If you sent a money order with the N-400, how long till you get your NOA?

[icar 1]

I've read that people who've sent a personal check got their NOA fairly quickly. But what about people who've sent a money order? How long does it typically take to get the NOA?

The postal tracking info shows that my N-400 was delivered on Sunday 6/30/13 (nearly a week ago).

[Calypso 464]

I've read that people who've sent a personal check got their NOA fairly quickly. But what about people who've sent a money order? How long does it typically take to get the NOA?

The postal tracking info shows that my N-400 was delivered on Sunday 6/30/13 (nearly a week ago).

I sent my N-400 with a money order to the Phoenix Lockbox on 02/25/13.

Delivered 02/26

NOA arrived in my mailbox on 03/04 (six days after its delivery in Phoenix)

info from my NOA:

received date 02/26

priority date 02/26

notice date 02/28

biometrics letter arrived in my mailbox on 03/08, postmarked 03/04

Good luck!

Edited July 6, 2013 by Calypso

[icar 1]

Wow you got your NOA quick. I think that the notification system for the naturalization process is not efficient at all. On the N-400, there's a line where you can put your e-mail address. I was under the impression that if you put your e-mail address on that line, the USCIS would notify you by e-mail to let you know that they received your N-400. But I just found out yesterday that you actually have to mail a separate form along with the N-400 if you want to be notified by e-mail. I got my N-400 filled out at a citizenship workshop but they didn't tell us anything there about sending an additional form along with the N-400 if you want to be notified by e-mail.

[Calypso 464]

Wow you got your NOA quick. I think that the notification system for the naturalization process is not efficient at all. On the N-400, there's a line where you can put your e-mail address. I was under the impression that if you put your e-mail address on that line, the USCIS would notify you by e-mail to let you know that they received your N-400. But I just found out yesterday that you actually have to mail a separate form along with the N-400 if you want to be notified by e-mail. I got my N-400 filled out at a citizenship workshop but they didn't tell us anything there about sending an additional form along with the N-400 if you want to be notified by e-mail.

It was actually my husband's suggestion to send a money order with the application because he believed that a personal check would slow things down. As recommended in the VJ guides, I placed G-1145 on top of the application. Two days after my N-400 arrived in Phoenix, I received a text message from USCIS saying that my case was received and my receipt number was NBC*xxxxxxxxx. I logged on immediately to the USCIS website and it recognized my case number.

[BigDaddy28 228]

Bank check or money order are the same. I didn't apply for citizenship yet but when I applied for ROC I sent a money order and they cashed it quick. Good luck.

[Hedi 24]

We sent in a personal check for the citizenship process and it took about a week to be cashed. But I remember with my husband's ROC process we sent in a money order (mailed on January 29th of that year-a Monday; received on Tuesday January 30th) and we had the NOA (letter of extension) on Friday February February 2nd. The biometrics notice arrived the next day.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I sent a personal check. it honestly doesn't matter what form of payment you send because they process them all as electronic transfers. I prefer personal checks because then I can track them.

04/05/13 - Package delivered to Phoenix, AZ office @11.29am
04/08/13 - NOA1 date (Day 1)
04/10/13 - Text from USCIS package received @6.55am (Day 3)
04/10/13 - Check cashed - didn't see it until 11/4 (Day 3)
04/13/13 - NOA1 Received (Day 6)

[icar 1]

Well, a week has already passed since the date that my N-400 was delivered, and still no NOA. I wonder how long it will take to receive it. I suppose it will take yet another week or even longer. This system is so inefficient!!! You would think that with today's technology, they would just have you list your e-mail address on the N-400 so that they can send you an e-mail notifying you that your N-400 was received. Or at least have an automated message sent to your phone number letting you know that your N-400 was received. But to leave it to snail mail is just silly. What if your NOA gets lost in the mail? You can't really rely on the post office. I have sometimes received letters in my mailbox that belonged to other people in my neighborhood. I fear that something like that could happen with my NOA -- that it could end up in someone else's mailbox and they'll simply throw it in the trash.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Well, a week has already passed since the date that my N-400 was delivered, and still no NOA. I wonder how long it will take to receive it. I suppose it will take yet another week or even longer. This system is so inefficient!!! You would think that with today's technology, they would just have you list your e-mail address on the N-400 so that they can send you an e-mail notifying you that your N-400 was received. Or at least have an automated message sent to your phone number letting you know that your N-400 was received. But to leave it to snail mail is just silly. What if your NOA gets lost in the mail? You can't really rely on the post office. I have sometimes received letters in my mailbox that belonged to other people in my neighborhood. I fear that something like that could happen with my NOA -- that it could end up in someone else's mailbox and they'll simply throw it in the trash.

You didn't complete a G-1145?

[Calypso 464]

You didn't complete a G-1145?

Looks like he did not. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/439881-if-you-sent-a-money-order-with-the-n-400-how-long-till-you-get-your-noa/?p=6350410

He assumed that USCIS would simply email him after they see his email address in Part 4 of the N-400 form.

[icar 1]

Well I'm glad to say that I received my NOA today! The notice date on the form is July 3rd, but strangely the envelope was postmarked July 8th. I wonder why it took so long, but at least I'm glad to have received it.

[Jamericanlove 31]

Well I'm glad to say that I received my NOA today! The notice date on the form is July 3rd, but strangely the envelope was postmarked July 8th. I wonder why it took so long, but at least I'm glad to have received it.

Remember that the 4th of July was a holiday. Everything most likely got backed up a few days.

[NickD 203]

From day one, was always a person check with us, could check my bank account online daily, print it out, and some would have the receipt number printed on it, if you could read it. Was positive proof they received our applications, they do lose stuff.

Also with a money order made out to the recipient, you may have to fool around with your bank for up to two months to get your money back if it is returned for some reason. Liars at the Colombian consulate insisted on a band money order, told my bank to leave the recipient blank, will feel that out myself. Between that Friday and Monday, they increased the rates for a passport. And then I had to deal with their bank. Found out I could use my debit card in lieu of a money order. So I put my own name in that money order and could cash it instantly. If the consulates name was on it, would have taken over a month to get that money back.

Personally, I think you are an idiot if you get a money order.