319(B) Biometrics/Interview Schedule/Costs

[iriejay 0]

Hi,

My wife is about to apply to become a naturalized citizen using 319(B). We are both living abroad together and have a few questions regarding the process. Our aim is to get this done in one trip back to the US and preferably when I'm back for Christmas. Questions: (1) We already obtained fingerprint cards from the Embassy and plan to send these in with the application. However, we read from another poster that the USCIS still made them send in another check for $85 for another set of fingerprints. Should we send in the check for US$595 or US$680? I was thinking of sending in fingerprints cards and US$680 just to play it safe and avoid further delays. Any advice/experience on this? (2) If my wife is residing overseas now, does she have to do the biometrics in the US? Does the applicant typically return from overseas to do the biometrics and then wait for a date to be scheduled for the interview and oath? It sounds like I could be separated from my wife for several months if this is the case; (3) Does my employer letter need to notarized? and is it ok if the signature is a stamp?; and lastly (4) what are average wait times between the date of application to biometrics to interview and oath? Again, any advice or experience on these points would be greatly appreciated. We will be requesting to do the interview and oath at the Fairfax< VA office, which hopefully still does interviews and oaths on the same day.

Thanks