Tori

Last week I got hooked up with a killer credit card from my bank (B of A). Initially when meeting with the banker I had the idea of getting the credit building card and he suggested that I apply for the student credit card instead, even though I'm not a student. I got approved for it! No interest for the first year or yearly fee! I got a $1,000 credit line which is perfect for me since I don't tend to overspend and live within my means, but I tell ya I will be purchasing a new computer for my web design business and writing that expense off on my taxes. I also updated my SSN with the bank. The final step will be to open up a business account through my bank.

Definitely get a record from the court house. I got cited on a misdemeanor back in 2011, no charges ever filed, and I requested a document (to send in with my initial app) from the courthouse stating that my record was clear.

Today I got car insurance for a 2000 Toyota Avalon. Came out to just over $300 for six months. I went through with Farmers.

The processing times are not absolute and each case is unique in how long it takes to approve/deny. Some cases were approved in a couple months others are in the dreaded 9 month period.

Took 5 months for me. Peep my timeline in my sig.

Awesome! Great to hear that y'all are making great strides to starting anew! Since getting my docs in April I've filled out several W-9s with my "new" legal name and legit SSN. Feels so good! @rawf: what credit card companies approved you? My dad suggested I go to Sears and apply for a Sears Mastercard. I'm awaiting to hear back from them, went in last week. I know that B of A (my current back) will allow me to get a credit building card with a $300 deposit, so that's an option.

I'm CA and am unsure as to how the DMV in other states conduct their written/behind the wheel tests. The written exam is tough and I suggest you thoroughly read the booklet since the exam will hit you with questions that you may of overlooked. Some questions are straightforward but others will make you think since there may be two answers out of three that seem correct. When I took the exam I thought I missed 7, 6 is the max for a pass, but actually missed 4. The CA DMV site provides example tests for you to try and are the same type of questions you'll come across in the written exam. As for the behind the wheel test, it was a breeze. I've been driving for 12 years and my test only took 15 minutes. The DMV site also provided guidelines as to what you should be keen on for the driving test. So visit your state's DMV site, there's a wealth of info on there. PS: YouTube actually has a CA DMV channel with a bunch of videos from the 90s about the driving test.

I'm in the SF Bay Area. My DL expires on May 24, 2017. actually just got it in the mail yesterday.

Super awesome! That's one step up the ladder rung. Keep moving forward and achieve your career aspirations.

Take both just in case. I'm also in CA and all that they asked for was the EAD.

Über cool! Congrats!

Once approved for both 821-d and 765 you'll receive your EAD in the mail, then: Apply for an SSN Apply for ID/DL once SSN card is in hand Live your life as you'd like without any worry!

It's dependent on what your RFE is. For instance if it's an RFE that in inquiring for more evidence of residency during a specific period of time it may take a bit longer than if the RFE is requesting a missing document like birth certificate, transcript, etc. In my case my RFE requested that I clarify my full name since my original passport I used to enter the country had a slightly different name than the one I use now. I got approved shortly after the CA service center received the further evidence.

It's a variation of a book title. The book is Painting with Light by cinematographer John Alton. My variation is the last of a saying that I created that goes: The set is my canvas, the lamps are my brushes, and the light is my paint. It's all references to the work I do on movie/commercial/music video/corporate video/photography sets.

I didn't have to wait. Got my SSN one day and went the next early in the morn. 30 mins later I was done and the card came a few days later.

I'm in CA and had no problems. After getting my SSN I went to the DMV the next day. I waited for an hour and my number got called. I went to the desk, said I was applying for my DL and ID, took the eye test, showed my EAD, payed the fees, got a picture taken, and took the written driver test. Now I'm awaiting my road test appointment.

@JoseG: thanks for the tip. I'll recheck appointments, perhaps there are some cancellations and I can swoop in on one for an earlier date.

There's like 7 DMV offices within a 50 mile radius in the SF Bay Area. I booked my road test today and it's on May 20th. Can't wait! Kinda nervous though. I've driven for 11 years and hope that my driving habits are up to code.

I didn't sign up for texts, but did for emails. It a;; started happening fairly quickly at the end of March when I was approved. Check out my timeline in my sig for how it all developed.

Google search. Was looking up CA service center processing times and found the forum. Such a great resource to have come across.

Our here in the SF Bay Area I payed my lawyer a 900 fee (broken in to two payments) and the app fee.

$16 for an ID, awesome! Out here in CA we're $27 for an ID and $32 for an DL. I sure will hate sliding my debit card for those fees. I'll be applying for both, the ID will come in much earlier since I'll have to wait to take a road test for the DL.

I'll preface by saying that any kind of destructive behavior where people are put in danger is not acceptable. I was working on a job in SF when I saw a bunch of posts on FB about it, I was unsure about the topic so I briefly found a news update about it. I didn't really get affected by it whatsoever since such acts like that are isolated incidents in our country and I'm never in fear of my life. Think of the fear that people must go through everyday in the Israel/Palestine where suicide bombers are prevalent. As a country we can't let bad apples destroy our forward progress. If it is an act of terror funded by the ilks of terror organizations their objective is to keep the States in a state of fear, disruption, and panic. We can't fall victim to such tactics and we must continue with our lives. Accept what happened, pay respect to those who have perished, honor those who have saved, reevaluate the system, and move forward. I'm not one to dwell in the past and often will side with an objective point of view.

How about just say that you need to update your SSN? If it requires a new I-9, it's all good since it's legit. That's what I'm going to do with all my clients that I've filled out W-9s with as well as with my bank.

I sent in all sorts of docs for evidence. Since 2007 - 2009 I was in the beginnings of my career my income was too low to display continual residence. I sent in a letter from my brother's oncology doctor stating that I was a primary caregiver during 2007 - 2009, that covered those years. For the remainder of the years I sent in mainly paychecks, work invoices, call sheets (work schedules), dentist records, and tax forms.