer at the interview. You don't have to make a copy of your pictures. If they want one, just give it to them okay? You must bring your photo albums or loose pictures but in order so if they ask and even if they don't just show them in order.
When I said all the documents are her documents, she is the one who is the adjustee not you. Just in case you should bring your US passport or birth certificate plus both will need an ID card issue by the goverment to enter to the interview, she must bring all her EAD cards.

3. Uhmm, well never is late I think. Yes add her to all the bills and accounts possible. If you don't have the time to wait for the statement, ask your companies if they can give you a letter that states that she is an authorize user or is a joint account holder. Remember love is not enough.

4. Your child's passport won't work. You don't have to demostrate that he is a US citizen, you must demostrate that he is the son of you and your wife, so you need his birth certificate that show both of your names on it. You can bring the passport as extra but as I said bring the BC that is a must.

3. After the interview approval and depends on the district office your wife's passport could be stamp. The officer at the interview will tell you how long will take to receive the actual card can go from 2 weeks to 2 months approx. To travel outside the US she needs or the stamp on her passport or receive the actual card on the mail but for Xtmas she should be a permanent resident.

Please make a search on this forum by "Interview experience" or "what to bring to the interview". Go back like 2 or 3 pages and search the several post under those phrases you will find a lot of info.
Good luck,

 

[RGH]

Thank you very much for all the valuable information you have provided. I am confident all will go well. Like somebody said in the forum, the DHS is not trying to trick anyone; they are just trying to make sure that the law is not being violated... Thank God, my wife and I have nothing to be worried about regarding this. Thanks again !