EireneFaith

Yes, but it doesn't show what was in the envelope.  You could have sent a birthday card.

USCIS is one of those federal agencies that really hate to admit they’re wrong. Since you’ve already done those 2 steps by doing an infopass and also contacting your congressman just wait and see how it plays in the end. If it fails the easiest option though it sucks will be just to refile again from scratch. Appeals cost same as a new application so it’s better to just redo it.

I am done with my Biometric last Monday July 16, prior to my Biometric schedule the estimated time to process my N-400 is 10 months, after my Biometric I got an email telling that they processed my Biometric and told me to go on my Account. So I check my account and it says that after the Biometric the estimated time to process my N-400 is 8 months. It is 2 months earlier from the first estimated time.

Some posts born of tension have been removed, and another edited.
 
Folks, this legal-immigration process is dysfunctional at best and broken at worst.  The tension and frustration become unbearable, seemingly with no way to fight against it or relieve it.  Please remain unfailingly supportive of each other.  Remember that if you hold one pencil and snap it, it will break; conversely, if you hold a handful of pencils and try to snap them, they'll remain undamaged.
 
Remember, too, that those of us who are finished with this infernal process are hoping and praying for your progress almost as intensely as you are.  You're not alone, and you're never forgotten.  Take comfort and find renewed strength in this.

[edited out by VJ Moderation]
No they do not need to be informed that the USC has switched jobs. If you, the applicant, did switch jobs then you would just inform them at the interview. 

So guys I had a productive morning, woke up 7:30am was on bed with my daughter 16 months old at 8:20am decided to take a look at uscis to get an infopass and WOW 4 appointments available for today in the am, I thought about it for a second cuz getting my daughter ready is a nightmare lol, well I took the one at 11am cuz it was the latest, got there at 10:23am, the system was down so had to wait for about 10 minutes to check in then the lady called me an gave me # D42, when I entered they we calling # D37 so closed, waited for 15 minutes to be called, a very good professional officer took care of me, asked if I could keep my GC and he said of course, I am not taking it away, took 1 photo, both index FP, asked me to wait 5 minutes and received my passport with 1 more year extension, July 17th 2019.

interview date Aug 22, 2018
 
N-400: June 2018 Applicants
================================ USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox ================================ UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrview|Oath....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE AL2016...........|08/28/14|06/05|06/06|06/08|06/26/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|..............|... ================================== Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox ================================== UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrview|Oath....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE noorbob..........|06/03/13|06/08|--/--|--/--|06/25/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Fairfax, VA...|... Mishal...........|08/27/06|06/15|--/--|07/05|07/12/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA...|IOE ReRe2015.........|09/11/15|06/18|06/25|06/26|07/18/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA...|IOE Cyber Ninja......|09/--/13|06/18|06/22|06/29|07/03/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX...|IOE nickymicky.......|01/27/13|06/22|06/25|06/27|07/06/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Charlotte, NC.|... GarL15...........|--/--/--|06/28|--/--|07/06|07/23/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|..............|... ================================== USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox ================================== UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrview|Oath....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE kimbaljl.........|--/--/--|06/01|06/07|06/05|06/27/18|--/--/--|07/11/18|08/27/18|--/--/--|Cincinnati, OH|... crbabelgium......|05/--/14|06/18|06/22|06/25|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Cleveland, OH.|IOE ================================== USCIS Online Filing ================================== UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrview|Oath....|Field Office...........|NBC/IOE theanswerisdance.|08/28/15|06/03|--/--|06/04|06/26/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Sacramento, CA.........|IOE metsteph.........|09/03/15|06/05|06/05|06/06|06/18/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Helena, MT.............|IOE USBoston.........|09/13/15|06/05|06/05|06/06|06/29/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Boston, MA.............|IOE Chirag Chaudhari.|09/04/15|06/06|--/--|06/06|06/27/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Omaha, NE..............|IOE dburnt...........|01/30/15|06/06|06/06|06/06|06/19/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL............|IOE visaquestions2010|09/04/13|06/06|06/07|06/07|06/11/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Newark, NJ.............|IOE Nerdchic89.......|12/05/93|06/06|06/06|06/06|06/28/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY...........|IOE natvyas..........|09/06/13|06/07|--/--|06/07|06/11/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX............|IOE ultrasoul........|09/06/13|06/09|06/09|06/09|06/18/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Boston, MA.............|IOE PauPau...........|09/08/15|06/10|06/10|06/10|07/02/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Fernando Valley, CA|IOE WBFDO............|07/03/09|06/10|06/10|06/10|07/05/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA............|IOE pastorom.........|--/--/--|06/12|--/--|06/13|07/02/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL............|IOE J+H..............|09/11/15|06/13|06/13|06/13|07/06/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY...........|IOE Kitti............|08/01/15|06/13|06/13|06/13|06/19/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Jacksonville, FL.......|IOE stomo............|08/28/15|06/13|06/14|06/14|07/03/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Mount Laurel, NJ.......|IOE youkhan..........|09/11/15|06/13|06/13|06/13|06/21/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL............|IOE Nans.............|09/06/13|06/14|06/14|06/14|07/02/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Jacksonville, FL.......|IOE AlfNel23.........|08/14/15|06/15|06/16|06/21|07/11/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Broward, FL............|IOE lemongreentea....|09/01/15|06/16|06/16|06/16|07/02/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Indianapolis, IN.......|IOE prettyjackie.....|09/09/14|06/16|06/16|06/16|06/26/18|07/16/18|--/--/--|08/22/18|--/--/--|Springfield, MA........|IOE ukyank73.........|--/--/04|06/16|06/16|06/17|07/10/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Omaha, NE..............|... musketeers18.....|09/13/13|06/17|06/18|06/17|07/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Newark, NJ.............|IOE mext.............|03/15/15|06/17|06/17|06/17|06/29/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX............|IOE nikha............|09/16/15|06/18|06/18|06/21|06/26/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Jose, CA...........|IOE Tina and Johan...|07/28/15|06/19|06/19|06/20|07/12/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Fernando Valley, CA|IOE Mahanya..........|09/16/13|06/19|06/19|06/19|06/27/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Baltimore, MD..........|IOE Carl&Ellie.......|07/06/11|06/19|06/19|06/19|07/11/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Milwaukee, WI..........|IOE Indykittykeilah..|--/--/--|06/20|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Indianapolis, IN.......|IOE Lemon23..........|08/10/15|06/21|06/21|06/21|07/12/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY...........|IOE GoGreen2008......|09/05/13|06/24|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Saint Paula, MN........|IOE thatangela.......|06/12/15|06/24|06/24|06/24|07/16/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Spokane, WA............|IOE trinket..........|11/24/08|06/26|06/26|06/26|07/20/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Indianapolis, IN.......|IOE gypsyqueen.......|09/25/15|06/27|06/27|06/27|07/27/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Norfolk, VA............|IOE highkapoor.......|11/24/13|06/27|06/27|06/27|07/17/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Fairfax, VA............|IOE APRC.............|02/05/15|06/27|06/27|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Nashville, TN..........|IOE Ksenia1985.......|09/15/15|06/27|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Spokane, WA............|IOE love_my_wife.....|11/23/10|06/28|06/28|06/30|07/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX.............|IOE EireneFaith......|08/29/13|06/29|07/02|07/02|07/16/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Charleston, SC.........|... =========================================================================== USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA) =========================================================================== UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int Ltr.|Intview.|Oath....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE .................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|..............|... Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list: 1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion. 3. Click "Quote" on this new template or most recent/updated version of this template. 4. Copy the entire template or most recent update (Mac users: Select the entire template, then select Command + C) 5. Remove the "Quote Coding" located at the top of this template. 6. Paste the entire template or most recent update (Mac users: Select Command + V) 7. Now make whatever updates/changes you would like, then hit Submit Reply 8. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12] 9. 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
Cashd: Date your check was cashed / credit card was charged by USCIS
NOA: Receipt Notice Date Printed on your official I-797 notification
Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting (Biometrics). If you do your biometrics via walk-in prior to your scheduled appointment, please enter the date in blue.
In Line: Date you received e-notification about the start of your interview scheduling
Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview
Interview: Date of your interview
Oath: Date Oath taken
Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you will have the N-400 interview

I know that but I'm pretty sure not all members are aware of it, that's why I posted this just for an FYI so they can inform some of their friends as well which I believe will also deal with immigration in the future

If you are against Trump this is what you will believe. Trump has nothing to do with people who wants to Naturalize. He is against illegal immigrants especially to criminal illegal immigrants. For me I don't have to worry I can wait patiently when will my application be approved. For us legal migrants who spent too much to process our applications and waiting for to be approved.We should support Trump and let illegal immigrants to stop in US.

Exactly, the 30day requirement simply means that the photos have to be current/up to date i.e. a person should look like they look now. 

The CO kept insisting that your brother take his passport back for work purposes.  Your brother kept insisting the CO keep it.  The only person who put his job at stake is him.  He should request it back if he's concerned.
 
 Was the document actually the original, true document, and that's why you were protesting?  Or was the certificate knowingly not a true document, and you were protesting the CO should accept it anyhow?  If the second one, you were very lucky with the CO you got, as they were actually trying to help you there.

The officer was being realistic.  Sometimes cases take a long time........The officer spoke the truth.

From what you posted, I saw nothing improper in the officer's action...nothing.........I think you had a different idea of what the job of an immigration officer. 

Oath Experience Cadman Plaza Brooklyn 5/16/2018:
 
I left home early and reached the venue by 7:30 AM as I have decided to drive and park in the near by parking. Found many and parked at 111 livingstone icon parking garage that has $20 if you park anytime between 5 AM to 10 AM and can take out any number of hours. I booked my spot from 6 AM to 2 PM just in case and it still costed me 20 bucks. Left my phone in the car itself. It was a short and scenic walk from livingstone street to Cadman Plaza E court building. By the time I reach there was a line formed. Contrary to some vj'ers here, it was more blessing in disguise and you will know what I mean shortly. Anyways, just like any airport security you go through like removing belts / no cameras / no phones / etc... Once through you are asked to get to 2nd floor while your family members are requested to get to 3rd floor. Today there were about 261 becoming new citizens. So the room was jam packed and there was hardly room for family members, so it's luck and depends on the day. Today no family members. Once inside FIFO (first in first out method is adopted). So they make you seated in a kind of order. The first 30 members get a chance to sit on cushioned chairs with arm rest. So if you reach early you might end up being in those chairs and instead of being stacked along on those long bench tables. Since you will probably end up sitting there for at least 4 hrs or so, the cushion chairs made it more comfortable.
 
You have to fill the back portion of the oath letter there itself and enter the city / state as "brooklyn , new york". once done, that's it. There were no one from voter registration since there are no elections around the corner I guess. Now time is about 9 AM. Still all the people are being filled up slowly in an orderly form. Once all the candidates are seated (or so), they will call people with special cases like name changes or picture issue. Then about 9:30 AM or so, from row 1 (the first set of candidates who came in first) are called to hand over their filled out form along with green card (s) if you more than one and any other documents like EAD, Travel Documents, Refugee , I94 etc. They will write the last 3 digits on to your form and hand over an envelop that contains Oath / Pledge and passport application and voter information flyer and a hard case for keeping your certificate later. Once you collect your enevelop after handing over the GC etc.. you are directed to another table where they will have you verify your naturalization certificate for any errors and then if all ok, then you are asked to sign in front of them (the same signature that you have done during your interview). That's it. You are sent back to your seat and you wait and wait until all the remaining fellow would be citizens are taken care of as well. Once the process is complete, including name changes / picture issue folks, they will formally make a phone call to request the judge to join us all. This was about 11:20 AM or so. Until this process you are free to go to the rest room as well. There are drinking water fountains available as well just in case you need to drink some water near the rest room corridor. But once they make the judge to come, that's a hint that you are not supposed to be outside since if you miss the oath / pledge then you are not naturalized yet.. it's that simple. So guys understand when they say not to leave the room, they make sense because we have come to this point after lot of hurdles hence, don't miss this out.
 
Judge walks in at 11:40  and we all rise welcoming her and in turn today the judge was a women, who was very jovial and pleasant. Made our day more memorable. She complimented all of us and also apologized related to how hard it is to come into this building going through security etc and all other formalities etc... but nevertheless she said first let's have our citizens , and so immediately did the oath / pledge with that done, we were officially citizens at that precise moment. Then she congratulated all of us and then she read out all the countries and we all supported each other with this great achievement. There were about 65 countries or so. It was an emotional farewell to motherland but judge made it clear that even though you have renounced all ties but don't renounce your love to your own country and culture. Please carry on the legacy of it. America is built on freedom and it's "WE THE PEOPLE" that makes it proud.  Then she left at 12 Noon or so, now again the first row is called upon to submit our oath letter and then collect our certificates and we are on our own once outside that building and disappear in world that is now painted "RED" "BLUE" and "WHITE" by 12:20 PM.
 
I have my passport appointment scheduled for Friday and got to my car and headed back home driving for the very first time as an american citizen.
 
Thanks to some of the folks here who were sharing their experiences.. like @Going through@vkhutchings@anu19@lela and many others...
 
Some pointers to remember:
1. it's always FIFO (so if you come early you will leave early as well)
2. Status updates (Might happen or might not happen - so don't depend and be anxious and above all STOP Comparing with others statuses)
3. Attire - I have noticed that some were too casual but nevertheless this is one of the most important event of your life, so I would suggest go in your formal (suits for men and ladies to be business). that gives the event the dignity and respect (not that this is mandatory but will be great to have these worn)
4. Eat something in the morning if possible, I was really hungry as I could not eat anything in the morning. By the time you are done, you feel exhausted at some level even though you are very happy.

Interview Experience at 26 Federal Plaza:
 
- Please see my signature for the dates
 
Some pointers for those who are still waiting for your turn in Queens / NYC field office: (based on my observations only)
1. Usually online filers are getting processed very quickly (But as more people tend to file online, even onliner's will be facing heavy backlogs in near future)
2. The reason why onliner's were processed quickly is to test the system and provide valuable feedback to upgrade it for a better system. It happens for any major overhaul and in any industry
3. Paper filers will have the the additional process of updating their info into the new system that was built by USCIS by ISO's so yes that will be one of the reasons for the slowness (while the onliner's will update their own information by themselves - that plays the advantage)
4. Females are tend to be processed little faster than Males. This opinion is based on avg timelines
5. Specific countries tend to be processed faster than most other countries (so if you find someone getting processed faster timeline - we need to look at country of origin, gender and as well background history and how they got the GC plays a pivotal role as well if needed to be scrutinized or not)
6. Since I come from New York City, as the city is also largest in churning out more citizens. Anywhere between 50000 to 75000 are alone being naturalized from Brooklyn Eastern District Court (New York area as well has Manhattan, Westchester and Holtsville Long Island oath's as well) so the number of applications have really gone up here... one person seems to be doing 3 or more persons work. So arguably the number of processing days has gone up to staggering 10 - 12 months in average (again this is my opinion - I don't have exact stats to prove it - guestimation only)
7. Those who come from NYC please have patience. Common guys, we have been in GC for years and were very happy. So why to ruin our lives just because you haven't heard anything about your N400. It will happen.
8. Sorry for those who were either struck in long wait at local field offices like in Queens or Long Island or Manhattan but we cannot compare ourselves with those one or two unlucky folks (who eventually got through with determination and patience). The probability is very very very less here. Out of 50000 just from Queens office in a year we read about 3 or 4 cases who had a weird unusual experience. But we cannot generalize it for everyone. If you are being delayed understand there are many in the waiting and it takes time to process everything.
9. Statuses - Don't depend on those, (how many of us will ever respond to our own emails - there are many unread emails in our own inbox. Likewise these guys who are processing are working on thousands of applications and just imagine how much they have scrutinize each application and ensure there are no errors or issues before declaring them citizens. It's lot of stress and pressure for those USCIS folks as well. Above all, don't compare your statuses with others from the same field office. It's a nightmare for you and your family. Take it easy. Trust me we all have started our journey on the same highway. Some go more than state speed (very few) and some go with the traffic and some prefer to be on cruise speed no matter how the traffic is moving) like wise I believe all of us will reach the destination at some point of the time. Just wait and be patience.
 
My Experience:
 
I was happy to receive my interview letter and when I read the address it was showing as to report at 9th Floor in Federal Plaza. I have read numerous experiences on this forum and everyone spoke about either 7th or 8th floor but no one spoke about 9th floor. So it starts giving you jitters is it just me or everyone else. After extensive search, I found one of the vjer @Anu19 happened to get the same and this happened in 2017 December so was relieved to realize that you will report there but will be redirected to 4th floor or so. Well in my case went to 9th Floor and submitted my interview letter to the receptionist and she in turn gave me a laminated card and my interview letter to take it to the 4th floor and this was expected. Took elevator back to 4th floor and then went to the receptionist there and submitted both the card and my letter. She in turn gave me a receipt with number on it and asked me to wait to hear my number or name. The waiting room on the 4th floor is like any other room filled with people. Some came with their spouses and some with their lawyers. Just relax and don't bother looking at other folks as everyone seems to be lost in their own world. I had to wait for very long almost 3 hrs before being called (Partly because there was an early morning snow storm in nyc that day and later on the ISO apologized to me saying that they were short staffed that day). My appointment was 11:50 AM but was called in at 2:10 PM. Wife accompanied me.  Finally ISO (Guyanese Indian I guess) called my name but I was so tired that I missed hearing out my name, but my wife was quick enough to alert me and this was noticed by ISO as well as he made a joke out of it on our way to his cabin. He led me to his cabin and then he asked me to stand and had me to swear in and told me to take my seat. Then he asked me for my GC, DL and Passport. He removed my application from a very thick folder (easily it was about 3 or 3 1/2 inches). Then asked about my name, dob and country I come from and then directly went to N400 application browsed through it quickly (checked on my current employment and am I still working for the same company). I had a traffic violation but did not mention initially so I had mentioned right away about it when he asked are there any changes to your application. He was not interested in documents. I told I have some documents related to our marriage etc but since I was applying under 5 year rule, he did not care about anything probably because he made fun of how wife's are more organized earlier so he was I guess convinced as well. We were married for close to 10 yrs now. So that could have played it. Yes / no questions and done. It was about 5 minutes in all.
 
Then quickly went over the english reading / writing part "Who is the first President?" and writing was "Washington is the first President" or something and then asked me 8 questions even though I answered correctly the first 6. Not sure why but he asked me more tougher questions for 7 and 8th. Probably wanted to have some fun there. Note: I prepared my test questions by recording each question with a time gap (all 100) and everytime I used to listen to them while driving etc and answer them out loud (this is exactly like your interview). That's it and it was about 3 or 4 minutes at most. So in all I think he just consumed about 10 - 11 minutes and then he said, congratulations! you are approved. You will receive your oath in mail. He wrote in red ink "Mail" on my N-652 form. I told him I took off today can wait for the oath letter. He mentioned that I missed the cutoff for april 10th oath since it's almost 2:20 and they will only issue oath letters if it's before 12 Noon or so. I told him about planned travel trip end of april but he told me clearly that wait for the letter and then make your plans. But he promised that he will update into his system today and let the oath department know. He told that it is a long line so you will be having it somewhere in May first or second week. that's it.
I was out of his office.
 
Now the waiting time starts. Read from many folks that they had instant update on their status but in my case it stood as "Interview Scheduled" that's it for about 2 weeks. It changed to "Inline to oath ceremony" or so on April 16th and in exactly two weeks i.e. Apr 28th, the status changed to "Oath letter mailed" and the oath was 2 weeks exactly from the date I received my oath letter. So please be patient. Queens NYC FO they might not update immediately and take their time to schedule and go through the oath process.

Holy cow! That's quick!  Congrats in advance.     
 
Johan had his biometrics this morning. He was in and out and BEFORE his appt time.  He was barely even late to work.  haha   He said they did his pic, finger prints, gave him a book to prepare for the interview, and sent him on his way.  All before 8 am.  It's a satellite office.  I sure wish these people did the interviews too.  That would be a dream!
 

Good luck! I just applied online today while my I-751 still pending! I went for I-155 stamp to my field office today and the officer told me they prefer If people file online and to be honest it was very easy to do so. I was also able to pay with the credit card which was nice considering it's $725  

The 3 year rule gives the foreign spouse an earlier filing opportunity, but a spouse (still married to the original petitioner) can use the 5 year rule as well.
 
It's been reported in the USCIS IO policy manual that those who apply using the 3 year rule (when they were residents for 5 or more years) that the IO is to adjudicate the application based on the 5 year residency rule..maybe 'cause it's less work for them in the end, who knows  
 
Even applying under the 5 year rule, the IO does look back at how the GC was initially obtained in the first place in an attempt to make a last-ditch effort in ensuring the GC was properly approved beforehand.

I'm not a dude, but you're welcome lol

I always understood that as the spouses have kinda "early priority" because is family based.. but again, that is only my interpretation!
 
I was just a dumbass and lazy for not applying two years ago... smh

Can you share where you found this info?  I've never seen that in writing by USCIS.
 
The 5 year rule is also for people originally petitioned through marriage---just that the marital status is irrelevant in terms of an approval/denial after 5 years of residency.

It's more streamlined (and less evidence needed) if you apply under the 5-year eligibility rule.  
 
There is no requirement for you to be employed when applying for the N400 under the 3 or 5 year rule.  Again, if you apply under the 5-year residency rule, your marital status is irrelevant to your application so no marriage docs are required with your application.
 
The online application holds/saves your entered info for roughly 30 days.  You don't have to finish it all at once. Some have reported glitches when uploading documents over more than one sitting, though.
 
That's entirely up to you.  Just note that any travel between filing date and interview date will need to be disclosed to the IO at your interview so your travel history can be updated in your application.
 
USCIS prefers the tax transcripts, which are generally just a few pages in length per year.  Easier to upload for you too since it's not as huge a document in the end.
 
My foreign passports haven't been stamped in over 20 years and I travel quite frequently on it.  Don't worry about it---just disclose your true travel history on the application to the best of your ability whether your passport has been stamped or not.
 
Yes, if you are filing under the 5-year eligibility rule.

no point in applying on the 3 year rule when you've been a resident for over 5. And with the online application, having selected the 5 year rule, the form will ask you for only the necessary documents (very few) so you don't even have to worry that you're missing anything. 
I applied online (mine was the 3 yrs rule) and just had my interview this week, and I'm telling you,  the online application is a breeze! 

if you pay your application fee by credit card,  name of card holder, address, of cause card number, expiration date, security code are required. i think it would be okay to use credit card not under your name;  you can also pay with bank account, if my memory services well
 
traveling history starts the day you become us permanent resident
 
 

I applied in June 2017. Got my green card through marriage in July 2012. When I had my interview, my interview officer told me instead of applying under the 3 year rule as I did, she was changing it to the 5 year rule, because it would require less paperwork. 
 
So so she checked the 5 year box and initialed it. Told me if I applied under the 3 year rule she would have had to look at Everything (marriage certificate, proof of marriage, taxes, bank account, mortgages, etc, ] but because I was here for 5 years, She didn’t even look at my taxes, just looked at my drivers license, and green card.
 
just got naturalized last month, so I think the 5 years are less stressful. 
 
Good luck!