Adjust Status After Marriage is a difficult and confusing process, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are some tips to help make the process easier.
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Background Check
Before you get married, it is always a good idea to perform a background check. It will reveal information about your future spouse that you wouldn’t have known otherwise. These checks can save you from embarrassment or a fraudulent partner.
Background checks are also useful in determining whether a prospective partner has any criminal history. You can use public court records to verify that your potential partner hasn’t been convicted of any crimes. This can help prevent you from committing any mistakes in your new marriage.
In addition, you should know about your future spouse’s financial habits. Some financial behaviors can cause a lot of trouble down the road. For example, a bad credit score can put you at risk for future loans and mortgages. The same can be said about a long list of civil judgments, which could indicate a tendency for antisocial behavior.
Also, you may need to look into your partner’s social media pages. Often, these can reveal a lot about a person’s personality, values, and goals. But don’t be surprised if your partner posts something you don’t think is appropriate.
There are a lot of people out there who will try to trick you into getting married. This can happen for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is a lack of disclosure. Most adults will ask you about your partner’s STD test results or their past sexual experiences.
A background check is also a good way to determine if a prospective partner has a previous marriage. You can find this out through a free marriage license record search. However, you should be cautious about using this service.
In addition to checking up on your partner’s financial status, you should also consider doing a marital check. This is a great way to learn if your potential partner has children and whether they are still single. Checking into your partner’s social and financial history will also help you avoid the pitfalls that plague many couples.
Overall, you should never marry someone you don’t trust. A pre-matrimonial background check will uncover the truth about your partner and can give you the peace of mind you’re looking for.
Documents You Need
If you are a foreign national and married to a citizen of the United States, you may be able to adjust your status and obtain a green card. This process requires a lot of documentation. You will also need to have a lawyer assist you through the process. Fortunately, CitizenPath can help you get started.
Among the documents that you will need are a birth certificate and passport. Also, you will need a marriage certificate. Applicants can submit additional proof, such as school records or church records.
You will also need to bring photos of both of you, along with proof that you are legally married. It’s a good idea to have both of your parents on the photo. Then, you will need to provide a brief description of the photo. Ideally, it will include both of your names and the date of the wedding.
In addition to these documents, you will need to provide your spouse with proof that they are eligible for a green card. Your spouse will need to provide income and a affidavit of support. You will also need to provide them with a letter from their new employer.
The interview will last between 20-30 minutes, and will allow USCIS to determine whether you are eligible to adjust your status. They will send you instructions on what to bring. Some applicants may be asked to submit additional information, but others will not.
After you have filed, you will receive an I-551 stamp in your passport. You can then begin the process for employment authorization documents. These will give you permission to work in the U.S. If you have recently changed jobs, you will need to bring your most recent pay stubs.
Adjustment of status through marriage is a complicated process that can take between 11 and 14 months to complete. Getting assistance from an immigration attorney can help ensure that you get the approval you need.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Austin’s immigration attorneys at Murray Law Firm. They can guide you through the entire process and make sure that you are able to get your green card.
Fees Involved
Getting a green card and a nice lady in to boot is a worthy undertaking in and of itself. Luckily, there are plenty of resources dedicated to helping you make the move. One of the best places to start is the USCIS website. This is a great place to learn about what’s going on and when. The site is a breeze to navigate and is a veritable treasure trove of information. Of course, it’s a good idea to bring the aforementioned spouse along for the ride. Not only will the spouse be pleasantly surprised, but you’ll also be in a better frame of mind and you won’t be sabotaging your own progress in the process.
How Long Does a Green Card Last?
A green card is a form of identification which allows an individual to live and work in the United States. The card is valid for a certain period of time. This period varies. Generally, a green card is valid for ten years, but some individuals get two or three year cards. It is important to check the expiration date of the card. If the card is not renewed in a timely manner, it may be revoked and the person’s green card will no longer be valid.
Married aliens and their spouses have the option of applying for a marriage-based green card. This card allows the alien to travel to the United States while the USCIS is processing their green card application. In order to apply for this type of card, both parties must be legal residents in the U.S. They must also prove that they are married to each other.
Before the applicant can apply for a marriage-based green card, a petition known as Form I-130 must be filed with the USCIS. This requires a $535 filing fee. Once the form is approved, the applicant will receive a receipt notice.
Normally, the marriage-based green card processing time is about 29 to 38 months. However, this timeframe may vary, depending on the location. Applicants may also qualify for advance parole, which allows them to travel for up to 2 to 3 months while the green card application is being processed.
Marriage-based green cards are non-renewable. After a marriage-based green card is obtained, the couple must remain married for at least three years. At the end of this period, the spouse can apply for naturalization. Divorce will stop the application process.
Married people who are applying for a marriage-based green card should be aware that the process can be complicated. Moreover, there are additional backlogs in some locations. These delays can add to the time it takes to get the green card.
Married people can also apply for a conditional green card. The conditional green card is a form of probation. For example, if the applicant has been married less than two years, a conditional residence is granted. As the validity of the residence ends in just two years, the couple will be required to file Form I-751 90 days before the residence expires.