CatherineTheGreat

I just wanted update my experience here for others needing expedited oaths (in Louisville KY). I had a very comfortable interview with a nice IO, passed all the tests, confirmed the details in my form, explained the meaning of the oath, etc. At the end, when the IO told me I was recommended for approval, I explained my situation and asked to have my oath as early as possible. He told me he would do his best, but that it was not ultimately up to him. I even left a letter in which I formally petitioned the USCIS for expedited oath and explained that I received a position in Europe starting in September and that I would need to get a US passport (and visa) before travel. The second day after the interview my status was updated to "placed in que for oath". Two weeks later, I got the letter with the scheduled oath date (basically a month after the interview.) I think this was partly a matter of luck (my IO was very nice and accommodating), but it might nevertheless help people who have good reasons to require expedited oaths that do not fall into the category of life and death emergencies.

Mrs. Beasley, I have just received the same letter with a request for "an original Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 4506 listing tax information." I have the tax transcripts for the past 3 years from the IRS but not the form 4506. How did your interview go and were you fine with the tax transcripts?

Joining the March crowd: I sent my N-400 file via USPS express mail to the Lewisville TX address on March 17. On March 18, the usps tracking service showed that it was delivered at 10.30a and signed by Portia Carney. I have to give it to USPS: not only did they deliver the package timely for a decent flat rate, but they offered a pdf copy of the signature (on request) despite the fact that I had waived the signature requirement to make sure the folder is delivered. I normally send my applications via priority mail but this time I had to get the ball rolling asap and I am very pleased with usps.

Today, March 23rd, I also got an email confirmation from USCIS saying I would get the NOA withing 7-10 days. This is the first time I ever got an email from USCIS despite the fact that I religiously filled the electronic notification form.

I noticed, but couldn't figure out how to move or delete my post ...

I also just sent my N-400 file via USPS express mail to the Lewisville TX address on March 17. Today, March 18, the usps tracking service shows that it was delivered at 10.30a and signed by Portia Carney. I have to give it to USPS: not only did they deliver the package timely for a decent flat rate, but they offered a pdf copy of the signature (on request) despite the fact that I had waived the signature requirement to make sure the folder is delivered. I normally send my applications via priority mail but this time I had to get the ball rolling asap and I am very pleased with usps.

Thanks, silkafi88, that's what I thought!

I am filing N-400 as the spouse of a US citizen, in the 90 day window before my 3 years as permanent resident. I married on 02/26/2011, got green card on 06/14/2011. I filed joint tax returns as LPR for 2011 and 2012, but I will not have yet filed for 2013 before I send my documents to USCIS next week.

1. Is this going to be a problem? Should I explain?

2. I actually filed a tax return for 2010, but I was neither married nor an LPR so it was filed as a non-resident. I was an F1 international student.

Math Man, thanks! That's what I think: that both are acceptable.

Regarding the confusing new N-400

Should those who answered "NO" to Q 38 "Are you currently a member of the armed forces?" answer Q 39 and 40 (both of which begin with "if you are currently a member of the US Armed Forces"), with "NO" or leave them blank?

- answering these 2 questions assumes you are in the armed forces whther you say YES or NO

- not answering them violates the guideline to answer all questions

Same for the many "if yes" questions. Should the A, B follow-up questions be left blank?

Q 17 "Were you ever part of any group..." NO

A. If yes....

B. If yes,...

Did nobody try to get an expedited oath (other then as members of the miitary)? I/m just trying to get a sense of what constitutes a legitimate reason.

Yes, I'll have all the documents with me for the interview. I just wanted to make sure they would not reject my application to begin with. The other worry, which you addressed, was that I might be volunteering too much information!

Hi guys, I am compiling the additional documents to send with my form N-400. I am applying for citizenship based on marriage with USC for three years. Two years ago, I left the US for 5.5 months, returned for 10 days, then left for another 5.5 months. I have lived in the US since my return. During my two absences, I was registered (full time) in a PhD program in the US and was required to conduct temporary research in Europe. I have tax returns, enrollment records, pay stubs (from my university), bank accounts, credit cards, and an address in the US, etc. that I didn't break continuous residency and the trips were temporary in nature.

My question is: should I include any of these (other than the IRS returns) if these are trips technically under 6 months? The instructions to form N-400 don't require this type of proof for shorter trips, but my absences were rather close to the limit and successive.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Thanks! That's useful to know.

Hey Shub,

I'm filling out my N-400 form and I have the same question. Since you have already submitted and got approved successfully, I wanted to know if you actually opted for listing your father's address while working abroad. My concern is the same: I don't want to lie to immigration officials, but I would like to stay consistent. I claim I did not abandon my residence in the US, but I traveled for study abroad, where I lived temporarily (twice, each under 5.5 months).

Thanks!

Thanks for the tip, silkafi88!

So what happened with your citizenship application? Can you update us so othe VJ users can learn from your experience? Thanks!

Shub, I meant to say I found that we have both a District director and a field office director, but if it comes to that, I will probably write to the local field office

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices/kentucky-louisville-field-office

Thanks silkafi88, and congrats on your recent oath ceremony! Nice 5 month process. Yes, I guess I'll bring the travel up at my interview. Do you happen to know where I can find a schedule of oath ceremonies in Louisville? I'm not sure how often they organize ceremonies. The uscis website says twice a week, but i find it hard to believe since people have been waiting for more than two months. If expediting the oath fails and I get pushed into late August, I'll try to get a same day passport in Chicago or Atlanta where they have passport agencies.

Shub, thank you for the suggestion. I had done the uscis search and came up with http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices/kentucky-louisville-field-office%C2'>

If anybody else has any exprience with attempts to expedite the oath (in or outside Louisville KY), I could use some tips.

Hi all, I am a PR getting ready to file my N-400 based on marriage with USC in Louisville KY in mid March, 2014. I, however, have just received a postdoctoral fellowship in Italy starting september 1st. Since the processing time in Louisville is currently 5 months, I think I have a good chance of finishing it by the end of august (I've had great experience with the Louisville office so far in terms of processing time). However, this local office does not conduct same-day oaths and, if the oath ceremony is pushed too late, I might not have enough time to get a passport, even with expedited service.

I was wondering if any of you have any experience with trying to get an expedited oath ceremony based on emergency travel to work/study abroad. It's not a life and death situation, but it's an emergency nonetheless and I can attach a copy of the letter of acceptance. If so, at what point in the application process can you make the request for expedited oath and how (letter, infopass, phonecall, email)? I thought of including a letter with my original application package, but I havent seen anybody try this. If I am supposed to write a letter after the interview, to whom should I address it and where should I send it? The USCIS site mentions that requests for expedited oaths should be addressed to the District Director, while one of their brochures suggest the local office director, but neither provides an address.

I know that I can leave this application for next year, when I return, but then I would have to justify an absence greater than 6 months although shorter than a year.

Thank you, all, for any suggestions!