I-485 change of status (AOS — adjustment of status) — where to prove legal presence while it’s pending?

I filed for adjustment of status (AOS) and am waiting for a decision on my I-485. My lawyer said that while it’s being reviewed you’re lawfully present, but where can you actually check that? I don’t see any changes on my I-94, only that the application status is pending. Does anyone know if this is reflected somewhere officially, or is the fact that an AOS was filed enough?

The I-797 receipt notice is the official confirmation. The I-94 doesn’t get updated while the I-485 is pending — that’s normal. “Pending adjustment of status” is technically not a status, but it is an authorized period of stay under the law, and for any questions it’s enough to show the receipt notice plus the case number on the USCIS website.

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Thanks, I understand about the I-797. If the receipt notice is lost — can it be replaced somehow, or is the case number enough?

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The case number is in your USCIS online account — it’s usually sufficient. You can request a duplicate I-797, but that takes a long time, and in practice a screenshot showing the status plus the number is enough for checks.

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