Questions/Advice for family process

[silvenmyst]

I am a US service member, US citizen. Recently I married my wife who is Irish and was in the states on a visitors visa. She has since moved in with me with my two step-daughters in Lawton, Oklahoma, as they are here with her on visa wavier which expires in 90 days, while her's is good till August. And I am trying to apply to get their status adjusted to permanent resident. I had looked around online and found a company called Express Services that said they would complete the paperwork needed and send it in for processing. I have since received the paperwork they asked me to fill out and return to them. I also made some calls to the NCIS help center. But they weren't very helpful as they just recited what was written in a book. And, I want to make sure I have all the right papers and that I have the fee's down right as I understand them. So far I have completed, (for the most part 'cept a few parts I don't quite understand right) the following forms:

I-130 (One for my wife and one each for each of the girls?)
I-485 (I completed one for my wife, but do I need to complete one for the girls as well?)
I-693 (Haven't done the med exam yet, but printed out the paper, again do I need one for my wife and children or just my wife?)
I-864
I-765

I haven't yet to file the papers yet, as I just got started filling them out today. But what are my girls to do for schooling and what not? Are they even allowed to attend school? What are the fees for doing this? I was told that it would be $1365 for my wife, and that the children's status would change when her's did. But when I talked to the NCIS people they said that it was an additional $600 + $355 for them as I had to do a I-485 and a I-130 for each of them. That brings the total for the paperwork around $3300, is this correct? I didn't believe that it would be so expensive. If anyone can review this and see if I missed some steps or been misinformed on anything that would be extremely helpful, thanks a lot!

[aaydrian]

Yes what the NCIS told you is correct, the fees for the daughters is 600 plus 355 if you apply with the mother, if you apply separately for the daughter's after you have files for the mother then the fees is 980 plus 355. So you are better off filling for the mother and daughters together. It seems that the price tag of 3300 is right. It is not steep.

the daughters can go to public school, when you apply AOS and get the receipt within 90 days of their stay they are deemed to be legal, so don't worry. As for medical examination follow your civil surgeon's advise and yes the daughter's would also require a medical.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, please use any advise at your own risk

[eene]

doctor & school

You need to look on the USCIS webpage for a civil surgeon close to your city. The doctor has all the forms for the I-693 application, but you need to pay that doctor. Do your spouse and children have medical insurance? I know that Blue Cross Blue Shield covers 100% the medical exam for immigration (it is called "physical".)

Any public school accepts children only on the proof of residency: your electric or gas bill. Your written declaration that they are your children may be necessary.

The employment authorization application is $0, based on I-130 approved. You need to fill that I-765 form after the notice of approval for your wife's I-130 comes - need to attach a copy of that approval to it.

Don't worry about the $3300, it will cost you more. Especially if you decide to take a lawyer.
You forgot about the $80 (biometrics -finger prints) for each of the applicants. So, for your spouse is $(355**060=1415) plus minimum $150 the doctor visit (if no X-ray or other extra-procedure required).

I just finalized these steps. My child is sixteen, I paid for him like for an adult :-) Anyway, the USCIS officers at the field office near the OKC airport are very nice and helpful. You may consider visiting with them for clarifications. In case you need it, I can provide you their phone number.