Is it me or my local office that's wrong??

[shakysgirl 1]

Received notification from my local office that my husband is not eligible to apply for naturalization until September 26, 2009. That is the date on his green card. Because we have been married for over 3 years, we sent in his paperwork 90 days prior to the date of September 26, which was June 28. It was received in Texas on July 2. They have also cashed our check!! So apparently they are overlooking the part on page one of the N-400 instructions that says: "based on three years as a lawful permanent resident married to a US Citizen, you may apply for naturalization up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement." Obviously like anyone else we can't afford to lose $675 because someone is an idiot. So much for not allowing this last leg of the journey to stress me out!! All this happened late on Friday, so I guess I have to wait until Monday to try to sort it out. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of going right to the top and heading into my US Congressman's office Monday morning.

[NickD 202]

Received notification from my local office that my husband is not eligible to apply for naturalization until September 26, 2009. That is the date on his green card. Because we have been married for over 3 years, we sent in his paperwork 90 days prior to the date of September 26, which was June 28. It was received in Texas on July 2. They have also cashed our check!! So apparently they are overlooking the part on page one of the N-400 instructions that says: "based on three years as a lawful permanent resident married to a US Citizen, you may apply for naturalization up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement." Obviously like anyone else we can't afford to lose $675 because someone is an idiot. So much for not allowing this last leg of the journey to stress me out!! All this happened late on Friday, so I guess I have to wait until Monday to try to sort it out. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of going right to the top and heading into my US Congressman's office Monday morning.

You did fill out your form correctly with all those N/A's and all supporting evidence and checking the correct boxes? Speaking about problems with the USCIS, I couldn't get anywhere by dealing directly with them, so called my senators office to intervene for us. Regarding admitting an error, they actually sent us a letter of apology. Feel it would be better to call the USCIS, then if no satisfaction, contact your congressman, proper protocol.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If you had been married 3 years by the time they received the application on July 2, then it would seem that they have made a mistake as well. You can also make an infopass and go in person to speak with an immigration officer, bringing your application and such with you. It sounds like they should have accepted your application.

You can make an infopass on line at http://www.uscis.gov - from the right hand column select "Schedule an Appointment" then follow the instructions.

Good luck in getting it sorted out.

[shakysgirl 1]

Would someone mind telling me what their NOA letter said on it? Today I received TWO NOA's in the mail dated July 6. They are both the same. I'm now wondering if someone realized their error and corrected it? This NOA has the statement: The above application has been received by our office and is in process. Our records indidcate your personal information is as follows:

Date of Birth: (correct date)

Address where you live: (correct address)

Please verify your personal information listed above and immediately notify our office blah blah blah.

Upon receipt of all required Records Checks, you will be scheduled to appear for an interview at your local USCIS field office.

Also it states Payment INformation as well (balance $0.00)

Please, can someone tell me if that is what your NOA's looked like? Can I assume that it has been accepted?

I triple checked the form before mailing, and checked our photocopies and it's as good as it gets. We have been married for 4 1/2 years. It must be an error and the two NOA's I received today are a correction of the error. ARGH. So much for not stressing out this time around! Thanks for all replies.

[Dakine 26]

Received notification from my local office that my husband is not eligible to apply for naturalization until September 26, 2009. That is the date on his green card. Because we have been married for over 3 years, we sent in his paperwork 90 days prior to the date of September 26, which was June 28. It was received in Texas on July 2. They have also cashed our check!! So apparently they are overlooking the part on page one of the N-400 instructions that says: "based on three years as a lawful permanent resident married to a US Citizen, you may apply for naturalization up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement." Obviously like anyone else we can't afford to lose $675 because someone is an idiot. So much for not allowing this last leg of the journey to stress me out!! All this happened late on Friday, so I guess I have to wait until Monday to try to sort it out. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of going right to the top and heading into my US Congressman's office Monday morning.

I'd do as you said. Get your senator or congressman's immigration specialist working on it. I wouldn't even try calling the USCIS MISinformation service.

Doing so may just confuse the issue.

Been there done that a couple times.

Edited July 11, 2009 by Haole

[Tini27 0]

Would someone mind telling me what their NOA letter said on it? Today I received TWO NOA's in the mail dated July 6. They are both the same. I'm now wondering if someone realized their error and corrected it? This NOA has the statement: The above application has been received by our office and is in process. Our records indidcate your personal information is as follows:

Date of Birth: (correct date)

Address where you live: (correct address)

Please verify your personal information listed above and immediately notify our office blah blah blah.

Upon receipt of all required Records Checks, you will be scheduled to appear for an interview at your local USCIS field office.

Also it states Payment INformation as well (balance $0.00)

Please, can someone tell me if that is what your NOA's looked like? Can I assume that it has been accepted?

Congrats Shakysgirl!! That's your NOA. Maybe they realized their mistake??? In any case, you're good now and will be receiving your biometric letter within the next few weeks. Good luck!

[shakysgirl 1]

Thank you Tini27!

[NickD 202]

I personally would go nuts if I had to open a stack of envelops with the same form inside day after day reading the same stuff. Could have been an error, but it sounds like some good person found and corrected it.

Now you have to wait to learn if you need another set of fingerprints, that they don't tell you, kind of hope they don't, because, like us, a very long trip. But then you hope they do so at least you know your case is in process. Not sure if the word twilight or dark zone applies while waiting. We were surprised to get our interview letter only about 75 days after we sent in the application, but were far more panicked about not getting the ten year green card in yet. But that roughly 45 day notice for the interview met to start studying for the civics test. We were prepared to make an infopass appointment for an I-551 stamp if we needed it, but that card came in just days before we were permitted to make that appointment.

Really should be no sweat for USC, if you have your card and good for ten more years, least you don't worry about deportation as long as you have that card.