Fr8dog

Same day passports are available in DC. You need to make an appointment (has to be done online) and you are required to show you have travel plans in 10 days. Tickets are acceptable proof but so are hotel reservations for travel via land border crossings. Available appointments may be limited so check often. You drop the paperwork of in the morning and pick-up the passport early afternoon.

You need to be "in good standing" with the IRS. So having filed your past taxes on time (you do not need to wait until after filing 2025) and either not owing any back taxes or be on a payment plan with the IRS.

Unless it changed recently, a name change always requires a judge (judicial oath ceremony). So by requesting your name change you are now waiting for the USCIS and the court system to get their schedules lined up. Even if the USCIS wants to move quickly they might just not have an option when there is no judge available. I doubt a congressperson's staff has any influence on the scheduling but it's not like it will hurt anything.

Land border crossings are a little easier then the airports, but the rules are the same regardless. They have the option to fine you should they want to (can't find the exact official web page anymore, I think it was through the state department one). They very rarely do. Most of the time it's a stern talking in secondary and of you go. The airline could have you board if they want to go through the hassle of getting a personal approval from border patrol (I think it evolves faxing and/or mailing but I'm not sure). When traveling internationally always keep some sort of extra proof on you that you are a US citizen. Photo of the bio page of the passport on your phone works great but also a photo of a state ID works. That way you can get back into the US if, for instance, you loose your passport on the plane after arriving abroad. (don't ask, just trust me on this one it happens more then you want to know)

Nope that's not allowed. US citizens are required to use a US passport when entering the country. Having said that there is also a rule that prevents the denial of entry into the US for US citizens. So it's not legal some have gotten away with it, you will be let into the country but you expect some quality time in secondary and are looking at a potential fine.

It doesn't always dislodge it, but it's the only way, I know off, where you have a pretty save way of getting them to do something. The service requests appear to be useless, congressmen don't appear to be very successful most of the time and the WoM option is interesting but kind off nuclear in my eyes. So the N-400 it was. (I was already planing it but wanted to wait till after the ROC.

Originally being from a country that has some form of "single nationality only" on the books since 1892, I've found it interesting when the Dutch politicians started down this path about 2 decades ago. The net result of lobbying for over 20 years has been: - Those who's dual citizenship they want to have removed can't because their second nationality does not allow it. - Those who's dual citizenship they do not want to have removed for fear of financial flight actually run the risk of loosing it and now they have all sorts of stop caps in place to prevent it. So we are basically looking at the beginning of a awesome dumpster fire or it's going to slowly extinguish when the realize the reults just aren't there.

I'm going to go with my new 2026 mantra: File as soon as allowed. Nobody has ever said "I wished I waited a few more months before filing" on this forum in the last 10 years

It's going to be tough to "advise" anything with the amount of "potential changes" being floated around as sound bites almost on a daily base. The only advise I hand out these days is: verify each and every news story you come across before acting on it. News outlets are a business first and an outlet second. Big headlines sells adds, correct ones might not. (And luckily everybody does it regardless of political interest). Use only official government sides to verify the rules and base your decision on those. I've stated before that nobody has ever said "I wished I would have waited a few more months before filing my petition" And that mostly still holds true. Fees will continue to increase, wait-time generally become longer And requirements usually are more harsh over time as well. Do your research, check your sources and make a plan. Worse case scenario they deny your application and your out the filing fee.

I would suggest option 1. It appears to be fairly successful in dislodging your stuck file and get it moving again. (it did for me) Filing the N-400 recalls your file to start processing the N-400. So if your file is miss-placed, used as a doorstop or fell behind a desk. It will make them start looking for it.

the date is not entered by a human, it's calculated by an algorithm (a pretty bad one btw). it gets triggered by entries that we cannot see (there used to be "touched" status but they are not showing that one anymore. As long as it changes you'll at least know they are doing something with your file. It sucks I know but it's the way it is.

Ok now I wanted to know: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/ACK-Auckland.html As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in New Zealand. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctor’s offices in New Zealand. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview. It is however consulate specific, below the one regarding Germany: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/FRN-Frankfurt.html#medical_exam_instructions ATTENTION: IV Consolidation applicants (from Croatia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Netherlands) should ideally complete their medical exam in their home country if a panel physician is present there. Additional medical exam info for IV Consolidation applicants, as well as a list of designated doctors’ offices, can be found

used to be 2 more updates. first one "card is being produced" and the second "card has been mailed" However past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

No refund (had to check your flag there twice cause that was a really Dutch thing to ask 🤣). You will not get the EAD either but if you are lucky you will get the occasional update from the USCIS that they have taken action on your file. I used to get those until well after my oath ceremony.

Should be ok but I would prepare for some small hurdles on this one. Make absolutely sure you have copies of all documents (old and new) and all official approvals of the change. Changing names after signing a petition is not a common thing for K-1 so don't be surprised if you are going to get some questions about it.

You may want to try asking the consulate involved through email (assuming they are like most, not responsive to phone calls). I don't really see a point of why they shouldn't allow it (you are required to take an exam with a certified doctor but never read anything that it had to be the one in country). Most people don't like to throw the dice when it comes to dealing with visa's and or USCIS. I'm not sure many have tried this. Worse case scenario would be they demand you retake the exam in country. If you go through with it make sure you get some sort of instructions on how they want to receive results. Does the examiner need to sent it or are you allowed to hand them a sealed envelope.

Little addition here, The spouse is not required to attend the N400 interview unless it specifically states it in the letter. However that is totally irrelevant for you as you still have a pending I-751. They may or may not decide to do a combo interview. There is zero change of a combo interview unless you bring your wife. If during the interview it looks like they are not going to do the I-751, be proactive and politely ask about it. (The may have simply overlooked it). Bring any and all evidence ever submitted. (I suggest original and copy) if for whatever reason stuff has gone missing from your file you'll be able to provide it right there. (if it is 25 lbs of paper so be it, bring it all). I used to have 2 sets of every petition ever filed. One with the originals and one with the copies saved my bacon during the ROC interview.

If you file under the 3-year rules you can upload additional evidence and probably should. Your petition is based on marriage so it's fair if they want some evidence you are still married and living together. I did not upload additional evidence but that was way back so your mileage may vary. You only have 1 file with the USCIS all petitions are in that file and all evidence is in that file. You do not need to submit/upload previous submitted evidence regardless of what petition it was for. Having said that, submitting additional evidence or previous submitted evidence is easy enough with the electronic filing and so you see more and more people leaning towards going that route. It's not going to hurt your case if you do. Things do change a lot lately and nobody knows how things will be in the future. However I have never heard of anybody ever stating "boy I wished I would have waited longer before I filed later". In other words, get the thing filed.

That's a new one for me but if it works it works. Now sit back relax and enjoy the ride, it's going to be a while.

I see your point. I just tried to condense the whole thing into the most basic form. I'm sure somebody will argue that one of your examples can be overcome.......etc etc. But in the end it's a choice the parent has to make for the minor and they just have to deal with it later on if the parent went route 2 and decided not to keep track of the records. If they don't keep track of the records and they went route 1 they can try to retrieve a copy from the USCIS later on. (I'm sure ones again for fee)

This keeps on popping up on a regular base and I have found most topics interesting reads (generally just read them as I have no experience with the matter). To me (and please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) it boils down to the following: If the minor becomes a citizen through the parents N-400 process there are 2 options: 1 - file the N-600 (expensive yes we know) - obtain a certificate - Have single document, to keep in a save place, proving they are a US citizen for the rest of their life. 2 - not going through the N-600 (yes that's the cheap option here) - Apply for a US passport using the parent(s) certificates - Have a collection of records, to keep in a save place, proving they are a US citizen for the rest of their life. The choice is up to the parents to figure out what route to follow. Coming from a country that is completely Passport/ID-card based for citizenship claims, I would be perfectly happy going the second route. However I can also see where people are way more comfortable with having a physical piece of paper stating nationality to keep in a save place. As for the original post, these are the only 2 available options. The fact that the USCIS is supposed to be financed by the people that use the service has some unforeseen consequences the $1400,= fee is one of them.

The one thing I have noticed when living in rural area's in the past. Everybody knows everybody and will do almost anything for their neighbors. So don't be surprised if you end up with a bunch of references if from your new neighbors if you decide to move. Also cannot agree more with Po55um's statement to live your live and make immigration work around it. And basically the same with Dashinka about the fact that most likely they will never even look at or ask for the statements at the N-400. You most likely end up leaving the office, after the N-440 interview, somewhat bewildered about the fact you carried all that stuff with you and they didn't even ask to see any of it. Lastly I would like to point out that the USCIS has mastered the act of CYA when it comes to evidence requests. They throw everything that might be used in the instructions. That does not mean you need to have everything. It means you can use all of the examples to provide the required proof.

Or proof of hotel booking if you're planning a land-crossing.

Very true, but if you aren't clearing the limit and can't find a co-sponsor your throwing away perfectly good money on filing fees. The original statement about supporting the USC financially made me wonder.

CR-1 without a doubt (in case you're still debating that part). I wouldn't worry too much about the ESTA entries just don't be "that Dutchman" that gets argumentative with border officers. 😀 Have you guys run the numbers yet for her income, will she be able to clear the bar to support you or do you guys have a co-sponsor lined up? If not get that sorted out first.