ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow soon we should start the process for to apply for Citienship
There is no requirement that you file for naturalization. If you choose to do so, you are normally eligble to file five years minus ninety days after the Resident Since date on your green card. If you became a permanent resident because of marriage to a US Citizen and are still married to that person, you can file three years minus ninety days after the Resident Since date on your green card. You can choose to file anytime after your eligibility begins.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-03 14:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (wifey246 @ Sep 24 2009, 02:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
When the blue passport came in the mail, I felt like it was the period or exclamation point at the end of the sentence. This is it! I am an American!


I agree. Although in my wife's case, she still has to go to the DMV to get her driver's license updated to indicate she's a citizen before she can register to vote.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-24 16:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (wifey246 @ Aug 29 2009, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The judge was a little late.


There must have been something in the air yesterday. The judge for my wife's ceremony was late too. We waited over an hour after everyone had checked in before he arrived. We waited so long that my infant son couldn't sit still anymore, so I had to take him outside and as a result, I missed the ceremony. Oh well...

I was impressed that it was the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the State of Colorado who administered the Oath, especially given that there were only 49 candiates at my wife's ceremony.

Congratulations on your citizenship!

Edited by jsnearline, 29 August 2009 - 10:12 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-29 22:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
I'm planning on attending my wife's naturalization hearing in the District Court. We'll bring our infant son along, but we aren't planning on inviting any other family or friends. We figure we'll just have a party for family and friends afterwards.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-10 23:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
Can someone update my wife's status? Oath scheduled for 08/28/2009 at the District Court in Denver. It's less than a month and a half after interview and she's doing a name change. Much better than the four to six month wait the officer told my wife she might have.

Edited by jsnearline, 04 August 2009 - 11:04 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-04 23:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (wifey246 @ Jul 27 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My dear husband is planning to come with me for moral support. He is being very nice about it athough I know he hates being idle. A laptop might be pushing it, but can he at least bring a cellphone?


Sorry, but cell phone use is not allowed in the waiting room. The guards at the Denver office are usually pretty laid back, but they had a zero tolerance policy regarding cell phone use.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-27 15:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (MsAnn @ Jul 23 2009, 09:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for sharing your experience, tpontirolli. I *did* disclose my ticket on N400 and then my yellow said to "bring documentation on your arrest" when I've never been arrested in my life! So, I'll have to straighten that out when I get interviewed wacko.gif


My wife disclosed her speeding ticket on her application and we included a copy of her driving record when we sent it in. We never got a "yellow letter" and the IO didn't ask for any additional evidence except to see her green card and driver's license.

The officer did tell my wife that she should have answered "no" to the question asking whether she committed a crime or offense for which she was not arrested. She explained that she answered "yes" to that question because she had been cited but NOT arrested when she got the ticket. The IO explained that the intent of the question is really for things like shoplifting, where you weren't caught doing it. So he asked her how she would answer given that context and she said "no", so he updated her answer on the form. It seems to me they should rephrase the question to be, "Have you committed any crime or offense for which you were NOT arrested, cited, or detained?".


jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-23 13:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
A "yellow letter" is like an RFE. It asks you to bring anything that came up as missing during the review of your file at the NBC with you to your interview.

The I-659 checklist is a generic checklist that lists documentation that your IO might want to see.

We never got a "yellow letter" so we brought everything listed in the I-659 that applied to my wife. The IO didn't want to see any of it.

Edited by jsnearline, 19 July 2009 - 09:54 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-19 21:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
My wife was recommended for approval after her interview today, but her Oath Ceremoney may not be for six more months because she is requesting a name change. The IO told her the soonest she could naturalize is at least two months from now.

So, if you're doing a name change, be prepared to wait.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-17 22:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
It all depends on how backed up your local District Office is. My wife did her fingerprints on April 25th. The interview letter wasn't sent out until May 20th and her interview isn't until July 17th.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-12 00:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
Interivew notice received.

Notice Date May 20th.
Interview Date: July 17th.

Can someone update my information on the grid? Thanks.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-05-26 14:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (RDan19 @ May 1 2009, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
does this include time est. include the OATH TAKING?


I would love to know the answer to that as well...
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-05-01 16:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
I'm sure this question has been asked before, but does the case generally get "touched" after the fingerprint appointment? The case hasn't shown any update since April 7th.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-04-30 17:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (anci78 @ Apr 17 2009, 10:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I received my fingerprint appointment today for the 25th, I am so mad, I am out of town for 3 days this month for my babyshower, of course that day is the day of the shower in Idaho, great. Had to send the letter back and hope that this won't slow my progress too much.


Didn't you realize you're supposed to put your entire life on hold until your application is processed? smile.gif
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-04-18 09:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
2. Click 'Reply' on the most recent/updated posting version of this list (not a quoted response, pls).
3. Remove quotes (top and bottom) around the list.
4. ALWAYS use Courier New font. Font size 2
5. Do NOT delete these instructions.
[size=2][font="Courier New"]
USCIS Lockbox Texas
UserName......Sent........NOA1........Biometrics...Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office
KromiX........04/01/09....04/13/09....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Miami, FL
Raleighn400...04/02/09....04/07/09....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Durham, NC
Tumande.......04/02/09....04/10/09....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Irving, TX
James.........04/07/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Miami, FL
l.j./1999.....04/11/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....New York, NY
Ssalburo......04/07/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Baltimore, MD
GermanInDixie 04/03/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Atlanta, GA
GabLopSan..04/06/09....04/13/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--Newark NJ


USCIS Lockbox Arizona
UserName......Sent........NOA1........Biometrics...Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office
Babonsi.......04/06/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Sacramento, CA
MsAnn.........04/07/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Portland, OR
Swatcat.......04/09/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Kansas City, MO
macb1981......04/09/09....--/--/--....--/--/--.....--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Cincinnati, OH
jsnearline.......03/28/09....04/03/09....04/25/09..............................................Denver, CO

Edited by jsnearline, 13 April 2009 - 06:55 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-04-13 18:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 ... April 2009 Applicants, Post your dates here!
QUOTE (raleighn400 @ Apr 9 2009, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (tumande @ Apr 9 2009, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sent N-400 to TX Lockbox on 04/02/09, delivered on 04/03/09, check cashed 04/08/09


Hi

Do you see SRC number on the back of your check? My check was cashed as well but do not see any number which begins with SRC.


I see a number on the back of my check, but there is no 3 letter prefix. So far, we've been unable to look up anything online.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-04-09 20:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400: Questions about interview from letters..Help!..
My wife and I were there for almost three hours. We checked in with the guard and for some reason, the IO never was told we were out in the lobby waiting. After being there for two hours, I approached the guard again to ask what the delay was. Ten minutes later, my wife was called.

They take your interview notice. My wife didn't bring any expired immigration documents with her.

Bring photocopies of any original document you don't want them to keep. That way, they can ask for the original and keep the copy.

Proof of marital union would be birth certificates of children, a copy of your lease or deed, proof of joint assets etc...

How soon your Oath is and how soon you get the notice is entirely dependent on your local office's oath schedule.

I came with my wife to the appointment and we brought our son. The only person the IO wanted to see was my wife.

Bring your paperwork into the interview. The test is administered at the same time as your interview. Don't worry... The IO will be sitting right across from you so they'd know if you were trying to cheat.

If the IO gives you a notice saying they are recommending you for approval, that's when you should ask about accommodations.




jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-04 21:49:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHelp - Please. Travel pending oath (or during oath week)
You always have the option to delay your Oath until you get back. Better that than getting sent to secondary inspection once you get back from your trip.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-10-23 11:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDo i have to send a cover letter along with N400?
We didn't do a cover letter, just a table of contents of everything we sent. We figured it was helpful to us so we wouldn't forget anything.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-20 12:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
Well, as it turned out, we had the last laugh. While the Post Office charged my wife 15 cents to photocopy her DL, een though it wasn't necessary to submit it, they forgot to charge her $14.95 for the passport pictures they took. This despite the fact my wife reminded them twice to do so.

I wrote my original post out of frustration. At this point, I don't think it was discrimination, but rather sheer incompetence. The acceptance agent was most likely flustered because she was almost an hour behind on passport appointments. Thus, she couldn't be bothered with my refreshing her memory regarding the application instructions or my wife reminding her to charge for the passport photos.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-21 23:31:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
In hindsight, we could have spent an afternoon at the DMV and then waited ten days or so to get the new DL before applying for the passport. However, if the passport application instructsions say that a Naturalization Certificate is proof of BOTH identify and citizenship, then the post office should not be asking for additional evidence beyond that.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-21 18:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
QUOTE (NickD @ Sep 6 2009, 04:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Probably just a new guy


That's the funny thing. They weren't new. THe same person did the acceptance processing of my son's passport application last year.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-08 17:46:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
I'm sure it didn't help that the person taking my wife's application was already almost a half hour behind schedule on their passport appointments. She seemed like she wasn't paying attention to anything we told her. She even got suspicious about the name change petition, asking what county court had approved it, when the petition plainly said it had been approved by the US District Court. I sure hope we didn't make any mistakes in the application, because I have no faith that the person taking it would have caught them.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-05 23:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
The disclaimers in the instructions "you must establish your identity to the satisfaction of the acceptance agent" and "when necessary, we may ask you to provide additional evidence to establish your identity" seem to give them broad enough discretion to sail an ocean liner through. I thought about making a call to the State Department's passport hotline and asking them about it, but since this is the only time she'll have to apply in person, it's probably not worth my time. As long as my wife's certificate of naturalization and original name change petition are returned with her new passport, we'll be happy.

Edited by jsnearline, 04 September 2009 - 06:07 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-04 18:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
Having looked at our receipt, I'm leaning against discrimination and toward plain old incompetence. They didn't charge us for the passport photos they took - despite the fact my wife reminded them they needed to charge us for them.

Edited by jsnearline, 04 September 2009 - 05:19 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-04 17:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
QUOTE (Anh map @ Sep 4 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And after you pointed out to them that it was in fact an acceptable, everything went well. So give them the benefit of the doubt.


The point is that they did not accept the naturalization certificate as proof of identity, even though the instructions state that they should. They insisted on the driver's license.

I agree that all documents submitted must match, but the issue of a non-matching document only came up when they demanded something that was not in fact required.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-04 16:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionProblem applying for Passport
I took my wife to the Highlands Ranch Post Office today to apply for her passport.

The post office asked to see my wife's driver's license as well and then told her they couldn't process the application because the name on her driver's license didn't match the name on her naturalization certificate(she changed her name when she naturalized). We told them they already had proof of her identity in the form of the naturalization certificate (the instructions on the passport application clearly state that the Certificate of Natualization is acceptable as proof of identify AND proof of citizenship), but they wouldn't listen. They told us we had to get her driver's license updated first. We then showed them the name change petition granted by the court when my wife naturalized. After having a long conference with a supervisor out of earshot, they reluctantly accepted her application, provided we included the approved name change petition in the application packet.

When we went to the Social Security office earlier today, they accepted her naturalization certificate as proof of identity and citizenship. I wonder if this is a case of subtle discrimination or one of the post office just not knowing or caring about the State Department's rules. Douglas County is one of the most anti-immigration (legal & illegal) areas in the country. Consider the fact that our county elected Tom Tancredo in Congress multiple times.

Edited by jsnearline, 04 September 2009 - 04:21 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-04 16:18:00
US Citizenship General Discussion3 month Same District Resident Requirement
I have heard of I-751 cases that drag on so long that people are eligible to file N-400 while their I-751 is still pending. What is the "Resident Since" date on your green card?

As for your address issue, sorry, but you can't have it both ways. You told USCIS that you live in AZ on your I-90 application and AR-11. If you want to change your address back to MA, you can do that. However, assuming you are otherwise eligible to apply for naturalization, you will have to wait at least three months after address change before filing your N-400.

Also, keep in mind that you may have some explaining to do at your interview because USCIS records will show a period of time where you and your spouse apparently were not lving together (unless your spouse filed an I-865 when you filed your AR-11 for AZ).

Edited by jsnearline, 25 November 2009 - 11:23 AM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-25 11:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionLost green card
QUOTE (Just Bob @ Nov 25 2009, 02:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It beats me how someone can lose their passport, their green card, or their car titles, unless there was a huge fire in the house and even the safe got eaten up by it. Assume you have $20,000 cash at home; the green card needs to be right next to it as it is as important a document.


While locking it away in a safe would prevent someone from losing their green card, it also would put them in violation of the law. An immigrant is legally required to carry their green card with them at all times.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-25 17:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionLost green card
I don't think you have much choice except to file the I-90 and then bring the receipt notice for that to the biometrics appointment. It's better that showing up with no green card and no evidence you are trying to replace it.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-11-25 11:44:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 passport travel question
I know if my wife were to go to the Philippines on her Philippine passport, they would stamp both her US and Philippine passports. I don't know how Brazil would handle it.

Edited by jsnearline, 10 July 2009 - 08:55 AM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-10 08:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 passport travel question
The only thing I can think of is that coming back into the US you might get questions on why there are no stamps from the trip in your US passport.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-10 08:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPlease Help for my 2nd interview
QUOTE (Lappa1 @ Aug 29 2009, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Come on!!!!!!!! Write somehting what you thing. Please don't just read and leave me anlone. I need to know what's in your mind.


If you post something, you really should give people more time to respond that just nine minutes. smile.gif

Did you call the 800 number to ask if they can give you any information on what might be going on?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-08-30 17:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPassport book waiting time
I suppose that having the passport sent with delivery confirmjation is at least some improvement over how USCIS does things, where they send green cards via regular first class mail with no delivery tracking or confirmation.

It seems to me that you should have the option of applying for a passport when you apply for naturalization. That way, if your N-400 is approved, USCIS would transmit your application directly to the State Department and you wouldn't have to part with their naturalization certificate in order to get your passport. USCIS coordinates with the National Visa Center for approved petitions. Why can't they coordinate with the passport agency for approved N-400 applicants who want a passport.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-09-28 18:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHotels near St.Lukes Clinic
Bayview Park Hotel is right across Roxas Blvd from the US Embassy and not far from St. Lukes. It's not the Shangri-la, but it's convenient for anyone who has anything going on at the Embassy.

Here's a link for the local rates: http://www.bayviewpa....com/local.html

Don't bother with the hotel breakfast. There's a Starbucks in the lobby.

Edited by jsnearline, 08 January 2007 - 08:43 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-01-08 20:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOpening a file at abroad embassy when NOA2 comes

On page 2 of this fax please find the original I-797 approval notice received from the USCIS Service Center regarding this petition for my fiancé(e).


I'm not sure why the example you cite recommends sending the original I-797. I wouldn't send it, as it is required evidence for AOS later on.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-01-25 16:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila Embassy Interview
My wife had her BC authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and by Malacanang. She was worried she'd have a problem with it, but sailed through just fine.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2006-12-08 20:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpacket 4
Not sure what to tell you. You might have better luck posting this on the Foreign Embassy and Consulate forum.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-03 14:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPregnancy & X-Rays while Pregnant for K-1 Visa
What you describe is pretty risky. I've heard of situations where fiancees have been turned back at the border because CBP finds evidence of a church ceremony in their luggage.

My wife is Filipino. We're both Catholic and wanted a church wedding in the Philippines, but we decided it was too risky to have a ceremony in Manila before she came here. I was able to arrange things with my parish in Washington DC to have a simple church wedding about 50 days after she arrived here in the US on the K1. Normally they are pretty strict about requiring six months to a year of marriage prep, but if you inform them that you are under a government imposed time limit, they can make exceptions. As it turned out, we got married in the oldest Caholic chapel in Washington.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-24 17:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionfollow up letter
What reasons did they give your fiancee in pressuring her to sign a withdrawal for her visa applicationl?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-05 16:46:00