ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General Discussion2 weeks till interview, but no "yellow letter"
I think I'm mainly worried about being asked for stuff that we previously submitted for earlier applications that isn't included on the interview checklist. My wife's birth certificate is a good example.

I guess I thought getting a "yellow letter" would be a good thing because it means someone actually located the file and looked at it. I've heard too many stories of missing or incomplete A files. As long as my wife's case file actually makes it to the District Office for the interview, then I'll be happy.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-04 12:23:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 weeks till interview, but no "yellow letter"
From what I understand, the "yellow letter" is specific to each person's case. The interview letter includes a generic checklist of possible documents to bring.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-04 11:28:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 weeks till interview, but no "yellow letter"
The "yellow letter" is a case file review notice that is generated sometime between completion of biometrics and the interview. It informs tha applicant that their file has been reviewed and lists specific documents that they should bring with them to their interview.


jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-04 11:05:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 weeks till interview, but no "yellow letter"
My wife's interview is two weeks from today, but we have yet to receive the yellow case file review letter. Any ideas why we might not have received one? Should we be concerned?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-03 22:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs this a joke?
I wonder if they could fail you on the English portion if the form says only to declare trips of 24 hours or more and you include trips of 24 hours or less as well... smile.gif

The reason they don't care about trips 24 hours or less is because they don't count towards time outside the country for naturalization purposes. Partial days inside the US count as full days inside the US when doing these calculations.

Why make things more complicated than they have to be?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-16 18:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs this a joke?
QUOTE (AntandD @ Jul 14 2009, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For example, "June 2009, a trip less than 24 hours"


FYI, you don't need to list any trips of less than 24 hours on the N-400.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-15 16:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs this a joke?
I wonder if you can request Customs and Border Protection to look up the information they have for you...
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-14 16:47:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs this a joke?
I suppose it could come as a surprise if you weren't aware of that requirement adn hadn't kept adequate records.

Some countries, Canada for one, don't always stamp passports on entry and exit, so I wouldn't rely just on the stamps in your passport.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-14 16:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 & Tax
We just sent copies of our returns (downloaded and printed from Turbotax) with my wife's N-400. They weren't signed and we didn't include the W-2s. We brought transcripts to the interview but the officer was happy with what we originally sent.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-18 18:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionScheduled for interview. N400 errors
Yes, you can make changes to your application at the interview. The IO had my wife change one of her answers on her form today at her interview.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-17 19:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRecommended for Approval
She said she only remembers the question she got wrong. She was asked, "What is the supreme law of the land?" She gave the answer "no one is above the law", thinking the question had been What is the "rule of law?"
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-18 22:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRecommended for Approval
I was surprised that the IO didn't even ask to see my wife's passport to verify the dates she spent outside the country.

He did ask her when we got married and when my birthday is. She wasn't excpecting those questions, so she had to stop and think a little bit because our wedding anniversary and my birthday are only two days apart. smile.gif
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-18 16:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRecommended for Approval
My wife and I went for her naturalization interview today. We got to the Denver office at 12:30 for a 1 PM interview. We turned in the interview notice and waited... and waited... and waited... Finally at 2:15 PM, I approached the guard and asked if he knew what the delay was. He went to check on it and not long after, an officer came out to call my wife in. He told her that no one knew we were out there waiting and that her file had just been given to him 10 minutes earlier. Good thing we asked about it or we would still be there.

The officer asked to see my wife's green card and driver's license. He then administered the English and Civics tests. After that, he went over her application and made a few corrections. He didn't ask her for any additional evidence. Everything he needed was already in her file.

He gave her the N-652 Naturalization Interview Results sheet showing that she passed the tests and is recommended for approval. He told her that because she is requesting a name change, her interview will be at least two months from now, but could be as far out as six months. It all depends on the schedule of the District Court. He asked her if she was sure she wanted to do the name change. She said she definitely wants it because people keep getting her name wrong since she has two first names now.

So, for those of you who want to do name changes when you naturalize, make sure you're willing to wait the extra time you'll need for a court ceremony.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-17 18:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizinship after taking voluntary departure in 2005
QUOTE (berniefl33 @ Jul 21 2009, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What happens if you get denied citizinship,, can u still keep getting your 10 yr card renewed every 10 yes or do you lose that too once citizenship is denied or is that a separate thing???


It depends on the reason for the denial. If they find that they gave you the green card in error, they can revoke it.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-21 09:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizinship after taking voluntary departure in 2005
The N-400 application Part 10 Section E has questions about Removal, Exclusion, and Deportation proceedings. You'lll have to answer "yes" to any of these questions that apply to your situation and be prepared to answer questions about it at your interview. I would think being able to show proof that you left the US within the voluntary departure limit they gave you would help. If you're worried about it, you may want to consult an immigration attorney before you apply.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-20 20:47:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQuestions at the Oath?
Has anyone ever been quizzed again on the civics questions at their Oath Ceremony? I was talking to a friend who naturalized a number of years back and he said the judge called on a few people and asked them some civics and history questions.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-22 15:45:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400: How long for a US baby's birth certificate and other papers?
I was able to obtain certified copies of my son's birth certificate one week after his birth. That said, it all depends on how quickly the hospital files the certificate with the county or state office that maintains them.

I don't remember the birth certificate application being that overwhelming. It was just one page.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-23 16:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussionshould I request the transcripts again?
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to order the transcripts. It takes about a week to get them once you've placed the order.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-23 15:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussionshould I request the transcripts again?
We just sent regular copies of our returns (without W-2s) and the IO didn't ask my wife for the transcripts she brought to the interview.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-23 13:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussionshould I request the transcripts again?
There is no requirement that the tax transcripts be sealed. In fact, you should open them up when you get them to make sure the IRS actually sent you the correct ones. Otherwise, how would you know for sure?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-23 12:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDuring the citizenship process is required in person the US husband/wife?
I have heard of cases where the IO asks to see the husband/wife after the interview (even though the rules don't require it). You might bring a copy of his deployment orders with you to the interview.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-23 15:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussionqu about test questions
QUOTE (Allie and Nigel @ Jul 30 2009, 04:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Whatever the questions, you are allowed 3 wrong, they dont stop asking them either- up to the amt of questions, i dont remember. It so easy its stupid. LOL.


That is incorrect. You are allowed to get up to four questions wrong and still pass. Once you get six questions correct they will stop asking.

QUOTE
The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An
applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.

http://www.uscis.gov...uments/100q.pdf

Last I checked, 10 - 6 = 4, not 3...

Edited by jsnearline, 30 July 2009 - 06:01 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-30 17:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionA fitting date to naturalize
My wife will take her Oath exactly five years from the day we officially became engaged. How cool is that?! smile.gif

In addition, she will take her Oath exactly five months after we signed and mailed her N-400. So USCIS will be able to add her to the statistics of those they naturalized within their targeted timeframe of five months. Not bad considering she is being naturalized in court because of a name change.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-05 23:46:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship application questions - proofs and oath ceremony
You do have to document that you are living together in marital union. See the checklist in the back of the Guide to Naturalization for specifcs.

You'll find out where your ceremony is to be held once you receive your Oath notice, assuming you are recommended for approval after the interview. The impression that I get is that Oath ceremonies are held in different locations, depending on the date of the ceremony. Without having your Oath date, I think it would be impossible for you to know for sure where your specific cermony would be held.

Oath ceremonies are public events, so yes, family and friends may attend. Some ceremonies (my wife's for instance) do not allow cameras though.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-06 13:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussionsitizenship question...
You cannot naturalize under the three year rule if you are separated for reasons other than circumstances that are truly beyond your control, such as economic necesity, military deployment, etc... A legal separation would make you ineligible. You will have to wait until you have been a permanent resident for five years.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-06 11:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionForm N-400: Total days spent outside the U.S.
My wife included all days outside the US, including her time in the RP before coming here. At her interview, the officer asked her about it. She explained it and he made a notation on the application but didn't cross out the answer we had put on it. So, I think as long as you make it clear what it is you're answering, you should be fine.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-06 19:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRescheduled fingerprint appointment at Denver Supporting Center
QUOTE (hchhon @ Aug 5 2009, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I didn't write any letter explaining why I want to reschedule the appointment. Do you think it's OK?.


For fingerprinting hat's probably ok. However, if you find you have to reschedule your interview and/or Oath, you will have to explain why you cannot make the scheduled appointment time.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-06 11:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400
No, they will not remind you. While Removing Conditions is required, Citizenship is optional, so once you become eligible, there is no timeframe within which you will have to file.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-07 23:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 Applications
My advice is to just give what the checklist at the back of the Guide to Naturalization asks for. Save the remaining evidence for your interview in case they want to see it. In my wife's case, they did not ask her for any additional evidence. I'm sure the fact that we brought our 19 month old son to the interview didn't hurt.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-10 09:42:00
US Citizenship General Discussionapprox time to get interview for California?
It all depends on where you local USCIS District Office is in CA and how current or behind they are on applications when they receive your case.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-08 15:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAdditional passport photos required at the interview?
Take them. That way, if nothing else, she'll have a choice which one she wants to be on her certificate.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-07 16:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTax returns and Dates of Travel help
We included copies of the returns without the W-2s and we were fine. Some IOs want the W-2s though, so if you can send transcripts, do it.

The dates of when your wife left the country and returned are very important because they can impact when she is actually eligible for citizenship. I wouldn't think you would want to guess on that. Perhaps she should list what she remmebers, but include a written explanation that states that she took additional international trips that she does not have information for. That would make it clear that she's not intending to hide anything.

Fortunately for us, we knew about this requirement from friends who had already filed, so we kept an Excel spreadsheet listing when we left, when we returned and the countries we visited.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-10 10:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat happens to your passport
The Oath letter does not require you to bring your passport to the ceremony. They just want your green card back.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-10 11:54:00
US Citizenship General Discussionbest way to study for the 100 questions
When your wife goes in to be fingerprinted for her application, she should ask for a copy of the study guide. You can also print out flashcards from the USCIS site.

Everything you need to know about the test can be found here:
http://www.uscis.gov...0004718190aRCRD
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-10 10:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCourt Ceremony
Has anyone on VJ been naturalized in court? My wife is naturalizing at the Denver District Court because of a name change. I'm curious how the experience compares to the typical Oath ceremony.

Is the dress code any stricter if you naturalize in a court ceremony?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-12 17:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDUAL CITIZEN
QUOTE (illnevergetthis @ Aug 13 2009, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Your SO doesn't have to renouce his citizenship from his country of origin.


When a person becomes a US citizen, the first line of the Oath of Allegiance they take is:

QUOTE
"I absolutely and entirely ronounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of who or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen."


That said, not every country allows a person to renounce their citizenship and as such would continue to recognize a person as a citizen regardless of whether they took the Oath of Allegiance to the US. Others consider the citizenship renounced, but allow for the person to apply to retain or reacquire their original citizenship while at the same time retaining their American citizenship.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 16:45:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDUAL CITIZEN
Well, again, as I said, it all depends on the country you're wanting to reclaim your dual citizenship from. If you can post what country you're originally from, then maybe someone on here who's from there who has reclaimed their dual citizenship can post their experience.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 12:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDUAL CITIZEN
Since you have to renounce allegiance to your former country when you naturalize and the US does not generally recognize dual citizenship, there is no impact on how long it takes to process your N-400. Whether your prior country of citizenship chooses to continue to recognize you as their citizen is entirely up to them. As for how much time it takes for proceedings to retain your prior citizenship, that depends on the your former country of citizenship, specifically what their procedure is, and what the processing timeframe of the consulate with jurisdiction is.

I'm afraid you'll need to clarify your question a bit in order to get a more relevant answer.

Edited by jsnearline, 13 August 2009 - 10:12 AM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-13 10:11:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMAJOR Tax Return ISSUE!
Indicating on a tax return that you're single when you're not could be considered tax fraud. Tax fraud would not be considered evidence of good moral character for an aspiring citizen. It would also leave you open to suspicions of immigration fraud.

Bottom line... Don't give the USCIS any rope they can use to hang you with.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-12 16:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMAJOR Tax Return ISSUE!
You still might want to wait until the IRS actually processes the amended returns. Otherwise, you might want to submit a written explanation why you changed the status from single to married just before filing for naturalization. Have you thought about making an InfoPass appointment and asking your local USCIS office how you should handle this?

Whatever you do, I'd err on the side of caution. My mother-in-law had a case denied last year because USCIS thought she might use a visa extension for a purpose that was not allowed. They used their discretion and denied her extension. Now she's worried she may not be able to get another tourist visa. Ever since then, I've been extremely paranoid about USCIS and have done my best not to give them any possible reason to even think about denying a case.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-12 00:14:00