ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 document checklist
I just Fed-Ex'd my N-400 on Saturday. It was signed for on Monday, so I'm now officially in the queue whistling.gif . I sent the following:
  • N-400 application
  • cheque for $675, comprising the application and biometric fees, made payable to "Department of Homeland Security"
  • 2 identical photos as per the M-603 instructions (with my name and A# written on back in pencil)
  • copy of the front and back of my PR card
  • copy of our marriage certificate
  • copy of my husband's birth certificate, proving that he was born a US citizen
  • copy of my birth certificate, showing my original last name
  • copy of my change-of-name deed, showing that I changed my last name to my mother's maiden name in 1998
  • official IRS transcripts of our last 3 federal tax returns, which we filed jointly (I phoned the IRS and requested them -- it's a free service and they only took a few days to arrive)
  • copy of the mortgage transfer letter (dated December 2006), showing that we jointly own our current residence
  • copy of the online property database record (dated January 2008), showing that we still jointly own our current residence
The last couple of items (the mortgage letter etc.) weren't required, but since I'd already photocopied them I included them as extra proof of our financial intermingling smile.gif Suffice to say, I didn't send nearly as much stuff as we did with the I-751 (which made the postage significantly cheaper!).

I'm also Boston, so it'll be interesting to see how fast they process our apps! Good luck!
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-13 15:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Citizenship Question
QUOTE (pj1959us @ Mar 4 2008, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've read that when one has dual citizenship and, in the case of a UK/US citizenship, travels to the UK they should show their UK passport when entering the UK and show their US passport when returning to the US. If this is true, is it a requirement to maintain two passports? Or, what if the UK passport can't be located or is expired? Can the dual UK/US citizen enter the UK and the US on the US passport?

PJ


Yup, you need to maintain both passports and bring both with you when you travel to/from the UK (showing the British one when entering the UK and the US one when leaving the UK -- i.e. checking in at the airport -- as well as when going through US immigration). I think you'd be able to enter the UK on a US passport, but you'd then have to stand in the non-EU queue (which, in the case of Heathrow especially, is horrific) and you'd get a visitor's stamp in your passport.

Btw, you can renew your passport in the US if it's expired -- details here http://www.britainus...n...i=10080&d=1 (it's a bit more expensive than renewing in the UK, but was much quicker!) Not sure what you'd do if you can't find your passport, so I'd suggest contacting either your local consulate or the British Embassy.
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-04 15:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Citizenship Question
I've just filed my N-400 with the intention of taking dual citizenship -- had this not been possible then I wouldn't have applied. My main reasons for doing this are:
- NEVER having to deal with the USCIS again
- finally being able to vote after having lived here for nearly 9 years (although with the current imbeciles running the USCIS, I'll be pretty amazed if my application is processed in time for the November election)

The UK allows dual citizenship and, whilst the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship, they turn a blind eye to it. At least, they do at the moment. If it ever changes, then I will revert back to only being a UK citizen -- the opportunity to live and work in both the US and the EU is too important to give up.
If we ever decide to move to the UK, then my hubby has said that he'd do the reciprocal thing and apply for UK citizenship (which, incidentally, also has the same residency requirements as the US in that he'd need to be a resident of the UK for 3 years before applying)
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-03 16:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow long has it been since you filed your N400?
My sympathies with how frustrated you're feeling... it took them over a year to process my Adjustment of Status -- whereas, at the time, most people were getting their applications processed in a matter of months (or weeks for the CSC), which, in turn, had the knock-on effect of delaying when I could apply for naturalization. mad.gif Mind you, I would have still been stuffed with the fee increase, even if the VSC had been vaguely competent at the time and processed my app efficiently. Oh, how I look forward to the day when I can wave goodbye to dealing with the moronic USCIS forever...

Fingers-crossed your app is processed in time and you can vote! (I hope to be able to vote too, but apparently the Boston office is still processing May 27 2007...)
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-05 12:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFiling eligibility question
I've found this helpful when calculating when the 90 day mark is - http://www.timeandda...te/dateadd.html (I've usually erred on 89 or 88 days though, just to be on the safe side)
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-05 12:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInteresting read: Gonzalez blog
"Fit to Print?" -- a response to the New York Times' article "Citizenship, Thwarted" criticising the USCIS. The utter ignorance of the USCIS to the plight of everyone (immigrants and citizens) who has to deal with their mess of incompetence absolutely amazes me.

(Btw, I don't know if anyone's posted this yet -- I couldn't find any mention of it -- so apologies if it's a duplicate!)
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-25 12:01:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs the Vermont Service Center the slowest?
I dunno, it's easy to confuse the slowness of the local office with that of your local slowness centre -- Vermont was desperately slow with my AOS (had to wait over a year) and now it seems like Nebraska and Texas (or, at least, the local offices in those areas) are on full-steam-ahead with interviews. Oh, the joy of being stuck with Boston... Good luck Katlady!
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-03 21:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBritish Permanent Resident
Yup, you can take dual citizenship. The US won't actually recognize your UK citizenship (you renounce your loyalty to all other countries when you take the oath), but it isn't currently enforced. However, the UK recognizes dual citizenship. Basically, it'll mean that when you're travelling to/from the UK, you'll need to take both passports as you will only be able to re-enter the US using your US passport.

I'm planning on taking dual citizenship (if my N-400 is ever processed) -- if I ever had to choose between the two though, I'd revert back to UK citizenship.
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-23 12:23:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHave not been "touched" since biometrics
Nope, me neither. I suspect this is the norm.

Amusingly, though, applications I sent in years ago seem to have been "touched" recently. Dunno what that's all about...
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-25 10:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMy Interview
Congratulations! Fingers-crossed the oath letter arrives soon smile.gif

I was rather amused by your comment here:

QUOTE (NickD @ May 13 2008, 06:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
3. what is the most important right given to a u.s. citizen

The correct answer they want is the right to vote, ha, I kind of thought it was the right to bear arms, but that right is rapidly being taken away.


When my hubby was giving me a civics 101 quiz the other day, he asked me this question and my response -- seriously, my knee-jerk reaction -- was "the right to bear arms"... my hubby almost fell off his chair laughing. It's now become the "guess what she answered this one as?" joke... smile.gif

Btw, I plan to say "vote" if asked in the actual interview...
miriFemaleEngland2008-05-14 09:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 application
I also submitted the transcripts (which I panic ordered 1 week before I filed, once I realized I needed them! - they arrived in a matter of days though, which was a relief) for basically the same reason as Tammi -- less photocopying needed and a smaller (and cheaper) envelope to Fed-ex to the VSC.

Good luck! smile.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-03 15:54:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
Just received NOA and biometrics letters! Apparently I should expect to be notified of the interview date within 365 days... tsk...

02/09/08: mailed my N-400 (arrived & signed for 02/11/08)
02/13/08: cheque cashed
02/11/08: priority date
02/15/08: notice date
02/22/08: received NOA and biometrics appointment letters
03/07/08: biometrics appointment scheduled

smile.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-22 14:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
QUOTE (kud @ Feb 21 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Not so fast blush.gif VSC only does the initial paperwork. After that it's your local office and how busy the are. The speed of VSC isn't helping a lot here. That's why it is important to fill in your Visa Journey time line. It is search able by local office and really helps track the progress.


Good point -- since this particular thread specifically pertains to the VSC, I guess what I should have said was that I hope that the VSC as a whole (i.e. all district offices under its umbrella - in my case, Boston) is getting its act together wink.gif I agree, the timelines have been pretty useful throughout this process, although they can be a pain to sort through...

Edited by miri, 21 February 2008 - 12:00 PM.

miriFemaleEngland2008-02-21 11:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
QUOTE (TruLoveFound @ Feb 20 2008, 05:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there everyone. I thought I would update my wife's status for everyone so those who are going through the same process can judge their own timeframes. We went through VSC with our local field office being in St. Alban's, Vermont. We just received her interview appointment notice today and she is scheduled for her interview on April 15, 2008 (which also happens to be my birthday so after we're going to celebrate kicking.gif !!!

12-20-2007 Submitted my wife N400 to VSC.
12-21-2007 UPS confirms that her application arrived.
01-03-2008 Check Cashed by USCIS.
01-10-2008 Received NOA Receipt Notice.
01-15-2008 Received NOA Biometric's Appointment Notice.
01-28-2008 Biometrics/fingerprints done.
02-20-2008 Received NOA Interview Appointment Notice.
04-15-2008 Naturalization Interview (wish us luck)

We can now see the light at the end of the immigration tunnel...yahoo!!!


Wow!!! That's so quick! I hope this means that the VSC is getting its act together... It's been over a week since our cheque was cashed so I'm hoping my NOA will make an appearance soon.

Congrats and good luck smile.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-20 18:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
I just sent in my N-400... the final leg of this journey begins...

02/9/08: mailed my N-400 (arrived & signed for 02/11/08)
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-12 21:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVermont Center N400 filer
QUOTE (CVAMAL @ Jan 8 2008, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
BTW I have a 540 days notification period...what was yours? thx


540 days??!!! I guess I can kiss my hope of voting in November goodbye... this is so utterly outrageous mad.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-01-08 11:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVSC Super Fast
QUOTE (miri @ Apr 25 2008, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (happpy @ Apr 24 2008, 08:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It is election year, they may want to move people fast to vote.
It happened to one of my friends who applied in March 04 and got it in September just before the election.


I have to admit, I'm somewhat skeptical that the current administration will be doing anything to facilitate any naturalizations (since, on the whole, new immigrants don't tend to vote for his party).

Having said that, congratulations! And best of luck with the civics studying smile.gif Fingers-crossed that Boston manages something in the near future, although I'm not counting on it... I think I agree with cmartyn about there being a big old lottery as far as when people's applications are processed wacko.gif


Hey! After all that, guess what arrived in the mail for me too! My interview is on Thursday June 12th at 8:30am (in Boston). Better get studying... wink.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-25 15:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionVSC Super Fast
QUOTE (happpy @ Apr 24 2008, 08:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It is election year, they may want to move people fast to vote.
It happened to one of my friends who applied in March 04 and got it in September just before the election.


I have to admit, I'm somewhat skeptical that the current administration will be doing anything to facilitate any naturalizations (since, on the whole, new immigrants don't tend to vote for his party).

Having said that, congratulations! And best of luck with the civics studying smile.gif Fingers-crossed that Boston manages something in the near future, although I'm not counting on it... I think I agree with cmartyn about there being a big old lottery as far as when people's applications are processed wacko.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-25 10:06:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPhilosophical question:
QUOTE (wannabe_texan @ Jul 28 2008, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Being able to vote.

Taxation without representation sucks. devil.gif


I concur smile.gif I'm really looking forward to being able to vote in November. Not to mention, never having to deal with the USCIS again.

I've had 9 years of taxation without representation now -- since I'm in Boston, I keep threatening to throw a box of Lipton teabags into the Charles River to make a point jest.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-08-04 09:29:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (Vouge @ Aug 8 2008, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok...I'm officially done kicking.gif I had my Oath today. It was a very nice ceremony. I registered to vote and stopped by SSA office to updated my status in the system on my way home. The last step is getting passport. I'm proud US Citizen now! Go USA TEAM!!! good.gif

P.S. Congratulations to everyone else, and good luck to those who aren't done yet.


Congratulations!!!! It's my turn in a few weeks' time (so it's still go Team GB for me smile.gif )

Did you register at the ceremony?
miriFemaleEngland2008-08-09 10:48:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Congrats to all you new USCs! (albeit, a little belatedly!) Wow Lady K, oath and ceremony on the same day -- that's fantastic! And it's really good to know that your passport didn't take too long to process.

One month today 'til I'm finally done with everything smile.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-08-04 09:24:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (Vouge @ Jun 19 2008, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks to all of you!!! blush.gif Yep! I need to change my NickName to Vogue888 biggrin.gif

Miri, my ceremony will be held in Fall River blink.gif It's actually was funny situation...After I was approved nice lady officer sent me back to waiting area to sing my photo...few minutes later another office called my name and started to shake my and my husbands hand and said to us : "Do you guys remember me? wacko.gif I interviewed you 3 years ago for AOS" ohmy.gif Wow, we couldn't believe it! (btw He is a really nice guy) Then we asked him if it's possible to have my Oath on the 4th of July, but he told us that this day was already filled and gave us dates to choose from. We decided to go with 08.08.08 in Fall River since the earliest available day in Boston will be only in September. And I saw how everybody was getting letters for September. Anyways it doesn't matter when as long as we can vote in November!

Question - did you get an e-mail saying ur application was approved?

Wishing all of you good luck and fast approvals!!!


Ahhh! I see now smile.gif Thanks for the explanation good.gif (I figured it was something like that). You'll have to let us know how it goes! It never actually occurred to us to ask for an alternative date -- I agree, though, as long as I can vote in November, I'm not too bothered when it happens wink.gif

Nope, haven't had any email approval yet. Just the photocopied piece of paper saying when and where the oath will be. It's cool that your AOS person was so nice -- our AOS person was a complete fascist (and no, I'm not exaggerating -- it was an horrendous experience) so it was wonderful that the interviewers this time were so friendly. The security guards were a good laugh too -- they were poking fun at the fact that my "home country" will likely be mentioned a fair amount at my oath ceremony, given where it's taking place tongue.gif

Anyway, fingers-crossed for everyone else!!! Good luck!!!
miriFemaleEngland2008-06-20 10:16:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Congrats Vouge! I wonder why my oath date is a month after yours (bizarro) -- shame we're not going together. Where's the ceremony being held?

Edited by miri, 19 June 2008 - 12:52 PM.

miriFemaleEngland2008-06-19 12:51:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Hello all! Sorry for the late response -- my hubby and I flew to Denver first-thing Friday to visit his folks so this is the first opportunity I've had to let you know how I got on.

The interview was really quick -- the initial test was only a few minutes long, then I went through all my paperwork with another officer (she was a good laugh -- quite a change from my green card interview experience) and finally I signed my photo and that was it! The only thing I was asked to show was my green card -- they didn't want to see any of the other documents I'd brought with me. I was interested to see that on the wall in the secondary waiting room was a "proclamation" signed by all the USCIS Boston officers that they will endeavour to process all naturalization applications within 6 months -- very encouraging.

My test questions were:
What are the colours of the flag?
How many supreme court justices are there?
How many branches of government are there?
Who is the commander-in-chief of the US military?
What is the most important right afforded to a US citizen?

I then had to read "America is a great country" out loud, and write "I drive a red car". That was it.

Oath date is set for September 4th at Faneuil Hall in Boston -- it's a bit of a wait, but I'm not too bothered. It'll be cool to take the oath in such an historic building (I'm an Architect, so this appeals to me smile.gif ) The main thing is, I'm definitely going to be able to vote now in November!!

Vouge -- I really hope your interview went well (I'm sure it did). Let us know how you got on!
miriFemaleEngland2008-06-18 16:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Thanks everyone! I'll make a note of what I'm asked and report back as soon as I can smile.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-06-11 17:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Congrats Vouge!!! Brilliant news!

My NOA said 365 days -- and nope, I didn't get any study materials at the biometrics appointment.
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-27 21:46:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
WHOAAA!!!! My interview letter arrived!!! 8:30am on Thursday June 12th!

Better get studying... smile.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-25 13:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (Vouge @ Apr 17 2008, 06:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nothing yet..waiting for my interview letter. Today I called FBI to check on my fingerprints status and I was told that they sent my results electronically back to USCIS on March 25 2008 same day as I did them.


Just out of interest, how do you go about calling the FBI? Please could you tell me what number you called, and what you asked for? Thanks!
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-23 12:25:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (ives_damian @ Apr 3 2008, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
it looks like i'm next! dancin5hr.gif biggrin.gif
got the interview letter today for may 13. gotta start studying!! i'm getting nervous guys!


Wow, Nebraska and Texas (well, the local offices therein anyway) are really steaming ahead! Good luck with your studies. C'mon Boston!!
miriFemaleEngland2008-04-03 21:28:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (Balad @ Mar 25 2008, 03:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I and my husband are both sick and tired of INS helpsmilie.gif


I hear you -- I see your AOS took almost as long as mine did... I can't wait to see the back of the USCIS whistling.gif
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-26 13:20:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (Vouge @ Mar 25 2008, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had my fingerprints done today. I asked them if I can get an extension for my extension letter (since my I-751 is pending for more than a year now) and I was told that I need to make an infopass and try to get it and he also said that he is so sure that I'll get my N-400 interview by than...I'd love to believe it!


Wow, here's keeping everything crossed! Does that mean that Boston is speeding things up? When do you need to make your infopass appointment (so I know when "by then" is smile.gif )
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-26 13:18:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
QUOTE (nscvet @ Mar 7 2008, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (satura @ Mar 6 2008, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i am back from the finger print appointment. it was very very fast, got there at 9am, out by around 9:25 am. No phones are allowed inside.

and they no longer distribute the US history/civics study materials. don't know why.


What is your local office and where did you go for FP? My wife was given both a history/civics booklet and a CD at the ASC in L.A.


I got my FP done at the ASC in Boston -- and I got diddly squat... I had no idea that you could even get civics stuff from them! I guess I'll have to seek out my own study materials whistling.gif

Mind you, I'd rather they spend their money on improving processing speed than providing literature...

Edited by miri, 07 March 2008 - 03:07 PM.

miriFemaleEngland2008-03-07 15:05:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Biometrics done this morning -- appointment was for 9am, got their on time and was finished by 9:15am! Probably the best experience I've had yet at the Boston ASC. Now the wait for the interview date...

02-09-2008: Fed Ex'd N-400 to VSC (cheque cashed 02-13-08)
02-11-2008: "Received / Priority Date"
02-15-2008: "Notice Date"
02-22-2008: NOA & biometrics appointment letters arrived
03-07-2008: Biometrics done
miriFemaleEngland2008-03-07 10:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Received NOA and biometrics letters today! Biometrics appointment is 7th March (2 weeks today). So, so far:

02-09-2008: Fed Ex'd N-400 to VSC (cheque cashed 02-13-08)
02-11-2008: "Priority Date"
02-15-2008: "Notice Date"
02-22-2008: received NOA and biometrics appointment letters
03-07-2008: Biometrics scheduled...
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-22 15:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Looks like they cashed our cheque on the 13th (2 days after the application arrived)... hope this means that they're actually going to be doing something!
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-16 15:27:00
US Citizenship General Discussionany february filers
Sent my N-400 2/9/08. Good luck with your applications!
miriFemaleEngland2008-02-12 21:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual British and American citizenship?
I'm in the final throes of naturalization -- if I couldn't keep my UK citizenship then I wouldn't be going through it in the first place (we're sick and tired of the USCIS and basically just want to be done with having to deal the broken, expensive and frustrating US immigration system! -- not to mention, I've been dealing with "taxation without representation" for the past nine years so am rather looking forward to being able to vote!!). As an aside, if my husband and I ever move to the UK, he's said that he'll reciprocate and take UK citizenship, if he's able to.

Tammi's right -- when you take US citizenship, the US won't recognize your UK citizenship, but you're still able to take dual citizenship.

Anyway, good luck with the whole immigration process!
miriFemaleEngland2008-06-09 12:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card/Abandoning Status Issues

My husband's job took us to Europe while I was CPR. We filed I-751 while abroad by mailing the required documents to USCIS. It was approved without the interview, had to come to the US to initiate a new card (fingerprint and photos). I hear nowdays people get new GC without having to go to the local office.


It's really reassuring to hear other people's stories! On the I-751 form, what did you put down for your "address" and "mailing address"? Did you use a US address for both? Or did you use your European address for your "mailing address"? Thanks :)
miriFemaleEngland2006-02-26 08:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card/Abandoning Status Issues
Thanks meauxna! I followed the link and the information provided is very helpful. The thing that concerns me is that the references to filing the I-751 from overseas pertain to military personnel or people employed by the US government only. I suspect it might be "phone a lawyer" time :)

Why does the US government have to give people going about immigration the legal way such a hard time? :wacko:
miriFemaleEngland2006-02-15 13:20:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card/Abandoning Status Issues

Follow the link Kezzie provided and find the Instructions for I-751 and filing from overseas (yes, you can do that).


I may well be in the same situation as miketrombone in the coming months. My husband and I are considering moving to Europe for a while, to be closer to my family, but the problem is that the conditions on my PR are due to be lifted in May 2007 (we will have been married for over 3 years by then). You say it's possible to file the I-751 from overseas -- where can I find out more information about this? We've been through so much as far as immigration is concerned, not to mention the financial expense, so we're very worried that moving will screw everything up.

Advice is gratefully appreciated!
miriFemaleEngland2006-02-15 10:58:00