Impact of out of state move on N-400

[jsnearline 2]

I'm currently in discussions with a company in another state about taking a job there. The problem is that if we move, my wife's case would be transferred to another DO for processing.

I've heard lots of horror stories about people being denied because USCIS never bothered to update the address on a case. Has anyone had a successful experience moving between jurisdictions during N-400 processing?

If you move, does it make you lose your place in line? In other words, do they treat it as if it's a new filing?

Edited May 20, 2009 by jsnearline

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I also have read stories about this.

Best advice - fill out the AR-11, and the sponsor change of address, and follow up with everyone to make sure they actually changed the address.

If you move, it doesn't "lose" your place in line.

[YuAndDan 153]

I also have read stories about this.

Best advice - fill out the AR-11, and the sponsor change of address, and follow up with everyone to make sure they actually changed the address.

If you move, it doesn't "lose" your place in line.

Also an I-865 will be needed too. LPR has a sponsor until they become a US citizen.

Naturalization has tricky residency requirements.

Time in USCIS District or State ---> 3 months

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf (Page 19)

Moving MAY derail this and you may have to wait and file again after you have been at your new address for at least 3 months.

[jsnearline 2]

Moving MAY derail this and you may have to wait and file again after you have been at your new address for at least 3 months.

That is a question that I've asked USCIS and they can't or won't give me a straight answer about it.

[jasminelily 1]

I also have read stories about this.

Best advice - fill out the AR-11, and the sponsor change of address, and follow up with everyone to make sure they actually changed the address.

If you move, it doesn't "lose" your place in line.

Also an I-865 will be needed too. LPR has a sponsor until they become a US citizen.

Naturalization has tricky residency requirements.

Time in USCIS District or State ---> 3 months

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf (Page 19)

Moving MAY derail this and you may have to wait and file again after you have been at your new address for at least 3 months.

Agreed with YuAndDan. If your wife move to another state, she has to be a resident in that state for at least 3 months. So it would definitely delay her case. As far as address change, never heard any good stories about USCIS getting that part right. Best option is to stay where she's at until finished oath. If that's not an option, perhaps you can temporarily move to another state and your wife can stay in your current state until finished oath, then you two can move back together. But I think if you're filing based on 3 year marriage, the couple had to be still living together, not sure if for work reason counts, may be you can show weekend travel back and forth as proof of still living together. Good Luck!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I also have read stories about this.

Best advice - fill out the AR-11, and the sponsor change of address, and follow up with everyone to make sure they actually changed the address.

If you move, it doesn't "lose" your place in line.

Also an I-865 will be needed too. LPR has a sponsor until they become a US citizen.

Naturalization has tricky residency requirements.

Time in USCIS District or State ---> 3 months

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf (Page 19)

Moving MAY derail this and you may have to wait and file again after you have been at your new address for at least 3 months.

Ah - yes - forgot about that little gem..

But wouldn't the fact they satisfied the requirements before they sent in the application be enough?

Edited May 20, 2009 by Bobby_Umit

[jsnearline 2]

The M-476 also says the following on page 24:

Most people must live in the USCIS district or State in which they are applying for at least 3 months before

applying. A district is a geographical area defined by USCIS and served by one of the USCIS “District Offices.”

In our case, we've already applied, and at the time of application we met this requirement. So, I don't see how they could come back and say we didn't meet this requirement unless they treat an application transfer as if it were a new application.

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

My friend applied in San Diego, got interviewed in San Diego in mid December, passed the interview. He was going to move back to NYC around New Year's so he told the I/O.

I/O told him to go to infopass in New York, change his address and that he would have to take the oath in NYC.

My friend went to infopass, did everything and sure enough he got the oath letter for the end of January, obviously in San Diego.

He decided to get over that, invested $300 on a plane ticket and went to take the oath in San Diego. He's now a US citizen.

[YuAndDan 153]

I also have read stories about this.

Best advice - fill out the AR-11, and the sponsor change of address, and follow up with everyone to make sure they actually changed the address.

If you move, it doesn't "lose" your place in line.

Also an I-865 will be needed too. LPR has a sponsor until they become a US citizen.

Naturalization has tricky residency requirements.

Time in USCIS District or State ---> 3 months

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf (Page 19)

Moving MAY derail this and you may have to wait and file again after you have been at your new address for at least 3 months.

Ah - yes - forgot about that little gem..

But wouldn't the fact they satisfied the requirements before they sent in the application be enough?

This is a gray zone, this may be required before filing OR it may be a requirement before USCIS approves the N-400.

As another poster indicated, US citizen may be able to live temporarily closer to new job and maintain residency at old address until spouse becomes a US citizen.