AuSomeGee

Thank you everyone !!
As they say, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.....(as I always add.....just make sure no train is attached to the light)
Good luck to all for a quick CC.

CASE COMPLETE !!!! (verbally by Supervisor after reviewing case on phone - now awaiting email)
After a nervous day waiting for 7am New Hampshire time (11pm Australia) to arrive, I called and spoke to the 1st Level NVC agent.
I explained the purpose of my call and that the Supervisor had advised me to call on this day for a status check. (I made sure to include the Supervisor's name). The NVC agent was only too helpful to transfer me straight away.
After the initial greeting to the Supervisor and the purpose of the call, the Supervisor said she had not had a chance to review my case, but could look now. She commenced looking through it (I could hear the papers being turned) and I think I held my breath for what felt like an eternity. I dared not speak as I wanted her full attention on the information in the documents. She made a couple of comments and actually apologised for us being sent a checklist as the Checklist information was clearly included in the original AOS submission.
The Supervisor then said that she had completed the case and to expect an email in the next few days.
I thanked her multiple times and said it was the best Christmas present. She wished me happy holidays and I likewise to her and then ended the call. Being almost midnight I could not let out a loud scream (wake too many people) - but it was so exciting to finally hear those words "case completed"
This is such a relief as we now have a CC of Dec 18th - instead of a potential Checklist review and CC of mid Feb 2015. It has literally saved us 2 months of idle waiting.....
...now hoping for a January interview - that would be amazing!!
Good luck

From my case experience, I would always recommend calling NVC.
30 Days
As you are at the 30 day mark, be prepared for the NVC phone support agent to repeat the same phrase If you already have your scan date (via an email from NVC) then the best you will get at 30 days is "it has been scanned and awaiting review".
50+ days
From around 50+ days from scan date you may be lucky to get more info on your case status and if a checklist exists. Alternatively, you will get the above 60 day phrase...
60 Days
Once your 60 days are completed, this is where you should get some info - Case Complete being the ultimate response OR as I received, a verbal description of the "required information for the AOS". I rang back 2 days later to get a different agent and was able to get more detailed information.
My Case - Further Development
As a development in my case. I spoke to NVC Monday morning (New Hampshire time) to follow up on the Supervisor action. Still no official checklist received via email and it is now past 3 weeks since NVC review.
1st Level NVC Agent
During this call I had the 1st Level NVC agent trying to give me the standard line - "all the requested information has to be with the NVC to complete the case" (we were going around in circles because ALL the info is with NVC - they just have not bothered to actually read it).
As a last resort, I asked if I could speak to a Supervisor. With that request, without comment from the NVC agent, I was placed on hold and put through to a Supervisor (so I believe - how does a person knows if it is actually a Supervisor and not just another 1st level agent)
Supervisor
In speaking to the Supervisor and explaining my case history, the Supervisor said she will request for my file and review it. I then asked a very basic question: "If the information which is contained in my case meets the requirements of the letter being requested, what happens then?"
The Supervisor replied, "then i can complete the case".
I then requested a timeframe (always ask a timeframe for action on your case - "when will it be expected to be reviewed?", "when should I get the email?", etc etc ).
The Supervisor replied,"call at the end of the week".
If the Supervisor NVC does complete a proper review my case, it is highly likely my case should be completed. The information they require is already included in the full tax return, which proves (on an official tax document) all her income was foreign and no W2 documents exist - this is the only information they have asked for (in a letter signed by my wife) to complete my case.
Lessons Learnt from NVC phone contact
- Always call NVC to get latest information on your case
- Always be polite and courteous on the phone
- Ask for the first name of the NVC phone agent
- Pen and Paper
- write down your questions before calling - having it written in front of you will help ask clearly and ensure all your question(s) are asked.
- write down who you spoke to and take notes during call on what was discussed

- When calling, always start your query (after giving the case # and personal details) with "I am enquiring about the status of my case...."
- the reason I start my calls this way, you then know what action (if any) was done from the last phone contact to NVC
- also, it makes them actually check your case detail rather than you tell them what you think it 'should or could' be....giving them an easy out.
- Always get a time frame for action
- Get a second opinion - I have spoken to 3 different agents on the same topic and got 3 completely different answers.
- Never rely on NVC doing the 'logical' thing or the process running smoothly...there is no logic at the NVC.
Sorry for the extremely long response - I tend to be overly detailed, it's just how my brain works.
Good luck - I hope the above helps in some way...fingers crossed for your Case Complete :-)

I spoke to an NVC agent this morning 12th Dec (New Hampshire time) in relation to my case:
Historical Info
29th Sept
AOS / IV Scanned
26th Nov
AOS Checklist: (told be NVC phone agent)
28th Nov
Followed up for more info and was told by NVC phone agent my USC wife had to send a signed letter stating she had not worked in the USA for 2013 and therefore no W2's existed.
3rd Dec
Sent the letter requested.
12th Dec
Contacted NVC and asked if the documents were received (9 days since being sent), the agent said "they are probably in the building, but take time to scan in".
My question: I then explained to the NVC agent "why does a letter written and signed by my wife (no notorization required) cause a checklist and ultimately up to a 60 day delay?"
NVC Response: The agent said that the case could be completed without the letter and that it will go to Case Completed 30 days after the checklist email date.
No Checklist Received via email
My comment: That's when I commented that the Checklist email has never been sent - even after speaking with 2 NVC Agents.
NVC Response: The agent then reviewed the case and could see that no email had been sent. She said she will send my case onto a Supervisor to generate a checklist email to start the 30 day countdown to CC. The agent said it should take only a couple of days for the email to be sent.
Good News
- From the information provided by the agent (and if the actions stated are done), we are looking at mid January 2015 for Case Complete!
Lessons Learnt
- Just because you get some information from an NVC agent does NOT always mean:
a) that the information is correct
b) that the NVC will complete an action
Because of NVC's inability to do their job, our case has been unnecessarily delayed for a document which could be brought with me to an interview!!
Question: Has anyone had the same or similar experience?
Future action
I will be calling NVC on Monday 15th Dec (New Hampshire time) and follow up to ensure the case is actually with a Supervisor.
Plus, I will complete additional calls (2 times per week) to enquire on case status until CC is actually given.
I simply cannot rely on NVC actually doing what they say - especially this close to completion.
However, I want to leave this post on a positive note.....and the take away I have is the expectation for a 30 day CC (rather than 60 days....or more!)
Good luck to all.

Adding my 5 cents worth....or is that a 'dimes' worth.... :-)
Just went through this with my USC wife who is now a dual Aus / US Citizen.
Excerpt from the US Embassy website (Canberra, AU):
"Dual nationality can also occur when a person is naturalized in a foreign state without intending to relinquish U.S. nationality, and is thereafter found not to have lost their U.S. nationality."
From our investigations and research, if a USC is ever asked by US Gov Official or Immigration in relation to getting AUS Citizenship 'was it your intention to renounce/relinquish your US Citizenship?"
For our case, the simple and honest answer is "No". End of story.
This site has official info and if in any doubt, check with them.
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/dual_nat.html
Hope the above helps.