Difference between N400 submission online or by mail?

[EternalForeigner 57]

Hello,

 

I tried to find any posts or threads on this but nothing materialized. I was wondering if anyone knew there are any differences or advantages/disadvantages to submitting the N400 online or through the mail. And if covid stands the change any of those differences at all.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

13 minutes ago, EternalForeigner said:

Hello,

 

I tried to find any posts or threads on this but nothing materialized. I was wondering if anyone knew there are any differences or advantages/disadvantages to submitting the N400 online or through the mail. And if covid stands the change any of those differences at all.

Yes-submitting it online is much quicker, you don't have to worry it was lost in the mail, wait for a NOA1 to show up, worry if you signed everything, paid the correct fee etc. I see no reason why someone wouldn't submit it online actually. You will receive your NOA1 and biometrics notices on the computer before snail mail as well. 

[Tee and Megan 10]

OO! I'd love to know the answer to this question as well!

[EternalForeigner 57]

3 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

Yes-submitting it online is much quicker, you don't have to worry it was lost in the mail, wait for a NOA1 to show up, worry if you signed everything, paid the correct fee etc. I see no reason why someone wouldn't submit it online actually. You will receive your NOA1 and biometrics notices on the computer before snail mail as well. 

Thank you for your insight.

As for submitting documents, such as a copy of your green card, I guess you have to upload a scanned document/photo during the online process?

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

11 minutes ago, EternalForeigner said:

Thank you for your insight.

As for submitting documents, such as a copy of your green card, I guess you have to upload a scanned document/photo during the online process?

Yes, it will prompt you to upload documents- it specifies the required documents and then has a section for additional documents (if you are filing based on 3 year you will want to submit evidence of your relationship w your spouse) honestly I think the online application is sort of fool proof and I wish we were able to have filed out other petitions/applications that way 

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

1 hour ago, Luckycuds said:

Yes, it will prompt you to upload documents- it specifies the required documents and then has a section for additional documents (if you are filing based on 3 year you will want to submit evidence of your relationship w your spouse) honestly I think the online application is sort of fool proof and I wish we were able to have filed out other petitions/applications that way 

I agree with this, It only gives you relevant questions based on previous answers, tells you what you need to upload based on what you have answered, you can’t get the fee wrong, and it’s instant guaranteed receipt of the form. I literally cannot think of one reason, other than being totally unable to fill in a form online, why anyone would still mail it in.

[narakthisud 174]

2 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

I literally cannot think of one reason, other than being totally unable to fill in a form online, why anyone would still mail it in.

And there's the rub. Some folks are more comfortable with paper forms. I honestly found the online N-400 much easier to navigate versus the paper form. I truly hope that USCIS moves more forms online (I-485, I-129F, etc.) because it really streamlines the process!

[cyanmavi 101]

Make sure to use Internet Explorer as your browser if you want online filing to go smoothly. If you have to use another browser, be ready to submit all your documents at once and without signing out in between documents. Even then it is a crapshoot.

 

A single document cannot be larger than 6MB.

 

I would have done mail if it wasn't for COVID-19, you have much more control over the process and organization of your documents.

 

Online or by mail does not affect the speed of the process, that is determined by local office.

 

 

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

I used chrome for 3 n400 applications at 3 different times (mine, my husband’s (who had broken continuous residence and couldn’t apply at the same time as me) and my older daughter (who aged out while I was waiting for interview so had to file a separate one). We didn’t have problems with any of them. Just dragged and dropped all the documents required from where I’d saved the scans. Just an FYI. 

Edited September 21, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[Fr8dog 312]

There is no upside to filing by mail.
It is more expensive (mailing cost).
It has a better change to get lost (more people handling your application)
It takes a few days extra (mailing and waiting for them to scan your documents into their system).
Greater change of getting an RFE (the online form won't let you proceed unless the required info is entered or uploaded).

The argument that you can provide additional documents is lost on me as well. Any additional docs you want to upload, you can. Though it appears that nobody looks at them until your file reaches your local field office. Than it is not more convenient than bringing your documents with you to the interview (Something you you always do anyway).

As a final point I like to point out that filing by mail takes away resources from those that are required to file by mail. It may only be an hour per application, but that still adds up on a monthly base.

[Limey 550]

I filed my n400 earlier this year online. The online system was great

1) you know that they've received it

2) you pay online
3) no chance of someone mis-keying your data from the paper form into the USCIS systems

 

It also only gets you to fill in the parts you need to fill in, so if you answer "no" to a particular question it won't show you any of the follow up that you'd have had if you'd answered "yes".

 

Tips:

Make sure you've got all your documents that you need scanned
You can save the form and return to it so long as you don't leave it more than 30 days (I think) between logins.

I used Firefox browser and had no problems.

It was much easier online than I129F and ROC had been on paper (not that those were particularly difficult).
 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

3 hours ago, cyanmavi said:

Make sure to use Internet Explorer as your browser if you want online filing to go smoothly. If you have to use another browser, be ready to submit all your documents at once and without signing out in between documents. Even then it is a crapshoot.

 

A single document cannot be larger than 6MB.

 

I would have done mail if it wasn't for COVID-19, you have much more control over the process and organization of your documents.

 

Online or by mail does not affect the speed of the process, that is determined by local office.

 

 

Online is faster- you get the NOA1 same or next day while if you filed by mail your package still would be in transit.

[Rick & Apple 233]

We used Chrome to file my wife's N-400 online with no problems. I didn't see it mentioned, but you fill out the form online, you don't fill out the pdf and upload.

As others have said, it is easier to have your documents scanned ahead of time.

One suggestion I would make is when naming your documents, include name and A Number.

Example:

Name Anumber 2018 Tax Transcript.pdf

Name Anumber Marriage License.pdf

Name Anumber Medical Insurance.pdf

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

1 hour ago, Rick & Apple said:

One suggestion I would make is when naming your documents, include name and A Number.

Example:

Name Anumber 2018 Tax Transcript.pdf

Name Anumber Marriage License.pdf

Name Anumber Medical Insurance.pdf

That didn’t even occur to me! My docs had names like “GCfront” “GCback” “XYbc” etc 😂 I can confirm that the IO had everything she needed at my interview despite that  

[clauric 10]

If your handwriting is not nice (like mine) and you want to ensure the information you fill out is correct, I would suggest online.

 

Also on the traveling portion area online, it determines how many days you have travelled outside of the US. It was nice to have that tool because I travelled in July of 2015 but I wasn’t sure if I should put it since technically it’s been after 5 years(I submitted my application September). But the tool let me know that it was 0 days outside of US. So therefore I didnt include it.