moonhunt

I understand why you need to apply for a passport but why do you have to inform Social security and dmv regarding change in status?

The social security card I have been carrying for more than 10 years since getting my greencard and my driver's license is just as long. Do we need to contact those 2 agencies regarding status change?

Because Social Security Admin office kept your immigration status tied to your social security number...

Some of Social Security Benefit is limited to US citizen...

Some of Social Security Benefit may be differ based on immigration status.

For an example, you can receive some of Social Security benefit from overseas if you are U.S. citizen.

Also, it will help your immigration status consistent to other organization.

For an example, Voting system and DMV is cross-checking your immigration status using your social security number and names.

You have to file SS-5, the same form you used to request SSN, to update your immigration status from Lawful Permanent Resident to US Citizen.

For DMV, because of Real-ID things, they reenforced the system to have immigration status.

Sometimes it tied to expiry date, too.

So when police officer catch you on the road for speed ticket or something like that, they can check your immigration status.

So it's better to update both SSA, and DMV.

If you have US Passport, you can update both very easily.

It's just the matter of their employee to confirm your identity with US passport and update their system.

Some country doesn't have a choice.

According to the law, my original citizenship will be lost automatically when I become other country's citizen.

how did they find out about the lein? did they run a credit check?

Many people owe the government massive amounts of money for student loans and such, if they were to deduct the monthly payments owed on those loans alot of people might not qualify...

It is networked.

I think they have access to the computer system, which can be access IRS tax information and border entry information.

Probably a couple of more systems.

Don't want to get to far off topic here but I think they would need a signed consent from the tax payer in order to access the IRS data base. I know that both the Department of Education, the VA and your Senator or Congressman can't acces tax records and I'm assuming the DOS and the USCIS cant legally access them either without a signed consent. A tax lein is a public record that shows up on a credit report but if the embassy is pulling credit reports of the sponsers then that might be new....

Even the credit report needs the person's consent.

Recently somebody who went for N400 interview had experienced that USCIS adjudicator "accidently" showed the computer screen while he/she inquired IRS record and IBIS record during the interview.

We signed so many paperworks during the process, so we never know whether we did sign for it or not.

I'm not sure how they found it. What really bothers me, is what wasn't this brought up at NVC before it ever went to the Embassy. IR-1 you file the I-864 and proof of income etc. with NVC. If there was a problem with this, why did they complete the case and forward it to Thailand for the interview.

NVC just check the paperwork by US Embassy's request.

NVC personal doesn't check IRS record or IBIS system for individuals.

But US consular officer and USCIS adjudicator may have IRS record and IBIS system via limited network access.

So they can find something...

Recently there was some report regarding this issue.

USCIS adjudicator shows the computer screen to check IRS tax info and IBIS information to interviewee.

Moonhunt, good luck with your wife's journey! Hope she will join you in the US this spring.

Thanks, Lyuba

At least, according to timeline, I don't have to deal with USCIS for my wife's I-751.

I think it will be May or June time-frame to join with my wife.

As an aside, if you file using the ITIN, your wife will not be eligible for the Recovery Rebate

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=186065,00.html

for the stimulus package of 2008. So your options are:

What if one is filing with ITIN for spouse now, then submit amended tax return with SSN later?

I think that should change the situation for "the recovery rebate", right ?

Hello All,

Yea we are done ! == Only need to update with Social Security to get a new card and update her status and get a passport. We are not going to gamble on mailing the Certificate of Citizenship off since it is so hard to replace.. Instead we are going to buy a ticket out of the country and make an appointment at the passport office inside the 2 week windows thus compelling them to issue a passport on the spot an in person...

Peace...

Zephod

Congratulations!

Also make sure that she update her status with DMV when she renew her driver license.

She may have to bring US Passport.

Received my letter a few days ago. On the fron it states "request for applicant to appear for naturalization initial interview" this "initial" has me confused and worried. Anyone know how many interviews are in the process?

If you passed the exam at first try, you don't need second one.

Usually if USCIS adjudicator found some information lacked, they will ask you drop those off , or mail them.

So no second interview is required for most cases.

But if you fail English/Civic/history test, you have one more chance.

So they will schedule "second" interview when you are ready.

Therefore study hard for English/Civic/History test.

I have heard from Vn. women that their skin generally improves with move to U.S. They seem to think that cleaner air and better skin care products made a difference. Who knows. I show my wife the snow on the webcam and she thinks it looks so pretty. I told her the opinion will change when she gets to live with it for 4 months a year. She gets cold in VN. when it gets below 70 degrees, should be interesting.

If you have to shovel the snow in northen area, you will have growing feeling about snow.

That's why we have cable TV.

Before we have cable TV, usually northern area have tendency to have more babies around winter time.

You seem like you might know the answer to my question. My case is a K-1 but on this thread when I read the process of the NVC it mentions that one needs to send a packet to them? I am confused... is this also in regard for the K-1 or something else??

You are confusing with IR-1/CR-1 process.

For IR-1/CR-1 cases, NVC asked for DS-230 plus additional documentation on the behalf of US Embassy.

So most of documentation required by Packet 3/4 needs to be submitted in advance.

But medical exam and few more still needs to be prepared in addition to those.

how did they find out about the lein? did they run a credit check?

Many people owe the government massive amounts of money for student loans and such, if they were to deduct the monthly payments owed on those loans alot of people might not qualify...

It is networked.

I think they have access to the computer system, which can be access IRS tax information and border entry information.

Probably a couple of more systems.

If you have kept I-797D approval notice came with I-551 Permanent Resident Card, you will see A# printed in the bottom.

You can make the copy of I-797D notice for the replacement of the copy of green card, I believe.

Actually USCIS recommend to use bottom part of I-797D for I-751 or I-90 submission.

When you have the receipt (NOA1) for I-751, you can make appointment with local DO using InfoPass.

Bring your IDs - your passport and others -, I-797D copy, and I-751 receipt notice (NOA1).

Ask for I-551 stamp, which will valid your A# with additional 1 year, on your passport.

That I-551 stamp will work exactly same as green card.

You should have valid passport for that purpose.

Probably it's time to update your signature, and timeline.

Normally biometric schedule is straight forward, and it usually take around one month from the case acceptance date.

If your's takes longer than that, you may try to call USCIS to find out what's going on.

There are some occasions that your biometric schedule letter may be lost in the mail delivery.

Biometric is pretty much standard practice unless you took biometric with USCIS within 15 months.

But I-485 case need to take digital picture for green card, so you may have to take biometric schedule any way.

I believe I-485 needs fingerprint plus digitial picture.

Wait until the end of Feb!

If you don't hear anything until early March, you can contact USCIS to ask for biometric schedule.

I tell you all this waiting is terrible!!! I think it's more the fact you that you do not know what's going on and they have the potential to screw up and lose your file. Sigh....I'll be so dang happy when this is done!!

At least it is almost last thing you have to deal with.

For your own issue...

Yes, I know how it feels like.

I've done with USCIS for my own issue. I've been dealing with INS, USCIS for last 13 years.

Now I have to deal with my wife's case again.

I don't know how much I gave to INS/USCIS for processing fee.

we didn't call to NVC today yet, but usually we call closer to the end of working day..

Do you know when is the end of their working hours??

I think it is midnight Eastern timezone.

The signature on my photo is my regular signature, not full name!!! I asked the interviewer but he says to sign the normal signature not the full name. Sigh..... But when it comes to the part of the form he needs my FULL signature during the interview process he did say Full Name, Cursive or printed.

Now my full signature on the certificate will not be the same as on the photo. Hmmmm.

It may be issue, or may be not.

Since the certificate of naturalization will be used very rare, it shouldn't be a problem except post office and Dept. of State Passport application center.

If the US post office and Dept. of State Passport Application Center has no problem, then chances are very slim for occasion you have to use your the certificate of naturalization.

You can use your US Passport book for DMV, SSA, and other purpose.

About IR-1, I realise most people take citizenship and are done with the USCIS forever. But I don't plan to take citizenship, so what happens after 10 years.

--Do I have to go back to India to renew my IR-1

-- Hypothetically speaking what if my husband(petitioner) dies or we aren't together by 10 years time; will that effect of me renewing IR-1?

As long as you are living in U.S., it will be o.k. for IR-1.

But you have to file I-90 when your I-551 permanent resident card is due for expiration.

That will cost $290 plus $80 for biometric.

Your permanent residency will not canceled as long as you maintain the residency in U.S.

But if your greencard (I-551 permanent resident card) is expired, you can not use the green card for travel, or other purpose.

So pretty much you have to renew it every 10 years.

You don't have to go back to India since you can file I-90 with USCIS in the U.S.

Permanent residency is granted to you, so your husband's death or divorce will not affect your permanent residency.

But if you make any crime or felony charge, you can be deported with permanent residency cancelation.

Also, if you travel too many times, or stay out of U.S.A for extended period, then USCIS may think that you are not living in the U.S., so they can cancel your permenant residency, and kicked out from the airport.

Biggest difference between CR1 and IR1 is the word, "conditional".

With CR1, if you don't renew the conditional green card, you may loose your permanent residency.

With IR1, even if it has expiry date, technically you don't loose your permanent residency if it is expired.

You may have some problems because it is expired, but you can renew when you need it.

But CR1 is expired, then you are done.

If you miss the renewal time - from 90 days prior to 2 year anniversary date from GC issued date to 2 year anniversary date - for filing I-751 removing the condition , you will loose permanent residency.

one more question

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

check or money order for the application fee and the biometric services fee (Applicants 75 years of age or older are exempted from the biometrics services fee). Write your "A-number" on the back of the check or money order.

do we need to use pen or pencil to write A-number on the back of the check ??

You are not supposed to write anything in the back of the check or money order.

Front of the check or money order should have "memo" field from left, bottom corner.

You can write your A# in the memo field.

Congratulations!

For Passport, in my case, it took only 6 days even if I use regular service.

For signature part, I got the certificate of naturalization without signature.

USCIS distributed another paper with instructions how to sign it.

Without signature, it is NOT valid.

I think according to instructions, you should sign fullname similar to one you did for photo.

For your reference, here is some info from the Internet.

http://www.newcitizen.us/after.html

So far, 25 people registered for 2008 July filers' list.

As of today, 23 people became US citizen.

It is 92% from all applicants registered.

If we have KyngSilva and KatLovM done for oath, we can close this thread finally.

So far, here are statistics for average.

Days from mailing date to NOA1 : 8 days

Days from NOA1 to biometric : 19 days

Days from Biometric to Initial Interview : 102 days

Days from initail interview to Oath Ceremony : 29 days

Days from mailing date to interview : 129 days

Days from mailing date to Oath Ceremony : 156 days

Days from NOA1 to initial interview : 121 days

Days from NOA1 to Oath Ceremony : 148 days

*note: Above dates are averages for 2008 July filers, who completes each phases. Days includes weekends and holidays.

Do I need the official DS230 packet to fill out or can I just print off from the internet the DS230 form then send that in?

I want to get a head start and no wait for the packet!

Check the Short Cut information if you are not familar with the process.

For quick answer, you have to wait until you pay IV fee.

After you paying IV fee, you can generate "Cover Page" for your case.

Also, make sure that you write the NVC case number on the top, right corner of each page.

I wonder if anyone has ever framed their timeline for their home or office? Or something that shows their journey.

Not the timeline, but I have all immigration documents in the folder.

I have all the originals and copies from B2/B1 to H1B to V1 to I-130 IR-1 to naturalization for last 13 years.

Hi, all,

I would like to ask for opinion on the requirement to "live together" when filing under the 3-year exception. It did not bother me before but after reading some of the posts, I am starting to get paranoid

My husband and I have been married for 4 and a half years, and my interview for citizenship is next month. Last year I spent a little over 5 months outside the States (in my home country due to my mom having surgery), I came back for almost 3 months, and then I had to go again for another 2 months. Now I am back. Do you think they might consider these two instances as "not living together" for the purpose of citizenship?

Thanks for your input!

Probably not.

But it is depending on USCIS adjudicator during your interview.

Just in case, you may want to bring the proof for following.

- being married with your spouse for 4 and half year, and also having happy marriage life

- the proof for reason to be out of country for that long. Such as the letter to explain your mom's health condition, doctor's letter to explain your mom's health requiring somebody's attention, and/or other things like that.

- notarized affidavit of support statement from your neighbors stating your marriage life ?

Do we really have to go court to change our name when we apply N-400 ? I heard that will happen in the oath ceremony in the immigration office. Why do you have to go court?

In my case, they originally scheduled for court house, but later they changed the location to USCIS DO.

I didn't see the judge from oath ceremony.

But it may be special case because USCIS tried to push as many people as they can for presidential election.

I got signed copy of "petition for name change" from USCIS two months later , which was signed by US federal court judge.