EV11

CONGRATULATIONS to my fellow British-American!  What a fantastic picture, this picture says a thousand words. I'm a November filer who just received notice today that my Oath letter was mailed, so I hope to have the same smile in a few weeks time. Enjoy your moment  

I think it really depends on each individual's situation, as has been discussed here many times. 
 
Some locations are really backed up and rescheduling may delay the Oath Ceremony for several months, others just for a few weeks. If there's no huge pressure/rush to become naturalized, then by all means, reschedule the Oath Ceremony. Rescheduling a trip (especially an international trip) can be extremely costly and an incredible inconvenience! They understand that people have lives and things come up... 
 
Just weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for yourself. 

Woo hoo! Those are the type of "problems" I like to have  Oh wow really? I genuinely didn't think becoming a citizen before my trip was even a possibility at this point, but it's exciting to think that it might actually be the case! Great news about the passports too, as I know you're legally required to travel on a US passport if you're a citizen! I hope you're staying cool in weather 

I've just home from work and the interview letter was already in the mailbox after only 3 days! My online status changed to "interview was scheduled" on 6/9 and the interview notice was received today 6/12. I'm pretty impressed I must say. 
 
My interview is being held on July, 19th at the Federal Plaza building in New York City. 
 
Would you be so kind as to update @vegasbound? Thank you!  
 
Now I suppose I better get on with learning those civics questions...

The best advice I can give you is to just walk away from this whole process until your processing date comes up, don't get fixated and obsessed with following every little stage of the game, when the processing time for Honolulu is due for you (currently 7 months and 7 days), which would be June 9th, then I would worry about it, I went back and looked at all the stages in my application and some things went quicker then others, and some really slow, but when it was all said and done I got processing on time within posted processing times, I would forget about it until then as it's really a waste of time until June 9th when you can start to call and inquire.

If you are married you check married, if you are not married you check single or divorced etc. Filing for citizenship under the 5 year rule doesn't change your marital status. You will check the box that says you "have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for the last 5 years". Then in the section that says current marital status you will check "married" if you are married.
 
As the above posters have stated, as long as you filed your taxes every year and disclosed that you were indeed married whether you and your wife decided to file married filing separately or married filing jointly, then you will be fine.
 
When filing under the 5 year rule you don't need to send in all the evidence that is required if you were to file under the 3 year rule. Therefore there is no need to send your taxes with your application. However be prepared to have them at interview should the IO request them and wish to discuss them.

Good luck to you and your husband today! I hope all goes well

If you are filing for naturalization based on being a Permanent Resident for 5 years or more, you do not need to send in your tax transcripts with your application. Do however have them ready to show IO should they want to see them at your interview.

you need to go some where else just forget that you applied for naturalization enjoy & then suddenly you will get good news of interview letter in mail.
 just relax or busy in daily routine because worries will never affect your case but affect you mode & health

Hello, I interviewed N-400 applications for 10 years in our USCIS office, the 2nd interview will only to be going over what part was not passed on the first interview.
So if that officer indicated that the "speaking/understanding" English part was the reason, then the day of the 2nd interview, which will NOT be with that same officer, we are not allowed to do the 2nd interview if we did the first interview, so let me assure you that Mr. Singh will not be allowed to interview your husband again, there will not be a re-exam of the history/civics questions and he will not be required to read or write the sentence in English, chances are the officer will just go over the application itself, that is how we determine someone's ability to speak and understand English, and if Officer Singh noted the questions in which he felt your husband didn't understand those questions will be circled in red and the 2nd interviewing officer will go over those with your husband.
We have an Officer in our office that also has a very very heavy thick accent, he is from Pakistan and we have had several complaints in the past about applicant's not being able to understand him and I totally understand why, so please tell your husband that for this second interview if the next officer is also hard to understand and he is then told he didn't pass then please tell him that he has a right to ask to speak to a supervisor after the interview is over.
I'm sorry he had this experience with that officer.
When I was interviewing N-400's if I got a case that day for re-exam where the previous officer said the person did not pass the "speaking and understanding" English portion I would simply go over the N-400 with them and focus on the areas that were marked in red. Sometimes it's just the questions and not any of the biographic data, and believe me I have interviewed several people the second time that were said to have not passed the "speaking and understanding" English part and when those people came in front of me, their English was just fine and I had no problems speaking with them, and passed them immediately. There are officers out there that are not very nice and if they are crabby that day they will flunk someone when they get frustrated with them, and there is a reason why the policy is set that the same officer cannot interview that person a second time if they don't pass a portion of the interview the first time.
Before our interviews start on re-exam day we have to go through our bundle and look for any cases that we previously interviewed the first time around and if we have any of them in our bundle we have to exchange them with other officers.
I hope this info has been helpful for you!!! Please tell your husband to try and not worry too much,

Hi everyone. I attended my ceremony yesterday and the good news is there was no video speech from the president, and no president's signature on the certificate! It was in a courtroom with 30 other applicants from 19 different countries. The judge gave a very heartfelt speech stating that he and the state of Vermont accept and welcome (especially) Muslims and people from all countries and all religions as we all enrich the environment. I could have kissed him! Haha
 
Today I registered to vote and sent off my passport application so the long journey is at the end. Hang in there everyone who is still waiting. Be thankful we are all (almost) at the end of the journey, and not stuck in immigration hell like others have been going through, and what others will go through in the future. I hope to give back locally and reach out to charity groups that may need help dealing with this system that is no doubt only going to get tougher and nastier in years to come. Good wishes to you all!

There is no life after VJ
Only death.

Hello @mainoogin85
 
Please see the link for the most up to date form along with instructions:
https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
 
I sent the following items with my application based on 5 years as a Permanent Resident:
- Form G-1145
- A personal check in the amount of $595 **please note that the fees have now changed and it will be $640.
- Cover Letter
- Signed N-400 Form
- Two additional sheets of paper as extra room was needed to answer to of the questions on the N-400 form.
- Two passport photos **It appears that these are no longer needed.
- A photocopy of both sides of my Permanent Resident Card
- A photocopy of Divorce Decree
 
I sent it via USPS Priority Mail.
 
I didn't include tax transcripts as I was applying for citizenship based on 5 years as a permanent resident, like yourself. I think you're only required to send tax transcripts when you're applying for citizenship based on 3 years married to a US citizen. Of course, feel free to send them, but just be sure to have them for the interview if they ask.
 
I hope this helps!

Completely agree - some of the answers aggravated me. This site has always been a judgment free zone.

Was this first part of your post really necessary?

You guys can be unreasonably cruel sometimes when people simply ask questions and you've been here long enough to know the answer. To the OP, as several have suggested, your wife's sister's best option is to apply for a visitor visa and provide proof that she will return to Pakistan. "Helping out" with a baby by US Immigration policy would and could technically be considered "working " which would be cause for denial in most if not all cases. While I'm not telling you to break the law, read the boards and search the official government website for acceptable reasons to get a B2 visa. Good luck with your situation. I think your question has been answered several times now.

Why are people on here so PC?
I'm pregnant and I want my sisters here to help.....................really?? come on people open your eyes/ears!

I think you are on the wrong forum. You entered illegally got deported then entered again and then got caught drunk and driving which is a felony and you want us to find yo ua loop hole because there is a baby involved, I'm sorry but i don't feel sorry for you.

Hi! No need to worry, my package showed the same delivery zipcode and my check was cashed today.
Could someonne please add my info
GC date 02/20/12, sent 11/23, cashed today....Texas lockbox

Hi gte,
From what I am assuming your wife came over on either a K1 or CR1 visa, so you have just applied to have her "conditions" removed on her Green Card. The conditions being that the two of you maintained a legitimate marriage for the whole 2 years. The letter of extension given by the USCIS allows you to prove your Green Card status, to immigration, employers, and allows you to travel whilst your "removal of conditions" application is being processed. The process normally takes from 6-12months and that is why you have been given a year's extension letter. If you get approved, which is very likely if all is correct, you will receive a 10 year green card. For 10 years you have this green card and are not required to do anything else in terms of renewing. If after 10 years of having this green card you are not a US Citizen you have to renew it again.
However if you do wish to become a US Citizen, 90 days before your 3 years permanent residency anniversary, you can apply for citizenship. If your removal of conditions has still not been approved, as remember this can take a year, this will have to be approved before your US citizenship application can go further. She won't get denied US citizenship if you apply for it whilst your removal of conditions is still pending, what will happen is that your US citizenship application will simply be put on hold until the removal of conditions has been approved.
For the most up to date application fees please go to the USCIS website. As fees change from year to year.

Hi all.
We sent ours priority mail. I thought about express, but to be honest I am still a little exhausted from the process last time. All that hurry up and wait kind of got to me, so we picked priority. What's an extra day or two in a process that will take 6 months?!?!?!
But of course here I am on VJ starting a December filers post, so I guess I am a little anxious for it to get underway. HA. So much for being casual about it this time.
We sure are glad to have you guys around to share it with.

Ev11,
1. No need to get it notarized but it doesn't hurt. Notary just confirms that signatory is signature but not the contents. see that your covering letter also mentions these details briefly.
2. Yes, get a re-vised letter from his employer adding the start date of the insurance.
I trust that you have the other evidence/s in place. All the best.

I just want you to know that you are not alone, these feelings are so normal.
I remember when I first arrived almost a year ago and it was very overwhelming. After the wedding, my friends and family flew back to England and reality kicked in. Thank God for my husband!
I used to get angry, frustrated and cry (the closer it got to getting my EAD, the more I cried lol) as it just seemed that things were taking so long. During that time we were broke, and seeing my husband go to work and school, made me feel even more useless. I would constantly think I was a burden.
A year on...I am in full time employment in a job I love, have made amazing new friends and my relationship with my husband is better than ever, because we both have created a life together. We have just decorated our apartment - it felt great!
I understand that you live in a rural area, and this is something that makes things that bit harder. I would however volunteer if you are able to, and also join local clubs if they are close enough. Volunteering made me feel like I was doing something worth while, I treated it like it was a job. I would volunteer for the early shifts so that I could put my alarm on and wake up like I was going to work. Its funny the things you do! But most importantly, don't underestimate all the things you have got done in 10 days! You sound like you have really made things happen. I have only recently started making friends over here, it takes a long time.
As for your husband, relationships just take a while to adjust. I can remember when i got my new job my husband was soooo happy for me but he was also nervous, not because he was a bad guy, or expected me to stay at home, but because our sitations are unique to the "normal" relationship and it can be stressful.
Just remember to keep the faith and trust me...the bumpy road won't last long!

This is what I included and have been approved without RFE
1) Some people send in 3 years tax transcripts, I only sent in the most recent year (2010).
2) Letter from employer stating job title, salary and how long spouse has been working for the company/firm/organization.
3) Pay stubs - I think I put in 6 months.

Yes having your case transferred to the California Service Center is becoming more and more common. The transfer occured most probably because the person who reveiewed your case felt it could be adjudicated without an interview and/or your local field office is backlogged. Although not very common, please be aware that your case may at some point be transferred back to your field office, in which case you will have an interview. If this happens it is not something to worry about necessarily, it most likely means that there was something in your application that required further explanation.