Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Citizenship General Discussion	Dual Residency	My mom just got her US Citizenship and now she is planning to get a dual citizenship in Philippines.What should she do first and where would she apply? How long will it take to this process? jessica The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles link for Dual Citizenship: http://www.philippin...onserv-dual.htm	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-09-23 19:12:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	outside USA for over 6 months	i have been married for 4 years and been resident since 2009 so in november i ll be a permanent resident for 3 years so right now its the right window for me to apply for citizenship. Oh, sorry about the confusion . I wasn't reading the whole context of your post. I only saw the 2 yrs & 2 mons living here in the states.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-09-30 18:32:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	outside USA for over 6 months	Hi, I am during that window where I can apply for citizenship based on 3 years married to US citizenship. I have lived 2 years and 2 months straight in the USA without ever leaving USA soil but then I had to travel outside the USA and stayed there for a bit over 6 months. Am I still able to apply for citizenship? Please consult. Thank you You are not eligible yet to file for Naturalization. You have to be a permanent resident for 3 years or more & married to your US citizen spouse for that 3 years.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-09-30 18:18:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Fingerprinting	I become eligible for naturalization in November, but I will be traveling a lot in November and December. I would generally postpone applying for naturalization until I am back in town in January to avoid missing my fingerprints appointment. However, I got my fingerprints done for my ROC in January, so I am guessing my fingerprints are still valid (15 month rule). Do they usually call people for fingerprints in situation like mine or do they use the ones on file? I had my fingerprints taken for the Naturalization less than a year after my ROC fingerprints. Those that filed N-400 around the same month that I did also had theirs taken within a year or within the 15 months. Basically, all N-400 applicants have to have Fingerprints taken.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-05 17:51:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Biometrics Appt	Depends on how busy your local USCIS office. Mine was updated two days later after my biometrics. The background check didn't take too long. Probably because my name is not common here in the states. NO HITS.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-08 09:42:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	When to study for the naturalization interview	Thank you, I will try to do the same and not lose my pace. Exactly. Familiarization is the key. No need to stress over it.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-06 01:00:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	When to study for the naturalization interview	How soon did you start studying for the naturalization test after receiving your interview appointment letter? I have not submitted my paperwork yet but have already started to read on American history and government. It is unfortunate that elected officials will change again after the November elections I'm not very good at memorizing dates and places but surprisingly this has been pretty straight forward so far. I would go over the 100 Q&A once a week. I took it easy without trying to memorize anything yet. But once I got an update from the USCIS that I was inline for an interview schedule, that's when I would study everyday. You are right it's pretty easy once you've gone through it numerous times. After your biometrics they will hand you handbook study guide with an audio disc. I didn't use those but instead I just studied the Naturalization Self Test & Study for the Naturalization Test from the USCIS site. It wasn't until the very last week before my interview that I memorized the elected officials. Edited by let-it-be, 06 October 2012 - 12:16 AM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-06 00:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Passed Citizenship test July 13, 2012,	My wife took her test and attended her intewrview, passed and was given a form " recomending approval", 90 days later not a word from uscis Have called and gotten no more info than I can get online. They show her status as having been notified of interview schdualed, but dont show that she has \attnded her interview and passed the test ! Any ideas on what happened ? Here is the link for INFOPASS: https://infopass.usc...php?sel_lang=en	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-12 00:01:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Possibility of Bio retake?	Hello VJ Friends, I am worried about my FP, because when my fingerprint was taken, I saw a lot of reject messages and the lady who did finger work also said it's highly likely that I should visit and take bio again. It's been 3 weeks since I took FP, and I haven't heard anything from USCIS. (EB: 2nd Oct.) Moreover, I checked USCIS website with my recipient # today, it said my case was placed in line for interview scheduling on 5 Oct, which is 3 days later from FB date. I am just wondering is there still any chance that I need to retake bio? Or my faint fingerprint passed screen? I hope it would not delay my process, since I have upcoming long term trip abroad. It's already quite tight schedule. Thanks in advance for your comments! You won't likely have to redo your FP for this application. I was put in line for interview four days after my Biometrics. Less than a week after that I was scheduled for interview. I never had to redo mine. Edited by let-it-be, 22 October 2012 - 02:05 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-22 14:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Part 8 Questions	dear fellow vjers, my questions is how to answer part 8a questions. a. im single when i married my husband now b. he was divorce when i married him. thanks sorry i forgot, this in form n-400 (citizenship) How many times have you been married? 1 How many times has your current spouse been married? 2 Edited by let-it-be, 19 October 2012 - 02:40 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-19 14:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	overnight to Canada while in naturalization process?	I have applied for naturalization, had fingerprints taken, and am in line to get an interview date. Can I leave to go to Canada overnight? How would that work with the question of how many days have you spent outside the US as it wouldn't be correct at the interview with the form I completed when I applied? Don't worry about it. During your interview, the IO will go over the N-400 form with you. Any changes that happened after you've filed can be updated that day. Edited by let-it-be, 21 October 2012 - 12:26 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-21 12:25:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Do you need naturalization documents to traver?	My wife's long term plan is to get her US Citizenship next year and then we'll travel to Philippines every now and then to visit. Does she need anything other than her US passport to re-enter the USA? Only her US passport.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-23 12:54:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Taxes for 2 of 3 years for N400	Hello, Hoping to get some guidance on this gap for N400 filing: I am a US citizen and my wife is a legal permanent resident and Peruvian citizen. My wife and I got married in Peru in July of 2009. She entered the US in Feb 2010 under CR1 visa. She now has her conditions lifted and got her new 10 year green card just last week. We filed taxes jointly for 2010 and 2011. Yet to file for 2012, but the 90 day window for filing N400 is approaching prior to us filing 2012 taxes. I filed as single in 2009 as she was not yet in the country. She obviously did not file 2009 since she was not working here and has not entered the country until 2010. N400 requires 3 years of tax transcripts: If we file the N400 between Nov 2012 and Feb 2013 (within 90 day window prior to 3 full years of permanent residence), should we include taxes for 2009 (filed as single for myself only), 2010 filed jointly and 2011 filed jointly? OR should we wait until 2012 taxes are filed to submit N400?? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! You will probably get an RFE if you only send transcripts of year 2010 & 2011. BUT, by the time you get the RFE you guys would already filed tax for the 2012. Edited by let-it-be, 29 October 2012 - 01:05 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-29 13:05:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Kids' US citizenship	Hello everyone! I will be applying for my US citizenship by January 2014. I have 3 children in the Phils and we will petition them next month. If my kids will be here before I apply for my citizenship, will the two underage kids be automatic/or can apply with my citizenship? Or do they need a certain timeframe or number of years to be here in the US before they can apply? Thank you so much! If the children are minors & green card holders ( residing here in the states with you) when you naturalized then they automatically become US citizens. http://www.uscis.gov...000b92ca60aRCRD Edited by let-it-be, 31 October 2012 - 11:28 AM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-31 11:27:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	birtch certificate...	they will need to see original birth certificate?? really..? It is the IO's discretion really. I have submitted photocopies before & was never asked for the originals during interview. It's up to you if you bring the original or not. You can submit a photocopy of the Bio page of your wife's US passport instead. Edited by let-it-be, 03 November 2012 - 06:40 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-03 18:37:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	birtch certificate...	hi all my best friends. i will apply next month citizenship . i have one question about my wifes birth certificate,, i will send my wifes birth certificated s copies with n400 to uscis.. when the interview came to me . do i need to bring original birth certificated of my wifes?? Yes, bring originals to your interview if you submitted photocopies with your N-400 application.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-03 15:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	The immigration officer said my n400 aplication was sent a day earlier	It surprises me that it was processed through until interview & then tell the applicant he/she is denied because it was filed early. Why didn't they just sent it back when they first received it? You'd think the IO would have caught the date right on the initial review. Edited by let-it-be, 14 September 2012 - 11:47 AM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-09-14 11:45:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Help Regarding N400 Interview and DV	Thank You so much Brother Hesekiel for your reply. Does this mean that I have chances of getting my case approved if i clear the civic test. Since i didn't lie about anything while filing N400. Please reply. I just need suggestion or advice from members who might have seen similiar posts or cases or have experienced this in the past. During your interview the IO will be going through your N-400 form with you. That's the time you can tell the IO about your tax payment plan with IRS. The IO will note it down on your form. Edited by let-it-be, 08 November 2012 - 08:00 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-08 19:59:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Name changes, Citizenships and Passports	In all my paper works after I got married, I used the Philippine custom for name change. I dropped my mother's middle name & replaced it with my father's last name. Maiden Name: First Name: Marie Ann Middle Name: Gomez Last Name: Flores Married Name: First Name: Marie Ann Middle Name: Flores Last Name: Smith The Philippine Consulate automatically used my middle name as my children's middle name when we applied for their Philippine passports despite the fact that in my children's US birth certificates their middle names are different. US Birth certificate: First Name: John Middle Name: Dale Last Name: Smith Philippine Passport: First Name: John Dale Middle Name: Flores Last Name: Smith They told me that when they issue passports they will go by the Philippine standard for name change. So your wife won't have any problems at all when she applies for her dual-citizenship. Edited by let-it-be, 10 November 2012 - 11:53 AM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-10 11:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	n-400 pending, greencard expiring, should i return to the states to wait for the interview?	n-400 pending, fingerprinting done. now working abroad, greencard is expiring in a week. should i return to the states to wait for the interview - for which i've not yet gotten the invitation? obviously such trip will be very disruptive for my work. the above sums up my situation. two lawyers have told me that while the application is pending i'll be ok either way, but still feeling unsure about it. anybody have a watertight answer? thanks in advance for the pointers! I agree that you are better off being IN the states before your GC expires. Make an INFOPASS with your local USCIS office.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-08 09:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Portland Oregon Field Office	Edit: If there are errors/mistakes on your Naturalization Certificate, you have to inform them after the ceremony. They will correct it & there will be NO FEE for this. If you wait a day or two to have it corrected, you will have to pay a FEE.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-03 20:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Portland Oregon Field Office	I wanna add more about the interview, I did bring all the original documents like tax transcripts, utility bills, BC's etc but the IO never asked to see any of those. She only asked me to show her my passport ( she checked the Bio page & my old visa), Valid ID & GC's. If you have traveled overseas after you filed, then the IO will check the entry/exit stamps & will write those dates on your N-400 form. While in the waiting area you are going to fill up a form & will hand that back to them before the ceremony. As your names are called, you are going to surrender your GC's prior to being seated for the ceremony. They will inform you that if there were errors/mistakes on your Naturalization Certificate, you have to do it after the ceremony right away, there will be NO FEE for such corrections. So make sure all the information on your certificate are correct before going home. Who wants to pay a fee for that when clearly it was their mistake, right? Edited by let-it-be, 03 November 2012 - 03:54 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-03 15:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Portland Oregon Field Office	Any filers who had their interview here, please share your experience, the questions, how many minutes it took, how many months of waiting of interview letter when you were place in line for interview and others In my case, I added in my application that I opt for a name change, anything that I should know in terms of oath after interview and stuff like that Anything you want to share, please do thank you... As you can see in my timeline (below), from filing to oath ceremony it took 5 months + few days. The normal processing in Portland Local Field Office is 5 months. I was scheduled for the interview more than a month after being placed in line for interview. Hubby & I waited for over an hour in the waiting area. The interview probably took about 15 minutes. The IO went over the N-400 form with me & asked me if there were any changes like any recent trips etc since I filed. I forgot to include another organization so I told her that & she wrote it down. She then proceeded with the tests. The whole interview experience was very pleasant because she was so nice. When she told me I passed & in my excitement I blurted out that I was so happy that I could give her a hug! LOL For those that can make it to the 9 AM cut-off time, they can join the afternoon oath ceremony. So those whose interviews are beyond the cut-off they will have to wait for the oath letter in the mail. My interview appointment was 10:05 AM so obviously I was scheduled 3 weeks later for the oath. There were 50 of us new US citizens together with our families. We were packed like sardines in there. LOL. A couple of kids were getting restless during the ceremony but overall it was a solemn one. We then took turns afterwards to have our photos taken on the stage. I was literally the last one since a woman cut off in front of me while I was waiting in line. I graciously told her to go ahead for I didn't want to cause a scene over it. 04/20/2012 - N-400 mailed to Phoenix, AZ 04/23/2012 - N-400 delivered & signed by Fernando Dominguez 04/26/2012 - Email confirmation that N-400 received 04/30/2012 - Received NOA (receipt date April 25, 2012) 05/29/2012 - Email notification - Biometrics is scheduled 06/01/2012 - Biometrics notice received 06/12/2012 - Attempted to have early bio but wasn't allowed 06/22/2012 - Biometrics appointment 06/26/2012 - Email notification - placed in line for interview 07/31/2012 - Email notification - scheduled for interview 08/04/2012 - Received interview letter (notice date August 1,2012) 09/06/2012 - Interview Appointment (Approved) 09/13/2012 - Uscis update: scheduled for oath ceremony & letter sent 09/15/2012 - Oath letter received 09/27/2012 - Oath Ceremony Edited by let-it-be, 03 November 2012 - 03:34 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-11-03 15:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	What kinds of question will be asked for 3-year N400 interview?	Did you guys send utility bills and bank statements covering all three years or just 2012? I have a few bills saved from applying for ROC, just the same stuff again, and I'm wondering if I should send it again. Doesn't make sense to me sending it all over again, we moved out of those apartments a year ago anyway. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks. I only sent three bank statements (one for each year) for the last 3 years. It won't hurt if you send one utility bill for this year.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-04 21:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	What kinds of question will be asked for 3-year N400 interview?	Thanks.. So the IO did not ask any question about or look at the documents? You just did the tests? The IO & I went through my N-400 application. She asked if there is anything new or something that has changed since I send my application. When we came to the part about organizations I told her I forgot to include another one and that was it. She then proceeded to the tests part.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-04 21:29:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	What kinds of question will be asked for 3-year N400 interview?	Thanks.. Were you asked questions about the many documents, or you just need to show the documents? Also, men should wear formal for the interview? with suite and tie? I brought all the original documents to my interview but the IO only wanted to see my green card & passport. I was told to surrender my GC on my Oath Ceremony. You don't need to wear a tie & suit during your interview. You can wear that on your Oath ceremony.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-04 11:40:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	tax returns	If it's not so inconvenient, maybe you can go to your local IRS office? Others have done it that way. They got their transcripts right there & then.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-12-10 22:12:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	US Citizen to stay in other country	How long or how many days/months exactly can a US citizen stay in Philippines? can anybody tell me please? Thanks! cebujessica You can avail of the balikbayan visa upon arrival in NAIA. If your spouse & children are travelling with you, they can also get the visa which is good for 1 year stay in the Philippines. Just present your old Philipppine passport , marriage certificate & children's birth certificates. Refer to the link: http://www.philippin...-free-stay.html	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-01-03 12:50:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Documents for Citizenship based on Marriage	Hi, I am planning to apply this month (January 2013) my case is based on Marriage, will I need to submit the documents when I file or bring them at the time of interview. I am only planning to submit a 3 year transcript. A lawyer stated that I dont need to send the documents just bring it at the time of interview? Is that true? Follow the N-400 instructions, if it says photocopies then send those with your N-400 application. You can bring the originals on your interview. Edited by let-it-be, 03 January 2013 - 03:56 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-01-03 15:55:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Filing N400 with expired Green Card	You know what guys, yeah I was rummaging thru my old documents and saw the old old green card when I removed my conditions. I found the new green card with the 10 year expiry. LOL. Thats what I get when I cram LOL. Anyway, all is good. Thanks for the replies! (gawd I missed this forum!) You were supposed to be carrying the 10 unexpired green card with you at all times. When I had my biometrics for my N-400, there was this one asian gal that was asked for her green card & she was rummaging through her envelope looking for it. The USCIS gal reprimanded her that the green card was supposed to be in her purse/wallet not somewhere else hidden away in some folder or files. This is just reminding you that your green card should be in your purse/wallet. Anyway, you are going to part ways with it soon when you take your oath. Edited by let-it-be, 24 April 2013 - 02:01 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-04-24 14:00:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Filing N400 with expired Green Card	You are talking about your 2 year Conditional green card that has expired. When you filed for removal of conditions & it was approved, didn't you received the 10 yr green card in the mail? That is unexpired. That green card is all that matters not the previous one.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-04-24 12:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Immediate Help.. Oath Ceremony Next week and Marital Status change	Everyone who posted here knows that the OP's N-400 application is based on 5 yr residency. What we are trying to tell him is he has to inform USCIS about his change in marital status because when they print out his Certificate of Naturalization his marital status will reflect as SINGLE when in fact he is already married before his interview. Wouldn't it be better to have this straightened out now so when he files a petition for his wife his paper works are in order?	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-05-01 19:32:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Immediate Help.. Oath Ceremony Next week and Marital Status change	She went over with me on the N400 during the interview. N i didnt lie I just didnt have marriage certificate and in my country you are not considered married until you have it registered the marriage with the court. I passed on this marriage issue thinking its really is irrelevant and I dont have my marriage registered in court yet. However when I received my Oath letter and it says you have to tell USCIS if your marital status change thats when I freaked out that I should have told the IO about my marriage but again if i would have told her i didnt have any legal document to proof my marriage. Did anybody have their marital status change on the day of Oath Ceremony? I am going to a lawyer today to get a legal advice on this issue. It is getting on my nerves now.   What's done is done. What you can do is make an InfoPass with your local USCIS where you had your interview & explain everything to them. Bring your marriage certificate. Unless you talk to them directly, all this fretting about the issue is not going to be resolved.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-05-01 13:51:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Immediate Help.. Oath Ceremony Next week and Marital Status change	During the interview, I doubt the IO didn't ask about any changes with regards to an applicants status or any changes right after filing. They are very thorough when it comes to going through the whole N-400 application form.  Like what others have said, his change in marital status wouldn't have affected the outcome of his interview since the basis of it is 5 yr residency & not marriage to a USC. Why not make an infoPass to get this all straightened out. In his certificate of naturalization his marital status has to reflect that he is married. So when he files for a spousal petition for his new bride the date of marriage in his marriage certificate will not be in conflict with that of his naturalization certificate.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-05-01 12:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	US Citizenship through Adoption	My wife and her daughter came here last year in May with a K1/K2 visa. We got married in June 2011 and then they both received their 2 year green cards in December of 2011. We just completed the adoption for my wife's daughter today. She is now a US citizen with my last name. We will receive her new birth certificate in about one month. After we receive it, we were told by the attorney to have her name changed with social security and to apply for a certificate of citizenship. Since we will be traveling to the Philippines in June of 2013, we were told to also apply for a new US passport. Is there anything else we need to do? What about removal of conditions? When we apply for removal of conditions for my wife next year, do we need to do anything for our daughter? Thanks, James Your daughter is now a US citizen. There is no need to remove conditions because she is no longer a permanent resident.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-12-10 17:26:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Applying for N400:married to US citizen 3 year application. Do I need to write past 5 years for residence and employment?	I agree with everyone. Only the past 3 years.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2013-05-25 15:07:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	APRIL 2012 FILERS N-400	Hey, guys. I've just got my 10 yr GC. It was a long journey for us. We submitted our I-751 in Feb, got RFE in July and approved just mid Oct. According to the timeline, I'm able to submit my N-400 as early as next month. I've been watching this thread and it is very helpful to me. Most people here have already gone through the interview. I expect my interview date (even though I have not started preparing my package yet ) to be somewhere in Jan 2013 (if I file in Nov). I understand that they will ask for proof of marriage, just like the I-751. My question is, to what extend? Are we expected to just bring evidences we have submitted with our I-751 package? What other evidences should we bring? I couldn't think of much, since the two applications are so close to each other. Expecting to have an interview 2 months after filing is a bit unrealistic. It really depends on your local USCIS office. When I filed I will admit that I had hoped that it will be over in 4 months & will have my oath right after my interview that same day. It took 5 months + few days from filing to oath. Which was the average processing timeframe in my local office. What I submitted were our Car title and joint account bank statements & my children's BC's. I brought a whole lot of evidence ( like utility bills etc) & original documents on my interview but the IO didn't ask to see any of those. She only wanted to see my passport, GC & state ID. Edited by let-it-be, 23 October 2012 - 01:14 PM.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-23 13:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	APRIL 2012 FILERS N-400	Congrats Cloudy9! Congrats Cloudy 9 !!! Guess what peeps!!?!?!?! Oath Ceremony Scheduled!!! On October 9, 2012, we scheduled you for your oath ceremony and sent a notice providing the date, time, and location. If you move prior to the scheduled ceremony, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. That's great news!	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-09 19:17:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	APRIL 2012 FILERS N-400	If anyone is inclined to update mine on the list, I'll appreciate it ! US Citizen now.	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-10-04 21:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	APRIL 2012 FILERS N-400	Congratz! Thank you! Hope you hear from them soon. Good luck!	let-it-be	Not Telling	Philippines	2012-09-28 10:11:00