Just got married, need help on the next steps

[Dreadknut]

I know there are probably thousands of other threads with my questions, but I couldn't find them.

I just got married on May 1st, I being American, and her being Canadian. We did it all in Hawaii (Ceremony and Honeymoon), flew to Grand Forks, ND..drove to the border..got her car and things..and drove back to where I live.

She now lives with me ,and now we need to do the Adjustment of Status thing.

My questions are:
For her to legally change her last name to mine, does that have to be done via AOS, or separate?
Is the AOS something we can do on our own, or should we get some help? We went through RapidVisa for the Visa, and they helped, but we are trying to save some money.
As far as her license, getting her a social security card, getting her car stuff figured out (insurance, inspection, ect) can that be done before the AOS?
How soon should we start the AOS?

Thank you all for your time. We really appreciate the help!

[rayb]

Dreadknut,

In the U.S., the marriage ceremony effectively serves as a legal name change for the wife. There is nothing else you need to do but to substitute your last name for her last name on her legal documents.

The Adjustment of Status procedure processing depends on whether your wife entered the U.S. with a fiancee visa or visitor visa.

For what visa did you pay Rapidvisa, and what was the result?

--Ray B

I know there are probably thousands of other threads with my questions, but I couldn't find them.

I just got married on May 1st, I being American, and her being Canadian. We did it all in Hawaii (Ceremony and Honeymoon), flew to Grand Forks, ND..drove to the border..got her car and things..and drove back to where I live.

She now lives with me ,and now we need to do the Adjustment of Status thing.



My questions are:
For her to legally change her last name to mine, does that have to be done via AOS, or separate?
Is the AOS something we can do on our own, or should we get some help? We went through RapidVisa for the Visa, and they helped, but we are trying to save some money.
As far as her license, getting her a social security card, getting her car stuff figured out (insurance, inspection, ect) can that be done before the AOS?
How soon should we start the AOS?

Thank you all for your time. We really appreciate the help!

[Dreadknut]

Dreadknut,

In the U.S., the marriage ceremony effectively serves as a legal name change for the wife. There is nothing else you need to do but to substitute your last name for her last name on her legal documents.

The Adjustment of Status procedure processing depends on whether your wife entered the U.S. with a fiancee visa or visitor visa.

For what visa did you pay Rapidvisa, and what was the result?

--Ray B

Hi Ray B,
She entered with the Fiance Visa. We did it in Hawaii, and met there. She flew there on April 27th, and we were legally married on May 1st.

Rapidvisa helped us pretty much get everything ready, but towards the end (questions about the forms), they were being flaky..so I would come to this site for answers, and so this site has definitely helped us already!

They offered to help with the AOS, but we wanted to know if it's tricky and if it's something we could do on our own.

Thanks for the reply!

[rayb]

The Adjustment of Status is like a puzzle, with 7 forms and supporting docs, and $1,070 fee, plus the medical exam update.

So many people miss a key ingredient with a resulting "Request for Evidence," that you need to have a third person review all for completeness and accuracy.

How much did Rapidvisa ask for the Adjustment of Status procedure?

--Ray B

Hi Ray B,
She entered with the Fiance Visa. We did it in Hawaii, and met there. She flew there on April 27th, and we were legally married on May 1st.

Rapidvisa helped us pretty much get everything ready, but towards the end (questions about the forms), they were being flaky..so I would come to this site for answers, and so this site has definitely helped us already!

They offered to help with the AOS, but we wanted to know if it's tricky and if it's something we could do on our own.

Thanks for the reply!

[Dreadknut]

The Adjustment of Status is like a puzzle, with 7 forms and supporting docs, and $1,070 fee, plus the medical exam update.

So many people miss a key ingredient with a resulting "Request for Evidence," that you need to have a third person review all for completeness and accuracy.

How much did Rapidvisa ask for the Adjustment of Status procedure?

--Ray B

$325 for us to mail everything
$400 for them to mail everything

I'm not sure if there is more to that..they might go over everything again before sending it out, but I believe they still give us the same help regardless.