MahUSA

Just thought you all might find this post interesting. Many, many variables for instance between paper filers and online filers, other interesting facts the FBI apparently want to make sure that 98 percent of people have passed their security checks within 30 days. Obviously it also goes on field office processing times, those with short times often find themselves inline and then straight to the interview letter. Also, it seems that people who applied years after the anniversary of their GC go inline and have an interview notice nearly immediately after security checks as they take priority. Obviously its not written in black and white, but its worth a read.  
 
 

The question is pretty clear. You MUST declare every citation. However, if the fine was less than $500, you don't have to add documentation for it. I would however, add the documentation as well. In my case, the tickets were so old that it were deleted from state court system which keeps records only for 10 years. I asked the respective court to get me some documentation, that there is no pending fines in my name at that court and I added that in my application packet. The IO didn't ask anything about it the documentation but did ask if any of the tickets were for reckless driving and if they are paid off.

I actually thought about that last night and found my citation online too! I think you did the right thing, I don't mind disclosing my dismissed ticket too if I'm required to do so but the only thing I was worried about was finding the documentation for it. But according to the instructions I don't need to provide evidence if it was under $500 so I guess that saves me the hassle 

my boy found his open container ticket in the county state webpage where he got it... we disclosed it and put evidence he paid the $120 and that the case was closed..... that ticket was in 2012 we just print the report that the webpage give us...didnt wanna get RFE for that...

I would disclose for sure. 

Under 500 means you don't need to submit evidence.  You still have to report it. Source: instructions to Form N400.

Yea that is what I was leaning towards. The only thing I was thinking about is that it would have been more convenient if I didn't have to disclose it in case they asked for any documentation, since it has been more than a couple of years and I don't have the citation or a copy of the court hearing or anything. When it is something that minor, how likely would the immigration officer ask for documentation or proof that it was dismissed?

I'd personally just disclose it so that they dont think you are hiding something. 

Also for future readers who might benefit from this, even if you hadn't legally adopted your wife's son, he would had become a US citizen on the day your wife would naturalize as long as it was before his 18th birthday. 

Your child is already a US citizen under the Child Citizenship Act. 
 
He became a US citizen on the day you adopted him, since he's under 18, and (presumably) lives in your physical and legal custody with a green card. 
 
You can obtain a passport for him if you wish (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/adopt_ref/adoption-FAQs/child-citizenship-act-of-2000.html and scroll down to "How does the child get a passport..."). 
 
You can also file for a Certificate of Citizenship using an N-600, as you indicated, though the filing fee is $1,170 unless you are active or retired US military. 

Sure- she has been here for 7 years as a perm resident. I think the whole process took like 82 days. 

Thats what @shell20 had speculated as well. I am so happy for you. Good luck with civics studying!

Not sure if this helps, but I completed the 5 yr requirements on April  14 , 2018. I filed on Jan 14th, 2018....     Today,  ( April 16, I got my interview notice) so maybe they schedule people around anniv time ? hopefully that helps anyone who's planning a timeline. 

There are obvious benefits like not having to print anything and immediate online tracking etc, but in terms of timing not really.  You'll shave a few days off at the beginning of the process but the overall timeline won't be materially impacted by online vs offline.  People often forget that this site gives a glimpse at only a very, very small subset of the total applications so drawing any meaningful conclusions from the data is often not possible.  As an example, if you look at the March thread the only person with an interview so far is someone who physically mailed their application despite the common belief that online is faster.  Do what you feel most comfortable with and ignore the noise.

Thanks @sunshinestate2013!
Hope you'll get the interview soon!
 
Mark me RED! Today marks the end of my 10 years and 7 months immigration journey. Here's the detailed experience of my ceremony for those of you who are curious.
 
I applied for the name change, so I was directed to the District Court rather than the field office. I left REALLY early and got there 1 hour early (oops) but I'm glad I did since the court didn't allow anyone to bring in any electronic devices including cell phone, so I had to walk back to my car to leave my phone in.
 
Came back and passed security with a breeze and went upstairs to the courtroom. There was already a dozen of people in line for check-in. Have the back of your oath notice completed before you go! A lot of people didn't have it complete, so they were sent back to the line, fill it out and the "Signed at City and State" should be the city of where you're having your oath ceremony at, and of course, bring your green card. For me, I simply brought everything, my valid green card, my expired EAD card, and my expired conditional green card.
 
Since I couldn't have my phone with me, I couldn't write down the information. But if my memory is correct, 74 people were naturalized and granted a name change; they didn't mention how many countries were being represented. We were scheduled to start at 1:00 pm, but we ended up starting at 2:00 pm. It looked like they were waiting for the people who didn't show up, but I'm not sure.
 
They called everyone's name one by one and wanted us to stand up and say our country of origin to the judge. After that, the clerk led us the Oath of Allegiance, which was followed by short remarks from the judge. After that, the representative from the organization of which I forgot the name, also gave short remarks and led us the Pledge of Allegiance. That was pretty much it! The whole thing only took about 30 minutes. Received the certificate and found no errors, election officials were there so I completed and turned in the voter registration. State Department wasn't there but they did give us the passport application.
 
Overall, very short and sweet ceremony, little tired of getting ready this morning but I'm glad that it's over.
On to getting my new passport and updating my status at various organizations (DMV, SSA, bank, etc...)

We've done it successfully, but keep in mind that for biometrics it's not the Washington Field Office itself (they do interviews) but rather the Alexandria, VA Application Support Center (ASC).
 
At least for residents of DC proper. Confirm the location on your USCIS letter and double-check that it's the right office here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASC

Based on reading through this thread, I think my wife is an outlier.  She applied in January 2018 based on the three year rule (with a pending ROC) and two months before her 3rd anniversary as an LPR, she filed paper to the Chicago Lockbox, did her biometrics in mid-February and her interview is scheduled for tomorrow.  So the interview is after the 3 year anniversary date, but for some reason her application progressed very fast in Detroit.
 
Good Luck to everyone.

I think removal of your middle name is a legal name change and you need to file it on N400 form or request it during the interview. Either way, you will need a court order from a judicial ceremony. 

I changed my name 6 months before applying for citizenship. It speeded the process really quick for me. All I had to do was to go to court and file petition for name change.
week later I received my new name and it was all done.
 

Hey @MahUSA,
I am Virginia resident and the ceremony was indeed at the District Court in Alexandria. So you will likely go there for your oath.
 
After the interview, I waited about a month and a half for the ceremony.
Interview was on 2/13 and the oath was on 4/5.
Good luck!

Thank you!! And congrats, you're almost there! Let us know when you are sworn in, Good Luck! :-)

Just type the dates for when you were not working and type "Unemployed" under the school/work name. If you did not work nor go to school at all in the past 5 years just type unemployed and the dates from 5 years ago to present

Usually judicial oath ceremonies occur less often than administrative ceremonies, so you probably wait a little longer, yes.

In some ways yes it can delay things a bit. It really depends on your office. Some places only do Judicial once a month and the spots can be limited so you may have to wait a tad longer for a spot. 

It depends. I passed my interview and I'm having a judicial oath ceremony this coming week no name change request. If u apply on line you might have a shorter process.
good luck!