Green Card Through Marriage - Advice for application

[atw3775]

Hi all,

I recently married my long term girlfriend who is an American citizen. We're trying to get the green card application sent off to USCIS but I must admit I'm having trouble figuring out what exactly I need to send off and how. I'm Australian, currently on an E-3 with status, living in the US presently.

Currently I have the I-130, I-130A, and I-485 filled out. I'm confident I have all the supporting documentation such as marriage certificate, passport copies, pictures, joint bank accounts etc.

Could someone please let me know what I need to send off in my situation, and what the filing fee is? I read somewhere it's $535 for the I-130 and $1200 for the I-485; do I pay both? Do I have to submit I-485 or just I-130? Available information seems to continually contradict one another. Do I have to submit both in my situation?

We don't want to pay thousands on an immigration attorney. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and would really, really appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.

[rasha1]

Hi all,

I recently married my long term girlfriend who is an American citizen. We're trying to get the green card application sent off to USCIS but I must admit I'm having trouble figuring out what exactly I need to send off and how. I'm Australian, currently on an E-3 with status, living in the US presently.

Currently I have the I-130, I-130A, and I-485 filled out. I'm confident I have all the supporting documentation such as marriage certificate, passport copies, pictures, joint bank accounts etc.

Could someone please let me know what I need to send off in my situation, and what the filing fee is? I read somewhere it's $535 for the I-130 and $1200 for the I-485; do I pay both? Do I have to submit I-485 or just I-130? Available information seems to continually contradict one another. Do I have to submit both in my situation?

We don't want to pay thousands on an immigration attorney. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and would really, really appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.

Hello atw3775,

I recentlt sent all of my GC papers. They always say its best to send everything all at once. Here is what I sent:

My Green Card Check list:

1. Biographic information forms G-325As - both of you
2. I-130 The Visa Petition (535 $) - filed by your wife.
3. I-130A Background Checks - filed by you.
4. I-131 Advance Parole (Travel Documents) - you do this if you wish to travel during the GC process.
5. I-485 Adjustment of Status (1140 $) - filed by you.
6. I-765 Work Authorization Form - filed by you
7. I-864 Affidavit of Support (filed by your wife) & Contract between household and Petitioner (filed by you if you have income) -- please check income rules if your wife is the only sponsor for you. you can have anyone else file (I-864 Affidavit of Support) as a joint sponsor along with your wife. check the USCIS webiste.
8. Medical Examination - filed by you - they have a list of approved civil surgeons to do this! check the USCIS webiste.
9. Biometrics (85 $) - its smart to pay it ahead of time too.
10. Form G-1145, Request for e-Notification (for both of you)


Each form has its instruction manual. Follow that and you should be fine! I have done it that way, and I am now waiting for the next step - the biometrics appointment.

I would suggest you start collecting things now. espcially documents like W2 or Tax returns, prof of income from both of you, any travel or trips proof, housing lease to prof you are living together. As for the medical examination, it has to be done within a month of filing, and so is the passprot pictures, so you may wanna wait untill its time to file. they usually take a week to give you back the examination results.!! So, keep that in mind. also, you may have to pay for the examination. it usually costs between 200-300 $.

As for pictures of both of you as evidnece of relationship, these could be printed in walmart. I have printed like 43 pics for 12 $. We have also done our passport pictures there for 14 $. You need to write your names on the back of thsoe pictures by pencil. I have also written what was the event going on in the picture!



I hope this helped! Text back if you have any further questions.

Good luck!

[newacct]

It's one check for $535 for I-130 and one check for $1225 for I-485.

[FRANKHARVEY]

Hello atw3775,

I recentlt sent all of my GC papers. They always say its best to send everything all at once. Here is what I sent:

My Green Card Check list:

1. Biographic information forms G-325As - both of you
2. I-130 The Visa Petition (535 $) - filed by your wife.
3. I-130A Background Checks - filed by you.
4. I-131 Advance Parole (Travel Documents) - you do this if you wish to travel during the GC process.
5. I-485 Adjustment of Status (1140 $) - filed by you.
6. I-765 Work Authorization Form - filed by you
7. I-864 Affidavit of Support (filed by your wife) & Contract between household and Petitioner (filed by you if you have income) -- please check income rules if your wife is the only sponsor for you. you can have anyone else file (I-864 Affidavit of Support) as a joint sponsor along with your wife. check the USCIS webiste.
8. Medical Examination - filed by you - they have a list of approved civil surgeons to do this! check the USCIS webiste.
9. Biometrics (85 $) - its smart to pay it ahead of time too.
10. Form G-1145, Request for e-Notification (for both of you)


Each form has its instruction manual. Follow that and you should be fine! I have done it that way, and I am now waiting for the next step - the biometrics appointment.

I would suggest you start collecting things now. espcially documents like W2 or Tax returns, prof of income from both of you, any travel or trips proof, housing lease to prof you are living together. As for the medical examination, it has to be done within a month of filing, and so is the passprot pictures, so you may wanna wait untill its time to file. they usually take a week to give you back the examination results.!! So, keep that in mind. also, you may have to pay for the examination. it usually costs between 200-300 $.

As for pictures of both of you as evidnece of relationship, these could be printed in walmart. I have printed like 43 pics for 12 $. We have also done our passport pictures there for 14 $. You need to write your names on the back of thsoe pictures by pencil. I have also written what was the event going on in the picture!



I hope this helped! Text back if you have any further questions.

Good luck!

Nice response and so detailed..It does not only help the man asking questions but help me as well. Thanks.
my question please...
On number 20 of work authorization form pls can u explain the number 20, 21 and 22?
Thanks

[newacct]

Nice response and so detailed..It does not only help the man asking questions but help me as well. Thanks.
my question please...
On number 20 of work authorization form pls can u explain the number 20, 21 and 22?
Thanks

For question 20 (the category) put "(c)(9)". 21, 22, and 23 don't apply and can be skipped.

[atw3775]

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to me!

I believe I have all the necessary documentation filled out and ready to go. My medical examination tests are still pending.

I didn't think I had to file i765? You mentioned in your reply I did.

Can you confirm this for sure?

Thanks again

[newacct]

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to me!

I believe I have all the necessary documentation filled out and ready to go. My medical examination tests are still pending.

I didn't think I had to file i765? You mentioned in your reply I did.

Can you confirm this for sure?

Thanks again

You don't have to file I-765 for an EAD or I-131 for an AP. But they are free and there is no downside to applying for them, so why not? You don't have to use them if you get them but will have them just in case you suddenly need to use them.

[FRANKHARVEY]

For question 20 (the category) put "(c)(9)". 21, 22, and 23 don't apply and can be skipped.

Thanks so much... will fix it in now.

my last question:

How long do u think is the best time to send in the paper works after the wedding? How long do i Need to wait before sending in the documents?

[newacct]

Thanks so much... will fix it in now.

my last question:

How long do u think is the best time to send in the paper works after the wedding? How long do i Need to wait before sending in the documents?

You don't need to wait. Just send it when you have all the materials (including certified marriage certificate, which may take a while to get in some states) ready.

[FRANKHARVEY]

You don't need to wait. Just send it when you have all the materials (including certified marriage certificate, which may take a while to get in some states) ready.

Thanks