AFCF

2 hours ago, Rearviewmirror said:

Still no movement on either I-751 or N400 since case was transferred two weeks back.

I was wondering if you had an update and saw this. Thank you for sharing! 

11 minutes ago, Rhythmlicious said:

My interview was yesterday at 3 pm in Los Angeles. I got there around 2:30. Apparently it's good to be a little early as people online said there's often a lot of people lined up outside before security. In my case, there wasn't anyone lol. Went through security quickly, went to the 8th floor to meet a lady who did some kind of 'check in' I assume, and she sent us to a different waiting area. 

We sat down to wait by 2:40 and I spent a little bit of time on my phone before deciding to go over my flashcards (that I made for the civics test) one more time. I didn't get to go over many, since my name was called just minutes later. I forgot to check the time but I'm pretty sure it was a little earlier than 3pm. I was quite nervous, so waiting 5 or 10 minutes less was nice.

The lady was so lovely and nice. It didn't even feel like she was the one taking the interview, I was expecting someone very serious and intimidating! She asked for my passport, greencard and California ID. We talked a little bit, she kinda threw the questions out there almost as if it was part of our conversation. 

My questions were:

- why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
- where is the statue of liberty?

- what did Susan B Anthony do?
- who signs bills to become laws?

- name ONE branch or part of the government
- who vetoes bills? 

Because my answers to the last 3 questions were all 'the President', the lady asked me if I knew a different answer to question 5. So even though the question says to name ONE, I guess it's smart to prepare to have an extra answer where possible.

After the questions she asked me if I wanted to take the oath immediately. I wasn't expecting this, but I thought might as well. We were running out of time, so she quickly went over some info about the oath and if I understood everything. She then rushed me downstairs. The interview part was no more than 20 minutes, and a good part of it I was waiting because she had to type some things and the computer was taking it's sweet time lol. Even though my husband and I didn't submit a lot of evidence of our relationship, I did not have to show any additional proof at all.

Downstairs we checked in at another lady, handed her some papers that I was given and my greencard. I received another packet, a little flag and a paper with the pledge of allegiance on it. I had a different hair color when I had my biometrics appt, so I was asked if I wanted to take a new photo, which I did (this new photo was used on my cert of Naturalization). Another 10-15 minutes later we were welcomed by the man that would take the oath. We all lined up in the front, and repeated after him. After that he called our names one by one to hand us our Certificate of Naturalization. After that he gave all of us time to take photo's, including with himself for whoever wanted to
My husband was able to be with me the whole time, apart from the interview itself. Since I was quite nervous and I'm pretty shy, that was very pleasant. The whole experience was VERY nice and quick. 

I hope this helps anyone  If anyone still has any questions, let me know!  

 

Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

On 12/16/2023 at 7:38 PM, Hopeful76 said:

Wow that is much quicker than what I have been hearing about fixing the birth certificate!  What evidence/documents were required for that?  Did you have a lawyer help you?

This was before COVID though, so not sure if that was a factor. Also, it was just my mother’s first name that was misspelled. I did not have a lawyer help me, I just went to my local civil registry. I honestly forgot the whole process since it was over 4 years ago, I’m sorry I can’t be of help! The only thing I remember is providing her birth certificate and other government IDs.

Just in case you still need information… I am also late registered, but not for that long. I was asked for my baptismal certificate and local civil registry document. As mentioned above, it depends on the officer but if I didn’t have those documents with me, it would have caused delays. I also brought form 137, school ID that I can find when I was in elementary, and even my college transcript of records. 
 

I also had my mother’s name updated since it was misspelled on my original birth certificate. It only took about 3 months then the annotation was added when I requested for copies of my birth certificate before I left for the US. 

1 hour ago, Sinead91 said:

How do you know they reused your biometrics? 

My case status updated to “case was updated to show fingerprints were taken” almost two weeks after they received it. I also got a notice that they reused my biometrics.

2 hours ago, Singhnx01 said:

As of today, almost 7 months after USCIS received my application,  I still have not received Bio metric appointment or Biometric reuse letter. How are others from January 2023 ROC filers doing?  

 

 

I-751 regular ROC (WAC)

January 11 2023- Received

January 17,2023- NOA + 24 months extension received in mail

March 16, 2023- NOA +48 months extension received in mail

Nothing new for me. Glad that they reused my biometrics though, but mine is LIN. I’ve accepted it before I even filed but it’s just crazy that we have to wait so long for this. 

10 minutes ago, top_secret said:

In the Philippines they generally consider a PSA Report of Marriage to be a valid "marriage certificate".   However, the US Government most certainly does NOT consider a PSA Report of Marriage to be any type of marriage certificate at all, and would instead require a marriage certificate from whoever the marriage took place.  You could submit your PSA ROM as relationship evidence but it has no legal value whatsoever in the US. 

Thank you so much for confirming, @top_secret! 

37 minutes ago, Me and her said:

Anytime!  Good luck to you 😃

Thanks again and congratulations on your naturalization! 😊

10 hours ago, Me and her said:

4 hours ago, SalishSea said:

Why not just order a certified copy of the marriage certificate???    

 

 

USCIS will not accept some foreign ‘report of marriage’ in lieu of a legitimate marriage certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

I think the problem isn't ordering a copy.  The OP is concerned about it being a felony to scan it to online account.  I say just mail the application and certified copy, if in doubt.  When you go for the interview, bring the original.  Good luck!

THANK YOU! You are correct. It was never about ordering or requesting for copies at all.  I know how to/where to get them from and I already have some since I ordered too many (lol) when I was prepping for AOS. Thank you so much, @Me and her!!! 

35 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

Why not just order a certified copy of the marriage certificate???    
 

USCIS will not accept some foreign ‘report of marriage’ in lieu of a legitimate marriage certificate.

I was just checking because I wasn’t sure if it would be acceptable since it was officially registered in the Philippines. I don’t have a problem mailing the application. I already have a certified copy of it from a few years back. I was just checking my options. Thanks for your input.

7 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

So, what Federal Government departments would fit the exception?  Did they say?  

No, they didn’t really say anything more about the exception. But this is what I found…

I found some old topics about the same question. Unfortunately, they didn’t really post an update after they were done with the process.

11 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I'd say that an N-400 appication fits the exception...but, of course, you can mail the application.  

 

Protect your Vital Records | St. Croix County, WI (sccwi.gov)

That’s honestly what I was hoping they’d say 😅 I also specifically asked if the situation is considered as something that fits the exception, but I guess not. Thank you for your input! 

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I don't believe it is illegal for you to scan a document for  Government use.  You can scan it for an N-400 application.

That’s what I thought too! I sent them an e-mail explaining the situation that it’s for USCIS and all the fun details, they just said that it is a felony to copy and scan and that they advise to submit it by mail or in person (lol). 

I’m not eligible to apply yet but just want to be prepared when the time comes. I will be applying for N-400 under the 3 year rule next year. I know one of the main requirements is marriage certificate. However, in Wisconsin, it is a felony to copy/scan vital records. I checked with Vital Records office and they confirmed this. And I have always sent certified copies to USCIS. I tried looking it up on VJ and there were only two posts about this that I’ve seen.

I was hoping to file online. So I have a few questions:

1. For those who are familiar with the process in the Philippines, I have a copy of our PSA issued report of marriage - it shows that we got married in Wisconsin. Can I upload this instead of our marriage certificate? Then maybe just attach the email I received from DHS vital records and a letter that I can send them a certified copy if needed?

 
2. Since my husband was born in Wisconsin, can I just provide a copy of his passport instead? It is a valid passport that he got over 3 years ago, he never lost citizenship. 

3. Or should I just file it by mail? I can then provide certified copies of both marriage certificate and birth certificate. 
 

As always, thank you for your help!

3 hours ago, Lover_Boy said:

I am under the impression the Aqua Club on the rooftop is included if you stay, other wise 500 peso admission fee. The rooms look very modern and they have US Food there, as in beef and US style pizza, the place looks like a rocking good place and very cheap for the rooms, only about $125 for what appears to be 5 starish hotel rooms with hot tubs and bars inside the rooms.

 

 

Yes. It says on the Aqua website that admission is free for ABC Hotel guests: https://www.aqua.ph/the-club/. 
 

Enjoy your trip!

4 hours ago, Lover_Boy said:

Thanks

 

I don't do trikes, I am too tall.  Yea I figured if I had to use Grab in Manila it  would be at least 300 peso to a terminal, and once I get to Angeles City another 300 for transport cost, it will be 3 of us traveling so private car sounds like a better deal since I can go door to door.

 

This will be my first trip to area.  What do you know about the ABC Hotel? I hear it off the charts with the rooftop pool and party scene?  I want to go to the water park in Pampanga area, it looks great.  And I want to experience Walking Street.  Plus they seem to have a lot of American dishes there I can eat like real pizza with no quick melt cheese or sugar red sauce and lots of imported beef burgers and steaks.

I agree. Some private cars you can rent for 3, 6, or 12 hours. So that would be really worth it. You can stop to get something to eat or to the restroom whenever you want.

ABC hotel is great! Location is perfect, close to all the good stuff like Clark, SM Clark (huge mall - lots of restaurants). There is also a VFW nearby, if you are interested in that — not walking distance but can ride a jeepney (might be a challenge since you are too tall) or Grab. If you will bring cash, there are lots of money exchange places close to the hotel as well. Rooms are nice, clean, and AC works great (lol). It was about 6 years ago when I was there though so the rooftop didn’t really have anything. I looked it up just now and reviews say ABC has a rooftop bar. Aqua Beach Club is the one that has rooftop pools and great party scene! I honestly forgot if there’s a way directly from the hotel to Aqua but it is very close to each other. You can also just walk from the hotel to the walking street, as you probably already know. We enjoyed the waterpark — we bought tickets thru Klook, saved money (not much in $ really but I’m all about the deals lol). 

From my personal experience, 3200 php sounds about right. I haven’t lived there in over three years so not sure what the normal prices are now. I’m from San Fernando/Angeles and they even used to charge more than 3200. Sometimes it takes longer than 1.75h because of the traffic. 

If you take a bus, it does not stop at multiple terminals to pick up passengers. Sorry, don’t really know the price from the closest terminal to US embassy to Angeles. Just to give you an idea, prices from Clark to NAIA range from 400-430 pesos with Genesis bus. It’s usually from point A to point B, unless the route suggests otherwise. There were some routes where I had to stop in Dau (also in Pampanga) then final stop in Angeles. When I visited home last year, the Angeles terminal was moved to a different location, where there are not a lot of jeepneys but there are tricycles (and they usually charge a lot). I am not sure if they still do drop offs there. You can also use Grab from Dau to your destination, if you think that’s a better option for you.

Hope this helps! Again, haven’t lived there in over three years and only visited last year so things probably changed recently. Hopefully someone who just left or is still there responds. Enjoy your trip!

Congratulations! Really happy for you and your wife! You have always been helpful and kind, so just want to thank you as well! God bless!

Received the 48 month extension letter yesterday. Notice date is 3/29/23.

22 hours ago, Stein said:

I got one of the rare 36 month and a month later got a 48.

 

Thank you! 

1 hour ago, jackiegringa said:

I have a 36 months one from the application, nice to see even recent filers getting 48 months extensions too. Hope it comes for me soon but not too concerned about it.

Same! I can’t help but keep checking our mail ever since I saw updates about people getting the new extension letter lol.

On 2/6/2023 at 10:04 PM, MIK23 said:

For those that are receiving notices that biometrics have been waived or fingerprints were taken, is anyone WAC? 
 

I have heard CA tends to be slow but i got my 36 month letter 1/26? and nothing else updated after that. Thanks! 

 

Mine’s Nebraska, if that helps. 

On 2/2/2023 at 11:58 AM, chxakx said:

1/31: “Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken”

Got USCIS notice today that they reused my biometrics. 

7 hours ago, klgck said:

Yay, you too! I was thinking about you recently now that we are back in the immigration filing world 😂  Hope you’re doing well!

Same here! We basically have the same timeline so I remember you. Hopefully it won’t take too long but can’t really tell 😅 Hope you’re doing great too! 🙂

12 minutes ago, klgck said:

Getting mail from USCIS today so I checked my case history — 1/31 case was updated to show fingerprints were taken, woo!

Nice seeing you here! Yay! 🤍

On 1/30/2023 at 5:52 PM, chxakx said:

Sent: 1/17

Delivered: 1/19 (received date on NOA)

Text notification: 1/24

Got the extension letter today, 1/30, for 36 months. 

1/31: “Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken”