L1B visa contract ending and marrying US citizen

[mikkan]

Due to an internal conflict of interest, my company has decided to not renew my contract that expires in November. They may even try to offer me a severance package to leave earlier.
I have been engaged for almost a year now and my Fiance and I have decided to go ahead with our wedding this weekend so we can get started on an adjustment of status so I can find work elsewhere and stay in the country.

My question is, how long after marriage can I legally stop working at my current employer and stay in the country (or how long does it normally take for the necessary paperwork to be approved).

Thanks!!

[inadmissible]

Generally, any amount of visa overstay and unauthorized employment is forgiven when adjusting status based on marriage to a US citizen.

It might take you a week to get a certified extract of vital records from the county registrar where you get married.

It usually takes a few days for them to send you your first receipt, after which you are protected from deportation.

It usually takes 3 or 4 months to get an employment authorization document, which you'll need to get another job.

Different USCIS field offices have different backlogs.

[mikkan]

Thank you for your reply!

I'm not sure what you mean by when "they send you your first receipt."
Is that USCIS replying that they received my I-130 or I-485?

[inadmissible]

Yes, that is exactly what I meant.

If you messed up something major they will send you a rejection notice, otherwise they will send you a "USCIS Acceptance Notice" by email and snail mail.

You are protected from deportation as of the date on that notice.