MCG

Hi, the interview and biometrics was on Greer, SC. I think my profile shows timeline until biometrics, I received EAD and AP combo card 14th august and interview letter soon after that. Filed for AOS on May 28th

Hello guys, I have been reading posts here to prepare for my interview. So I thought I should make a post about my interview experience. Our interview lasted 20 mins. The IO was very nice and friendly. She mostly looked through the file making some jokes and remarks. She only asked us about how we met. And that was it. She said I am convinced in paper and we should receive card in mail soon. Overall looks like getting a nice IO makes journey smoother. Hopefully everything goes well for people who are next for interview.

mistake, my checklist was on letter itself, on the back there was a page stating bring all legal documents from any criminal case proceeding any traffic cases where fine was more than $500 etc. etc. i threw it away.

I think it might be a mistake too. I got interview letter for AOS and with that paper (same page) there are some checklists for document that need to be brought. No neutralization or nothing. plus you can't bring them anyway. first thing they want is for u to bring the green card, which i assume you don't even have it yet.

I would just ignore it. or for ur state of mind you might call them to make sure.

I have checklist on notice itself. But there is separate page which is called naturalization checklist. Juneko, when you say you had same page...does that mean you received a checklist for naturalization? Or was is something else?

mistake, my checklist was on letter itself, on the back there was a page stating bring all legal documents from any criminal case proceeding any traffic cases where fine was more than $500 etc. etc. i threw it away.

I think it might be a mistake too. I got interview letter for AOS and with that paper (same page) there are some checklists for document that need to be brought. No neutralization or nothing. plus you can't bring them anyway. first thing they want is for u to bring the green card, which i assume you don't even have it yet.

I would just ignore it. or for ur state of mind you might call them to make sure.

I have checklist on notice itself. But there is separate page which is called naturalization checklist. Juneko, when you say you had same page...does that mean you received a checklist for naturalization? Or was is something else?

Have you filed for citizenship directly, ( your marriage is 3 yrs already?), i don't think anyone here has done that, we are waiting for green cards, (i-485 adjustment of status). so different boat, but ya our appointment letters has a document checklist.

No. I filed for AOS. They sent me notice of action for interview date. But along with that notice of action they have sent a checklist, which is for naturalization. So I am trying to find out everyone got checklist like that with their AOS interview letter or they sent it to me by mistake.

Ahhh....so what do I do now? Should I call uscis and ask them or tell them that they made a mistake? I don't how helpful it is going to be to call? If I have right notice of action, wrong checklist is not a bug deal is it?

It is not really a form though. It is a separate sheet of paper saying naturalization checklist. Main Notice of action says I-796C.

So it makes me think that they send this Naturalization checklist with all I-796C forms. Am I wrong?

Hello,

I received an interview letter fr 16th Sep. But with interview letter they sent a checklist N-659 frm, Naturalization Interview document checklist.

Does everyone get this doing AOS? or they sent us wrong checklist ? Or have us wrong in the system?

I should mention notice of action is I-979C, Notice of Action.

Help please!

Hello Guys,

I have been following the posts here for some time now. I received EAD card and AP combo this weekend. And we have interview date Sep 16th. Here are few questions I have.

1. They sent a document along with interview letter abut naturalization. N-659 form Naturalization Interview document checklist. But I am adjusting from F-1 visa based n marriage to US citizen. Does this check list come with interview letter? Anybdy else got it?

I am confused Can anybdy help?

Tatty I finally got an update today that we are in testing and interview phase. Although there was no email or text notification. So now what's next? How do I prepare for an interview? I am going to gather all the documents we sent and new bank statements etc. What else can I do?

I am really getting worried about the wait now. I haven't received any update on my case status at all. I called customer service but they gave standard answer asking to check back in 75 days for EAD card.

Seeing all this cases getting EAD or interview notice within month of biometrics worries me. I am not sure they even have our case anymore. Do you guys think I should schedule for an info pass appointment?

Hi,

I sent out my AOS package on May 30th, got NOA on 8th June and Biometrics letter on 12th june for appointment on 3rd july.

I did walk in for my biometrics on June 24th and since then I have been waiting for the online status to change. I know it is hasn't been too long but after seeing so many people posting that they received status update after

10 days on average, I am getting disappointed with the longer wait. Is it still usual to wait for like 30 days? I am getting nervous

Harpa,

So you think I can have two names for a while officially? Do you know if there any documentation on USCIS website or something like that, so I can refer to it for peace of my mind :/

After doing some research, talking to school and your suggestions here what I have decided is this.... I am giong to send out a email to my school with my new name, marriage license and certificate and point out that I do not have any Photo ID on my new name but this what I am doing to my best legally.

I am not sure how the passport would work out, with changing name and everything because my marriage license is still on my maiden name and I have no photo id for new name whatsoever. Besides, I would have apply for new EAD to USCIS through OPT which would take 3 months to come again! So the process is complicated and makes no sense to me right now. I mean I would have EAD from AOS sooner than that.

I don't know. If anybody has suggestions on this I am very open recipient to them on this topics.

Haha I am sorry that was auto correct on my phone. I am currently working on EAD card that obtained based on OPT. To remain in the status for OPT I need follow rules one of them being reporting legal name change. My concern is, USCIS has my changed legal name on AOS application so if I don't report my legal name change through OPT reporting I will be ineligible to use EAD received through OPT to keep working at my current job because I will falls out of status regarding OPT employment authorization. So I am not sure how to solve this problem.

Marriage certificate is not enough for them to officially change the name on I20. The immigration office in my univ said that names on passport and I 20 need to match. So until I change name on passport they will not be able to change in the system.

Hi, I have sent out aid package a month ago have noa and done with my biometrics. I used aid as means to change my legal to married name. But currently I am on opt and it requires I report my legal name change within 10 days. But my school is unable to change it in their records because I have no photo is with new name or passport. They can only change it when new name is reflected in passport. Now I am worried and confused what to do about it. Has anybody been in the similar situation?

So if anybody looking for a tip for biometrics.....

I am changing my name on USICS documents. So I received a biometrics appointment on my new name. But I only brought my passport with me so they wouldn't let me in!

Anybody changing their name bring your marriage certificate with you otherwise you will be turned down like

I am going to try another walk in tomorrow in lunch break, wish me luck.

Hi,

Does anyone have Greer, SC as their field office for biometrics? I have an appointment at Greer, SC on July 3rd at 10.00 A.M

I was wondering if anyone has had biometrics done at this office? If they have have, could I do walk in?

Thanks!

My case is similar to you. I am adjusting from F-1 OPT to AOS. I have already sent out the documents and have received the notification receipts. I would say unless you have some kind of weird thing, like out of status, illegal work, or criminal history or something like that you do not need a lawyer at all. It is a lot of work but fairly easy journey adjusting from your status.

Things you need from India are, your birth certificate ( English translation), passport ( I assume you have it with you). If you are divorced or have children of indian citizenship, there are more thigs needed.

Once you file I 130 and I 485 concurrently, your official status is AOS ( pending). So you can stay in the country. You can work only if you are on valid OPT and haven't violated any of OPT related laws while waiting for temporary green card. Also, if you apply for EAD with your greencard application you will receive work authorization within 90 days of application.

The fees for just filing AOS are 420 ( I 130 filing fee)+1070( I 485+biometrics fees)+doctor fees (300-400) + print outs and shipping and what not. So around $2000 for sure.

If you hire a lawyer depending on where you live it would cost you $1500 - $ 3000.

Morningmist,

This website is for helping people through the process and sharing the stories so that other people can learn, see the process for GC. You should read all the related posts to yourself and at the same time go through the instructions and documentation from USCIS.

Together with USCIS instructions forms and other things this site is very helpful. If you still don't have your answer and I would suggest get an appointment with a lawyer on a consulting basis, which generally costs your around $100-$200 and get all your questions answered.

Seeing you are on H1-B, this shouldn't be a big expense for you.

So rather than second guessing everyone's answer here, something constructive would be helpful for you. And FYI, Harpa's advice is pretty good. And I know that because I have read so many posts and replies from her and also did my homework on USCIS instruction forms.

Like I said this website is helpful.

Also, you/ your wife can translate the birth certificate yourself. You don't a special translator. You can translate it and sign it saying you are fluent in both languages.

I am not sure what is the exact hang about your wife's birth certificate. Because you would need original copy only at the interview.

I am sorry to hear that your family is being outright ominous towards your marriage. I have been through immigration processes many times, so I know the scare.

I would suggest file I 130 and I 484 forms CONCURRENTLY. Since I 485 is the form that gives her pending status. I 130 alone would not help at all. So please make sure you file them together and not think that somehow filing for I 130 alone is a solution. As far as the birth certificate goes, can anybody send scanned copy of her birth certificate in email??? She must have it at her house with her parents or something?? If you get scanned copy you can attach a photo copy of that.

You can just print it and attach it with your AOS. If you don't have birth certificate or copy at all then I would suggest you to send in whole application ( I 130, I 485, I 864, I 765, I 131) ASAP but ONLY and ONLY if you think the birth certificate is able to be produced within 2 months. As mentioned earlier you only get restricted amount of days after RFE. If you fail to provide the birth certificate in that period of time, they will most likely deny AOS.

Sorry, the amount is $1070, the check cashed from bank. I haven't received a paper notice yet. I just got the email with 4 receipt no as mentioned in original post.

I will post as soon as I get the paper notice. Keeping fingers crossed. Thanks for quick reply guys. I was/ am really freaking out after seeing the website.

Harpa,

But the USCIS website sepcifically says that your fingerprint fee was accepted. And nothing at all about 485. Am I supposed to receive a separate receipt no for 485? Can they accept 765 and 131 and biometrics fee without acceptiong 485?

Hi Guys,

I received 4 receipts for the AOS package I sent out on last wednesday. The receipts are for

1. I 130

2. I 765

3. I 131

4. Biometrics fee.

In the last receipts when I plug in the receipt no. on USCIS website specifically says...' your fingerprint fee was accepted and we have mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case'

There is not mention of I 485 or no separate receipt!!

Should I have received a receipt for I 485? What is the normal procedure??

The bank account shows check cashed for $ 1040 ----- includes I 485 and biometrics.

Please help!!! ((

Thanks Harpa! I appreciate your response. I have included my VISA and EAD cards in all the forms because my F-1 has expired and I am legally in USA based on my Employment authorization ( EAD card).

SO that is my legal document of stay in USA.

But I may remove marriage license .

Do I need separate cover letter for I 765 and I 131? I hear that they send these forms separately to different places.