dave2

@OldUser What do you suggest is the solution to the original problem described with filling out the PDF form in Adobe Reader? Just fill out the entire form by hand and submit it that way?

@Scandi Thanks. Yes I am now leaning towards going the online route.

@R&OC Ok thanks. I think the glitch is probably introduced in the newest version of the PDF form released in Apr 2024.

@Dashinka Correct in AR if I try to switch the answer to either question the other one automatically updates to the same. So if I change Part 10 Q1 to No it will also change Part 5 4d to No as well, and vice versa. If I uncheck either one it will uncheck the other one as well. This new version of the form came out last month (Apr 2024) and I'm guessing it's a new glitch that's been introduced in this new version of the form. And I wonder if nobody is even using the PDF form in favor of online and maybe this glitch hasn't been reported to them.

I guess I will think about either doing it online like everybody else and hoping I don't get hit with a glitch or just filling it out all by hand in black ink and submitting it that way.

@Crazy Cat One user on VJ said that they filed online but when they printed out a copy of it some section were missing data that they know they had filled in for sure. But it sounds like only some people encounter a glitch with the online system. Most seem to be doing okay.

@R&OC You said you filed by mailing to USCIS. Did you fill in the N-400 PDF form in Adobe Reader? If so did you encounter a glitch where there is a weird dependency between the Yes/No checkboxes of Part 5 Question 4d and Part 10 question 1.

@oneoftheunderdogs Ok wow I saw your original post and it is the same issue. So it's not just me. Are you still planning to file online?

I am filling out N-400 paper form (Edition 04/01/24) in Adobe Reader. It has a glitch where if you fill in the Yes/No checkbox in Part 5 Question 4d then it also checks off the same Yes/No box in Part 10 question 1. Both questions are completely unrelated to each other:

Part 5 Question 4d

Is your current spouse's present physical address the same as your physical address?   Yes / No

Part 10 Question 1

My household income is less than or equal to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.   Yes / No

I have tried this on different computers with different versions of Adobe and by downloading fresh N-400 PDF forms and it's the same behavior. I'm finding it hard to believe such a glitch exists.

I even tried disabling javascript but still the same behavior occurs! Unfortunately there is a barcode at bottom of each page which captures all the information filled in on that page and used for intake of the form into USCIS system. Due to that I want to either fill out the entire PDF form via Adobe Reader or else just print out the blank form and fill it out entirely by hand in black ink. However, I don't want to mix the two ways because that would mean the barcode on each page captured some info (the typed in portion) and missing other info (the handwritten portion). I'm able to bypass this problem using a browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) to check off the correct box for each question without affecting the other box, but USCIS does not recommend using browser to fill it in and I'm afraid that the barcode on those pages may not be getting updated correctly when doing it via the browser so again the same issue may be there that when USCIS scans the barcode they may not see the checkbox answer captured as part of that particular page's information.

I've the following questions:

1) Has anybody encountered this glitch with the PDF form and know a solution?

2) Are most people on here just doing the online version of N-400? I have read that the online system has its own glitches and drawbacks. And some lawyers say it's preferable to keep a paper trail of the N-400 application and don't recommend the online way.

3) If I do fill it out all by hand then will it cause any significant delays in processing as compared to the typed in way?

4) My I-751 is still pending. Not sure if that affects which option I use (paper vs online).

@Dashinka Thanks. I agree with what you are saying and that's what the other user had stated as well. In fact that user did the N400 form online and said question 16 did not even come up as they had answered No to both 15a and 15b. Link to thread below:

I had previously gotten a helpful reply from one user but thought I post it here as a separate topic just to see if anybody else had any opinion on this. On the N400 (paper form) I answered No to both questions 15a and 15b in Part 9.

For question 16:

"If you received a suspended sentence, were placed on probation, or were paroled, have you completed your suspended sentence, probation, or parole?"

None of those things ever happened to me so I feel like I should not answer this question. So is it okay to not mark either checkbox (yes or no)? Just want to make sure USCIS doesn't think that I skipped the question. But if I mark yes or no it implies one of those things happened to me. Please advise. Thanks!

@Letspaintcookies Yes I agree with your logic, will leave it blank.

@Letspaintcookies Ok I answered No to both 15a and 15b. But I am doing paper form.

@GreenUSI have the same question as you. Have you gotten the answer yet?

I didn't know that we did not need to wait for Embassy/consulate to contact us.  I emailed the Mumbai consulate a 4th time and they responded on Oct 1 that they had sent Packet 4 instructions to my fiancee by post on Aug 1.  However, we had previously inquired three times during Aug and Sep and they had told us they have not received physical file and so we have to wait for instructions.  Anyway, she was able to book biometrics date for Oct 17 (last day of petition approval period) and interview date for Nov 22.  I called them and asked if it's okay that interview date is after petition approval period and they said it should be fine.

For both dates she is going to Mumbai.  However, I read that some people were able to get biometrics done at Delhi VAC even if they have to go to Mumbai consulate for interview.  Not sure if this is still allowed.

We got letter from NVC on Jul 23 saying they will transfer K-1 visa case to Mumbai consulate and it may take several weeks.  I inquired from CGI Federal on Aug 4, Aug 19, Aug 27, and Sep 26 and they forwarded my inquiries to consulate.  The first three times consulate replied that only electronic file had been received and they were awaiting physical file which will be reviewed and then my fiancee in India would be notified of further instructions.  Then for last inquiry sent on Sep 26 the reply just came saying they had sent Packet 4 by post on Aug 1 (which is incorrect) and they included electronic copy of it in their email reply as well - which is just generic instructions to submit DS-160, pay visa fee, get medical done, and schedule biometric and interview appointments.  However, the petition approval period ends Oct 17 and the earliest available date showing on CGI website is Nov 22.  In this case should I book the earliest dates available and then request them to extend the petition approval period?  Does Mumbai consulate in this type of situation extend it without any issues?