N400 interview no decision file was not there

[ryaustin316 0]

I had my interview on July 25 in Bloomington MN. The officer was very nice. He went though the n400 application asking question about my answers. That went good. Then past the English and civics/history test no problems. Officer had me sign the n400 then he left the room. He came back in about 5 minutes later. Had me check over the info sheet to make sure the info was right for the Naturalization Certificate and initial the bottom of the paper. Then he handed me the sheet that said I passed the English and history test. But he checked a Decision can not be made. He explained that my file was not there and he would need to review it before he could make a decision. He said it would be in his office in a couple of days and he would call me to let me know when the Oath Ceremony would be. It's been over 2 weeks and I have heard nothing. Has this happened to anyone else and how long do you have to wait. Thank you

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I interviewed July 18. Haven't heard a peep.. so yes it's normal (for some offices). You could be waiting a while.

[BigDaddy28 228]

yes that"s normal. I don't really know why your file shouldn't be there while the interview but sometimes it happens. I've seen many people in your same situation. The officer will have to just go through your file and review it and then send you an official letter of approval or oath scheduling. Now if it gets crazy where they are taking 3 months and you didn't hear nothing that's when you need to pick up the phone and call USCIS or make an infopass or even call your congressman for help. But before that nothing to worry about.

[formywife 9]

I had my interview on July 25 in Bloomington MN. The officer was very nice. He went though the n400 application asking question about my answers. That went good. Then past the English and civics/history test no problems. Officer had me sign the n400 then he left the room. He came back in about 5 minutes later. Had me check over the info sheet to make sure the info was right for the Naturalization Certificate and initial the bottom of the paper. Then he handed me the sheet that said I passed the English and history test. But he checked a Decision can not be made. He explained that my file was not there and he would need to review it before he could make a decision. He said it would be in his office in a couple of days and he would call me to let me know when the Oath Ceremony would be. It's been over 2 weeks and I have heard nothing. Has this happened to anyone else and how long do you have to wait. Thank you

Ryaustin316,

I was exactly on the same boat. My local office is Chicago, IL. I filed N-400 on September 2012 and did my interview on March 2013. I had already understood that office did not receive my documents when I entered IO's office for interview because my documents were on green folder on his table. "If your application is on green folder that means office did not receive your documents" , some one had told me on VJ before.

Officer told me that he does not know how long it will take for the office to receive the documents and I asked him, what if office does not receive my documents forever? he smiled and told me that there are certain rules and exceptions but he cant tell me how long I have to wait for the approval.

But my status on USCIS website got changed to inline for oath ceremony month after my Interview. Keep your fingers crossed and keep up your hope, your approval is on the way.

Edited August 12, 2013 by formywife