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N-400 January 2024 filers

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: France
Timeline

I had my interview yesterday in the Sacramento office and the case officer recommended that my application be approved. I think like most I came over prepared with a lot of documents but he only asked my for my green card, passport and marriage certificate. On a side note it was fun to see my file with my whole history since the fiance visa application, I caught glimpses of old pictures I had submitted.

For civics he started with the writing test, then the reading test and finished with the questions. I got the first 6 right so it stopped there. Once the verification on my application were finished the tone definitely relaxed and it was a nice conversation until he finished his paperwork. I'm waiting for the oath ceremony to be schedule now.

 

My N-400 timeline looks like this:

Jan 3 2024 - Filed N-400

Jan 4 2024 - Biometrics reused notice

Feb 14 2024 - Interview scheduled

Mar 26 2024 - Interview; recommended for approval

 

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10 hours ago, marmott said:

I had my interview yesterday in the Sacramento office and the case officer recommended that my application be approved. I think like most I came over prepared with a lot of documents but he only asked my for my green card, passport and marriage certificate. On a side note it was fun to see my file with my whole history since the fiance visa application, I caught glimpses of old pictures I had submitted.

For civics he started with the writing test, then the reading test and finished with the questions. I got the first 6 right so it stopped there. Once the verification on my application were finished the tone definitely relaxed and it was a nice conversation until he finished his paperwork. I'm waiting for the oath ceremony to be schedule now.

 

My N-400 timeline looks like this:

Jan 3 2024 - Filed N-400

Jan 4 2024 - Biometrics reused notice

Feb 14 2024 - Interview scheduled

Mar 26 2024 - Interview; recommended for approval

 

I don't think you game overprepared. Maybe you weren't asked for anything because you had everything. Would you came with minimal stuff, I bet you would've been asked for more evidence.

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Just found out that DHS does accept certified copies of the naturalization cerfiticate for initial passport applications. All we have to do is call USCIS and schedule an appointment to get a certified copy once we take oath. Getting a certified copy is free... but if your (original) naturalization certificate is lost in the mail it'll take $500+  (AND you get to deal with USCIS and VisaJourney all over again!) for USCIS to issue a new naturalization certificate.

 

Although there's some ambiguity here:

(A) USCIS says original must be submitted for passport application: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

(B) BUT DHS says certified copy is fine: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html#:~:text=ALL%20%2F%20ALL%20%2F-,Get%20evidence%20of%20U.S.%20citizenship%20(and%20a%20photocopy),of%20the%20official%20issuing%20authority.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

Edited by samdog
typo; added links
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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Croatia
Timeline
30 minutes ago, samdog said:

Just found out that DHS does accept certified copies of the naturalization cerfiticate for initial passport applications. All we have to do is call USCIS and schedule an appointment to get a certified copy once we take oath. Getting a certified copy is free... but if your (original) naturalization certificate is lost in the mail it'll take $500+  (AND you get to deal with USCIS and VisaJourney all over again!) for USCIS to issue a new naturalization certificate.

 

Although there's some ambiguity here:

(A) USCIS says original must be submitted for passport application: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

(B) BUT DHS says certified copy is fine: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html#:~:text=ALL%20%2F%20ALL%20%2F-,Get%20evidence%20of%20U.S.%20citizenship%20(and%20a%20photocopy),of%20the%20official%20issuing%20authority.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

Honestly, if this is works, would be great because I it's so nerve wrecking to wait to get the original back once you send it out to them 

  • Arrived to USA on F-1 Student Visa on 08/16/2016
  • Submitted I-485 & I-130 on 09/25/2017
  • Approved Green Card (IR7 category) on 05/17/2019
  • Electronically submitted N-400 on 02/19/2024
  • Biometrics Reuse received on 02/19/2024
  • Interview Notice received on 04/21/2024 (interview scheduled for 06/10/2024 at Chicago FO)
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47 minutes ago, samdog said:

Just found out that DHS does accept certified copies of the naturalization cerfiticate for initial passport applications. All we have to do is call USCIS and schedule an appointment to get a certified copy once we take oath. Getting a certified copy is free... but if your (original) naturalization certificate is lost in the mail it'll take $500+  (AND you get to deal with USCIS and VisaJourney all over again!) for USCIS to issue a new naturalization certificate.

 

Although there's some ambiguity here:

(A) USCIS says original must be submitted for passport application: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

(B) BUT DHS says certified copy is fine: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html#:~:text=ALL%20%2F%20ALL%20%2F-,Get%20evidence%20of%20U.S.%20citizenship%20(and%20a%20photocopy),of%20the%20official%20issuing%20authority.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

I've seen a lot of discussion on this and there are two main sticking points: the person accepting your passport application might not accept the copy, regardless of what the DHS says and that getting the certified copy from USCIS might as well be impossible.

 

I think it's worth the try but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Yes there's a chance of the certificate to get lost but most people get them back.

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Current processes:

 I-751 regular ROC (SRC)                                       N-400 3 year marriage based (IOE)

 Jan 17 2023 - Received                                       Jan 22, 2024 - Submitted online 

 Jan 23, 2023 - NOA + 36 months extension     Jan 22, 2024 - Biometrics waived

 Apr 12, 2023 - 48 months extension letter        Mar 6, 2024 - Interview scheduled for Apr 11 COMBO I-751/N-400!!!!

 

Completed:

I-90 for lost GC (IOE)

Sep 6, 2022 - Received

Sep 14, 2022 - Case is Being Reviewed

Feb 6, 2023 - Card is being produced !!!!!!!!!!

Feb 13, 2023 - Out for delivery/Return to sender 😠

Mar 6, 2023 - Re-mail request

Mar 9, 2023 - GC delivered!!!!!!

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Croatia
Timeline
7 minutes ago, jackiegringa said:

I've seen a lot of discussion on this and there are two main sticking points: the person accepting your passport application might not accept the copy, regardless of what the DHS says and that getting the certified copy from USCIS might as well be impossible.

 

I think it's worth the try but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Yes there's a chance of the certificate to get lost but most people get them back.

Apart from a passport, is there any other process which requires the original certificate to be mailed in? 

  • Arrived to USA on F-1 Student Visa on 08/16/2016
  • Submitted I-485 & I-130 on 09/25/2017
  • Approved Green Card (IR7 category) on 05/17/2019
  • Electronically submitted N-400 on 02/19/2024
  • Biometrics Reuse received on 02/19/2024
  • Interview Notice received on 04/21/2024 (interview scheduled for 06/10/2024 at Chicago FO)
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2 minutes ago, minivatreni said:

Apart from a passport, is there any other process which requires the original certificate to be mailed in? 

Updating your DL at the MVA and updating your SSN will require going in with the original certificate, but no other process except the passport to be mailed in that I can think of.

Our Journey Timeline  - Immigration and the Health Exchange Price of Love in the UK Thinking of Returning to UK?

 

First met: 12/31/04 - Engaged: 9/24/09
Filed I-129F: 10/4/14 - Packet received: 10/7/14
NOA 1 email + ARN assigned: 10/10/14 (hard copy 10/17/14)
Touched on website (fixed?): 12/9/14 - Poked USCIS: 4/1/15
NOA 2 email: 5/4/15 (hard copy 5/11/15)
Sent to NVC: 5/8/15 - NVC received + #'s assigned: 5/15/15 (estimated)
NVC sent: 5/19/15 - London received/ready: 5/26/15
Packet 3: 5/28/15 - Medical: 6/16/15
Poked London 7/1/15 - Packet 4: 7/2/15
Interview: 7/30/15 - Approved!
AP + Issued 8/3/15 - Visa in hand (depot): 8/6/15
POE: 8/27/15

Wedding: 9/30/15

Filed I-485, I-131, I-765: 11/7/15

Packet received: 11/9/15

NOA 1 txt/email: 11/15/15 - NOA 1 hardcopy: 11/19/15

Bio: 12/9/15

EAD + AP approved: 1/25/16 - EAD received: 2/1/16

RFE for USCIS inability to read vax instructions: 5/21/16 (no e-notification & not sent from local office!)

RFE response sent: 6/7/16 - RFE response received 6/9/16

AOS approved/card in production: 6/13/16  

NOA 2 hardcopy + card sent 6/17/16

Green Card received: 6/18/16

USCIS 120 day reminder notice: 2/22/18

Filed I-751: 5/2/18 - Packet received: 5/4/18

NOA 1:  5/29/18 (12 mo ext) 8/13/18 (18 mo ext)  - Bio: 6/27/18

Transferred: Potomac Service Center 3/26/19

Approved/New Card Produced status: 4/25/19 - NOA2 hardcopy 4/29/19

10yr Green Card Received: 5/2/19 with error >_<

N400 : 7/16/23 - Oath : 10/19/23

 

 

 

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I filed 2/3/2024 in Baltimore. Just got a letter today saying interview scheduled for May 6. Woohoo!

05/11/2017: Mailed I-485, I-130, I-131, 1-765 

05/12/2017: Packet Delivered and Signed For

05/17/2017: NOA (text) Received for I-485 and I-765

05/18/2017: NOA (text) Received for I-130 and I-131

05/19/2017: Checks cashed 

05/22/2017: NOA (hard copy) Received in Mail (dated 05/17/2017)

05/26/2017: Biometrics Received (scheduled for 06/07/2017)

05/30/2017: Biometrics Completed (walk-in)

05/30/2017: SR to expedite I-765

06/05/2017: Received RFE for I-130A (dated 06/01/2017)

06/06/2017: Response to RFE Delivered

06/08/2017: Response To USCIS' Request For Evidence Was Received

06/12/2017: SR to expedite I-765 (with help from Congressman)

06/15/2017: EAD Approved! (34 days)

06/20/2017: EAD/AP Mailed

06/22/2017: EAD/AP Arrived in Mail (41 days)

07/06/2017-07/12/2017: Traveled on AP (POE: MIA)

12/20/2017: Letter with interview date (222 DAYS)

01/23/2018: INTERVIEW DATE!

01/24/2018: AOS Approved! (257 DAYS)

01/27/2018: Welcome to USA Letter Received (260 DAYS)

01/30/2018: Green Card Received (263 DAYS)

 

12/10/2019: DIVORCED!

 

01/22/2020: I-751 Mailed

01/24/2020: NOA Received

03/05/2020: Biometrics Completed

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On 3/20/2024 at 10:09 PM, PicklePiggy said:

Phoenix AZ field office

 

3-year married to USC rule with pending I-751 (Filed back on 01/12/2023)

 

Filed online 01/31/2024

Biometric reused 02/01/2024

case is being actively reviewed by USCIS 02/01/2024

 

anyone filed at similar time in Arizona? I saw some ppl said they would not schedule interview until you reached 3-year GC anniversary? My 3-year GC anniversary would falls on 04/02/2024, hope the interview letter will happen in April.

Checked USCIS account. the estimated processing time went up to 6 months from 4 months. :( I'm planning to have Chik-Fil-A tonight.

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