DMV Update
Apr 2nd 2004 | 1:17 am
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 130
From: Northern Ireland/Northern Virginia
DMV Update
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
First time refusal - We brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
Second time refusal - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a marriage license issued by the court.
Third time refusal - By this time his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come in to effect for several months.)
So finding out we were right on three out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips, they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
First time refusal - We brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
Second time refusal - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a marriage license issued by the court.
Third time refusal - By this time his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come in to effect for several months.)
So finding out we were right on three out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips, they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
Apr 2nd 2004 | 2:41 am
#2
Former Blonde
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,380
From: In a wibbly-wobbly world of my own
Re: DMV Update
Wow - you go girl! 
Here's hoping your Hubby gets his driver's license/ID card real soon.
Good luck!
Here's hoping your Hubby gets his driver's license/ID card real soon.Good luck!
Apr 2nd 2004 | 2:41 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 94
From: Akron, oh
Re: DMV Update
Congratulations. Good to hear that now your husband will have the licence. I am little bit confused about showing Marraige Licence. Do they take it as stand alone document or Does it require any supporting docs. Do throw some light on that?
Also here in Ohio, I had similar problem AND I was told that BMV does not communicate with USCIS. But they communicated with their BMV headquarters and I got my licence.
Regards
Dhabud
Also here in Ohio, I had similar problem AND I was told that BMV does not communicate with USCIS. But they communicated with their BMV headquarters and I got my licence.
Regards
Dhabud
Apr 2nd 2004 | 2:56 am
#4
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 130
From: Northern Ireland/Northern Virginia
Re: DMV Update
Originally posted by dhabud
Congratulations. Good to hear that now your husband will have the licence. I am little bit confused about showing Marraige Licence. Do they take it as stand alone document or Does it require any supporting docs. Do throw some light on that?
Also here in Ohio, I had similar problem AND I was told that BMV does not communicate with USCIS. But they communicated with their BMV headquarters and I got my licence.
Regards
Dhabud
Congratulations. Good to hear that now your husband will have the licence. I am little bit confused about showing Marraige Licence. Do they take it as stand alone document or Does it require any supporting docs. Do throw some light on that?
Also here in Ohio, I had similar problem AND I was told that BMV does not communicate with USCIS. But they communicated with their BMV headquarters and I got my licence.
Regards
Dhabud
Yes, that's why I posted that about them being able to call to USCIS. It's not widely known by people trying to get their licenses and it's apparently less known by the employees. =)
Apr 2nd 2004 | 3:01 am
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13
From: Virginia
Re: DMV Update
Originally posted by girlyflyer
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
First time refusal - We brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
Second time refusal - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a marriage license issued by the court.
Third time refusal - By this time his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come in to effect for several months.)
So finding out we were right on three out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips, they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
First time refusal - We brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
Second time refusal - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a marriage license issued by the court.
Third time refusal - By this time his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come in to effect for several months.)
So finding out we were right on three out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips, they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
I have the same experience but luckily I have been here in US for the last 5.5 yrs as a H1B visa holder and hence have a valid other state license. After I moved to VA and got married, I went to DMV for 3 times and everytime, they told me my OLD passport with VISA has expired though my I94 is current and valid along with my shiny new passport.
I eventually gave up trying to explain the DMV agent about my valid I94 even though it states I should have a "unexpired passport with a Unexpired VISA and a valid I94".
I am keeping my other states license for now. Can anyone tell me if I am eligible to get a DMV license based on NOA or my AP?
I dint see the NOA or the AP as legal documents to prove valid residency.
Apr 2nd 2004 | 5:06 am
#6
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 130
From: Northern Ireland/Northern Virginia
Re: DMV Update
Originally posted by pentiumdad
I have the same experience but luckily I have been here in US for the last 5.5 yrs as a H1B visa holder and hence have a valid other state license. After I moved to VA and got married, I went to DMV for 3 times and everytime, they told me my OLD passport with VISA has expired though my I94 is current and valid along with my shiny new passport.
I eventually gave up trying to explain the DMV agent about my valid I94 even though it states I should have a "unexpired passport with a Unexpired VISA and a valid I94".
I am keeping my other states license for now. Can anyone tell me if I am eligible to get a DMV license based on NOA or my AP?
I dint see the NOA or the AP as legal documents to prove valid residency.
I have the same experience but luckily I have been here in US for the last 5.5 yrs as a H1B visa holder and hence have a valid other state license. After I moved to VA and got married, I went to DMV for 3 times and everytime, they told me my OLD passport with VISA has expired though my I94 is current and valid along with my shiny new passport.
I eventually gave up trying to explain the DMV agent about my valid I94 even though it states I should have a "unexpired passport with a Unexpired VISA and a valid I94".
I am keeping my other states license for now. Can anyone tell me if I am eligible to get a DMV license based on NOA or my AP?
I dint see the NOA or the AP as legal documents to prove valid residency.
We have not received our AP yet, so I am not sure what form number it is, but if you have that I'll ook on the dmv site.
After reading your post again it sounds like we were at the same branch.
Apr 2nd 2004 | 6:00 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DMV Update
I'm glad this seems to be getting sorted out. Great info about the USCIS
liasion though I wonder how long they have to wait on the phone!
Andy.
--
I'm not really here, it's just your warped imagination
"girlyflyer" <member13354@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written
> a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused
> each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and
> apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for
> me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
> First time refusal - We
> brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our
> documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They
> were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
> Second time refusal
> - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They
> interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license
> becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a
> marriage license issued by the court.
> Third time refusal - By this time
> his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an
> unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to
> interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the
> process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come
> in to effect for several months.)
> So finding out we were right on three
> out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when
> I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I
> almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips,
> they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them
> his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were
> merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
liasion though I wonder how long they have to wait on the phone!
Andy.
--
I'm not really here, it's just your warped imagination
"girlyflyer" <member13354@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written
> a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused
> each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and
> apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for
> me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
> First time refusal - We
> brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our
> documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They
> were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
> Second time refusal
> - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They
> interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license
> becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a
> marriage license issued by the court.
> Third time refusal - By this time
> his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an
> unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to
> interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the
> process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come
> in to effect for several months.)
> So finding out we were right on three
> out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when
> I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I
> almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips,
> they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them
> his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were
> merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Apr 2nd 2004 | 6:14 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 114
From: VA - Egypt
Re: DMV Update
I'm in the northern VA area as well, were all these refusals through one specific DMV office? Or did you try various ones?
If it was only one, which one was it?
If it was only one, which one was it?
Originally posted by girlyflyer
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
Apr 2nd 2004 | 6:52 am
#9
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 130
From: Northern Ireland/Northern Virginia
Re: DMV Update
Originally posted by masri
I'm in the northern VA area as well, were all these refusals through one specific DMV office? Or did you try various ones?
If it was only one, which one was it?
I'm in the northern VA area as well, were all these refusals through one specific DMV office? Or did you try various ones?
If it was only one, which one was it?
Springfield
Stafford
Nice to see they are consistent... consistently ???
Apr 2nd 2004 | 7:19 am
#10
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: DMV Update
Originally posted by girlyflyer
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
First time refusal - We brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
Second time refusal - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a marriage license issued by the court.
Third time refusal - By this time his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come in to effect for several months.)
So finding out we were right on three out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips, they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
I am happy to report that we heard from the Virginia DMV. I had written a lengthy letter explaining our three trips in and how we were refused each time. The liaison from the Richmond Headquarters called me and apologized. He said that we were actually CORRECT! Not a big shock for me, but still happy to hear it none-the-less.
First time refusal - We brought in form I-797 (c) (Notice of Action - approval) as one of our documents. They told us that they were no longer taking the 797c. They were wrong. DMV is still taking 797s and 797 (c) s.
Second time refusal - We brought in marriage license as one of our documents. They interpreted it to mean marriage certificate, which is what the license becomes after you are married. They were wrong. DMV will accept a marriage license issued by the court.
Third time refusal - By this time his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come in to effect for several months.)
So finding out we were right on three out of three occasions was almost enough to make my blood boil, but when I was told that all DMV offices have a DIRECT line to a USCIS liaison I almost fell out of my chair. He had said that on any of our three trips, they should have picked up the phone, called this number and given them his A#. The verbal authorization from the USCIS, stating that we were merely waiting for our paperwork to come through would have been enough.
ABOUT TIME!!!
Now your hubby can get his driving license!!
Have a nice Friday
Apr 2nd 2004 | 8:38 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 114
From: VA - Egypt
Re: DMV Update
Wow. I'll have to keep that in mind when my wife gets here.
Thanks
Thanks
Originally posted by girlyflyer
Manassas
Springfield
Stafford
Nice to see they are consistent... consistently ???
Manassas
Springfield
Stafford
Nice to see they are consistent... consistently ???
Apr 5th 2004 | 6:17 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DMV Update
"girlyflyer" wrote
> Third time refusal - By this time
> his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an
> unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to
> interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the
> process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come
> in to effect for several months.)
Doesn't surprise me at all.
I was once with someone who got ejected from a gig in DC for trying to by
beer because when he produced his photo id (can't remember what kind) it had
expired.
Presumably the venue staff thought that he'd got younger since the IDs
expiry.
If only it were that simple, eh? ;-)
Andy
> Third time refusal - By this time
> his I-94 was past the 90 days and was "expired". The form asks for an
> unexpired passport, an unexpired visa and a valid I-94. They choose to
> interpret that valid meant unexpired. They were wrong. (They are in the
> process of changing this to mean unexpired I-94, but this will not come
> in to effect for several months.)
Doesn't surprise me at all.
I was once with someone who got ejected from a gig in DC for trying to by
beer because when he produced his photo id (can't remember what kind) it had
expired.
Presumably the venue staff thought that he'd got younger since the IDs
expiry.
If only it were that simple, eh? ;-)
Andy
