married man report #1 adjustment of status

[keith]

Okay, so I got a bit lax and relaxed a few days after the excitment and all the preparations that went into the wedding... and of course honeymoon... well the 90 days was fast approaching so a couple of days ago I got back into the swing and started getting ready for the dreaded trip to the local INS (90 minutes away).

I was not as prepared as I was for the fiancee visa... I was pretty confident I had done my homework for that one but this one I was flying by the seat of my pants... here are a few tips though they may only apply to the state of Florida ... you may want to check out your state's INS home page.

When they say that another G 325 A form is required dont make the mistake that I did and assume it is just for her ... you need to fill out another one too...  when they say they want 3 years tax returns... make copies of the whole dang thing for each year... I assumed they only wanted a copy of the W 2 and the page of the form that shows your income ... NOOOOO  so I was stuck with giving them my originals that I brought instead of copies... Im hoping my accountant has a copy or somehow I can get a copy to replace them ... you will need at least in Florida two of your most recent paychecks... okay that is enough for now my sweetie is calling... be good,
Keith

[SteveM]

... in response to married man report #1  adjustment of sta..., posted by keith on Jan 25, 2002

Keith,

If you can't get copies of your tax returns, you can order transcripts for free from the IRS.  BTW, for those applying for the K-1, I used a transcript for the Embassy, and it worked just fine.

Welcome to married life...

Steve M.

[Charles]

... in response to married man report #1  adjustment of sta..., posted by keith on Jan 25, 2002

The instructions clearly say that the tax returns are required.  Regardless where you live, in preparing for the AOS interview no one should take any chances and be OVER-PREPARED.  You never know who your examiner is going to be.  You might get someone who is in a hurry to go to lunch and will ask you your name and address and issue a green card.  In the next room may be a jerk who thinks "Here's another MOB marriage" who will look for any reason to suggest that your marriage is not bona fide and, if there's any loose end, make you come back again.

[keith]

... in response to Re: You should OVERPREPARE for the AOS i..., posted by Charles on Jan 26, 2002

It was my mistake to think that all they wanted to know from my taxes was how much money I made-  the tax returns are part of the affadavit of support 864 so logically I thought they just wanted the bottom line... the bottom line is I agree with your premise to be over prepared... I was for the fiancee visa... I was not for the AOS partly because I just got over the wedding and honeymoon as I stated... fortunately I was "overprepared enough to get my receipt and clearance from the INS... I have heard some that just send it through the mail but I took some advice to do it in person... was a hassle waiting but at least I had the satisfaction of making sure it got through the initial screening process at the counter... my main objective for the post is basically to say what you have said  which is for those like me that got out of the groove of dealing with the INS because of putting on a wedding and doing the honeymoon to get back in sync and get the info and what ever tips you can to do the thing right...  I did try (and by the way suceed) to get the stuff in and approved on the first try... I had more difficulty finding good tips and advice online then I did for the fiancee visa.. perhaps more people go through the visa process then acutally marry their girl or perhaps they stop posting after they marry Im not sure... I went to the INS website and perhaps I missed something but I did not find the directins to be "clear" as you state thus I decided to try to add some info... I have heard that each state is a bit different in their requirements... I talked to one INS agent and she said that sometimes the requirement differ during the year ...
all the best,
Keith

[keith]

... in response to I agree but no the instructions do not s..., posted by keith on Jan 26, 2002

I hate it when I proof read the post after submitting it instead of before hitting the submit button!!!

[JohnG]

... in response to married man report #1  adjustment of sta..., posted by keith on Jan 25, 2002

Keith,

Thanks for the heads-up! Being a Floridian as well and getting ready to file for my AOS, your tips are appreciated! I wonder why they want all that info from the tax records...

[Richard]

... in response to Re: thanks, posted by JohnG on Jan 26, 2002

I've been wondering why the INS wants all this stuff also.  The best case scenario I can come up with is to verify that you are able to support your wife / fiancee:  3 years of info might be less susceptable to fluctuations.  Worse case, when combined with the affidavit of support I believe that has to be filed at this time, the taxes can be used to identify and locate your financial assets should the marraige fail and the immigrant end up collecting public assistance of some kind that the government wants repaid.

Hope I'm wrong here, but this is my best guess.

Richard

[BrianN]

... in response to married man report #1  adjustment of sta..., posted by keith on Jan 25, 2002

NO AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EVER TAKE YOUR OWN ORIGINALS.... EVER.  ONLY FOR PHOTOCOPYING AND THEN TO RETURN THEM TO YOU!

Bunch of jackbooted thugs.  The INS is WORTHLESS!!  FIRE THE WHOLE BUNCH.

[Mike]

... in response to THATS A CROCK!, posted by BrianN on Jan 25, 2002

If I'm not mistaken, the originals you mail to the IRS and your tax returns are just copies anyway. Kieth they most likly will except a tax transcript from the IRS for the past 3 years. You can get them free by calling the IRS. It should take a couple weeks at most.
Mike

[Oatmeal]

... in response to Re: THATS A CROCK!, posted by Mike on Jan 26, 2002

Usually many cities have an IRS office where you can go to get your tax transcripts for free.  Some offices might charge a small fee but mine were free when I went to get them.

I hate to wait so that is why I went there in person to get them.

[Richard]

... in response to married man report #1  adjustment of sta..., posted by keith on Jan 25, 2002

Thanks for the information.  There seem to be a few (very few) of us down here in FLorida.