Will biometrics appt be at my local office?

[Army_Wife 2]

I'm an Atlanta resident who's applied for a 319(b ) through Vermont requesting an interview and oath at Fairfax, VA.

Does anyone happen to know if they send you to your local office for the biometrics portion ??

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You are requesting your oath at Fairfax, VA? Or you just applied through VSC?

The general process for Atlanta is you have biometrics at the ASC (Application Support Center) on Collier Rd. and your interview and oath at the USCIS office on Parklake Drive off of LaVista Road. Are you moving to Viriginia and that is why you want the interview and oath in Virginia?

Ok, just read up a bit more on 319 (b ). It says: "You may choose to complete the interview at any USCIS district office in the US; however, FLO's experience is that requesting a district office where they rarely, or maybe never, process a 319(b ) case may cause delays. FLO recommends that naturalization interviews be completed at the Washington District Office in Fairfax, VA. FLO has strong contacts with this office and it is conveniently located so the new US citizen can quickly apply for a diplomatic passport at the Special Issuance Passport Agency in Washington, D.C."

Georgia has a strong military presence with Fort Benning in Columbus and just outside of Atlanta, Forts MacPherson and Fort Gillim. I would be very surprised if the Atlanta USCIS is unfamiliar or inexperienced in processing 319 (b ) Naturalization documents. I interpret that recommendation for USCIS offices that do not have much experience dealing with the military. Of course, it is up to you if you do wish to pursue the interview and oath in Virginia, however Atlanta is processing regular Naturalization documents in about 4 months. Something with a military expedite probably moves through faster. It would make sense that your biometrics be through your local office as well since the processing is 'sent out' to the same place regardless of where you live or have the biometrics done. I think you might want to make an infopass - if you are close enough to Atlanta - and ask them about their experiences in doing 319(b ) naturalizations. You will probably be pleasantly surprised that they are well experienced in the process.

Edited January 24, 2010 by Kathryn41