AOS Concurrent Filing Checklist. Need second pair of eyes!

[EungKyun Kim]

Happy new year guys!

I am about to send my packet for AOS (I am currently on F-1, which will expire in September 2018). My wife and I have been going though each forms and reading instructions to make sure that we are not missing any required supporting documents, but I still feel like we might be missing something. If you guys could confirm that we have everything that we need in order to avoid RFE, we would greatly appreciate it.

Here is my checklist / cover letter


Dear Sir / Madam:
Please kindly find enclosed concurrent filing of forms: I-485, G-1145, I-130, I-130A, I-864EZ, I-765, I-131. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration in reviewing my application.

Contents include:
I-485 Application to Adjust Status
- Personal check of $1,140 made payable to Department of Homeland Security
- G-1145
- Two Beneficiary’s passport style photos
- Copy of Beneficiary’s passport’s biographical page
- Copy of Beneficiary’s nonimmigrant visa (F-1) and entry stamp
- Copy of Beneficiary’s most recent electronic I-94 and travel history
- Copy of Beneficiary’s I-20
- Copy of original marriage certificate
- Copy of Beneficiary’s birth certificate (translated and notarized)


I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
- Personal check of $535 made payable to Department of Homeland Security
- I-130A
- Two Beneficiary’s passport style photos
- Two U.S. Citizen’s passport style photos
- Copy of U.S. Citizen’s birth certificate
- Copy of original marriage certificate
- Copy of U.S. Citizen’s driver license
- Evidence of bona fide marriage
o Photos of daily life together
o Proof of joint insurance policy
o Proof of joint credit card
o Receipt for purchase of wedding band
o Copy of card from U.S. Citizen’s friend
o Copy of card from U.S. Citizen’s sister
o Copy of itinerary for trip to South Korea together
o Copy of veterinary record
o Social Security Card with U.S. citizen's name change
o Joint lease agreement


I-864EZ Affidavit of Support from the U.S. Citizen
- Copy of U.S. Citizen’s most recent IRS Transcript
- Copy of U.S. Citizen’s most recent paystub


I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
- Two Beneficiary’s passport style photos
- Copy of Beneficiary’s passport’s biographical page
- Copy of Beneficiary’s nonimmigrant visa (F-1) and entry stamp
- Copy of Beneficiary’s previous EAD card
- Copy of Beneficiary’s most recent electronic I-94


I-131 Application for Travel Document (Advanced Parole)
- Two Beneficiary’s passport style photos
- Copy of Beneficiary’s passport’s biographical page
- Copy of Beneficiary’s nonimmigrant visa (F-1) and entry stamp
- Copy of Beneficiary’s most recent electronic I-94
- Letter of explanation and copy of itinerary for planned trip




I put each forms (I-485 I-130 I-864EZ I-765 I-131) with its required supporting documents into separate folders. So it ends up being 5 folders total. I am going to hold these together with a rubber band and send them to the USCIS Chicago lockbox tomorrow. Do you guys see any flaws or any missing document? I've been working and researching really hard on this on my own since the lawyer I've talked to said I'd have to pay him 5,000 dollars excluding filing fees haha. This forum has been really helpful and I greatly appreciate you guys' help. Thank you for your time!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Hi there,

It looks very organized. I would include a cover letter listing the contents of each folder in the same order you placed them in the folder. Make copies of each folder, one for you and your spouse; in case you are separated at the interview.

To your evidence of bona fide marriage, I would add:
- joint checking/savings: salary/paycheck should be direct deposited here. A check card for each one of you.
- Electric/ gas/ internet: In Minnesota, you can't have any of those on both names. So the best you can do is add someone as a full authorized user.
- Insurance policy: proof that both people are using the insurance; whether medical, dental or vision. Show the cards, claims submitted to your insurance and receipts.
- 401k: you should both be a beneficiary on each other's 401k.
- Beneficiary on each other's life insurance/accidental/etc.
- You should both be listed as emergency contact on your employer's site/ health insurance, etc.

One more thing, the US citizen may want to show a copy of US passport or US passport card. Birth certificates do not have pictures and not all states are on board with the REAL ID Act of 2005. https://www.dhs.gov/real-id Avoid a RFIE and just include the US passport.

Best of luck!

[4EVER]

- Personal check of $1,140 made payable to Department of Homeland Security

Shouldn't it be made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"? https://www.uscis.gov/us-visa-and-im...ing-uscis-fees I don't know how strict USCIS is about including or excluding "U.S." from the check though. Maybe others can confirm this.

I put each forms (I-485 I-130 I-864EZ I-765 I-131) with its required supporting documents into separate folders. So it ends up being 5 folders total.

We only had 4 folders; the I-864 Affidavit of Support was included in our I-485 folder. I think the Affidavit of Support I-864 is part of the I-485 application. So we submitted 4 applications: I-130 (Petition), I-485 (Adjustment), I-765 (Employment) and I-131 (Travel).

[EungKyun Kim]

Hi there,

It looks very organized. I would include a cover letter listing the contents of each folder in the same order you placed them in the folder. Make copies of each folder, one for you and your spouse; in case you are separated at the interview.

To your evidence of bona fide marriage, I would add:
- joint checking/savings: salary/paycheck should be direct deposited here. A check card for each one of you.
- Electric/ gas/ internet: In Minnesota, you can't have any of those on both names. So the best you can do is add someone as a full authorized user.
- Insurance policy: proof that both people are using the insurance; whether medical, dental or vision. Show the cards, claims submitted to your insurance and receipts.
- 401k: you should both be a beneficiary on each other's 401k.
- Beneficiary on each other's life insurance/accidental/etc.
- You should both be listed as emergency contact on your employer's site/ health insurance, etc.

One more thing, the US citizen may want to show a copy of US passport or US passport card. Birth certificates do not have pictures and not all states are on board with the REAL ID Act of 2005. https://www.dhs.gov/real-id Avoid a RFIE and just include the US passport.

Best of luck!

Do you think the evidence that we have is not enough? I might add a couple more things but I though I had enough to show that our marriage is real haha. Also, I added a copy of U.S. Citizen's Passport to my I-130 folder. Thank you!

- - - Updated - - -

Shouldn't it be made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"? https://www.uscis.gov/us-visa-and-im...ing-uscis-fees I don't know how strict USCIS is about including or excluding "U.S." from the check though. Maybe others can confirm this.





We only had 4 folders; the I-864 Affidavit of Support was included in our I-485 folder. I think the Affidavit of Support I-864 is part of the I-485 application. So we submitted 4 applications: I-130 (Petition), I-485 (Adjustment), I-765 (Employment) and I-131 (Travel).

That's what I wrote on the actual check. I simply forgot to include "U.S." part on my cover letter haha. Having four folders makes more sense! I will make some changes. Thank you so much!

[tomjerry111]

Dear Sir / Madam:
Please kindly find enclosed concurrent filing of forms: I-485, G-1145, I-130, I-130A, I-864EZ, I-765, I-131. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration in reviewing my application.

Contents include:
I-485 Application to Adjust Status
- Personal check of $1,140 made payable to Department of Homeland Security
- G-1145
- Two Beneficiary’s passport style photos
- Copy of Beneficiary’s passport’s biographical page
- Copy of Beneficiary’s nonimmigrant visa (F-1) and entry stamp
- Copy of Beneficiary’s most recent electronic I-94 and travel history
- Copy of Beneficiary’s I-20
- Copy of original marriage certificate
- Copy of Beneficiary’s birth certificate (translated and notarized)


I haven't submitted by file yet as I am planning to do that end of this month. Your contents are very well organized. I just have one doubt I think the check for I-485 should be in the amount of $1225 (Including $85 biometric fees (1140+85=$1225) I have seen somewhere. Please verify and do let me know if its true.

Also I have one more question regarding affidavit of support. will that be okay to send 2016 transcripts in 2018 as we wont have 2017 transcripts yet? I mean you sent recent paystubs for 2017 am I right?

Your guidance will be appreciated. and all the best for the submission.

[EungKyun Kim]

Dear Sir / Madam:
Please kindly find enclosed concurrent filing of forms: I-485, G-1145, I-130, I-130A, I-864EZ, I-765, I-131. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration in reviewing my application.

Contents include:
I-485 Application to Adjust Status
- Personal check of $1,140 made payable to Department of Homeland Security
- G-1145
- Two Beneficiary’s passport style photos
- Copy of Beneficiary’s passport’s biographical page
- Copy of Beneficiary’s nonimmigrant visa (F-1) and entry stamp
- Copy of Beneficiary’s most recent electronic I-94 and travel history
- Copy of Beneficiary’s I-20
- Copy of original marriage certificate
- Copy of Beneficiary’s birth certificate (translated and notarized)


I haven't submitted by file yet as I am planning to do that end of this month. Your contents are very well organized. I just have one doubt I think the check for I-485 should be in the amount of $1225 (Including $85 biometric fees (1140+85=$1225) I have seen somewhere. Please verify and do let me know if its true.

Also I have one more question regarding affidavit of support. will that be okay to send 2016 transcripts in 2018 as we wont have 2017 transcripts yet? I mean you sent recent paystubs for 2017 am I right?

Your guidance will be appreciated. and all the best for the submission.

Yes, you are absolutely right. I just checked it on USCIS website. For people who are 14 - 78 years old, the check should be $1,225 including $85 for biometric services fee. I'm glad I caught that before I sent the packet!

I am sending the recent paystubs for 2017 along with 2016 IRS Transcript since that's the most recent one. I heard someone getting RFE for this because the application was processed after April but he or she submitted his application back in January when they didn't not have the recent year's IRS transcript. Since there is nothing we can do about this, I believe it's okay to send 2016 transcript. We will just make sure we get our taxes done as soon as we get our W2.

Thanks for your reply!

[tomjerry111]

To EungKyun Kim,

You said you prepared 5 folders. you used that light yellow paper folders? and labeled each one of them? Is it okay if we use U-pin for our documents to hold before putting into a folder?
Are you going to mail them in USPS Priority mail? will that fit for all the folders?

Sorry for asking these many questions actually I am nervous and seeking experienced person's guidance.

Thank You for your reply

[EungKyun Kim]

To EungKyun Kim,

You said you prepared 5 folders. you used that light yellow paper folders? and labeled each one of them? Is it okay if we use U-pin for our documents to hold before putting into a folder?
Are you going to mail them in USPS Priority mail? will that fit for all the folders?

Sorry for asking these many questions actually I am nervous and seeking experienced person's guidance.

Thank You for your reply

I have prepared four folders. one for I-485 and I-864EZ together, one for I-130 and I-130A together, one for I-765, and the other one for I-131. and I printed out the label for each folders and taped it in the front page of the folder. For example, I-130 and the list of supporting documents in it. I am going to put all these folders in the bigger envelope, and put that envelope in a flat box to send it to the USCIS lockbox.

I am not sure if I am going to use USPS Priority mail. Please be aware that I'm not an attorney! I could be totally wrong haha.

You can find more information here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

[tomjerry111]

I have prepared four folders. one for I-485 and I-864EZ together, one for I-130 and I-130A together, one for I-765, and the other one for I-131. and I printed out the label for each folders and taped it in the front page of the folder. For example, I-130 and the list of supporting documents in it. I am going to put all these folders in the bigger envelope, and put that envelope in a flat box to send it to the USCIS lockbox.

I am not sure if I am going to USPS Priority mail. Please be aware that I'm not an attorney! I could be totally wrong haha.

You can find more information here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms-filing-tips

Haha, we can learn from each other's experience as we don't want to pay hefty fees to Attorney.
Awsome, Its really organized way of arranging documents.
Thank You so much for your guidance.

[4EVER]

Sorry for asking these many questions actually I am nervous and seeking experienced person's guidance.

Hi! I was nervous, too, when we were preparing the packet. I guess we all are. My husband was like, 'Relax', but in my mind I know this has to be done right the first time, otherwise, I will get a Notice of Rejection. I scoured the internet for anything that says 'how to prepare adjustment of status packet'. This YouTube video served as my guide/model as to how to organize the packet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1g7vZOTkvk&t=94s . We submitted 4 folders, in 4 different colors (I-130 blue, i-485 yellow, I-765 red, I-131 green), and labeled each folder accdg to application with our names and pictures (sample folder below). The contents of each folder are on the cover letter of each application. As shown on the video, we put the passport photos and checks on separate sandwich plastic bags, which were also color-coded (blue bags for I-130 check and photos; yellow bags for I-485 check and photos; red bag for I-765 photos; green bag for I-131 photos). Then we put all 4 folders in 1 flat box. Sigh. Too tedious and elaborate, looking back now.

We sent out the heavy and bulky packet via USPS Priority Express Mail for guaranteed 1-day delivery by 12NN the next day. We were told we'll get a full refund if the package arrives past 12NN. Well, the package was delivered and received past 2:30 PM the next day, so we got refunded in full.

Good luck to all of us!