Natasha Cota

Today both I-751 and N-400 were approved and oath was scheduled for March. 

You can start with inquiry into your case when it's outside of normal processing times. This can be filed electronically https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
 
Then, you can involve a congressman.
 
Finally, if neither works, you can file Writ of Mandamus to get a decision. This can be done yourself for $402 or with a lawyer for ~$5000. This forces USCIS to take some action.
 
Or you can keep waiting.

If you filed in August 2023, it only been 5-6 months. It's perfectly normal wait time. Whenever I read N-400 is the fastest and easiest step, I scratch my head. It is the most serious part of immigration journey, with USCIS granting the ultimate immigration benefit that's very hard to revoke. No wonder they take time. They have go go through entire immigration file to see if everything was done correctly at visa, AOS (if applicable) and I-751 stage (if applicable). As one lawyer says, it's their last chance to deport somebody. No that they would deport anybody who's case taking longer. They just examine everything very closely. Plus the usual backlogs.
 

At 25 days until decision mark my status changed to “Your case is taking longer than expected to process. You will be notified if you need to take any action.” 😭 No updates on I-751 either… I feel like I will be the only one left waiting in this thread.. So much to thinking this step will be easier than all others before

Ya'll I'm freaking out! LOL
 
I checked online today and on January 11th they finally posted INTERVIEW SCHEDULED notice. My interview is February 22, 2024 in Albany, NY.
 
I wanna thank whoever was watching when I was booking a cruise that I chose the week earlier from my husbands week off of school! PHEW!
 
Nervous but happy! I'll keep ya'll posted hopefully it is a combo interview, to that end do you think it is a good idea to upload a letter kind of "reminding" them I have a pending I-751? Or should I not? Any thoughts are appreciated.

I applied on Aug 24, 2023, have a pending I-751. San Fernando Valley FO. My case is still "actively being reviewed." Trying my best not to stress/think about this N400 process but I can't help it lol. Hoping and praying we all get our good news soon! 🙏

INTERVIEW SCHEDULED for Feb 29th, 2024.... Finally

Same here. Applied early August online and I have not heard back from them.
 
This is an old Reddit post. Please read. It will tell you that there is randomness in the process to a great extent. This is the reason why some new cases get interviews quickly while others get delayed. I understand that understaffing and other particular issues with immigration cases play a role. But unfortunately, it is still a random game.
 
https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/yn60ig/decoding_ioe_case_numbers/

It’s all so disheartening.
 
Fingers crossed we both hear something soon! Sending all my luck to you! 

Just got back home from the interview ❤️ So, here are the spilled details my dear VisaJourney family:
 
Arrived at 7:40am, interview was scheduled at 8:00am. Orlando Field Office looked really nice, super clean, very nice vibe... 
There were already plenty people there when we got there, our ticket got called around 9am. I noticed some officers were not allowing spouses in, some did. Some allowed two people in, and then the spouse was sent out after 5-10 mins. Our officer let both of us in and explained that since i751 is pending, he will have both of us, but that he will ask my husband to change seat and stay at the back of room for the N400 part of interview.
 
Our officer was super friendly, and explained from beginning that he looked at application, he saw i751 pending and requested it to be shipped from Potomac, but it still did not arrive to Orlando field office. He said - "Here is what we will do -> we will do both interviews now, I can approve both of them, but I cannot put you into oath ceremony, because I need to sign the i751 papers unfortunately.  Only after I get physical file - I can sign it and you will be scheduled for oath ceremony. Also, because you change your name {I have requested surname change on my n400}, your ceremony must be at the city court house, not here, so unfortunately you will have to wait till January or February anyway, not just because of i751. Technically, you are creating new identity because of name change and judge will need to certify/approve/ that before taking oath. If all goes well today and I get your file in 2-3 days, we will send you the oath ceremony invitation in a mail within a week or two."
 
He did not ask anything what we expected about our marriage and it appeared he already made up his mind before interviewing us, he said "I looked at your application and I can tell it is bona fide marriage, am I correct?"  he double checked our IDs, address, marriage date, any children (none). Then asked my husband to swap seats and stay at one row behind me (near wall of the room) and be quiet. 
I was asked civics questions (what Susan B Anthony fought for, what if president cannot serve - who is replacing , two longest rivers, name 2 national holidays, what led to civil war, what do you do when you plead allegiance...) 
Reading + writing.
Updated my work situation (since I started new job last week).
 
I had asked if he wants more pictures, affidavits that we got from friends and new quarterly bank statements, etc. and he said "unless you really want to give it to me, but I think you can just recycle that, I have enough evidence to approve you". He then asked me all the eligibility questions on whether I was ever in combat, a communist, terrorist, etc.  Asked me to sign the new name change, and some oath of allegiance understanding statement. Then he said I am approved on both applications, we will get the oath ceremony date as soon as he is done with bureaucracy regarding i751.  Shook hands, said thank you and we said our farewells.
 
Guys, I am not sure, but I feel like wearing a suit & tie and formal clothes, did play some attitude role. I was shocked to see some people came in sweatpants, in hoodies and even baseball hats. Cmon, this is federal government building, I could see non-verbal reactions from officers when they were calling numbers and a trio of people in sweatpants and messy hair showed up vs. nicely presented couples and solo applicants.
 
p.s. there is no change at Online Account.... will update when oath ceremony note will be here  I feel super happy, but not fully relieved just yet. USCIS journey is over, but not quite yet a citizen) Wishing everybody good news for this Xmas and Happy New Year... !
 

Ok, that doesn’t sound too bad. I was able to find the same info just now. So looks like I did everything correctly. OMG I’m relieved, thank you for replying quickly. It’s been a while since I applied so I don’t remember these details, but I’m sure I followed whatever direction was given as I was signing the form, so I should be in the clear. Thank you!

You got this! You know and have the answers for everything. You’re prepared. Once you’re there in the moment you’ll be much more calmer than now. It’s hard not to think of worst case scenarios when it comes to these things. Just take it one step at a time and shall things come up you will address them as they come. You’re as prepared as you can be. Let us know how everything goes tomorrow and good luck!

You got this! You know and have the answers for everything. You’re prepared. Once you’re there in the moment you’ll be much more calmer than now. It’s hard not to think of worst case scenarios when it comes to these things. Just take it one step at a time and shall things come up you will address them as they come. You’re as prepared as you can be. Let us know how everything goes tomorrow and good luck!

Ok, that doesn’t sound too bad. I was able to find the same info just now. So looks like I did everything correctly. OMG I’m relieved, thank you for replying quickly. It’s been a while since I applied so I don’t remember these details, but I’m sure I followed whatever direction was given as I was signing the form, so I should be in the clear. Thank you!

On the online form, it was stated like this: 
You must provide your digital signature below by typing
your full legal name. We may deny your application if you
do not completely fill out this application or fail to submit
required documents. We will record the date of your
signature with your application.

You can submit it, and it shouldn't slow anything down in my opinion. Nobody looked at your file just yet probably.

Thank you for your response! Fingers crossed all of us in this thread will get their interview notices too.

My story: also pending i751 (stuck in Potomac with nothing other than 48m extension) + applied for N400 => I had sent the paper application one month later than 90-day window opened (i.e. could apply in beginning July 2023, but sent application at the end of August).
 
At first I got 9,5 month estimate, then it fell down to 8 month, 7 month and now in November it got reduced to 6 months. But no interview notice or any movement since original August biometrics reuse/receipt notice. My 3 year eligibility/anniversary kicked in: October 19th.
 
I am not sure if this is valid point, but I have noticed that under that '6 months'  it explicitly says that provided estimate is for those who applied based on 5yr rule...  So I am not sure if these estimates are valid for us with pending i751 or not... Also I would expect the 'backlog' to be per field office, not nationally...  I am in Florida, and based on my zip code - Orlando field office should be handling the applications, and the office's estimate for n400 is still 9.5 months... 
 

 

Hello fellow August 2023 N-400 fillers!
 
I applied under 3 year rule (marriage-based) on 08/15/23, 6 days after my 90 day window has started. My full 3 years will be completed on 11/09/23. I also have I-751 pending since September 2022 with no updates other than biometric reuse and 48-month extension letter.
 
N-400 filed online and received NOA and Biometric reuse the same day (08/15). I then forgot about it, but since checking this thread and seeing majority get their interviews I got in the habit of checking my USCIS account twice a week. My estimated case decision went from 7 months to 5 within a few weeks, and then dropped to 4 beginning of November. Logged in today and saw that it’s back to 7 months. 
 
I’m slightly worried. Although, I know these time frames don’t mean much, but has anyone experienced similar? I also am hopeful now that my 90 early fill date is coming to an end, I should expect some movement on my case soon. Would love to hear what people think!

Hello fellow August 2023 N-400 fillers!
 
I applied under 3 year rule (marriage-based) on 08/15/23, 6 days after my 90 day window has started. My full 3 years will be completed on 11/09/23. I also have I-751 pending since September 2022 with no updates other than biometric reuse and 48-month extension letter.
 
N-400 filed online and received NOA and Biometric reuse the same day (08/15). I then forgot about it, but since checking this thread and seeing majority get their interviews I got in the habit of checking my USCIS account twice a week. My estimated case decision went from 7 months to 5 within a few weeks, and then dropped to 4 beginning of November. Logged in today and saw that it’s back to 7 months. 
 
I’m slightly worried. Although, I know these time frames don’t mean much, but has anyone experienced similar? I also am hopeful now that my 90 early fill date is coming to an end, I should expect some movement on my case soon. Would love to hear what people think!

I agree, you are fine.

You're good

An update: 
Just called USCIS. Waited 30 minutes and was on a call for 20 more. Apparently neither of my address change gone throw despite the online confirmation I had. My address with them is the one I had 2 years ago!!! And they have my records under my maiden name which is just ridiculous. The lady on the phone was very confused so was I. She advised me to file new AR11 and mail it together with the screenshots of the confirmation I have. I hope this will net get me in any trouble since I did everything right on my end and they do encourage you to change address online. NEVER AGAIN. Only mail!