Autumnal

My appointment was may 23 at 10:30. I took my wife and my new born baby with me since I heard it looks good to have them.there with me. I live in Naperville so its like about 35 miles....

I used to live in Naperville, did all my interview for AOS, GC, and whatnot downtown. I feel you, it's a pain in the butt to drive all the way down I-88 and try to find parking, let alone after rush hour. Thanks for sharing your experience. That office definitely is busy and it sounds like it hasn't changed. Patience!

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by proof of US residency -- mail? Another pay stub or such? I'm in the process of buying a house, I doubt they want to see all that!

I am a dual citizen as well, I carry both passports generally. I make all my flight reservations with my US passport and carry it because that must match. I present my Canadian pasport at Canadian customs when entering after getting off the plane at the airport. When I am travelling by car into Canada I only present my Canadian passport.

Like Udella, I will carry both of them. Right now I have my GC, so I use that in conjunction with my passport. You'd be advised to have both to demonstrate you can stay in the Philippines for an extended period of time if you intend to stay longer than might normally be allowed, too.

Replacing a certificate is expensive. Make the Infopass appointment, because at the very least, they might be able to correct things and save you (and her) time and money.

The N400 via 5 year residency is really straightforward. You'll be surprised how SMALL the package is!

I would normally say attempt a drop-in but four hours is a long way especially if you don't know that they'll take you. I wish you luck.

You might be able to request a consultation with an attorney, which should be inexpensive to free, to sound out your options. There may be legal assistance on your campus as well, so try considering that.

Disclose this to USCIS during your interview or such. They take "the whole truth" very seriously, and you're better to disclose and let them have the information. I'd also consult about whether you can pay off the fine in stages if you're broke. IL isn't the nicest state for that, but sometimes they'll allow arrangements.

I do not believe that being a scientist or a programmer will impact your citizenship proceedings on their own. Usually delays or scrutiny seems to come from other 'red flags' on the application: for example, if you have a criminal record, belonged to an organization on a watch list (Communist Party, Hezbollah, etc.), called for a revolution against a lawful government. Essentially that long list of yes-no questions may give an immigration officer pause to review your background more deeply.

But flipping professions or having a longstanding career as a physicist shouldn't make your naturalization.

The skinny little envelope is pretty deceiving. I didn't send in the instructions or worksheet. The checklist is for your own piece of mind, but toss it in there anyways if you feel like stuffing the pages.

Congratulations on your marriage! You have a bit of a long road ahead of you but one which can go smoothly with a bit of preparation and research. An attorney is not necessary for the process you're about to do. I have done the exact same process without a alwyer.

a] Your petitioner is your husband. I assume he is a United States citizen (USC)

b] Petitioner's proof of naturalization/permanent residency (if applicable): these are not necessary if your husband is a citizen.

c] Certified copy of your marriage certificate: this would be your marriage certificate to your husband now. It needs to be in English. If you were ever married before, or he was married before, you also need your divorce documents to prove you were legally allowed to marry.

d] Birth certificate and/or passport: I used both, in English. It doesn't hurt to have more documents.

e] Original copies: Yes, you need the real thing. I may have photocopied my birth certificate rather than order a new one though.

Thanks so much!

Can you please tell me what "A copy of petitioner's proof of naturalization. (If applicable)' and 'A copy of petitioner's proof of permanent residency. (If applicable)' is ?

And Is the petitioner my husband?

It says "A certified copy of your certified marriage certificate (again, translated if not in Engligh)' and 'A certified official copy of the petitioner's and/or intending immigrant's divorce documents. (If one or both of you have been divorced before)' and 'A copy of the intending immigrant's birth certificate and/or passport along with English translation. (If in any language other than English)'

Does that mean I have to get the papers from the offices in Denmark or is it enough with a copy from the papers I already had at home, my friend emailed me?

Does the English translation have to be done by a translator or can we translate it our selves? I figure a translator will take some time and money, and I can only stay here till June 13th.

I am already nervous we will not be able to do it all in time. We are probably going to hire a lawyer to make sure we are doing everything right, but my husband will leave next week and will not be back home till 2 days after my Visa Waver has expired

Again thanks so much from a nervous Dane.

You can adjust your status from visitor to permanent resident from inside the US with the I-485 (adjustment of status) *and* an I-130 (petition for alien relative, like a spouse), which your husband would file together on your behalf. That's the route which I took to get my permanent residency. Your husband has to demonstrate his financial ability to support you while you are a permanent resident. You will need to gather evidence of your relationship being legitimate (and not a scam to get citizenship or residency), which includes things like photographs and cards, evidence of travel together, joint bank accounts, leases or mortgages, mail addressed to you both, and other bits and pieces. The guides here are very thorough for what might count!

The catch for this route: you cannot leave the US without a travel authorization document (I-131), which we added to our package. If you leave, you are assumed to have abandoned your claim. Not good! The I-131 will let you travel outside of the US on your Danish passport, as long as the passport is current.

We also had an I-765 (work permit/employment authorization) form so I could get a job while in the US. Both of these are very short, and easy to fill out.

I want to wish you all the best. This looks daunting from the start. Once you start reading and learning how other people in a similar situation got their permanent residency, it becomes much easier. And please, ask questions. We are here to help!

Great stuff!

How fast would I get an appointment for the Biometrics? What if that letter comes while I have my vacation planned?

Can I move it to another date?

Biometrics usually comes within 4-6 weeks of application filing, although check the filers in your month or in recent months for your service centre. As with everything USCIS, your mileage may vary. I didn't wait more than two weeks for mine at any stage.

Depending on how long your vacation will be, can you arrange for a family member or friend to pick up your mail, hold your letter, and notify you of dates? As long as you have the letter, you can stop in at a biometrics centre and request fingerprinting ahead of time. You can also call the USCIS Customer Service line to reschedule based on being out of the country, in the hospital, etc.

I would like to restore my old name, what kind of changes do I have to do with the USCIS?

Does that mean if I restore my old (maiden name) that I need to get a new greencard, or is there a simple name change I can do online?

I applied as a divorcee using my maiden name on the N-400. My green card is in my former married name. I resumed use of my maiden name as part of my divorce decree, a copy of which was included with the other requested paperwork. I kept my maiden name on the form, mentioned my previous surname in the box provided, and did not include anything in the "name change" line. No need to get a new green card or additional filing required if your decree permitted you to resume the name change.

If it didn't, then go ahead and stick the new name you want in the appropriate field, then wait to update all your documentation after your oath ceremony.

I have issues opening some of the forms with Chrome, despite having the newest version of Adobe. You got it: when in doubt, save to desktop.

You've got it. Submit your form, get your biometrics and receive the 100 questions booklet at the biometrics site. Once you're placed in line for an interview, study study study. Your interview, if it goes well, will conclude with "recommended for approval" by the interviewing IO. That puts you in line for the oath ceremony where you make your pledge to the US, receive your certificate, and dance around because you're finally a USC.

Three months spread out over a year or two (depending on how far back your records/bank transactions online go) should be sufficient. For example: March '11, December '12, April '13 demonstrate you have a bona fide relationship within the three year period generally requested. If you have activity or paperwork you can show back three years, then by all means, include it. The goal is not to do just one page with your names jointly on it from three months ago. Maybe multiples are excessive, but if it fits in the envelope, fantastic.

For utility bills, try one month per bill and spread them out if you can. Like; cellular phone May '13, water February '13, electricity September '11, etc.

That they'll "make him a USC" is wishful thinking. :/

This fellow needs an immigration attorney fast, and as much paperwork supporting his claim as he can gather. False declarations of being a USC draws the ire of USCIS and voting is an absolute no-no.

In his situation, I would want to find copies of any paperwork that indicate he never received an oath letter or information regarding the oath ceremony; being recommended for approval by an IO; and the rest.

If you're still within the same state and so close, you should be fine. I'd be concerned if you were moving from San Francisco or Sacramento to San Diego, as both cities are likely to have their own district office.

Notify USCIS of the address change within 10 days (as you would whether you were filing or not) so it is on record, and if you are applying after your move, that goes on the form. You should be good if you file beforehand.

Updating my status for the oath ceremony letter than rolled in on 24 May while I was vacationing!

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N-400: February 2013 Applicants
=================================

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName............|Sent....|ChkCashd|NOA.....|Fprints.|InLine..|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|FieldOffice
TENZY...............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|03/05/13|03/07/13|04/19/13|05/23/13|06/06/13|Queens, NY
FINDMELUCKY.........|02/02/13|02/05/13|02/07/13|02/15/13|03/25/13|05/09/13|06/13/13|--/--/--|Atlanta,GA
MRS D...............|02/02/13|02/07/13|02/13/13|03/01/13|03/05/13|04/10/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX
CYCLING_GIRL........|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/11/13|02/20/13|03/29/13|04/04/13|05/03/13|--/--/--|Norfolk, VA (EB 2/15/13)
KAYLIE..............|02/02/13|--/--/--|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/22/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Newark, NJ
AMBASEL.............|02/04/13|02/05/13|02/05/13|02/14/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|New York, NY
CORINAN.............|02/05/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|05/14/13|--/--/--|San Juan, PR
DND2009.............|02/06/13|02/12/13|02/11/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY
JOSHUE .............|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/27/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|05/21/13|06/04/13|Brooklyn, NY
LAILUMINADA33.......|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|03/04/13|03/08/13|03/23/13|04/24/13|05/15/13|Brooklyn, NY
QUEUEDUP............|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/13/13|02/21/13|02/26/13|04/24/13|05/31/13|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 02/21/13)
GHANAMADE88.........|02/07/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|02/25/13|03/02/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|06/12/13|Boston, MA
AJ911 ..............|02/07/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/06/13|03/08/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL
ATHENA JUNE.........|02/08/13|02/19/13|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/12/13|03/22/13|04/24/13|06/12/13|Boston, MA
ASIFH...............|02/09/13|02/14/13|02/14/13|02/21/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington D.C. (EB)
FORUMSUB............|02/11/13|02/15/13|02/21/13|02/25/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|San Antonio, TX
VABEAR..............|02/12/13|02/15/13|02/15/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/24/13|04/24/13|06/19/13|Norfolk, VA
JOAN >3 BOB.........|02/13/13|02/14/13|02/19/13|03/06/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|05/07/13|05/14/13|Charleston, SC
FIGHTER_ALWAYS......|02/14/13|02/22/13|03/01/13|03/13/13|04/08/13|04/16/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Houston, TX (moved from Ithaca, NY)
CHOCOCHIBI..........|02/15/13|02/25/13|02/26/13|03/11/13|03/21/13|03/27/13|04/30/13|05/24/13|Memphis, TN
PETUNKA.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|03/02/13|03/12/13|03/13/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 03/05/13)
MOON1982............|02/21/13|02/28/13|02/27/13|03/19/13|04/22/13|04/27/13|06/05/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL
QQQUAKER............|02/23/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/12/13|03/28/13|04/11/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL
ARUN+CATIE..........|02/25/13|03/01/13|03/08/13|03/21/13|03/25/13|04/18/13|05/22/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL
AIRFORCE............|02/26/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|04/01/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName............|Sent....|ChkCashd|NOA.....|Fprints.|InLine..|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|FieldOffice
AUTUMNAL............|02/01/13|02/04/13|02/06/13|02/27/13|--/--/--|04/01/13|05/15/13|06/03/13|Detroit, MI
STEVIEG2123.........|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/07/13|03/07/13|--/--/--|04/05/13|05/10/13|05/24/13|Phoenix, AZ
SCIENCENERD.........|02/04/13|02/11/13|02/08/13|03/05/13|04/04/13|05/13/13|06/18/13|--/--/--|Portland, OR
HEDI................|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/11/13|03/27/13|03/30/13|05/06/13|05/15/13|San Diego, CA
MONY88..............|02/06/13|02/11/13|02/14/13|03/07/13|04/08/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL
MUM2LGANDC..........|02/14/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|03/25/13|04/30/13|--/--/--|Omaha, NE
MARKIEBOY...........|02/15/13|02/22/13|02/21/13|03/19/13|04/18/13|04/22/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|Seattle, WA
ROSELINDA...........|02/16/13|02/20/13|02/22/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/22/13|04/23/13|05/16/13|Indianapolis, IN
NIGERIAORBUST.......|02/16/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/13/13|04/01/13|04/25/13|05/29/13|--/--/--|San Bernardino, CA
SPYGAME.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|02/21/13|03/06/13|04/22/13|05/08/13|06/04/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB)
CHICAGOMAMMY........|02/20/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/25/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL
SAIF9171............|02/22/13|03/01/13|02/28/13|03/27/13|03/29/13|05/06/13|06/11/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL
CALYPSO.............|02/25/13|02/??/13|02/28/13|03/22/13|03/15/13|05/04/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB 03/13/13)
YEYI02..............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/06/13|03/28/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA
YULECHKA42..........|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/28/13|04/22/13|04/25/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|San Jose, CA
MI.PI...............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/18/13|04/09/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI
THAKROZ.............|02/28/13|03/07/13|03/06/13|03/27/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO


===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName............|Sent....|ChkCashd|NOA.....|Fprints.|InLine..|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|FieldOffice
ECG19...............|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/15/13|03/19/13|03/21/13|--/--/--|03/27/13|03/27/13|Sacramento, CA
INKY................|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/13/13|03/08/13|03/12/13|03/16/13|04/16/13|04/16/13|Omaha, NE


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I received my notice for the oath ceremony, which will be 3 June. In filling out the questions on the back, I noticed one is: Have you traveled outside the United States since your interview?

Will answering "Yes" impact my oath ceremony? Any suggestions welcome. I'm nervous this might somehow fubar things.

I went to Canada over the Memorial Day weekend, though the 5 days will not impact my immigration eligibility for a minimum number of days resident in the US. I didn't get passport stamps but I have my itinerary printed out, and I informed the immigration officer on 16 May I was going to Canada on 23 - 27 May.

Also, you can usually go to the office in advance as long as you have your appointment letter and required documents. I have done this when my schedule conflicted with my appointment. Show up first thing and politely explain the situation and ask if they have time to process you. Expect to wait but show you have your letter if asked.

I never had a problem. Saying please and thank you went a long way.

It is not a fast road. Her best bet might be to find a corporate sponsor. A marriage based visa is quicker by shades but that predicates on a relationship with a USC.

As soon as you are eligible and have the funds. I don't see advantages in putting off the paperwork if you are ready to go. I wish I filed earlier.

Uscis won't likely process you before you are eligible. Also consider the sooner it is in, the application won't be affected by any changes in fees or immigration laws.

If he was out of status, he was out of status. I don't see how you can cover that up without lying on your own application. Your intentions are good but failure to disclose information to an officer is a dangerous thing.

Was he the USC? Were you?

Have you seen a case update? Were you recommended for approval? Call the information line and ask for the oath date or if you can be transferred to a different office.

Not going to happen. You must wait 3 years by marriage. Your time here as a student does not count.

If your mother is lonely, there are ways to visit her. But she cannot come to the US to stay permanently. You cannot sponsor her. I am sorry for your separation and perhaps she can find support or community there?