Biometrics in Portland -- in and out in 5 minutes

[IrinaNMike 0]

Our Biometrics appointment in Portland was quick and easy. The exam takes place in a small storefront in a commercial building, not a Federal office building. We were almost late because I couldn't believe that I had the right address. Once inside, Irina presented her Russian passport and driver's license, and would have been turned away had she not also had our marriage certificate with her, because they wanted something 'official' with her married name, and credit cards, health insurance id's, and membership cards for 24-hour Fitness, the library, the art museum, etc., were not 'official'.

There were a lot of people waiting, but we were given a priority number. Irina walked right in without waiting, was photographed and fingerprinted, digitally, and we were done!

The staff in this office are friendly and courteous.

[tomica52 0]

Good experience. I am surprised to hear that they wanted that much information (including marriage certificate) since they only asked for me for an ID and a letter from USCIS...

[MaryandMian 1]

Thanks for the update I am sure others will benefit from your telling it was in storefront instead of federal office building. Good luck on the rest of your journey.

Mary

[iceyspots 0]

So happy you had such a smooth process

[meauxna 15]

Our Biometrics appointment in Portland was quick and easy. The exam takes place in a small storefront in a commercial building, not a Federal office building. We were almost late because I couldn't believe that I had the right address. Once inside, Irina presented her Russian passport and driver's license, and would have been turned away had she not also had our marriage certificate with her, because they wanted something 'official' with her married name, and credit cards, health insurance id's, and membership cards for 24-hour Fitness, the library, the art museum, etc., were not 'official'.

There were a lot of people waiting, but we were given a priority number. Irina walked right in without waiting, was photographed and fingerprinted, digitally, and we were done!

The staff in this office are friendly and courteous.

heh.. we must've just missed you. I swear there were a few other VJ couples in the ACS today...

I was chatting with one of the workers and she informed me that they are not USCIS but a contractor. As she said "that's why you get a nicer experience here".

The other weird thing she said (I didn't get into it w/her) is that fiances/spouses of USCs who are *themselves* "of good character" (the USC) have an easier time of 'it' (biometrics? background checks?). I don't know exactly what she was getting at.

I've driven past that place a thousand times if I've done it once.. I always thought it was some shady 'immigrant's assistance' type joint.

Congrats on getting the bios out of the way. The officers at the DO are really nice!

PS: we were in there for more like 30 minutes.

Edited April 15, 2006 by meauxna

[anutka 0]

Our Biometrics appointment in Portland was quick and easy. The exam takes place in a small storefront in a commercial building, not a Federal office building. We were almost late because I couldn't believe that I had the right address. Once inside, Irina presented her Russian passport and driver's license, and would have been turned away had she not also had our marriage certificate with her, because they wanted something 'official' with her married name, and credit cards, health insurance id's, and membership cards for 24-hour Fitness, the library, the art museum, etc., were not 'official'.

There were a lot of people waiting, but we were given a priority number. Irina walked right in without waiting, was photographed and fingerprinted, digitally, and we were done!

The staff in this office are friendly and courteous.

Mike - is it Portland in Oregon? I have my biometrics appointment there on April 29th.

[Lacyh 0]

we had ours last sat in portland oregon and yes it was that fast for us too.Finding the darn place was the "hard"part.

[IrinaNMike 0]

Anutka -- yes, I'm talking about Portland, Oregon. I hope I didn't confuse anyone. I should have remembered that there is also a Portland, Maine, especially since I visited that city as a tourist and enjoyed my visit very much.

[anutka 0]

I had my bimetrics on Saturday - and as everyone said here - it was very quick - thanks to clear driving directions from USCIS and MapQuest (we drove from Eugene) and thanks to YOU it wasn't hard to find this place at all

So - now waiting for EAD...so hard to wait.

[Autumnal 25]

Glad to hear this was an easy appointment! I required my marriage certificate too when I came in; passport, USCIS letter, and the rest weren't enough.

[anutka 0]

Glad to hear this was an easy appointment! I required my marriage certificate too when I came in; passport, USCIS letter, and the rest weren't enough.

In my case as an photo id my passport was sufficient, and they wanted only letters with ASC appoinmtent notice - I didn't change my last name after marriage, so maybe that's why they didn't want anything else.

[Jasman0717 8]

Congrats

[jeepguy 0]

so where in portland u had the biometrics thing ?

Our Biometrics appointment in Portland was quick and easy. The exam takes place in a small storefront in a commercial building, not a Federal office building. We were almost late because I couldn't believe that I had the right address. Once inside, Irina presented her Russian passport and driver's license, and would have been turned away had she not also had our marriage certificate with her, because they wanted something 'official' with her married name, and credit cards, health insurance id's, and membership cards for 24-hour Fitness, the library, the art museum, etc., were not 'official'.

There were a lot of people waiting, but we were given a priority number. Irina walked right in without waiting, was photographed and fingerprinted, digitally, and we were done!

The staff in this office are friendly and courteous.

[TBoneTX 43,411]

You've revived a FIVE-year-old thread. This must be a VJ record. Perhaps start a new thread with your question.

[ronron 0]

You've revived a FIVE-year-old thread. This must be a VJ record. Perhaps start a new thread with your question.

epic! haha LOL