ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionNATURALIZATION PROCESS.. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ?
QUOTE (Goran @ Feb 16 2009, 08:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (jasman0717 @ Feb 16 2009, 08:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Take a look at the immigration timelines link at the top of the page, the stats may be helpful


...and if you'd like more numbers....

Some statistics for September, October, November, December and January filers as of 8:40AM, Monday, February 16:

Days between application sent and NOA:
........................Min.......Max.......Average...Median
September filers....3.........23................9...........8 (n=19)
October filers........4.........62...............15..........14 (n=20)
November filers.....4.........22...............10..........10 (n=23)
December filers.....4.........26...............12..........12 (n=26)
January filers........5.........16...............11..........11 (n=17)

Days between application sent and Biometrics appointment:
........................Min.......Max.......Average...Median
September filers...24.........51..............32..........31 (n=21)
October filers.......19.........84..............40..........37 (n=17)
November filers....23.........43..............31..........30 (n=19)
December filers....25.........71..............37..........34 (n=21)
January filers.......27.........36..............31..........32 (n=12)

Days between application sent and Interview appointment:
........................Min.......Max.......Average...Median
September filers...75........152............119.......121 (n=17)
October filers.......76........164............119.......115 (n=17)
November filers....92.......138............116........111 (n=17)
December filers....83.......121............101..........97 (n=9)
January filers.......70.........70.............70..........70 (n=1)

Days between application sent and Oath appointment (COMPLETION):
........................Min.......Max.......Average...Median
September filers..120........187............160.......160 (n=8)
October filers......115........154............129.......125 (n=5)
November filers...117.......117............117........117 (n=1)
December filers...XXX.......XXX...........XXX.......XXX (n=0)
January filers......XXX.......XXX...........XXX.......XXX (n=0)


I'll be applying for naturalization in about 4 weeks or so and my DO is Tampa, so this info is great to have. Thanks Goran!
J&DMaleIreland2009-02-22 21:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNew US Citizen
Zephod,

First of all a big congrats!!

Secondly, I'll be applying for citizenship in about 2 or 3 weeks and Tampa is my local District Office. What is your wife's timeline for the N-400?
J&DMaleIreland2009-02-25 21:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDays out of US Question
I'm sending my N-400 today and I just listed my days out of the US within the past 3 years.
J&DMaleIreland2009-04-24 08:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 Nautralization without Oath Ceremony...
TayRivers and Ant may start a trend....

USCIS will wonder where all the sudden requests for private Oath ceremonies came from. biggrin.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-08 12:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 Nautralization without Oath Ceremony...
Doubt if this would be acceptable, but certainly worth enquiring about.

Personally, I'd prefer to become a citizen without the N-400 application and $675 fee, waiting, NOA1, waiting, biometrics. waiting, and interview, although I would attend the oath ceremony. yes.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-07 16:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBiometrics Appointment
QUOTE
...in the letter it said like "...based on your security checks, you will be scheduled for the interview" Did any one have this phrase in your letter? If you did, did you receive a letter for your biometrics appoinment? If the letter said so, I should only be waiting for the interview letter? Do you know how long would it be to the interview date?


That was in my letter also, and is probably standard. I was called for Biometrics, even though my figerprints should still be valid on their system. I am now waiting on the interview letter. Looking at the timelines from March applicants that seems to arrive 5-8 weeks after the application is submitted.
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-16 22:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionName not on Mortgage/Utility bills.
I would not bother going to the effort of re-financing, just to please USCIS, which I am sure you won't do. I did not even bother opening a joint bank account just for their benefit. All you need are documents with either you or your spouses name on them, once all have the same address, that is fine.

In my case, I sent in a one or two utility bills with only my wife's name on them and a few bank statements and even junk mail with my name on it. Although I sent in a lot less than I had done with the I-751 ROC. For the N-400, jointly filed tax transcripts are probably the most important items in terms of proving you both live together.
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-18 00:49:00
US Citizenship General Discussioninterview docs...schedule june 17
Likewise. I received ordered transcripts twice via snail mail very quickly.
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-18 20:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWe're going to be travelling in Sept.
I spent most of April in Brazil. I was eligible to send my N-400 in on March 16 and didn't particularly want to delay the process, but I waited until I got back just to be on the safe side and so I didn't have to worry about a getting a NO SHOW on my biometrics appt while I was on vacation.
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-21 12:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBiometerics - At ASC (st Paul)
As msdelila said, you do not need your husband with you, so if you can make it to the DO on your own on that day, well and good. If not, then you could try a walk-in.

In my case, the Tampa DO does not accept walk-ins, which they stress on the biometrics appointment letter and on the USCIS website. I did a walk-in there anyway and I got some grief from security. After explaining that I may not be able to make the appointment and why (business travel that is usually scheduled at the last minute), they allowed me to go ahead and get it done, but only after waiting for others that were scheduled to do theirs first (very fair).

It might be worth a try for you also, or just re-schedule using a copy of the appointment letter as jeangab75 said.
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-19 08:46:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFiling N-400 soon, just realized I may have made a mistake
QUOTE (Anh map @ May 23 2009, 05:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He just needs to send it in. He will get an acknowledgement in the mail. Nothing to worry about.


Agreed, just file the I-865 now.
J&DMaleIreland2009-05-23 22:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionName Change during N-400
QUOTE (yellowbrickroad @ Jun 8 2009, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can I change my first name to lets say ,,,, judge or doctor,,,,


N-400 application:

Name Change (optional)
1. Would you like to legally change your name: Yes/No
2. If "Yes", print your new name:

Family Name:
of Mexico

Given Name:
Princess

Full Middle name:
Yellowbrickroad

good.gif


J&DMaleIreland2009-06-08 17:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTook a 4-day trip to the Bahamas, do I need to bring proof to interview?
QUOTE (KromiX @ Jun 18 2009, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The only trip I have ever taken OUTSIDE the country is a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas. I listed it on my N-400 form, however I don't have evidence of the trip anywhere... (went on my Green Card).. Do I need to get something for proof of that trip or is my word good for the interview?


A short trip like this won't matter. If you had spent 6 months or more, then they may have issues with it. I had about 5 or 6 trips outside the country since I moved here 3 years ago. All were reasonably short (3 weeks max). I listed them on the N-400 and I'm not going to bring any proof with me.

I noticed a post from someone that got their citizenship within the past few days whereby she spent 4 months on holiday in Mexico. That warranted only a comment from the IO and nothing more. So in sort, I would not worry about a 4 day trip outside the country.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-18 18:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDo I need to Renounce Brazilian Citizenship once I take my oath?
My wife is originally from Brazil and maintains both a US and Brazilian passport. She did get a little grief when renewing her Brazilian passort as she did not vote in Brazil for a long time, but as tpontirolli says everything ends with pizza, so she got that issue sorted out fairly easily and received her new passport.

I personally cannot think of any negatives to holding a passport for two countries. I intend to hold an Irish and US passport when I become a US citizen. You may never need a Brazilian passport....until you need it. You never know...maybe someday you'll rob a train and need someplace to go hide!

As for Brazilian politics. Even if you have no interest in the candidates, you could just vote for someone every 4 years or whenever the Presidential elections are held...anyone at all. That fulfills your legal obligation. I was told there was a candidate a few years back and his only 'policy' was to have Brazil obtain an atomic bomb. You could vote for him if he stands for election next time. wink.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-18 18:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDocument Requirements for Naturalization
I would not send any originals as you'll never get them back. Just send copies and have all the originals with you at the interview. They won't take them, but they may ask to see them.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-21 11:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBIRTH CERTIFICATES / EMPLOYMENT DATES ON N-400 FORM
QUOTE (internetkafe @ Jun 22 2009, 04:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello,

We have 2 children from our marriage, I have a stepdaughter. Am I required to list her as one of the children 'I have had' and send her birth certificate as well? (I am not her biological father.)

One of my 2 sons was born before we got married, and on his birth certificate the father's information area is blank. But the birth certificate( from before we got married, his first birth certificate). Is it OK if I send this birth certificate or do I have to get a new one?

On past employment part, I do not remember exact dates of starting and ending employments. Can I just put the month and year if I can not remember the exact days?

Thank you very much.


No idea on the answer to the kids question, unless maybe you list your stepdaughter and put (stepdaughter) after her name on the form?

On the employment side, I think a lot of people put in month and year. I would say USCIS expect that as most people won't remember or have records of exact dates of their employment going back years. They may have issues however if you don't remember the exact names of your kids biggrin.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-23 10:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow long it takes to get a passport through expedite service?
Methinks when the time comes to apply for a passport, I won't bother with expedited service. That money is far better spent on important things like Cadbury's.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-23 10:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow long it takes to get a passport through expedite service?
Any posts I have seen to date show that people receive their passport 2-3 weeks following application regardless of if they paid extra for the expedite service or not. Unless you REALLY need your passport in a hurry, I would not bother paying the extra $$$ as there is a very good chance you won't get the passport any faster.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-22 19:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionThree years vs. Five
QUOTE
...I like to think it is because they had to put up with our crapola for 3 years...


Best answer I've seen for a long time! laughing.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-25 15:22:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTraveling
QUOTE (jess1 @ Jun 25 2009, 03:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am assuming that USCIS online status update tells you if an interview is scheduled. Is that correct????


Nope, not correct. The online status for citizenship is very rarely, if ever, updated after the N-400 is received and the case status states "Case received and pending".
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-25 17:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
QUOTE (James @ Jun 30 2009, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When my wife read me the questions and had me answer them without ever having seen the answers provided, I said he was a leader of the civil rights movement. I can't imagine that wouldn't be a passing answer.


Certainly better than 'Some American dude...' tongue.gif

I'd say anything that resembles a correct answer will be marked as such. Although I would say if the IO wants one answer from a potential list of one or more answers, then give one answer only.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-30 14:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
After looking through all the posts on this, I think the people that stated that the answer should more or less and not exactly match the correct answer are right.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-29 10:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
QUOTE (jsnearline @ Jun 25 2009, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Here's another example...

What did Martin Luther King do?

- fought for civil rights
- worked for equality for all Americans

My wife keeps answering with "worked for civil rights"

I really don't know whether they would accept that as an answer or not. I suppose it could depend on the IO you get at interview and what mood they're in.

Anyone who's been through the interview already have any thoughts on this?


Hmmm....I'm interested in people's opinions on this also. I would think surely the IO would accept an "improvised answer" that is still correct, even if it isn't word for word as per the USCIS answer(s).....
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-25 17:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussionaddress change before interview date
From what I understand, you need to be resident in an area for 3 months before filing, not before the interview, therefore I would hope that it doesn't matter, but I do not know exactly.

I am in the same situation whereby my lease is also up on July 31 and I have two potential job offers out of state. Neither of which I have actually received, but I feel good about them, so fingers crossed! If I do get one or the other (or both), it would mean a move out of Florida just days before my naturalization interview. In this economy it would be stupid to turn down a job. While it's possible that I can come back for the interview, I would still have to ask the IO to not schedule my oath for Tampa and instead for the closest oath ceremony center to whererever I live at that stage.

So, I too am interested in an answer to this...should an address change outside of the area your district office handles matter during the naturalization interview....anyone have thoughts on this?


J&DMaleIreland2009-07-01 10:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionStupid Question
QUOTE (frenchie @ Jun 30 2009, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everybody,

I have a question concerning the civil test...(even though I have couple months before to send in my application). When the IO asks the questions, do we need to answer with a full sentence? For example, if the IO asks: "What is the supreme law of the land?", do we have to say: "The supreme law of the land is the Constitution" or is it just fine just to say: "the Constitution"?

Thanks all for the input, visajourney is such a helpful tool with this stressful process. But hey we are almost done...last step!!!


The answer to this is covered here:
http://www.visajourn...h...15&start=15

It seems no one knows, but most suspect an answer that is not exact, but is correct, even if it isn't exactly word-for-word as per the USCIS answer should be fine. I'll go with short and sweet, so in this example, I'll answer "the Constitution".
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-30 16:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOath Letter
QUOTE (jsnearline @ Jul 2 2009, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
questions asking whether you left the country, if you committed any offesnes, etc... They just want to make sure you're still eligible to take your Oath.


Any question in there about a change of address? I may have to move out of state between the interview and the oath, depending on a job offer, and I'm not sure if I should re-schedule my oath for the nearest location to where I live which could be 30 minutes away or 6 hours away depending on where I end up or if I'll not attempt to complicate things further by just taking the date assigned in the oath letter and fly back to Tampa for the day to take the oath and get it over and done with. But I don't want to do that if it meant lying on the oath letter if it asks about a change of address.

I wonder if I could ask the IO at the interview to schedule the oath for another location out of state if I have a solid job offer by then, but have not moved yet.

Edited by J&D, 02 July 2009 - 04:45 PM.

J&DMaleIreland2009-07-02 16:43:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOath Letter
QUOTE (NickD @ Jul 2 2009, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
....can fill out the eight questions...


What are the 8 questions on the oath letter?
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-02 11:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCase Status for Naturalization
QUOTE (CanAmCharlotte @ Jul 4 2009, 07:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't see any postings on case status in this particular forum. Can you follow what's going on with your natualization applicaion on the USCIS website under case status or does that end with the removal of conditions?

Thanks.


The USCIS website tends to be updated during the removal of conditions process, but not during naturalization. This may be because your case starts out at the National Benefits Center for initial processing, but all case-related files are then sent to your local district office where your interview will be held and maybe the local district office doesn't have the authorization to update the website case status and the NBC could not be bothered when it is no longer in their juristiction. A lot of people that already have their citizenship still see that their naturalization case has been received and is pending at the National Benefits Center.

My case says the same thing, even though I have already received my NOA1, my biometrics is complete and my interview has been scheduled.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-04 10:54:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMy Interview Experience.....
Well done KromiX!! Since you have $500 sitting around, you can send it to me at...

Hopefully the Oath will happen sooner rather than later, but from what the IO said, I would think you'll be done with the USCIS very soon.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-02 11:15:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDo I go n400 or i-751?
QUOTE (Immigrant2009 @ Jun 23 2009, 01:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
... Ant has given very detailed answer hope that answers your question. ...


Ant should be charging $200 an hour as an Immigration Consultant.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-23 10:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDo I go n400 or i-751?
milimelo is correct and you must go through the ROC process. However, the following statement is not correct "After your ROC is approved, you can apply for citizenship when you have been a PR for 3 years minus 90 days." in that you can apply for citizenship when you have been a PR for 3 years minus 90 days, but it matters little if your ROC has been approved or not. Even if the I-751 is still pending, once you have been a legal PR for 3 years minus 90 days, assuming the application is based on marriage to a US citizen (as it is in this case) and you meet the continuous residency requirements, you can send in your N-400.
J&DMaleIreland2009-06-22 18:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400: Help for US Citizenship Test for all VJers!....
Thx Ant.

I've made a note of this in my all important file named "HowToPassThisFrigginNaturalizationInterview.txt" smile.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-06 17:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFormal way of presenting N-400 package?
QUOTE (AntandD @ Jul 6 2009, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing

  • If you believe your situation to be unique, explain it fully in an attachment to the packet, not as a cover letter.


Darn, I got this info too late Ant. I could have explained in my attachment to the packet:

N-400 - Unique Situation: Crazy Irishman currently baking to death in 100F in Florida yet frightened to go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico for fear of being eaten alive by sharks seeks US Citizenship soonest.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-07 08:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFormal way of presenting N-400 package?
It would be better if they had exact instructions, but since the USCIS file their own way, I just put a bunch of papers in, fastened only with paper clips where necessary and with the cover letter explaining what was what in the order it was sent in. No file folders or fancy clips etc. I had no issues with that during the ROC, so I did the same thing with the N-400.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-05 17:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMusings for a Wednesday
Ours is not to reason why....cos if we were to try to figure it all out, we'd go nuts.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-08 15:48:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfee qu
One check is fine.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-08 23:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRealized Stupid mistake on N-400 - forgot to include signature page
QUOTE (civis @ Jul 7 2009, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It sounds like one of those ridiculous stories that you never believe would occur to you. Well... it occurred to me. I have just realized that I missed the last page (signature) on my N-400 that I submitted a few days ago (yet to be received by USCIS). I had checked my application thousand of times, but in the last re-print, I missed the last page.

Is there any way to repair the error or submitting the missing page? Will the application be returned or will it be denied? Will I get the check back? More importantly, how is this going to affect my naturalization chances?

Thank you for your help. I am desperate.


Just returned, check not cashed, you sign and re-send. It'll add a few days delay, nothing more. Make sure you sign Part 11 only.

In fact this is the whole reason behind the Lockbox system. They check applications to ensure they are ready before they go to your local district office.

Edited by J&D, 07 July 2009 - 11:35 AM.

J&DMaleIreland2009-07-07 11:32:00
US Citizenship General Discussionclasses for civics test?
Since I'm going through the naturalization process and I am starting an E-Learning application design and development module in September for my BSc degree, I'm considering creating a US naturalization E-Learning application for my computer science project. Should be interesting! But I'm afraid you'll have to wait until next March before that's complete. biggrin.gif
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-11 13:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBank statements question
QUOTE (l.j./1999 @ Jul 12 2009, 07:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We sent two statements per year, but I think you could send fewer and be fine... It's more important what you bring to the actual interview, because that's when they really look at the evidence closely and they want to see evidence covering the entire three years of marriage - somebody was recently told at her interview that she should have brought more evidence from the first year of her marriage.


Hmm...I'll keep this in mind. I was just going to concentrate on the most recent stuff, but I'll take some evidence from each year to be on the safe side.
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-12 18:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBank statements question
QUOTE (CanAmCharlotte @ Jul 12 2009, 05:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Collie,

The official USCIS Document Checklist for the N-400 application reads "....Tax returns, bank statements, leases, mortgages,......" for the necessary documents referring to you and your spouse.

When I filed my ROC I sent actual bank statements covering the two year period. Seems to me they're just asking for more of the same for this N-400 phase. If they wanted a letter from an applicant's bank, wouldn't they have been a lot more specific or risked having to send out a load of RFE's?


Agreed on this. I just sent tax returns for 3 years and the latest bank statement received before I sent the application. The IO may ask for more recent statements at the interview.

blink.gif @ I-130's, letters from bank officials and top dawgs....!
J&DMaleIreland2009-07-12 17:48:00