Boxergal

Hallelujah - I have a date in Fall River at Battleship Cove on November 9th for the citizenship oath! I'm in the home stretch!

The naturalization oath ceremony was held on the deck of the USS Massachusetts in Fall River. We arrived just before 10 a.m., submitted the ceremony notice form with my green card and then waited for the ceremony to start at 11 a.m. It was chilly so they let us wait inside the ship until the judge arrived. While we were waiting, Congressman-elect Joe Kennedy and the mayor of Fall River arrived to say a few words. I got my photo taken with Joe Kennedy! Once they were ready for the ceremony, the 38 people who were getting the citizenship oath were asked to sit in the first rows of chairs on the deck of the ship. The ceremony was very nice - they sang the Star Spangled Banner, the Judge said a few words and then they administered the oath. Then one by one they called our names to come up and get our naturalization certificates. There were a few photographers and videographers from the local papers present and our photo ended up in the paper and on the online newspaper. I was also interviewed and part of the interview ended up in the Boston Globe!

Two of us went to the SSA office to change our status from LPR to US citizen, but they said it takes 10 days for the status to change in their system and they couldn't process the change until after the 10 days. We also received US passport applications and I plan to submit mine this week, because I can't travel internationally now until I get my new passport (because I don't have a green card any more).

I submitted my criminal background checks (in lieue of the fingerprints that weren't readable) at the Boston district office on September 6 and was getting concerned because I had not heard anything regarding the next step, my citizenship oath. However, on the weekend, my status changed to "in queue for citizenship oath" on the USCIS case status website, so things are moving slowly but surely. Won't be able to vote, but hopefully the appointment will be in the near future.

Hallelujah - I have a date in Fall River at Battleship Cove on November 9th for the citizenship oath! I'm in the home stretch!

I submitted my criminal background checks (in lieue of the fingerprints that weren't readable) at the Boston district office on September 6 and was getting concerned because I had not heard anything regarding the next step, my citizenship oath. However, on the weekend, my status changed to "in queue for citizenship oath" on the USCIS case status website, so things are moving slowly but surely. Won't be able to vote, but hopefully the appointment will be in the near future.

Getting the criminal background checks that were requested at the interview was an easy process. Just called each of the police stations and asked them what their process was. One did the check right there and then, the other took 10 business days. Made an InfoPass appointment and took the criminal background checks to USCIS in Boston. Waited for an hour to hand them in on September 6th. Asked about having someone finish adjudicating my file and they looked at me like I had two heads. Have heard nothing more than two weeks later. Very frustrating.

My advice to those who are called back for a 2nd fingerprint appointment? Get the criminal background checks for each place you've lived in the last five years and take them with you to your citizenship interview. That way, when you're asked for them, you'll be ready and there won't be a delay in your citizenship process.

Excerpt from my interview experience ....

He said that the interview was satisfactory but that my fingerprints were not. I had gone to Rhode Island twice for the biometrics appointment, but they still were unable to use them (which I suspected). So I have to get criminal background checks from the police in each town I have lived in over the past five years. He said if I wanted I could get a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) from the state, but it was not necessary. He also said I could mail this information in to the Boston office but if it were him, he would make an InfoPass appointment and bring it to them (which is what I will do). Because he couldn't finalize my file, he couldn't give me an citizenship oath date (normally Boston gives you the date before you leave). He said that it is likely that if they aren't busy when I return, someone will adjudicate my file and complete the processing when I come back with the criminal background checks. I mentioned that I was hoping to have my oath ceremony towards the end of October because my family will be visiting then. He said to mention it when I bring in the documents.

I went for my interview today in Boston. Thanks to everyone in this forum for sharing their experience. Here's mine -

I arrived at 2 pm for a 2:30 appointment. After clearing security (you can bring cell phones, ipads, kindles, water bottles, etc.), I went to the room # shown on the interview letter. They sent me to the main immigration room (where you go for employment authorization or to ask questions). They took my letter and put it in a bin with two other letters. They asked me to sit with the others who were waiting for interviews. By 3:45 no one had retrieved my interview letter and everyone had been in & out of the interview area. When they started to close the immigration room door, someone realized I was still sitting there and they went looking for the interviewing officer. He came out at 4 pm, apologized for the delay and took me into an area with a lot of cubicles. I swore to tell the truth and he commenced the interview. He asked for my green card and passport. He reviewed all of the information on my N-400 form, asked about my name change (I have remarried and so my last name is different than on my green card). He didn't ask any questions about my divorce and remarriage which surprised me. He checked to make sure that he had copies of marriage & divorce certificates, didn't ask to see the originals. He went through all of the questions at the end of the form, asked me to fill out a form and sign it. Then I answered six civics questions:

1. Name one of the longest rivers in the US

2. Who is the Speaker of the House

3. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

4. Who lived in the US before the British arrived

5. How long to we elect the President for

6. What date was the Declaration of Independence signed

The interviewer was very personable and made me feel at ease. All my nervousness was not necessary. He asked me to review my name/date of birth on a form and sign it. This information will be used to make the Citizenship Certificate so he wanted to make sure the spelling was correct.

He said that the interview was satisfactory but that my fingerprints were not. I had gone to Rhode Island twice for the biometrics appointment, but they still were unable to use them (which I suspected). So I have to get criminal background checks from the police in each town I have lived in over the past five years. He said if I wanted I could get a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) from the state, but it was not necessary. He also said I could mail this information in to the Boston office but if it were him, he would make an InfoPass appointment and bring it to them (which is what I will do). Because he couldn't finalize my file, he couldn't give me an citizenship oath date (normally Boston gives you the date before you leave). He said that it is likely that if they aren't busy when I return, someone will adjudicate my file and complete the processing when I come back with the criminal background checks. I mentioned that I was hoping to have my oath ceremony towards the end of October because my family will be visiting then. He said to mention it when I bring in the documents.

That's it ... I'm almost done with USCIS. YIPPEE!!

Again, thanks for everyone sharing their experience. It really helped me.

Adding my timeline for Boston

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N-400: May 2012 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName.........|Sent.......|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.......|EB....|3/5|ELIG.|

Birdysboy........|05/02/2012.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC.....|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

gus123...........|05/02/2012.|--/--/--.|05/09/12.|06/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|..................|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

Jamaican JNR.....|05/02/2012.|05/07/12.|05/07/12.|06/22/12.|08/03/12.|09/11/12.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|06/08.|.-.|--/--.|

Ms.Frias.........|05/03/2012.|05/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Kendall, FL.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

Princess In Love.|05/05/2012.|05/11/12.|05/10/12.|06/14/12.|07/09/12.|08/13/12.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA........|06/08.|.3.|05/03.|

cybpiero.........|05/05/2012.|05/11/12.|05/10/12.|06/21/12.|07/03/12.|08/06/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX........|--/--.|.5.|07/12.|

kmehmood1........|05/08/2012.|05/11/12.|05/11/12.|06/25/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.......|06/14.|.3.|05/12.|

Rainbow007.......|05/08/2012.|05/15/12.|05/14/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

dang2012.........|05/08/2012.|--/--/--.|05/24/12.|07/03/12.|07/13/12.|08/13/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX........|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

BKMatthew........|05/09/2012.|05/22/12.|05/17/12.|06/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|06/06.|.5.|08/12.|

Yodit............|05/10/2012.|--/--/--.|05/16/12.|06/27/12.|07/20/12.|08/23/12.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.......|06/13.|.-.|--/--.|

olala............|05/10/2012.|--/--/--.|05/14/12.|06/28/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|......|.5.|--/--.|

sjo..............|05/11/2012.|05/18/12.|05/14/12.|06/14/12.|06/21/12.|07/26/12.|--/--/--.|Norfolk, VA.......|--/--.|.5.|05/06.|

Chuck76..........|05/14/2012.|05/18/12.|05/18/12.|06/18/12.|07/18/12.|08/24/12.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.......|06/08.|.-.|--/--.|

Kirsty...........|05/14/2012.|05/18/12.|05/18/12.|06/15/12.|07/18/12.|08/24/12.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.......|06/01.|.-.|--/--.|

Andy-n-Maricar...|05/14/2012.|05/22/12.|05/21/12.|06/12/12.|06/29/12.|08/06/12.|--/--/--.|Oklahoma City, OK.|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

Johnnie J........|05/15/2012.|05/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|08/27/12.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ........|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

raunous..........|05/15/2012.|05/21/12.|05/29/12.|06/12/12.|06/27/12.|08/06/12.|08/06/12.|Charleston, SC....|--/--.|.5.|04/12.|USC

Krlitos..........|05/15/2012.|05/21/12.|05/25/12.|06/19/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC.....|--/--.|.-.|07/12.|

sam1004..........|05/15/2012.|05/21/12.|05/21/12.|06/28/12.|08/03/12.|09/05/12.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.......|06/13.|.-.|--/--.|In line for interview 06/15/12

Humz00 ..........|05/16/2012.|05/23/12.|05/26/12.|06/21/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.......|--/--.|.5.|05/12.|

HelloMiffy.......|05/17/2012.|05/24/12.|05/23/12.|08/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Buffalo, NY.......|--/--.|.3.|--/--.|

gucludd..........|05/17/2012.|05/23/12.|05/23/12.|07/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

Shari............|05/21/2012.|05/30/12.|05/29/12.|07/13/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA.......|--/--.|.5.|05/09.|In line for interview 07/17/12.

Nina~............|05/21/2012.|05/24/12.|05/24/12.|07/06/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

LiSa.............|05/21/2012.|--/--/--.|06/07/12.|07/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

Razorback........|05/22/2012.|05/29/12.|05/28/12.|06/27/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

boxergal.........|05/22/2012.|--/--/--.|05/25/12.|06/04/12.|07/16/12.|08/23/12 |--/--/--.|Boston, MA........|--/--.|.5.|--/--.|

*julez*..........|05/24/2012.|06/13/12.|06/08/12.|06/29/12.|07/06/12.|08/15/12.|--/--/--.|Buffalo, NY.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

thanksgod4eva....|05/25/2012.|06/05/12.|06/05/12.|07/23/12.|07/23/12.|08/22/12.|--/--/--.|Norfolk, VA.......|07/13.|.-.|--/--.|

Mayfilerpali.....|05/29/2012.|06/07/12.|06/06/12.|07/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|07/09.|.-.|--/--.|

twine............|05/2?/2012.|--/--/--.|06/06/12.|07/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

eng_ashraf12.....|05/30/2012.|--/--/--.|06/07/12.|06/26/12.|07/28/12.|08/30/12.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.......|06/11.|.-.|--/--.|

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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UserName.........|Sent.......|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice.......|EB....|3/5|ELIG.|

cdj122952........|05/01/2012.|--/--/--.|05/07/12.|05/24/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA...|05/15.|.-.|--/--.|

EspoMan..........|05/02/2012.|05/09/12.|05/11/12.|06/21/12.|08/03/12.|09/04/12.|--/--/--.|San Bernadino, CA.|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

indatti..........|05/03/2012.|05/09/12.|05/08/12.|05/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Omaha, NE.........|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

i-migrate........|05/04/2012.|05/10/12.|05/12/12.|07/06/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

savethispatient..|05/09/2012.|05/17/12.|05/16/12.|06/29/12.|07/09/12.|08/13/12.|--/--/--.|Seattle, WA.......|--/--.|.3.|12/11.|

demonking........|05/10/2012.|05/17/12.|05/15/12.|06/22/12.|07/11/12.|08/16/12.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA.....|--/--.|.5.|05/12.|

Tamara143........|05/10/2012.|05/16/12.|05/15/12.|06/26/12.|07/15/12.|08/17/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA.|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

7Rivers..........|05/11/2012.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA.....|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

pinay28..........|05/17/2012.|--/--/--.|05/30/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|..................|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

cardilene........|05/18/2012.|05/22/12.|05/26/12.|06/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

dale_trisha......|05/20/2012.|05/24/12.|05/23/12.|07/16/12.|07/23/12.|08/27/12.|--/--/--.|Saint Paul, MN....|07/03.|.3.|05/12.|

DrVS.............|05/21/2012.|05/29/12.|05/24/12.|07/03/12.|07/14/12.|08/22/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA.|--/--.|.3.|04/12.|

blondprincess ...|05/21/2012.|05/24/12.|05/23/12.|07/19/12.|08/03/12.|09/04/12.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

baba@sharif......|05/21/2012.|05/29/12.|05/24/12.|06/19/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Seattle, WA.......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

pRetTy_aNgeL.....|05/22/2012.|05/30/12.|05/29/12.|06/19/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.......|06/08.|.-.|--/--.|

IsilandAlex......|05/29/2012.|06/05/12.|06/01/12.|07/20/12.|--/--/--.|08/30/12.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN......|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

believer.........|05/31/2012.|06/06/12.|06/07/12.|07/10/12.|08/01/12.|09/06/12.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO........|--/--.|.-.|--/--.|

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USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

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UserName.........|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice............|

StormnRolly......|05/31/12.|06/11/12.|06/11/12.|05/30/12.|pending-.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|London, United Kingdom[/size][/font]

I'm scheduled for an interview on August 23rd in Boston. It doesn't mention anything about police clearances, so perhaps the 2nd time was the charm for my fingerprints?

I filed my N400 on May 22nd. It was received May 23, 2012 in Texas. I've had two biometrics appointments, the latest being on July 9th. My interview notice is dated July 16th.

I entered the US on a fiance visa in 2003, but that marriage ended in divorce in 2006. I received permanent resident status in 2005. I remarried a US citizen in 2008. The form says if you are applying for naturalization as the spouse of a US citizen, I should bring marriage certificate, proof of death or divorce for each prior marriage for me & my spouse, tax information for past 3 years, proof of that my marriage is valid, certified copies of birth certificates of all of my children that were born in the US and proof of my spouse's citizenship (similar to removal of conditions). But since I've been a permanent resident for more than 5 years, I don't think that applies to me. I'll bring the information requested to the interview just in case.

Other documents I need to bring:

My appointment letter

Permanent Resident Card

Gov't issued ID

ALL passports, expired & current

Two passport style photos (not required, but recommended)

Proof of name change (since my last name on my green card is not the same as my new married surname) I'll bring my marriage certificate

Anything I'm forgetting?

I went to RI for my second biometrics appointment on July 9th. The same tech did the prints and I saw the same message on the screen for at least some of the fingerprints. I asked the tech if I would have to come back if the prints weren't readable this time. She said no, I wouldn't have to come back - but I read online that this is because they only take the fingerprints two times and if the 2nd time doesn't work, you have to get police clearance for places you've lived (not sure for how long, some said 5 years, some said since becoming a permanent resident). That's an additional cost per police clearance (varies from city to city). I'll update when I know more.

One item of interest. My last name is different on my permanent resident card than on my N-400 since I remarried. The first appointment for biometrics they did not question this. However, this time they asked to see my marriage certificate (which I had brought with me just in case both times).

I also overheard one of the officers saying that the the Application Support Center is not part of USCIS but is a subcontractor that USCIS uses.

I sent my N400 May 22.

And yesterday I got a notice that my fingerprints were not readable....GRRRRR.... Now I have to take another day off work! I.m rescheduled for July 9th. At the time the tech took my prints, she did it twice and the screen said the prints weren't readable. I should have questioned her about it. I read online if your skin is dry, the prints won't be as clear and to rub oil into your fingerprints for 5 days before the prints are taken. I also read that if the prints are rejected a 2nd time, they will make me get a police check from every place I've lived in the past 5 years!! I hope it doesn't come to that.

Does anyone know if I can just walk in to the Boston biometrics with my RI appt letter and request they be done there? It's 15 minutes from my office. Maybe worth a try?

I sent my N400 either on May 8 or 15.

Oops, I just checked my FedEx receipt and I sent my N400 application on May 22nd.

That's strange, you live in massachusetts and you've done your biometrics in rhode island. when did you send your application so I can add you to the list

I sent my N400 either on May 8 or 15.

And yesterday I got a notice that my fingerprints were not readable....GRRRRR.... Now I have to take another day off work! I.m rescheduled for July 9th. At the time the tech took my prints, she did it twice and the screen said the prints weren't readable. I should have questioned her about it. I read online if your skin is dry, the prints won't be as clear and to rub oil into your fingerprints for 5 days before the prints are taken. I also read that if the prints are rejected a 2nd time, they will make me get a police check from every place I've lived in the past 5 years!! I hope it doesn't come to that.

Does anyone know if I can just walk in to the Boston biometrics with my RI appt letter and request they be done there? It's 15 minutes from my office. Maybe worth a try?

I filed my N-400 last month and today I went for my biometrics appointment. I expected that it would be in Boston, but instead it was scheduled in Cranston, RI. Easy in and out, office was in a business development with easy parking. No security to pass through but you had to leave your cellphone and any cameras outside. Fill in a form with basic information about yourself, show your green card and the Form I-797-C biometrics appointment form. They take your fingerprints, take a digital photo, give you a Civics Test study book, stamp your I-797-C form to show proof that you have kept your appointment and send you on your way.

Some background: I entered the US on a fiancee visa in October 2003 and received my green card in April 2004 (conditional at first and then received permanent 10 year card).

Here's my N-400 timeline thus far:

NOA - May 25, 2012

Biometrics notice: June 4, 2012

Biometrics appt: June 22, 2012

I'm originally from Canada, moved to the US to get married in 2003. I am no longer married to the US citizen, the marriage ended in divorce in 2006. I recently remarried to a US citizen. I believe I'm eligible for citizenship this April which will be five years after my Adjustment of Status interview where I received my first green card.

My question is this ... are there any pros & cons to having dual citizenship? I believe there are some estate tax implications to the surviving spouse not being a US citizen but I don't know exactly what they are. My husband and I are getting to an age where we need to think about these things. Any other consequences to not applying for citizenship?

Sharon in Massachusetts

The RFE just repeated the exact same list of items that were requested on the I-751 application form. Nothing specific was mentioned - from the reading I've done, this is similar to what other I-751 submitters have received. Most then went on to get approval. I-751 interviews are rare. Took about a month to hear back from USCIS with the interview request.

Sorry I don't have the answer to your question, but I would like to ask you what you got the RFE for.

I'm just about to send my I-751 in in September, and want to make sure I didn't forget anything.

Thanks.

My husband and I filed our I-751 in January 2006 to VSC, received an RFE in July 2006 (which we promptly returned with additional evidence as instructed) and last week received a notice that they were forwarding our file to the District Office in Boston for an interview. My problem is this ... how much notice will we get for this interview? Is it similar to AOS interview scheduling where it is done far in advance? We have travel plans this fall for 3 separate trips to visit family, flights booked already. What will happen if we get an interview date that we can't keep (or worse, are notified of an interview date that occurs while we are away).

If anyone can provide recent experience regarding I-751 interviews with a timeline, I'd sure appreciate it. These interviews aren't held that often. Just our luck that we were chosen for one!

We provided a lot of evidence (3 joint tax returns, pictures, travel itineraries for joint travel, 4 affidavits from friends, group health insurance coverage for both as a family from date of marriage to present, auto insurance showing both as insured drivers, etc. We don't have joint bank accounts or credit cards nor do we have a lease or mortgage. I've been assured that the fact that I kept my maiden name would not factor into the decision for an interview. But the no co-mingling of finances obviously raised a red flag for someone. Who knows ... maybe it's just a random process, but it would help me sleep at night if I had some idea of the timeline I could expect ... days? weeks? months? before the interview is held in Boston?

Thanks for any help you can provide,

Sharon & Mel

Boston