filing time for avoiding 180-day bar

This gets complicated. Although there are rules about mailing, USCIS may depend upon the receipt date for the purposes of securing a travel document. If your I-94 expired 180 days ago, then you should not travel outside the U.S., even if the USCIS issues advanced parole.

The 180 day bar goes into effect when you depart the U.S.

There may be other complications with the filing. You should make an appointment with an experienced immigration attorney. Not every applicant can qualify to adjust status or get a visa based upon marriage to a U.S. Citizen. Some have to take additional steps or may be best avoiding the process.

The above is general information and does not create an attorney client relationship.

Unlawful presence is not an issue if you are married to a US citizen and you do not plan to depart the United States before your permanent residence approval. Ideally, all parts of the application i.e. petition, adjustment, employment and travel applications should go in together with all initial evidence. A medical examination is considered required initial evidence. If you fail to provide initial evidence, you will be issued a Request for Evidence and all processing will be halted until receipt of the initial evidence. This can seriously and unnecessarily delay an otherwise straightforward petition/application process.