Mailed in N-400 a week ago, no receipt yet. When to expect it?

[aperson 44]

Hi there,

 

It seems like the overwhelming majority chooses to file N-400 online. But I actually mailed in my application last week, per my attorney's recommendation. Now I suffer from the anxiety of not getting receipt notice immediately haha. So I sent it in about 6 days ago. My credit card has not been charged yet, nor did I receive any text/email alert regarding receipt of the packet. My attorney did tell me it was successfully delivered to USCIS. Do you guys know when can I expect to see charges on my credit card and getting the receipt notice alerts?

 

Thanks!

[Crazy Cat 39,644]

13 minutes ago, aperson said:

per my attorney's recommendation

Did he say why?  Filing online was a piece of cake. It could be another week or so  before you receive the receipt.  Had you filed online, it would have been instantaneous. 

Edited February 15, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[aperson 44]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Did he say why?  Filing online was a piece of cake. It could be weeks before you receive the receipt.  Had you filed online, it would have been instantaneous. 

Gosh should've pushed for online application. She said there's appendix pages we need to attach along with other supporting documents like tax transcripts, etc that it's better to file by mail because online system might be glitchy at times. Another reason she mentioned is that by filing by mail, we have an exact physical copy of what we submit to USCIS in case of dispute/issues in the future. She does this for all her N-400 clients unless someone insists on online application, and she said generally no difference in processing times between the 2 methods. Oh well ship has sailed now. But thanks for your insight!

[Crazy Cat 39,644]

Just now, aperson said:

Gosh should've pushed for online application. She said there's appendix pages we need to attach along with other supporting documents like tax transcripts, etc that it's better to file by mail because online system might be glitchy at times. Another reason she mentioned is that by filing by mail, we have an exact physical copy of what we submit to USCIS in case of dispute/issues in the future. She does this for all her N-400 clients unless someone insists on online application, and she said generally no difference in processing times between the 2 methods. Oh well ship has sailed now. But thanks for your insight!

Sounds like your attorney is lacking in technical skills.  I also have an exact physical and electronic copy of everything I scanned and uploaded....such as tax transcripts, etc.  The online system was not "glitchy".  I can see every single document I uploaded...and I added some unsolicited documents.  We received the receipt notice as well as the "biometrics reuse" notice within a few minutes after submitting and paying the fee online.   Good luck.  

[ArizonaPHX 20]

Same here the attorney recommended mailing the form instead of online, but she gave me the option to do it online if I want to. I ended up mailing the form and still waiting for the receipt, sure when they actually sent.

[aperson 44]

5 minutes ago, ArizonaPHX said:

Same here the attorney recommended mailing the form instead of online, but she gave me the option to do it online if I want to. I ended up mailing the form and still waiting for the receipt, sure when they actually sent.

Thanks for sharing! It seems like attorneys like mailing it in. I know at least 3 attorneys are in the mail camp instead of online. Did you just file it? We sent mine last Thursday, probably was delivered by this Monday.

Edited February 16, 2023 by aperson

[ArizonaPHX 20]

2 hours ago, aperson said:

Thanks for sharing! It seems like attorneys like mailing it in. I know at least 3 attorneys are in the mail camp instead of online. Did you just file it? We sent mine last Thursday, probably was delivered by this Monday.

Yes, they sent mine this week, and I'm expecting a receipt next week if all goes well 

[aperson 44]

14 minutes ago, ArizonaPHX said:

Yes, they sent mine this week, and I'm expecting a receipt next week if all goes well 

Just FYI - the charges literally got posted on my credit card activities a few hours ago. We also filed form G1145 so hopefully I get text or email alerts soon about the receipt number.

[OldUser 5,086]

Don't worry you'll get your receipt eventually.

 

You were probably right not pressuring the attorney to file electronically. The process for filing electronically via attorney is a bit cumbersome. There's a lot of little steps and cooperation between client and attorney in order for client to track the case in their account. Just take a look here

 

Additionally, if attorney is not confident filing electronically they can make easy mistakes affecting application.

 

After the file is in the system, it shouldn't matter whether it was submitted electronically or on paper.

 

Good luck!

 

 

[aperson 44]

4 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Don't worry you'll get your receipt eventually.

 

You were probably right not pressuring the attorney to file electronically. The process for filing electronically via attorney is a bit cumbersome. There's a lot of little steps and cooperation between client and attorney in order for client to track the case in their account. Just take a look here

 

Additionally, if attorney is not confident filing electronically they can make easy mistakes affecting application.

 

After the file is in the system, it shouldn't matter whether it was submitted electronically or on paper.

 

Good luck!

 

 

This makes a ton of sense! Thanks for the insight. The charges just got posted on my credit card activities. So hopefully I get receipt notice soon!

[OldUser 5,086]

Also there seems to be a related thread:

 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by OldUser

[EmilyW 1,234]

Gotta love the ways attorneys separate clients and their money.  Sometimes I think I picked the wrong career lol.

[Mike E 11,727]

My wife’s attorney insisted on online. As in, do that way or find another lawyer.  

 

There were the expected glitches but the results speak for themselves. Oath ceremony next week, after filing the first week of November.  

[OldUser 5,086]

33 minutes ago, Mike E said:

My wife’s attorney insisted on online. As in, do that way or find another lawyer.  

 

There were the expected glitches but the results speak for themselves. Oath ceremony next week, after filing the first week of November.  

I guess one could ask the question "How many online cases have you filed so far and how did they go?" when talking to a lawyer before hiring them. I do not have a strong preference to method of filing, as long as the end result is success and whoever files it for me has attention to detail required.

 

Out of curiosity, did you have a chance to review everything before attorney submitted it? Did you have to do one-time access stuff? How easy is it so save a copy of everything submitted to PDF?

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by OldUser

[aperson 44]

Just wanted to update. Card was charged last night and received text this morning with the receipt number. Now waiting for bio.