jj23521

Thanks for the story, Dave.  That is kind of what I was afraid of.  

We'll probably end up just going to the Chicago passport agency before our next planned travel.  I really, really do not want to mail out that certificate.

On 10/21/2017 at 9:47 AM, Dinosaur2013 said:

You may send a certified naturalization certificate and this is how to obtain the certification: https://my.uscis.gov/helpcenter/article/how-can-i-obtain-a-certified-copy-of-my-naturalization-certificate

I actually came here to ask this exact question.

The State Dept's website does say a certified copy is acceptable.  But when I called to confirm, the person did not know anything about this.

Has anyone successfully gotten a copy certified at USCIS and then successfully applied for a passport?  Do you simply bring a photocopy of the certificate to an Infopass and they stamp it?

Thanks for any tips!

2 minutes ago, mrbravod said:

Good morning!  My case was this:  It's completely true that N400 instructions says to send your passport photos only if you live outside USA.  So, following these instructions I didn't send any photos with my N400.  But my personal instinct and after reading some comments about sending/taking photos with N400, I took 2 passport pictures before my interview, just in case  ... My case is in New Mexico and guess what?  The officer asked me if, by any chance, I brought two passport photos!  She made me sign each one with my new name (I am changing names).  What did she ask me for photos since I have passed my biometrics? I really don't know.  But for the next people going for a citizenship interview, just take with you two recent passport photos, either if they ask for it or not.

 

Thanks for the info.

When she asked you "sign" the photos, did you sign on the back, or just write you new name with A#?

Now I'm wondering again if I should send in two sets, one with new name on the back and one with old name?  But signature or print?

Also, what does the signature on the BACKSIDE of a photo mean anyway?  Who's going to look at that?  I thought printing your name and signature on the back is only for identification purposes while preparing your certificate.

13 minutes ago, Going through said:

The frontal photo is what they use for the naturalization certificate.  Not a 3/4 shot.

Your friends' situations are different because they were able to use the photo from their biometrics so it wasn't an issue for them after their interviews...for whatever reason, your wife is not able to.  It could be because they were unsuitable, damaged later on after the interview, lost, whatever the case may be.

 

The RFE is asking you for the photos---the process of how they will scan them onto the certificate isn't something you need to  concern yourself with---that's their issue and they will do what they normally do in terms of the certificate when they RFE people for new photos.

 

Just send in the photos following the instructions on the RFE exactly.  Or drive down there and deliver it personally to the officer who interviewed your wife. You are starting to stress yourself out about this way too much now I fear  

Thank you again for the encouragement.  I will follow instructions and send first thing tomorrow.  And try to stop worrying.

Today's actually my birthday and I shouldn't be sitting here stressing about this.  :-)

I would recommend getting a congressional inquiry.  Between your congressman and senators, find the most pro-immigrant person and contact their constituent services folks.  Speak to all of them, find the one caseworker who is the most experienced and compassionate.  Make sure they know they can get actual answers and not canned bs answers.  Then go with them.

Sometimes you have to take things into your own hands vs just passively wait.  Certainly won't hurt anything.

Another thing I've noticed is that the color instructions sheet that came along the RFE, is from 2006!  It is telling me to take a frontal photo instead of a 3/4 view.  This change took place about 13 years ago.  And long since then, USCIS has started using digital photos done during biometrics.

None of this makes any sense.  I get a feeling that random people are just sending out random things to us for random reasons.  Who knew there's still so much silliness AFTER you've been approved and put in line for oath.

I talked with two friends last night who had oaths last week in Milwaukee.  They both did not send in photos and were not asked for them.  Same with CookieCat in this thread, also Milwaukee.  Very strange.  All three of them had the biometrics picture printed on the certificate.  

My only guess is that the person who did my wife's biometrics, being obviously very new, somehow messed it up.  If they also messed up the digital signature, would they ask us to go back and sign again?  One of my friends said she signed on the actual certificate at the ceremony.  CookieCat, does that sound right?

If they're supposed to print the biometrics photo directly, how would they use physical photos we send in?  I can't imagine that they have someone there to scan and adjust photos, since this is apparently not a common practice.  

Sorry, I know this is most likely a very simple thing, but my mind is just running through all sorts of scenarios.

2 minutes ago, CookieCat said:

If RFE says to print name and alien number, that is all you should do. No signing. Don't make it more complicated for yourself. 

 

If you're going to hand the photos over in person, hand them only to the interviewing officer. If you hand them over to anybody else, chances are they can get lost and the whole application could eventually get denied. Again, I believe it's best you mail them EXACTLY how the RFE instructs you to do. Good luck!

Agree about mailing per instructions vs handing in person.  I'm sure there's really not a way to request to see the interviewing officer any way.

I also think that the case has already been handed off from that officer to the folks who actually print the certificates.  That's likely when they discovered the need for new photos.  That also would explain why the online status is "in line for oath".

The RFE didn't threaten a denial, but did mention delay of certificate if photos not received in 30 days.  Have people been denied after approval due to photos?

Okay.  Right now I'm leaning toward overnighting two photos with old (current) name and A number written on the back, as directed in RFE.  You cannot get into the Milwaukee Field office without an appointment letter.  Plus, with overnight tracking, I'm pretty sure I can require a signature upon delivery.

After the photos are sent and received, I will have my senator's caseworker do a followup.  Hopefully they'll then make her certificate and place her into the next oath ceremony.  Thinking good thoughts!  Thanks for the advice and support.

1 hour ago, CookieCat said:

Is the RFE letter instructing you to submit SIGNED photos? What does it say exactly? If it's not asking for signatures, why are you trying to send signed photos? Also, her new name isn't official until she becomes a citizen so you shouldn't be using her new name anywhere till after oath.

 

Yes, my signature is also digital on my certificate. 

The RFE said to print name and alien number on the back.  Didn't say anything about signing.

Then again, no paper ever said we needed to submit photos either.  Maybe I should be preemptive?

5 hours ago, Going through said:

As you said the letter stated in your OP, it would cause a delay if the photos were not received by 9/30.  It shouldn't cause a delay if received before then---the sooner, the better, of course. 

Thanks for the encouragement.  I just hope this letter doesn't mean the case went back from "approved" to "waiting for decision" again.  (I couldn't find any cases online where an RFE for photos was sent after approval and in line for oath.)  Maybe it's already out of the officer's hand and with the folks who physically produce the certificates.

15 hours ago, CookieCat said:

The photo is printed on my certificate, the quality is a bit bad actually 

 

I can't guarantee you but I think they will process your case fairly quickly once they receive the photos. Milwaukee field office isn't the fastest in the country but faster than many field offices. Did you enquire through Senator Baldwin or Johnson? You're right it probably helped push your case forward.

 

I'm thinking about sending two sets of photos, one signed on the back and one not signed.  Don't want to take any chances.  I don't suppose sending two extras would cause any issues?  I will also print both her old and new names on the back, along with A#.  Her signature is staying the same after name change.  Using a pencil is okay, right?

Once tracking info says it arrived, I will ask the senator's caseworker to do a follow up.  I'm using Senator Baldwin's office.  They've actually helped me with an old case way back when Tammy was still the congresswoman from my district.

On the certificate, is your signature also a digital one that's printed on the paper?  I wonder if that's one you signed at the interview or during biometrics.  Thanks.

My wife also was not asked to sign photos at the interview, which was quite hurried and only lasted 5 or so minutes.  She even brought photos but was never asked for them.

Then, three weeks after status changed to "in line for oath", we just got a letter asking for two photos.  Says if no photos are sent, the certificate will be delayed.  I assume the case is still approved as stated on the results page, and they're about to make her certificate and noticed that the digital photo from biometrics was not usable?  It's frustrating, but at least we should be near the finish line.  Hopefully they'll sort this out before the next ceremony slot and it won't cause a delay.

So the lesson, I guess, is to give photos to your interviewer even if not asked.  Or better yet, send the photos with the application to begin with, even though it clearly says you don't need to.  It's possible that each field office deals with photos differently.

One question, should my wife sign on the back on the photos?  Do you need to write your name, A number, and signature on the back?  If she's doing a name change, do you include both names?

Thank you for your advice.  I will mail the photos right away next week.

On the certificate itself, is the photo an actual photo glued on the paper (as it was with my case years ago), or printed on the certificate?

Do you think this would cause a delay or will they schedule her as soon as the photos are received.

I also had my senator's office inquire about this last week due to the long wait.  Maybe that's why they even looked at her file.

Thanks for the reply.

We did not submit photos because the N400 form said not to.  Also, they took a digital photo during biometrics.  There were no photos to sign during the interview and he never asked for them.  The officer was in an EXTREME hurry and the interview only lasted 5 minutes.

The field office is 1.5 hours away and I'm not sure if they will take hand delivered packages.  Not sure if that's worth everybody taking a day off to try?  Do you think overnight mail delivery would work?

I'm afraid that this would cause a big delay.  So frustrating.

She's also doing a name change.  When you sign the photos, do you use both names?

My wife received a recommended approval after her interview on 8/7.  The online status has been in line for oath since 8/9.

Yet today, we received a letter asking for two passport photos, saying if not received by 9/30, it would delay the certificate.  (This is frustrating because the N400 form itself said no photos are needed and they were not asked for at the interview.  We even brought them.)

Has anyone seen this before?  Does this mean the case is still approved?  How much delay would this cause, if any?  The next ceremonies are on 9/7 and then 10/5.

Also, does she need to sign with a pencil on the back of the photos?  

Any help is appreciated, as I'm freaking out a little right now.  Thanks.

We are currently waiting to get my wife's oath ceremony scheduled.  She was placed in line for oath two weeks ago after passing the interview.  The officer said in two to three weeks we should receive the oath letter.

Wondering if it takes longer at this field office for folks requesting a name change.  My understanding is that a name change requires a judicial ceremony with a federal judge.  The Milwaukee field office's website says this:

"The Milwaukee Field Office conducts approximately 6-8 Judicial Ceremonies per month and conducts Administrative Ceremonies every other month for the Western District counties that are served...."

Since we live in Madison (Dane County, part of the Western District), does this mean we can only attend the administrative ceremonies every other month?  What about name changes then?  Do you have to reside in the Eastern District, where Milwaukee is, to be able to attend the Judicial Ceremonies there?

Thanks for any advice.

Sorry I missed the attachment initially.

If the speeding ticket was paid in full and never went to court, is there still a court disposition?

Could you tell us what they asked him to provided when he got the N-14?

Maybe those in our situation can prepare those documents and bring to the interview?  Thanks.

4 minutes ago, rubya said:

Guys I stopped the shipment they told I will receive it tomorrow.

 

And guys if you checked no and you have been cited for even speedy ticket this is a big deal.. Ask me why ? I will tell ..

 

My  friend checked no and when he went to the interview he asked them to correct it, but the problem they delay his case and gave him Form N-14 request more documents.

 

It is a big deal you guys have to check yes and send police record for speeding ticket as well as a certified copy of court disposition,,,, see the attach file they gave him a form to bring these two document  ...

Similar question here.  

I only found out about the need to report address changes shortly before filing the N400.  So I submitted the AR11 electronically and got an email receipt.  

We have lived in the current location for over 5 years, so that is the only address on the N400 application.  

Do we need to be concerned that we were years late in filling the AR11?  The fact that intentionally avoiding address change reports is actually a deportable offense, should I be worried?  From what I've read, this really hasn't been reinforced in the past.  Will that change now?

I also checked NO and did not mention a speeding ticket.  The official N400 instructions says the following.  Let me know if I'm misinterpreting it....

**************

NOTE: You must submit documentation of traffic incidents if:

(1) The incident involved alcohol or drugs;

(2) The incident led to an arrest; or

(3) The incident seriously injured another person.

You do not need to submit documentation for traffic fines or incidents that did not involve an arrest or did not

involve drugs or alcohol, if the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 or points on your driving record.

7 minutes ago, sabellic said:

 Hey, it was given back to me too. Don't worry about it.

Thanks for the info!  I'm guessing the person who did our friends' prints just tossed it for them, knowing that it would likely only cause undue confusion.

Thanks everybody for the quick responses.  I feel much better.  I'm guessing some more experienced employees there just simply toss those papers, knowing that they mostly just cause confusion and anxiety for customers.  The person who helped my wife seemed like a newer employee and was probably doing things more by-the-book.

On a related note, does anyone know how long it takes for the online status to change after a biometrics appointment?  Ours still says on 1-23, you were scheduled for biometrics, etc.  Thanks again.

My wife had her biometrics appointment yesterday (Milwaukee office, couple hours away).  Everything went fine and folks were very friendly.  It wasn't until we got home that I noticed that they had given back to her the "Application Information Worksheet" we filled out upon arriving at the biometrics.  

It seemed to be a very informal, photocopied sheet of paper, asking for basic info such as name, date of birth, height, weight, case number, other names used, etc.  In the upper left and right corners was the number by which they called her from the waiting area.  (It was also check marked during the biometrics with a red pen over certain parts, which I assume was how the employee confirmed the info with her computer database.)

Curious why the ASC did not keep the sheet, I called a couple friends who had just done this over a week ago at the same office.  They said that their sheets were actually not returned to them.  That got me fairly confused and worried.  Even though at the bottom of the sheet it says "Upon completion of processing at the ASC, this form WILL BE RETURNED to the applicant", I'm not sure why it was kept for our friends.  Could this be a mistake?  If so, will it hold up the scheduling of our interview?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

On 10/29/2016 at 11:10 AM, Avina said:

I figured out, nothing to be concerned about if anyone else is in the same situation.

This Worksheet was just additional information so they can process the background check quicker.

Hi Avina, the fact that you're looking at the Applicant Information Worksheet, I assume it means that they returned it to you at the biometrics appointment?

My wife had her biometrics done yesterday (Milwaukee) and after we got home I realized that they did not keep that form for some reason.  I do see that it says at the bottom "Upon completion of the processing at the ASC, this form WILL BE RETURNED to the applicant".  I found that strange so I called two friends who did this two weeks ago at the same office.  They said that their worksheets were NOT returned to them.  Now I'm worried that the biometrics person may have made a mistake by giving it back?  Would something like this hold up the process?  

Thanks for any advice.