amnonbabs

Ok, ya soy ciudadana y quiero pedir a mi hermano pero tengo un par de problemas con nuestras actas de nacimiento,

1.- Mi acta es extemporanea

2.- por alguna razon, el apellido de mi mama en mi acta lo pusieron de casada y en el de mi hermano de soltera.

Mi primera pregunta es, esas son bases para negar la peticion de mi hermano?, y segundo, si la peticion es negada, lo voy a perjudicar si por ejemplo mas adelante el quiere sacar una visa de estudiante o de turista? va a quedar fichado de por vida?.

There is part of this form that says "Applicant's Residence Last Five Years." The form is for someone who has lived overseas for the past four years without changing their legal address in their home country. Should we list the legal residence or the actual residence?

Thanks for your help!

You should probably wait for another answer. I can only tell you what I did, I lived in Mexico and Canada during the 5 years period, even though I never actually moved permanently to Canada I had a work visa and a stamp in my passport of the day I entered and the day I left , I figured if they found out I actually lived Canada for a year and a half and didn't tell them I would be in big trouble, so I wrote the address as one of the places I lived in the past 5 years and the period I lived there and gave a copy of my Canadian visa and had no problem.

Please note they will also ask you for police clearance certificates depending on the country, I didn't need a police certificate for my time in Mexico but I did need it for the time I spent Canada.

I just noticed my mom used her married name (to my dad) in my birth certificate and her maiden name in my brother's birth certificate #######!!!!???? same grandparents, same father . This will be a problem, won't it?. She put " Maria Arollos DE GARCIA" in my birth certificate and " Maria Arollos PEREZ" in brother's certificate. Should I file anyway? will they deny me or ask me for more evidence? and if so, what kind of evidence?. Thanks.

I am petitioning for my brother and MY birth certificate, NOT HIS, is late registered. This was never a problem during my immigration process, in fact I was never asked about it and I am a US citizen now, but I wonder if this will affect my brother's application in any way, will they request more evidence of our relationship? or a DNA test, or something like that?. I have no baptismal records or anything like that because we were not catholic, I have my school diplomas but I don't think anybody has my report cards or grades anymore... Any clue about this?

Has anyone used the online translations where you send your papers and they send you a translation? what if there is a mistake, can you have them correct them? are they reliable? I am thinking of using this service: http://www.certifiedtranslate.com/

Could you guys tell me where you got yours in the L.A area???? Thanks.

Hi Amnonbabs,

If you are a U.S citizen 21 years or older, then you can petition for your brother no matter what his age is (have you read somewhere that he needs to be 18 years or older?).

Fill out form I-130 and attach the following (This goes to USCIS):

A check for $355 payable to the U.S Department of Homeland Security

A photocopy of your Naturalization Certificate or U.S passport

A photocopy of your birth certificate showing your parents' names.

A photocopy of his birth certificate showing the same parents.

A certified translation if any document is not in English.

That's all.

Then you both wait a lot of years and the NVC will notify you of the next steps. Don't worry there'll be plenty of years for you to look for information on what the next steps are. So for right now, just start with form I-130.

And yes, when the time comes for you to fill out form I-864 and if you don't make above the poverty line, your husband can help you qualify. Or anybody that is a U.S citizen or permanent resident can help with that.

You can also read the I-130 instructions. It tells you what to do if you and your bro have the same dad but different moms and viceversa, it tells you where to send your I-130 packet, etc.

Good luck!!!!!!!

Wow, thank you so much!!!! this is exactly the answer I needed!

Hello VJers,

I'm about ready to send my N-400 Application, Here my list that I'm going to send:

1. Application fees $675.00 ($595.00 plus $80.00 biometric fee)

2. Completed form N-400

3. Copy of both sides Permanent Resident Card

4. Two identical color photographs

5. Copy of spouse birth certificate

6. Copy current marriage certificate

7. Copies of divorce decrees from spouse's previous marriages

8. Copies of our joint US tax return for the year 2006, 2007, 2008

9. Copy of joint checking account

10. Copy of mortgage statement

11. Copy of divorce decree with transaction (mine)

I'd like to know if these ready to be send, or I'm missing something.

Also, I live in Texas, is this the right address that I need to send the package:

USCIS

P.O. Box 299026

Lewisville, TX 75029

Thanks a lot.

If possible, insurance or something else that you might own together like a car o life insurance policy. Not necessary but it might help. Pictures are needed too. Make sure and I mean SURE you are elegible and if you are filling during the 90 day before grace period, remember it is 90 days not 3 months. Honestly it sounds good, remember it is now THEIR problem to figure out if you guys are legal or not BUT they can make your life impossible so try and gather a little more evidence. Personally I even added 2 notarized letters from my in-laws to help me ease the process.

Question 1, Are they going to ask questions from citizenship application to see if my wife understands English?

Question 2, My wife just realized going over the application that she made a mistake and didn't put that she was a student in the last 5 years. She only put that she worked in the last 5 years. Is this a serious problem, how does she fix it?

1.- Yes , tell wifey to read her application and memorize the questions there. They will ask her to write a sentence in english and the standard civic test, 10 questions she must answer at least 7 right

2.- if she made a mistake she can clarify this with the officer at the time of the interview and explain the mistake and submit proof of her studies, make sure she brings proof of everything, they are very nice and they won't give her a hard time as long as she tells the truth.

I have a question. I have fallen in love with an American. I live quite close to the American border and was wondering if he could work in the US everyday but live in canada with me? The ultimate plan is still to live in America with him but want to apply for all the proper paperwork in the meantime we wont have to be apart. Is this possible? And would he need any special documentation to cross the border everyday besides his passport. Thank you

No special documentation needed, why don't you guys just get engaged and start the immigration petition for you to come live in United States or for him to move to Canada? he could then explain to the officers at the border you live in Canada and he's visiting you as frequently as possible but you already have proof of the petition. What you have to understand is every time he crosses the border he will get a stamp in his passport, eventually he will run out of pages and they will look at him suspiciously, all of this can be proof before either the canadians or americans that your relationship is serious.

Do we need an immigration lawyer to start the petition? Is it easy to do on your own?

No immigration lawyer needed, just make sure to read the guides and do all the research needed, if you have all the documents in order you will be fine and they have no reason to deny your application especially if he has been visiting you and you've been visiting him, what they want to see is you are a couple and you're not paying him to get into the US, it sounds stupid i know, trust me, I know, been there, done that, keep every email, every letter every stamp in your passports, photos, proof of trips together, etc, you will need them. The process takes about 2 years so if you two are ready to commit it'd be your best bet to eventually be together. I had an immigration lawyer to get my first green card after marriage and I can assure you, I SWEAR it made no difference, in fact it delayed the whole thing because the lawyer isn't in a rush, after getting my first green card I decided to do everything on my own and had NO problems, in fact it was way faster, got the permanent green card in 5 months and the citizenship in 6 but I was ready, I read every single piece of useful info online and at the time of filling I was SUPER ready.

Honestly it sounds like they made a mistake, after the interview it took them like 2 months to schedule me for the Oath, they approved my application and told me I would receive my Oath letter in the mail, not talk about a second interview... I would just wait and see what happens. About your question, no, they didn't update my case at all after the interview, they didn't update it at all during the whole process.

Hello,

I haven't filed yet. I heard from people it takes more than a year to get the interview, but then that sounds too long. I believe if you file from California you would send it to Phoenix. What's a general timeframe I'm looking at? thanks for your help. Sorry if this is a question that's been asked many times before.

Not true, mine was 6 months exactly , live in Cali, filed in Cali, became a citizen in Cali. One thing I will recommend is using the 90 day grace period they give but MAKE SURE you qualify, and it is 90 DAYS !!!! not 3 months!!!, make sure you count those days right and there are other requirements, make sure you qualify before submitting!!. Another thing, make sure you don't plan any trips for those 6 or so months you will be in the process, travelling while you are waiting for your interview letter is the worst!!!!!

I have a question. I have fallen in love with an American. I live quite close to the American border and was wondering if he could work in the US everyday but live in canada with me? The ultimate plan is still to live in America with him but want to apply for all the proper paperwork in the meantime we wont have to be apart. Is this possible? And would he need any special documentation to cross the border everyday besides his passport. Thank you

No special documentation needed, why don't you guys just get engaged and start the immigration petition for you to come live in United States or for him to move to Canada? he could then explain to the officers at the border you live in Canada and he's visiting you as frequently as possible but you already have proof of the petition. What you have to understand is every time he crosses the border he will get a stamp in his passport, eventually he will run out of pages and they will look at him suspiciously, all of this can be proof before either the canadians or americans that your relationship is serious.

My brother is going to be 17 soon and I want to petition for him, is it better to wait until he is 18? I am so unsure on how to petition him, I have looked all over and I've read the guides but there's not a lot of information on this. I know it will take a long time but I want my little brother to eventually have the option to come to this great country and have the same opportunities I have found here.

Could you guys please advise me on how to petition him?. What papers to submit, etc?, Also the affidavit of support that I know I will need at some point, my salary won't be enough, could my husband co-sign? Thanks.

Do they go over the taxes in detail. I do have 2 exemptions filed each year (job searcj, moving exspense, books etc). Will I be needing to briong proofs of my exemption in my taxes. Do haves taxes transcrips for 3 years and nothing owe tio irs. Should me be worried?

thank rick for reply

Hey, if the IRS was cool with your tax return and didn't give you any trouble then the USCIS won't. What they want is for you to not owe any taxes to the government, that's all. If there is a problem with your exemptions the IRS will eventually contact you about it and they will let you know you need to show them proof. It's not the place of the USCIS to decide whether you need to pay more taxes or not.

Ok, so today I went to pick up my passport and I asked the clerk how should I sign my passport since my application for a passport was signed with my full name, just like my naturalization certificate ( i was told to do so) . She said it doesn't matter which signature I choose but she didn't seem so sure and I am not so sure .....

Do officers at POE make sure signatures match? do they have a copy of my signature in their computers and if it doesn't match my passport's is there going to be a problem???... I am so confused !!!! how do I sign my passport!!!???

They really should fix the whole "write your full name in the citizenship certificate" thing, I don't understand what they want, if what they want is consistency then they should let you do the gibberish you use for a signature during the whole process, I have consistently used my signature over and over throughout my life and now I am in this mess!, Help!.

Nick,

I have a doubt. If I have changes on my name during the interview, which name I have to write on the papers when the interviewer ask me to sign, the old name or new name which have changes on it.

I know you asked Nick but from my own experience during the interview you don't have your new name yet, remember they need to get a court order to change it, so when you sign the papers at the interview they tell you to sign like you usually do it.

Hey you guys, I was told to sign my Naturalization certificate by writing my full name, right?. then at the passport agency the clerk told me to sign the passport application exactly like I signed my Naturalization Certificate, my question is, now that I signed the application with my full name, what does this mean? how do I sign my passport???? how do I sign documents from now on?.I don't want to use my full name as my signature, it is too long!!! This is so confusing! Any advice?

I missed my initial oath ceremony for naturalizing citizenship. I got a notice telling me that I will be notified of my rescheduled oath ceremony. While awaiting the reschedule notice, I was notified that I need to get my fingerprint retaken in order for my N400 to continue processing. This is quite odd since I had already passed my interview.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does this mean I have to get interviewed again or will I be rescheduled as soon as I get my fingerprint done again?

9/8/08 Interviewed and approved.

10/26/08 Requested to be rescheduled due to personal reasons. Request sent to local immigration office located in San Bernardino, CA.

11/21/08 was the initial oath ceremony.

12/01/08 received Notice of Action, saying I failed to appear for my initial oath and would be rescheduled.

2/19/09 received fingerprinting notice from 300 North Los Angeles Street saying I need to be fingerprinted again because my fingerprint has expired.

Any help would be much appreciated.

During my interview I met a guy who was in the same situation as you, he had to go through the whole process again, fingerprints, interview, and then oath, just because he didn't notify the USCIS he wouldn't be able to make it to the Oath!!!, I remember he told me he didn't make it to his first interview because he forgot, I thought it was odd but he seemed a nice person, just very busy. So yeah, you will have a second interview and you will probably have to explain why you didn't notify the USCIS you wouldn't make it to the Oath.

I missed my initial oath ceremony for naturalizing citizenship. I got a notice telling me that I will be notified of my rescheduled oath ceremony. While awaiting the reschedule notice, I was notified that I need to get my fingerprint retaken in order for my N400 to continue processing. This is quite odd since I had already passed my interview.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does this mean I have to get interviewed again or will I be rescheduled as soon as I get my fingerprint done again?

9/8/08 Interviewed and approved.

10/26/08 Requested to be rescheduled due to personal reasons. Request sent to local immigration office located in San Bernardino, CA.

11/21/08 was the initial oath ceremony.

12/01/08 received Notice of Action, saying I failed to appear for my initial oath and would be rescheduled.

2/19/09 received fingerprinting notice from 300 North Los Angeles Street saying I need to be fingerprinted again because my fingerprint has expired.

Any help would be much appreciated.

During my interview I met a guy who was in the same situation as you, he had to go through the whole process again, fingerprints, interview, and then oath, just because he didn't notify the USCIS he wouldn't be able to make it to the Oath!!!, I remember he told me he didn't make it to his first interview because he forgot, I thought it was odd but he seemed a nice person, just very busy. So yeah, you will have a second interview and you will probably have to explain why you didn't notify the USCIS you wouldn't make it to the Oath.

Do the IOs have ALL the paperwork from the original submission, embassy interview, AOS and removing conditions in front of them when you take the citizenship interview?

Very hard to believe they would!!

Our paperwork must be over a foot high by now. What happens to it all? Where do they store it and for how long?

Yes, they do have all of that paperwork, I saw my file during my interview, it was chubbier than a yellowpages book, seriously, so, they must store it somewhere and I imagine they keep the paperwork forever, just like the FBI keeps records of all of us. I agree they keep track of everything you did or said, that's why it is important to be truthful.

Hi,

I hope I haven't screwed up badly but I have been a permanent resident for over two years now. I changed addresses a year and a half ago.

Was I supposed to notify someone?

Am I going to be in trouble?

HELP!!

Ed

Dude, I did exactly the same thing, in fact mine was worse because I moved TWICE and never notified the USCIS for a year and a half!!!, no problem, go online to the USCIS website and fill up the form, you don't need to mail it anymore just notify the USCIS and don't forget to do it next time, if they say anything about it during the interview just tell them the truth. I wasn't asked about it during my interview, I am a citizen now, didn't have any problem with this, but like I said, if they ask, tell the truth and tell them it's totally your fault, they'll be cool.

which is the best address to use, the lockbox facility or the express mail delivery? im going to mail my application on monday. if i will go to the post office for an overnight shipping. which address i will use?

Just like YuandDan said, you mail the packet to the PO box, express mail is not really necessary, just make sure you get it certified so that you can make sure it'll get there, also make sure you are within the 90 days, 90 days is NOT 3 months!!!!, be careful with that.

I'm a citizen!!!!!, it feels so awesome. But anyway, here's the story:

The ceremony was held in the Convention Center in Los Angeles. I strongly recommend to park anywhere except on Figueroa because the traffic is horrendous, don't even try, it is impossible I'd even recommend taking the train if you can, it is easier and faster. The wonderful people in this forum recommended this and I am so glad I listened to them!!!

As soon as I got there there were 30 or 40 people trying to sell certificate holders , don't buy the ones they offer you at the street, they sell them for 5 bucks but the quality is not great, inside they will sell the nice ones but I recommend you to wait until AFTER the ceremony to buy one since the prices does drop from 10 dolars to 5, make sure you get the higher quality one, shop around. This is another valuable tip from the people in this forum.

Guests and new citizens are separated at the entrance, there will be a gigantic line of people to the left, that's citizens and another gigantic line of people to the right, those are the guests. I recommend to bring a video camera so you can capture the nice words they will say during the ceremony, pictures are not always worth a thousand words, lol. Bring a pen and answer all the questions in the back of your oath ceremony letter as soon as you are told to do it.

They take your green card, that made me sad because that green card cost me a lot of money and a lot of tears and sleepless nights, so if you want a souvenir take a picture of you holding the green card!!!, they ask you the questions in the back of your oath ceremony letter and if they find nothing objectionable they stamp it , you can sit down after this, the nice people in this forum recommended to be one of the last people in because then you receive your certificate first, but that wasnt the case with me. The first people to get their certificate were the people who got there first. So I guess all you can do is enjoy the ride.

The ceremony was beautiful, the judge said beautiful words and other people gave some speeches, it was marvelous, when we sang the national anthem I'm ashamed to say I cried a little bit, who would have thought I'd be where I am now.

After the ceremony you pick up your certicate and then you have the option to apply for a passport, I didn't do it because the lines were HUGE and I am traveling in less than 14 days I need to go to a passport agency.

I recommend for your guest and you to bring at least 2 cell phones to find each other, the crowd is huge. The traffic in LA is horrible, I recommend that if you have to get on the 5 you don't do at the nearest entrance, I recommend you to get as far away from the convention center as you can and then get on the 5, we were stuck in traffic for 2 hours because we tried to get on the 5 at the nearest exit, HUGE mistake.

My advice is , it is overwhelming but it is the best experience of my life, after getting married of course. It feels great to be an American!!!. Thank you to everybody in this forum, thank you , thank you. God Bless all of you, your support was incredible and I will always be in your debt.

I'll keep trying to help out, so if you guys have any questions send me a message, I'll answer. I'll be posting my experience at the passport agency soon.

I had the same doubt and I found out in some countries it is ilegal for you to represent yourself as an American citizen if you are trying to enter the country you were originally from. So, what I found online is this: let's say you are a mexican-american citizen. So you are flying to mexico from the US and this is what you do: Leaving the US you show the airline your american passport because you are american. When you get there you go through customs as a Mexican citizen because it is ilegal for you to represent yourself as an American. And on the way back you show the airline your mexican passport and when they ask for proof that you can enter the US you show them your american passport and when you arrive to the US you obviously show your american passport because you are american. That way both passports get stamped and everybody is happy.

But don't take my word. The best thing to do is to call your embassy and consult them, some countries like the US don't allow double nationality but they don't care if you carry a passport from another country, so, the question is, if entering the US they see your passport and see the stamp, are they going to give you a hard time? not likely, the US doesn't care what passport you use in other countries as long as you represent yourself as an American when you enter or leave the country. Same goes for the country you were originally from.

I know I have to bring my green card and the letter but I went out of the country during Christmas, should I bring proof of the trip or my current passport or anything else? A checklist would be awesome, thank you guys!.