Lytha

@asyouwish2001,

I don't have any experience with that, but I do know that they are very much aware of any and every travel you make ... It looks like they compare your info to their own, to see if you're lieing. For me, I flew from Maryland to Germany on a military aircraft and back, I had no stamp upon entry. She went through my passport looking for a stamp until she finally asked, and I told her just that. She said thank you for your honesty ... Because unlike more "official" entries through commercial airports, USCIS apparently had no official record of this. Honesty is the best policy when you're in there, I'm sure it'll all work out! Best of luck!

@Lytha, Congrats!

I wonder how you responded to the question about the missing stamp. I checked my passport and realized that I missed a few entry stamps because I used Global Entry during those trips. Global Entry is a fast track service for trusted air travelers (http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about), but they didn't put stamps on my passport. Now I am struggling to find evidence to prove some of the entry dates.

Any comments from anyone here are also welcome.

Thanks

Had my interview today so I'm taking a moment to share my experience with everyone.

Interview was scheduled at 0815, I was there at 0800 and they took me in right away. The officer was a female, who guided me to her office. She swore me in, and we began. She went over the entire N400 application, making sure there weren't any changes that needed to be made (none for me). She paused and asked questions about my trips outside the US (which for me was applicable to the last 3y since I'm filing under that provision) and noticed one stamp was missing. I explained why, had no problems. We proceeded to the long list of "Have you ever ... ?" - most all my answers were "no".

After we were done with all that, she had me agree to the oath and had me sign the application on the last page.

We than proceeded to the English test. I read "When is Independence Day?" I wrote: "Independence Day is on 4th of July." I passed!

Civics: If you studied thoroughly, this part should be no problem! Questions I can remember:

Name one of the longest rivers in the US?

We elect a President for how many years?

Who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Why did the colonists fight the British?

Etc... : I passed!

She proceeded to look in my file, asking me a few questions here and there... How long have you been married to your husband? What's his birthday?

Than proceeded to say she was going to schedule me for an oath ceremony. She said she needed to do it quick, because my fingerprints were about to expire. I told her that was odd since I just came in the office a few weeks ago to get biometrics done. I showed her the receipt I had in the binder I brought with me. She looked at it and updated my file with it. She plugged in some more info on her computer, a paper came out saying "Congratulations" and she than congratulated me: "You passed" - She asked me to bear with her as she was scheduling me in the ceremony of December 19th here at our Anchorage office. She send me home with the official letter, so I don't have to worry about anything coming in the mail. After that, I was on my merry way out the door where my husband was waiting!

Overall, a great and painless experience. In less than two months, start to finish: I couldn't be happier! I was very prepared and brought any and all documentation that may be useful with me in a binder. Since I was filing under the 3 year marriage to US Citizen, I was expecting a much more thorough interview documentation-wise so I brought a lot with me. Completely unnecessary, she never asked! All she asked was to see my forms of ID and passport.

Well, that was that!

I hope you guys get something from my little book I wrote here haha! It's been fun, and I am definitely glad this journey is now (almost) over!

I am a very happy person today!

Best of luck to all of you!!

Hello everyone! Interview is tomorrow and I am soooooo nervous! Any words from the wise for my big day tomorrow??

Lytha updated

======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================

UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
EM_Vandaveer..|12/21/11|09/30|Feewaive|10/20|11/14/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX (Early bio 11/12/14)
cdm2014.......|11/09/09|10/01|10/03/14|10/06|10/31/14|11/06/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston,TX
Deidre........|08/04/09|10/08|10/16/14|10/20|11/12/14|11/14/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Tampa, FL
MaYoKy........|12/02/10|10/08|10/16/14|10/20|11/13/14|11/17/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Louisville, KY
Kintsukuroi...|01/31/03|10/10|MoneyOrd|10/24|11/12/14|11/14/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Harlingen, TX
Osmosesnew....|--/--/--|10/13|FeeWaive|10/29|11/18/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY
icaruslol.....|10/18/11|10/18|--/--/14|10/30|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY
Carlos EA.....|01/17/12|10/20|10/27/14|10/30|11/21/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA
Ce2010........|01/19/10|10/22|10/28/14|10/27|11/17/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Miami, FL (Early bio 11/07/14)
Lacrima.(GM)..|12/15/09|10/23|10/28/14|11/01|11/18/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ
Joe and Ann...|11/16/11|10/24|10/27/14|10/28|11/21/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Washington, DC
Moon Light....|01/26/12|10/27|11/04/14|11/10|11/25/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Oklahoma City, OK


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================

UserName..........|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
kt128.............|04/19/11|09/30|10/06/14|10/09|10/27/14|10/29/14.|11/08/14.|12/10/14.|--/--/--.|Milwaukee,WI
AbuFlaan..........|--/--/--|10/0?|10/07/14|10/11|10/31/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL
InKorea...........|03/29/11|10/03|10/09/14|10/13|11/03/14|11/05/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN
Nanners...........|--/--/94|10/05|10/09/14|10/14|10/28/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LA,CA
SunnyCalifornian..|01/05/12|10/07|10/15/14|10/17|11/05/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LA,CA
Shaolin_Dragon....|12/02/05|10/??|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|??
NikosF............|10/21/10|10/14|10/22/14|10/27|11/10/14|11/12/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL
Virginian61.......|--/--/--|10/20|Mnyorder|10/24|11/17/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Ind'polis,IN
dcl766...(MIL)....|12/21/09|10/21|10/28/14|11/03|11/17/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL
dcl766...(FIL)....|12/21/09|10/21|10/28/14|11/03|11/18/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL (Early bio 11/17/14)
asyouwish2001.....|06/10/09|10/23|10/29/14|11/03|11/21/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Jose,CA


===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
Lytha.........|11/01/11|10/10|10/20/14|10/20|11/13/14|--/--/--.|11/18/14.|12/03/14.|--/--/--.|Anchorage, Alaska

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2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
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5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12]
6. Make changes and Add Reply.
7. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

Legend:

GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card
Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS
ChkCashd: Date your check was cashed by USCIS
NOA: Date you received the official I-797 notification in the mail about case acceptance
Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting
In Line: Date you received e-notification about your interview date
Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview
Intview: Date of your interview
Oath: Date Oath taken
Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you would be doing the N-400 interview

Interview letter arrived today! I'll be going in for interview on 12/03/2014!

So, I never received any email or text-message updates... anyone else have this problem? I did include the form for it when I send off my case... but nothing!

Also,, I just checked my case status online, it said "interview" scheduled as of 11/17/2014. Waiting on the paper notice. So I guess that means I'm in line for the interview? Also, my local office is Anchorage AK. Update me please! Thanks!

Finally received the NOA, got here after the biometrics letter. NOA was dated 10/20/14

Received biometrics letter as well, appointment 11/13/14

Update me please!

Hello everyone!

So I did call USCIS to ask where my NOA1 was ... they said they had send it ... Still have not received it.. I guess it got lost in the mail? Although, my fingerprint notice did come in the mail today (11/01/14) yeey me! - Notice date was 10/24/14.

Looks like everyone is making great progress: Awesoooommeee!! Although, I have my own concerns... I still did not receive an NOA... Should I be worried?

Check cashed 10/20/14 yeey!!

Reformatted!

N-400: October 2014 Applicants

======================================

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

======================================

UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office

EM_Vandaveer..|12/21/11|09/30|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX

Deidre........|08/04/09|10/08|10/16/14|10/20|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Tampa, FL

MaYoKy........|12/02/10|10/08|10/16/14|10/20|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Louisville, KY

Osmosesnew....|--/--/--|10/13|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY

================================

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

================================

UserName..........|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office

kt128.............|04/19/11|09/30|10/06/14|10/09|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Milwaukee,WI

AbuFlaan..........|--/--/--|10/0?|10/07/14|10/11|10/31/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL

InKorea...........|03/29/11|10/03|10/09/14|10/13|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN

Nanners...........|--/--/94|10/05|10/09/14|10/14|10/28/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LA,CA

SunnyCalifornian..|01/05/12|10/07|10/15/14|10/17|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LA,CA

Shaolin_Dragon....|12/02/05|10/??|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|??

NikosF............|10/21/10|10/14|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL

Icaruslol.........|--/--/--|10/18|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL

Virginian61.......|--/--/--|10/20|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Ind'polis,IN

===========================================================================

USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

===========================================================================

UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office

Lytha.........|11/01/11|10/10|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:

1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.

3. Click "Quote" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list.

4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list.

5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12]

6. Make changes and Add Reply.

7. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

Legend:

GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card

Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS

ChkCashd: Date your check was cashed by USCIS

NOA: Date you received the official I-797 notification in the mail about case acceptance

Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting

In Line: Date you received e-notification about your interview date

Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview

Intview: Date of your interview

Oath: Date Oath taken

Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you would be doing the N-400 interview

Hello everyone ... I'm having a little scare here ... Just send off my application to Nebraska last Friday, 10/10/14 - I currently live in Anchorage, Alaska.

I am a spouse of a military member, not filing under any particular provision. I'm filing based on the 3year rule, a month early.

Now, it was my understanding as I was trying to file, that any military affiliation makes you file to Nebraska Service Center. Am i correct? I am sitting here reading through the USCIS website again and just starting to doubt myself .... Can someone shed some light please? Experience?

Thanks a million!

T

GC date is 11/01/2011 =)

Lytha's info added! What's your GC date? Thanks!

N-400: October 2014 Applicants

======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================

UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
EM_Vandaveer..|12/21/11|09/30|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX
Deidre........|--/--/--|10/08|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Tampa, FL
MaYoKy........|12/02/10|10/08|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Louisville, KY

================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================

UserName..........|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
kt128.............|04/19/11|09/30|10/06/14|10/09|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Milwaukee,WI
AbuFlaan..........|--/--/--|10/0?|10/07/14|10/11|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago,IL
InKorea...........|03/29/11|10/03|10/09/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN
Nanners...........|--/--/94|10/05|10/09/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LA,CA
SunnyCalifornian..|01/05/12|10/07|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LA,CA

Shaolin_Dragon....|12/02/05|10/??|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|??

===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|ChkCashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
Lytha.........|--/--/--|10/10|--/--/14|--/--|--/--/14|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Pheonix, AZ

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
3. Click "Quote" on the most recent/updated posting version of this list.
4. Remove the "Quote Coding" at the top and bottom of the list.
5. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12]
6. Make changes and Add Reply.
7. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

Legend:

GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card
Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS
ChkCashd: Date your check was cashed by USCIS
NOA: Date you received the official I-797 notification in the mail about case acceptance
Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting
In Line: Date you received e-notification about your interview date
Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview
Intview: Date of your interview
Oath: Date Oath taken
Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you would be doing the N-400 interview

Just filed on Friday Oct 10, since I'm mil spouse packet send to Nebraska. Should be there by Tuesday 14 Oct. =) Hoping for a smooth process! Good luck everyone!!

Getting ready to file this week ... waiting on one more statement from the bank ... Can't get here soon enough! Any 3y based filers in the thread?

Also as for employer/school/previous address, just put the month and year, or the year only if you can't remember the exact dates. This is nothing to worry about, only people with OCD would remember every exact date lol.

Thank you!

I do have exact dates from the past three years ... aka since I have been a LPR. Since I am filing on the 3y basis, I figure that would be the most important.. To have exact dates since I have been in the country. Quiet frankly, anything further out than that, I am accurate with the months and years, not exact dates as they ask for. I am totally not OCD lol.

Hello everyone!

Just to double check myself before I am just about ready to send this N-400 on its way...

1) I have not yet met the 3y requirement, but since I meet these requirements...

thank you for your insight

Hi there,

I am also filing based on the three year rule and came across your post. Was wondering how it worked out for you guys, with just back tracking 3y instead of 5? I am worried about it, concerned about a RFE... Did it work out for you guys? Any info is greatly appreciated!

Greetings,

T

If you're applying based on 3 years, then answer the question based on 3 years, not 5. That's what most people on here have done. I don't think that the exact move dates or employment dates are needed here... but that's my opinion. If I were you, I'd put in the approximate info and then try to track down the actual dates by the time of the interview in case you get a picky interviewer.

I believe you need exact dates for two areas: for the section regarding your trips abroad and for when you moved to your current place of residence.

The trips abroad issue was discussed here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/512361-n-400-travel-date-section/?p=7216585

The current residence has to be accurate because you have to have been living in the jurisdiction in which you are applying for 3 months before applying.

Thanks for the info! I'm trying to track down dates the best way I can, as far as residency goes ... Should I than also just track back only 3 years or 5 years? In all these parts, they ask to track back 5 years which is fine to me. Only one I run into issues with is 'trips abroad' .. I've only been in the US 3 years and I calculated about 25 days tops out of the country. Tracking back 5 years for 'trips abroad' makes no sense to me.

Hello everyone,

As I am filling in the N-400 I have a few questions… If someone could shed some light?

Part 4. Information about your residence.

In this section, it is said to go back in 5y of past residency… Now, how accurate or correct must these dates be? I am not entirely sure of specific dates of when I moved (especially while still in my home country). How do you solve this problem?

Part 7. Employment & schools you attended

In this section, go back 5y. How accurate must you be with the dates? I really don't always remember dates, just months...

Part 8. Time outside the US

This part asks to backtrack 5y… I have only been a resident for almost 3y (spouse of US citizen - I will be filing early -90 day window). So, do I just go back into those 3y of which I have been a resident of the US & travelled abroad? Once again, dates! How accurate must they be?

I am definitely searching any and every paperwork that can shed light on those "dates" but what if I'm out of luck. I am so worried this may raise a 'flag' for me...

Thank you for your time! I appreciate any info!

Greetings,

T

Thank you! Got everything squared away now... I think I'll be waiting till removal of conditions to change my maiden name into my married name... Shouldnt be to much of an issue I hope... thanks for replies!

also; how do i register... can't seem to find 'how'... do i need to go to the consular office in person? or can i 'register' online?

You had to register as soon as you started living in the US

You need to find which consulate to register to, depending on where you live.

You will find relevant information here : http://www.diplobel.us/

You remain a Belgian citizen, I don't think it has something to do with keeping up with Id and such, though it's best to do so (which reminds me .. ).

Did you also notify the tax services in Belgium?

Had no clue i needed to do that... Never filed any taxes or had to pay in what so ever... i thought they would figure that out anyhow since i 'signed out' at the local court house... thought that was the only thing i had to do... but i will register at Diplobel though... lol,, thanks for the heads up!

It would have been best to file with your married name, regardless on how it is in BE, but now that it's done it's a matter of costs I would say.

Waiting to file for I751 would probably be less costly.

As for Belgium, there will be no confusion, you need to register to the consulate etc and they will take it from there, all in your maiden name.

Only 2 things that have changed as far as Belgium is concerned is your residency and your marital status.

Yes, I did report those changes before I left for the US. When or how do I register to the consulate though?

I assume to keep my citizenship to Belgium its just a matter of keeping up with my ID and such...?

Thanks for your reply! Very helpful!

Hey everyone

I need some advice on an issue I have ..

When I first filed for CR1 visa, I130 petition,etc... I filed this all in my maiden name. To make things less complicated in both countries and be 'legally okay' in both...

Now, in the States I would like to get my name changed to my husbands...to make things less complicated now (Army, etc..)

Now with my country, that last name change will never be legally accepted.. I still have my passport, ID,.. In my maiden name, my gov. will never allow me to change that legally... Also not planning on giving up my citizenship either...

The US will, it's very common here to change last name after marriage... Not so common in BE, main reason I filed all my paperwork in my maiden name to start with...

I heard I could request a new green card with an I90 form, though I would need supporting documentation for my request of changing names... Would the marriage certificate be sufficient for that? Bcause other than that document, my drivers license/SScard is in my maiden name (the name my greencard came in, you can't really make changes to SSC and Drivers license untill your name on GC changes right?)

Or, wait untill its time to file an I751 and than go ahead and file that in my married name?

Also, evidence, what else can i give them for my name change than my marriage certificate?

Or, wait untill I can file for citizenship, and than adjust my name to my married name?

I am very confused on whats best to do, what you really can do, and if it will cause confusion in my home country..

I dont see how it could cause problems though, if i keep my ID up to date and renewed when needed, same goes for international passport...?

Any response would be highly appreciated

Thanks a bunch!

Lytha

havent been on here in a while ... the busy-ness of my new life, in the Army ... Everything is very exciting and falling into place, in it looks like most of you have found eachother once again It's great to read how it all turned out for most of us ... on those still pushing through on the journey ... hold on, keep going and don't give up ... It'll all be worth it in the end ... Thank all of you for the support along my journey, through good and bad... your stories have made me laugh, cry, and lifted me up when i was down ... Thank you all for sharing experiences, advice, and much more along my journey. I owe you all bigtime... Hope all is well, keep the faith in there! God bless!