Wilkintina

I passed my N400 Interview on June 27th in Newark, NJ. Wanted to share my experience and also wanted to see if anyone else is in the same boat as me. I had filed for I751 January 2017 and concurrently filed N400 in November 2017. ROC has been pending for the last 1 year and 4 months. In March I had a service request for I751 and received response that both N400 and I751 would be adjudicated the same time. I received transfer notice on May 7th for my ROC that it was now been processed at National Benefits Center. 
Since both cases were to be adjudicated the same time I had brought my husband with me to the interview.
At the N400 interview, the IO said no one in Newark had the authority to adjudicate I751 and even if I did pass she cannot approve my N400.
I did pass the test , she made me sign all forms on her iPad and the Oath of Allegiance . I also had requested to change my last name as they had my husbands first name as my last name. She gave me a letter with boxes checked for test passed - decision cannot be made.
She also asked for my 3 years tax returns. Thank god I had made copies and also taken the originals .This officer was not very friendly so I was hesitant to ask her any questions.
She said she will send the I751 file to the officers that can approve it and I may be called for an interview again and I will need to bring my spouse at that time. I asked her how many days it may take she said she does not know that kind of information .
I called USCIS number today and was transferred to a tier 2 officer and he said my file was in Waiting. I probed further but he said thats all he could see on his screen. told me I should submit a service request online which I did. estimated time of response is July 20.
 
Does anyone have similar experience or knows of such cases like mine? I'm frustrated and feel I made a big mistake filing N400 with I751 pending.
 

Sure i was asked 6 questions as i answered them correctly
1: what is the highest court 
2: how many amendments are in the constitution
3 current Vice President
4: who makes federal laws
5: why did the colonists come to the US
 im trying hard to remember the last one.
if it comes to me later i will add it to my post

@Wilkintina I hate you have to keep on waiting, especially since you had all the information with you and your husband.. The most annoying thing is that some officers go ahead and do a combo interview, and some don't even know what we're talking about!
Hope you'll get a notification soon that it was all approved!

I hope you get the ROC approved quickly and she completes her part as well. Good luck.

June 27th 7:45 AM was my interview date at the Newark field office.
Name was called around 9 AM . Officer was not very friendly or knowledgeable. She took my drivers license, passport and green card and asked me to raise my hand to be sworn in.
She asked me if I had my i751 approved and I said my case was still pending as per a response to my service request in March both my cases were going to be adjudicated the same time. I had brought my husband with me for the same reason. She said no officers in Newark had the authority to adjudicate I751 and that she cannot approve me even if I passed the test.
She proceeded to the testing part. She made me read a sentence " Who can Vote" and she told me to write " Citizens can vote"
Civics test was 6 questions as I had correctly answered
1: Highest court in the United States
2: Who makes federal laws
3: Current Vice President
4: Why did the colonists come to America
5: How many amendments are in the Constitution
I don't remember the last one.
 
She made me sign some forms on her IPAD including Oath of Allegiance and handed me form N 652 with boxes checked for -You Passed the English test and US history and government test/ A decision cannot be made yet about your application. 
She asked me to give her 3 years tax returns which I did and she said she will send over my file to the officer that can adjudicate my i751 case and that department was in the same building on the ground floor a (complete contradiction to her first statement that no one in Newark had authority to adjudicate I 751 cases)and will make her decision after she receives the ROC approval. I asked he how long will it take and she said she does not have information as such.
 I was done by 10 am and on my way home.
Today I called USCIS and was transferred to a Tier 2 officer and he said my I751 status said Waiting. No other information was available
Waiting game begins yet again
 
 
 

June 27th 7:45 AM was my interview date at the Newark field office.
Name was called around 9 AM . Officer was not very friendly or knowledgeable. She took my drivers license, passport and green card and asked me to raise my hand to be sworn in.
She asked me if I had my i751 approved and I said my case was still pending as per a response to my service request in March both my cases were going to be adjudicated the same time. I had brought my husband with me for the same reason. She said no officers in Newark had the authority to adjudicate I751 and that she cannot approve me even if I passed the test.
She proceeded to the testing part. She made me read a sentence " Who can Vote" and she told me to write " Citizens can vote"
Civics test was 6 questions as I had correctly answered
1: Highest court in the United States
2: Who makes federal laws
3: Current Vice President
4: Why did the colonists come to America
5: How many amendments are in the Constitution
I don't remember the last one.
 
She made me sign some forms on her IPAD including Oath of Allegiance and handed me form N 652 with boxes checked for -You Passed the English test and US history and government test/ A decision cannot be made yet about your application. 
She asked me to give her 3 years tax returns which I did and she said she will send over my file to the officer that can adjudicate my i751 case and that department was in the same building on the ground floor a (complete contradiction to her first statement that no one in Newark had authority to adjudicate I 751 cases)and will make her decision after she receives the ROC approval. I asked he how long will it take and she said she does not have information as such.
 I was done by 10 am and on my way home.
Today I called USCIS and was transferred to a Tier 2 officer and he said my I751 status said Waiting. No other information was available
Waiting game begins yet again
 
 
 

Thank You @juliava. guess Patience is all I have with USCIS

Look up user Camelot13. They have a similar story. Looks like, at this point, the only thing you can do is to push for I751 to be adjudicated. Then you may follow up with the n400 application. Every case is unique though, so how long they are going to take on processing everything is a question you might not be able to find an answer for. Arm yourself with  lot of patience.  

My wife got her citizenship yesterday at Newark USCIS. Our journey finally comes to an end. This forum is great resource. Thanks for all your help and wish all of you the best with your pending applications.
 
Our timeline:
 
June 21, 2018 We scheduled your naturalization ceremony
June 21, 2018 You attended your interview
June 21, 2018 We approved your application
May 8, 2018 We scheduled your interview
December 15, 2017 We reviewed your biometrics
November 24, 2017 We scheduled your biometrics appointment
November 20, 2017 We received your application

I have been following this thread and i wanted to give status on my N400 and I751 case so far
 
I 751 filed January 2017
May 7 2018 -Case transferred to Local office
N400 filed November 20 2017 - Dallas Lockbox
local office Newark, NJ
NOA - November 21  2017
Biometric - December 14 2017
Interview scheduled - May 8 2018
Interview Letter received - May 14 2018
 
 
 

I never got any notification on case transfer to NBC before May 7th.  i got one notification regarding i751 on May 7th that my case was transferred to my local office. May 8th i got a notification for my N400 case that my interview was scheduled.

NBC transferred my case along with my N400 to my local field office which is Newark. In other words I have to appear for interview for both my cases. they will be adjudicated together.

@Asilarmani i filed at the Dallas Lockbox for N400 and. Vermont Center for I751. This notification i got on my email but the snail mail only said that my case was transferred.  

I see, that means your case was transferred to NBC a lot earlier than us, maybe the clerk forgot to key in the update so that system didn't send notification to you.
I guess it supposed to be a notification on I 751 when it moves from NBC to local office later on for us who had our cases transferred in early May.

I never got any notification on case transfer to NBC before May 7th.  i got one notification regarding i751 on May 7th that my case was transferred to my local office. May 8th i got a notification for my N400 case that my interview was scheduled.

@Bic my husband applied for my i30 petition while his citizenship application was still pending. I was in the US on B2 visa. He applied for my i485 with employment authorization and Advance parole as soon as he became a citizen . You can apply for i130 for your spouse on your green card it will put his case in line  and when you do become a citizen you can apply for i485 adjustment of status if he still is in the country . I had overstayed my visa and when my husband applied for my i485 it just prioritized my i130 application .  My circumstances needed me to stay with my Husband but i had no problems getting my green card application approved.

@Nikkosan Congratulations. Soo happy for you

Adding my interview details.
 
We had a combined ROC/N-400 interview.
 
Lee's Summit, Montana Lockbox
==================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE|
MHZ.........|01/29/15|11/01/17|11/02/17|11/03/17|11/20/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI......|IOE....|
================================ Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox ================================== UserName......|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE|ECD......|Inr. Result Hin-d.........|12/20/14|11/15/17|11/20/17|11/24/17|12/14/17|12/20/17|01/08/18|02/05/18|02/16/18|Bedford, NH......|IOE....| Judgenot......|01/31/17|11/02/17|11/07/17|11/07/17|12/07/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX......|IOE....|17 months AWB6129.......|02/14/15|11/18/17|11/24/17|11/24/17|12/12/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington, DC...|IOE....| sjandsj.......|10/24/14|11/13/17|11/18/17|11/16/17|12/05/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY |IOE....|9 Months krzysztof.....|01/30/13|11/15/17|11/25/17|11/26/17|12/15/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Ft Myers, Fl.....|IOE....|7months l.iber.tatis..|06/18/12|11/13/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|12/04/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington, DC...|IOE....|8months yoyomagic424..|01/31/13|11/16/17|11/17/17|11/17/17|12/04/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX......|IOE....|14 ================================ USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox ================================ UserName..........|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE|ECD......|Int. Result CJPitt............|08/17/11|11/04/17|11/06/17|11/08/17|12/11/17|--/--/--|12/23/17|02/06/18|02/06/18|Yakima, WA.......|.......| Neil81............|01/29/13|10/31/17|11/06/17|11/01/17|11/20/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO.......|IOE....| Seattleguy........|02/08/13|11/13/17|11/20/17|11/16/17|11/22/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA......|IOE....|10 Months VoiceOfReason.....|10/27/14|11/20/17|11/22/17|11/22/17|12/12/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Phoenix, AZ......|IOE....|16 Months Pakistani123......|02/10/15|11/20/17|11/25/17|11/22/17|12/11/17|--/--/--|01/26/18|03/02/18|03/20/18|San Bernardino,CA|IOE....|08 Months Passed Interview americanintraining|01/10/13|11/10/17|11/14/17|11/14/17|11/24/17|--/--/--|12/15/17|01/22/18|02/28/18|Seattle, WA......|IOE....|10 Months amisa.............|02/14/13|11/17/17|11/21/17|11/21/17|12/01/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA......|IOE....|09 Months Macaru............|12/16/12|11/09/17|11/13/17|11/14/17|12/06/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Los Angeles......|IOE....|12 Months ajay1685..........|02/18/15|11/24/17|11/27/17|11/27/17|12/07/17|--/--/--|01/26/18|03/12/18|--/--/--|Cleveland, OH....|IOE0903|05 months aeagleera.........|01/13/13|11/08/17|11/15/17|11/20/17|12/04/17|--/--/--|12/14/17|01/23/18|--/--/--|Indianapolis, IN.|IOE....|07 Months francoIvorian.....|08/18/06|10/31/17|11/02/17|11/04/17|11/24/17|--/--/--|01/04/18|02/12/18|02/12/18|Seattle, WA......|IOE....|10 Months US/UKHUBBYUKWIFE..|11/02/13|10/28/17|--/--/--|10/31/17|11/21/17|--/--/--|01/22/18|02/26/18|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA..|IOE....|06 Months ================================== USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox ================================== UserName......|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE|ECD Aquamariny....|09/19/14|10/31/17|--/--/--|11/03/17|11/21/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO.......|NBC r7holybo......|07/12/13|11/15/17|11/21/17|11/22/17|12/11/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI......|IOE....|10 Months 7ui51234......|12/22/14|10/29/17|11/08/17|11/10/17|11/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Antonio, TX..|IOE....| TinyRick......|02/14/13|11/17/17|11/22/17|11/22/17|12/12/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI......|IOE....|10 Months Erfanitto.....|01/15/12|11/21/17|11/24/17|11/27/17|12/22/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Indianapolis, IN.|IOE....|11 months ================================== USCIS Online Filing ================================== UserName......|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office...........|NBC/IOE|ECD.....|Int. Result Nikkosan......|01/30/15|11/02/17|11/02/17|11/02/17|11/20/17|11/20/17|01/23/18|03/12/18|--/--/--|Oakland Park, FL.......|IOE....|16months|Recommended for Approval thmohds.......|01/14/15|11/02/17|11/02/17|11/02/17|11/21/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|02/23/18|--/--/--|Philadelphia, PA.......|IOE....|16months|Decision Cant be made DestinyChild1.|08/31/14|11/03/17|11/06/17|11/06/17|11/20/17|12/06/17|12/07/17|01/11/18|--/--/--|Charlotte, NC..........|IOE....|08months bcb...........|02/09/13|11/11/17|11/11/17|11/11/17|12/06/17|--/--/--|03/05/18|04/12/18|--/--/--|Mt Laurel, NJ..........|IOE....|12months BBhouston.....|02/06/13|11/07/17|11/07/17|11/07/17|11/15/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX............|IOE....|16months andromeda1....|07/29/14|11/12/17|11/12/17|11/12/17|12/08/17|--/--/--|01/25/18|03/05/18|--/--/--|Norfolk,VA.............|IOE....|08months Randomcore....|02/24/14|11/12/17|11/12/17|11/12/17|12/05/17|12/10/17|02/06/18|03/15/18|--/--/--|New York, NY...........|IOE....|08months Shamif........|03/05/08|11/11/17|11/11/17|11/11/17|12/05/17|--/--/--|01/08/18|02/16/18|03/08/18|Cincinnati, OH.........|IOE....|10months Cjax..........|12/20/14|11/11/17|11/11/17|11/11/17|12/06/17|--/--/--|01/22/18|03/05/18|--/--/--|Phoenix, AZ............|IOE....|13months TIMF79........|05/16/11|11/04/17|11/04/17|11/05/17|11/28/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX............|IOE....|17months vkrishn.......|09/07/10|11/15/17|11/15/17|11/15/17|12/07/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Francisco, CA......|IOE....|13months Hollyday......|06/08/14|11/16/17|11/16/17|11/16/17|12/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA............|IOE....|11months eagles76......|--/--/10|11/13/17|11/13/17|11/14/17|12/07/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Philadelphia, PA.......|IOE....|18months NikeS.........|02/04/15|11/16/17|11/16/17|11/16/17|12/06/17|—-/—-/—-|—-/—-/--|-—/—-/-—|—-/—-/—-|Milwaukee,WI...........|IOE....|19months bob72601......|02/17/15|11/20/17|11/20/17|11/20/17|12/15/17|--/--/--|03/02/18|04/18/18|--/--/--|Ft Smith, AR...........|IOE....|19months jaskamiin.....|02/13/15|11/18/17|11/18/17|11/18/17|12/13/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA............|IOE....|14months k4kovisit.....|01/29/13|11/04/17|11/04/17|11/04/17|11/28/17|--/--/--|01/08/18|02/26/18|03/02/18|Phoenix, AZ............|IOE....|16months ralphiey......|10/08/14|11/20/17|11/21/17|11/21/17|12/12/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA............|IOE....|12months GoBig ......|02/13/13|11/16/17|11/16/17|11/17/17|12/05/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Minneapolis, MN........|IOE....|17months Leostar ......|02/27/15|11/30/17|11/30/17|12/01/17|12/05/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington, DC........|IOE....|09months 50yrdln.......|09/18/14|11/24/17|11/24/17|12/02/17|12/06/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Miami, Fl..............|IOE....|23Months Sviat87.......|02/06/13|11/29/17|11/29/17|11/30/17|12/18/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta,GA.............|IOE....|12Months praks25.......|05/04/11|10/31/17|11/01/17|11/01/17|11/20/17|01/06/18|--/--/--|02/14/18|--/--/--|Newark, NJ.............|NBC....|08Months calikitkat....|02/25/15|11/27/17|11/27/17|11/27/17|12/05/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Santa Ana, CA..........|IOE....|08Months tallnbrown....|02/03/13|11/14/17|11/14/17|11/20/17|12/05/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Jacksonville, FL.......|IOE....|10Months Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list: 1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion.  3. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting. 4. Copy this whole section including instructions and legend and paste it to your typing field. 5. Make changes and Reply. 6. Red Font = "I'm A United States Citizen"!

Thank you all for your replies I greatly appreciate it.
 
It really wasn’t intentional, my status of information letter is dated 2016 and I did try to register I was just a few months late from my 26th birthday. But I will go ahead and take your suggestions, I’ve already made a written statement and it’s signed and I will try to get a statement from someone important I know and hopefully that will help my case. Thank you again 

&@AAli313
Not sure if this will answer or help you but i found this online

@AAli313 from what i understand you will need to prove you didnt intentioNally not register. Theres hope as the last few lines say that people have succeeded getting naturalized in similar cases such as yours.  There’s many people that can provide you with a good moral character letter. In my husbands case our church committee gave him a good moral character letter signed and sealed 

@bahamamama234 sorry to hear about your dad. I hope all of us waiting , get to hear Of our approvals soon. As far as i Know you should be fine without the stamp. I needed the stamp for my drivers license and because im traveling out of the country in February . 
I hope i dont have to deal with USCIS ever after this is over

Here is what the USCIS Policy Manual says:
 
Chapter 5 – Conditional Permanent Resident Spouses and Naturalization
 
In general, USCIS requires that an applicant for naturalization must have an approved petition to remove conditions before an officer adjudicates the naturalization application. However, certain CPRs may be eligible for naturalization without filing a petition or having the conditions removed if applying for naturalization on the basis of:
 
•Marriage to a U.S. citizen employed abroad; or

•Qualifying military service.
 
B. Spouses who Must Have an Approved Petition Prior to Naturalization
 
In all cases, a CPR applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage must have an approved petition prior to naturalization if the CPR:
 
•Has a pending petition to remove conditions at the time of filing the Application for Naturalization; or
 
•Reaches the 90-day period to file the petition to remove conditions prior to taking the Oath of Allegiance.
 
2. Spouses with Pending Petitions and Naturalization Applications
An application for naturalization may not be approved if there is a pending petition for removal of conditions. If an applicant’s petition to remove conditions is pending at the time of filing or is filed prior to the interview, USCIS will adjudicate the petition to remove conditions prior to or concurrently with the adjudication of the naturalization application.
 
 

You can file your USC during ROC.  The adjudicating officer must just approve your ROC case first, which can be done the same day when you have an interview.  Not the first time a USCIS officer acted as if they knew everything, but was completely wrong.  Why do they do that?  Why can’t they put I-551 stamps on passports up to 60+ days before the expiration date??
 
 I recommend checking out the N-400 forum.  There, you will find a bunch of filers who have started and finished their US citizenship while their ROC was rotting away...oops, I mean pending, for approval.

@bahamamama234 Exactly. Thank You for your response.   If applying for citizenship with ROC pending is trouble for them then they should either amend their manual to say" hey you cannot apply for N400 before the approval of your ROC. or simply they should've denied my N400 application and returned it back to me saying ROC still pending. I submitted all my documents (expired green card, extension letter, etc). I mean aren't they the same organization don't they have the same system and if something is pending or incomplete shouldn't it flag at their end . the officer said to me that sometimes officers miss details so this is why if I get approved for the citizenship that I still need to mention that my ROC is pending. Or it will create problems in the future.  Anyway I'm glad I got the I 551 stamp at the very least. I'm just upset because so many of us paid so much money for all this only to play the wait game. My chances of winning the lotto look brighter than getting this 10 year green card before the citizenship interview