On 5/27/2019 at 2:31 AM, OmarStuck said:

Hey all!

 

It has been over a month since I have last updated this topic.

 

I have not received any response from the USCIS yet. Also, I can not submit an inquiry since the N-600K is not a form that we can request an inquiry for.

Can anybody help?

 

Thanks!

I have also submitted N-600 around the same time you submitted yours and still have not heard back from them. I feel like the processing times for the N-600 and its subcategories are taking longer.

2 minutes ago, Lu & Soso said:

You are right @DonaDony. There are Passport Agencies that cater for expedited services, and just like you said, with an appointment and a flight ticket showing your upcoming travel, they'll accommodate returning your certificate immediately, in case of same day travel or next day travel. I would advise you to inquire from the agency when making an appointment. Those who have to submit their original and wait for weeks are those who apply online or at the post office. 

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Lu & Soso said:

Hi @DonaDony! Based on the role a passport book and card play, a passport book is suffice. Passport card cannot be used on international travel, so there is a limitation there. If you want a wallet-size card, that can also be used as your ID, to use to travel (by land and seaport only) to Mexico, Canada, Caribbean and Bermuda, then you can get a Passport Card. A Passport Book, on the other hand, covers all travels. 

  You will receive your original copy of your Certificate of Naturalization you submitted when applying for a passport. They will mail it to you. I hope this answers your questions.

Thanks for your detailed reply. So in your case, given that you applied directly at the Passport agency, and picked up your passport already, you were not given your original certificate of naturalization at the same time? 

I’m sorry for repeating myself, but I’m trying to know what happens when you apply directly at the passport agency because of having upcoming international plans and choose to pick up the passport on the same or next day. I imagine you receive back your original certificate of naturalization at the same time without the need of mailing it back to you. Or am I wrong?

15 minutes ago, Lu & Soso said:

"@kdg  Posted November 12

  On 11/12/2018 at 8:00 AM, DonaDony said:

Thank you, kdg!! Very valuable information. Btw, do you get a chance to pick up your passport personally, or they mail it to you? Thanks!

I got it personally same day. Make sure you get an early appointment, be there for opening time, you hand in all your documents and pay (it is an extra $60 for same day expedited so total of $205) and they tell you to return between 3 and 4 to collect. I went back at 2.30 and was called straight away to collect. I was flying the next morning so had no choice! I think they can mail it to you to save the extra $60.

Thank you!! In your opinion, is it worth it to have passport card along with passport book? Or the passport book is enough?

Another question, do you get back your supporting documents at the same time you‘re collecting your passport?

Thanks again!!

3 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

 

 

Thank you very much, DonaDony and himanshu.7710! The ceremony was held on the third floor, and the seating was based on arrival. Those who arrived earlier, were seated in the front rows and were the first to enter the auditorium. I arrived exactly at 9 am and was in the last row. When we were called in, we submitted the Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445), whose back comprise of a questionnaire with 8 YES or NO questions about your current status about marriage, travel, criminal activity, subversive political organization association, change of mind in bearing arms for USA when required to, and committing criminal activities, like illegal gambling, prostitution, trafficking, being a drunkard, and lying to obtain immigration benefits. You are required to sign thereafter. When called into the auditorium, you are required to submit Form N-445 and the 10-year GC (I only had mine for 2 weeks). You are then given a number that determines who you are in the line, to sort out the Naturalization Certificate. When we were all settled, and on each chair was a large envelope with several paperwork. Enclosed was a card with National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, etc. There was also passport application form, Naturalization Certificate Holder. We were notified that our family members were next to be seated. When family members were seated, the ceremony started (this took an hour). It started by showing us a short video that gave us a glimpse of the history of immigrants. We then introduced to the speaker of the day, and what a heartwarming speech about our journey to naturalization. We learnt that there were 129 of us to be naturalized. After we took an Oath by pledging allegiance to the flag and the USA, we were then deemed citizens. The atmosphere was so conducive, that taking photos was allowed throughout the process, as long it was done inside the auditorium. Finally, the front row was presented their Naturalization Certificate and then from the second row, we were lined up to receive our certificate and family member could come forward to take photos of the event. When everyone was done, it was the end of the ceremony and the new citizens who opted to take photos with the speaker, MC and next to the flags on stage, were taking turns around the podium. After finishing, we exited and I registered to vote and my family and I left the building.  The ceremony took 50 minutes, and the whole process took 1 hour 50 minutes from entering the auditorium to receiving the certificate. I hope that I shared enough details to capture the event for those future attendants.

This is indeed a very elaborate description of the event!! Thank you very much for sharing your experience and I wish you all the best!!

16 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

I am finally a US citizen. The ceremony was only 50 minutes long and there were 129 new citizens. Let me take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to all those members of VJ who took their time to share their stories, answer questions and support everyone who sought support in figuring their case status. What you have done is not only bring hope during moments of despair, frustration, confusion, but motivated everyone to believe in this protracted process. Thank you for all your support, and may your future pursuits bear intended fruits. To those who are still racing towards the finish line, even tiring and uncertain this process is at times, don't ever give up. The finish line, no matter how long, is worth all the struggles. Last but not least, I can never forget the work of the Immigration Officers, who made this journey fruitful by guiding us through the process, eased our nerves when overwhelmed and gave us confidence towards our goal. You have been consummate professionals.

Congratulations!! Could you please shed some more light on mechanics of that day?

16 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

I am finally a US citizen. The ceremony was only 50 minutes long and there were 129 new citizens. Let me take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to all those members of VJ who took their time to share their stories, answer questions and support everyone who sought support in figuring their case status. What you have done is not only bring hope during moments of despair, frustration, confusion, but motivated everyone to believe in this protracted process. Thank you for all your support, and may your future pursuits bear intended fruits. To those who are still racing towards the finish line, even tiring and uncertain this process is at times, don't ever give up. The finish line, no matter how long, is worth all the struggles. Last but not least, I can never forget the work of the Immigration Officers, who made this journey fruitful by guiding us through the process, eased our nerves when overwhelmed and gave us confidence towards our goal. You have been consummate professionals.

Congratulations!!

1 minute ago, kdg said:

I got it personally same day. Make sure you get an early appointment, be there for opening time, you hand in all your documents and pay (it is an extra $60 for same day expedited so total of $205) and they tell you to return between 3 and 4 to collect. I went back at 2.30 and was called straight away to collect. I was flying the next morning so had no choice! I think they can mail it to you to save the extra $60.

Thank you so much!!

1 minute ago, kdg said:

I needed a passport ASAP as I was flying internationally two days later, I had already made my appointment with the Chicago passport office for an expedited passport so with certificate and copy along with the photos I got mine the next day. - same day service. My ceremony was in Peoria, notnsure if you have a Chicago oath then maybe you could do it same day if you get a copy of your certificate from a local place. May not be able to get a same day passport but certainly can apply. 

Thank you, kdg!! Very valuable information. Btw, do you get a chance to pick up your passport personally, or they mail it to you? Thanks!

44 minutes ago, agrzybianek said:

After my oath they told us that we can register to vote on the spot (took me less than 5 minutes even with all those other people doing it at the same time) they didn't bring up the passport. I had my oath in May and I still have not applied for my passport...I should probably do that soon

Thank you, agrzybianek!!

For the folks who already took their oaths. Did you get a chance to apply for Passport at the same time of the ceremony? Or you did it on a different day?

Thanks!!! 

For the folks who already took their oaths. Did you get a chance to apply for Passport at the same time of the ceremony? Or you did it on a different day?

Thanks!!! 

1 minute ago, junnis2012 said:

 

@DonaDonyYes, you are allowed to bring your phone in Chicago field office.

Thank you!

Just now, kdg said:

I took my phone in. Switched on silent of course but there is no security to take it away, other than going through security when you first enter the building. 

Thank you for the info!!

Just now, Lu & Soso said:

Thank you, @DonaDony! I brought my phone with, but it was in my pocket. To think of it, I forgot to turn it off and fortunately it never rang. That would have been a mess. There is no rule about phones, but like in any interview, you don't want to interrupt that process by a phone ringing, it will definitely irritate an interviewer.

Totally agree! Thanks for the info!

Hi guys, I'm just wondering if it is allowed to bring your phone to the interview? I know it is different from office to another, but not sure about Chicago office? any idea?

Hi guys, I'm just wondering if it is allowed to bring your phone to the interview? I know it is different from office to another, but not sure about Chicago office? any idea?

12 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

What a day! Yesterday was my N-400 interview. Things didn't start good, and it was my fault. I arrived 20 minutes after my scheduled appointment. When my IO called me, which is apparent that she had tried before, she was not happy at all. I decided, at that time not to request to be joined by my wife and newborn because I did want to subject them to any tension. While walking to her office, she asked why I was late and firstly, I apologized and explained . She is one of the most consummate professionals I have encountered. She didn't waste no time, advised me of every step she was about to take. We went through the civic test, and here are the questions she asked; What is the national anthem called?, What took place on September, 11, 2001?, What ocean is on the west coast of USA?, Which war did Dwight Eisenhower fight on?, Who does a US Senator represent? We went through sentence reading and writing. She went through everything that I filled in my N-400 application; and verified, I mean, name, birth date, address, work, international visits to those YES or NO questions. When she finished, she asked for additional updated information since my last interview, which was in July, for I-751. I submitted my current (2017) taxes, recent auto insurance, life policy I took last year which we never requested in my last interview. She asked for updated bank statements, and unfortunately I didn't bring. My other mistake was to bring the original taxes without making copies. She advised me that she couldn't make a decision about my case until she receives copies of my taxes, bank statements, and I was given a month to mail or a possibility of my case being dismissed. I requested to submit them within an hour and she liked the idea. That's the first time I sensed her warm nature, because we went through the interview so fast after my late arrival and she was just all professional.  She told me to submit those documents with the receptionist. We left and I asked the security guard for the nearest printing business, and  was directed to UPS which was not far. I made copies and accessed my banks online and made copies of current statements. My online case status was already showing that RFE (needed more information). 

We need more information from you

View your letter on your documents tab for more information. You must respond with your document(s) on or before the date in your letter or your application may be denied.

I submitted those documents and was given a receipt by the receptionist. When I got home, my USCIS App notified me that:

Oath Ceremony Will Be Scheduled

We placed you in line for your oath ceremony and will send you a notice for Receipt Number IOEXXXXXXXXXX, with the date, time, and location of your oath ceremony. You should receive your notice within 30 days of its mailing date. 

 

  What a surprise and joy because I was beating myself for everything that led to a delay in deciding my case. My story is a combination of PATIENCE, WHAT NOT TO DO, DETERMINATION TO MAKE UP FOR MISTAKES and RESILIENCE UNDER THE STORM. I want to take this opportunity to thank those contributing members of this community, because you have given me so much SUPPORT, HOPE and KNOWLEDGE, though your own stories and advice. I also want to extend APPRECIATION and THANKS for those professional IOs who have made this journey worth every step, especially in our anguish because of protracted delays in adjudication. It has been a long road, 2 years and 2 months, for I-751 and 7 months for N-400. I hope my story will help those facing similar challenges to keep your head because there is hope and this road will come to an end. This is my current online status:

We approved your application

Your final step to becoming a citizen is to attend your naturalization ceremony

We will mail you a letter when we schedule your naturalization ceremony.

 

This journey is finally over!

Congratulations!!! I'm just wondering if it is allowed to bring your phone to the interview? I know it is different in different offices, but not sure about Chicago office? any idea?

Thanks!

Just now, ajn400 said:

got the letter yesterday for interview. 

Thanks! Best wishes!!

27 minutes ago, ajn400 said:

Got my wife notice that interview scheduled for October 23rd. 

 

Mine still stuck at Finger prints done, nothing needs to be done 

Congrats, ajn400! Just curious .. did your wide get the status change today? or is it the physical letter?

Hi guys! Has any of the week of 4/15 - 4/21 filers received the biometric appointment letter in their online account yet? It probably shows that your appointment has been scheduled, but just wondering if you can actually see the letter? Thanks :-)