nikgon

1 hour ago, AlienLife said:

@nikgon Did you mean to say 4/1 as the interview date? 

 

How did USCIS inform you that your interview was rescheduled? Can you take that proof with you?

 

Were you able to speak to a Tier 2 officer when you called?

 

Yeah, sorry, I meant 4/1.

Thats the crazy part — I didn’t get any notification whatsoever that the interview got rescheduled! I noticed there was a letter saying the original one got canceled. I freaked out and called, so the agent told me it got moved to an earlier date.

I just called again (for the sixth time) and the sixth agent finally was willing to upgrade this to an urgent issue and they hopefully will call me back within 72 hours. But it’s still pretty stressful. 
 

thank you everyone for your help and support! 

I might be in trouble here. My interview got rescheduled from 3/15 to 3/1, but there is no notice neither on the account nor in the mail. 
 

Tried calling the USCIS four times. Their response, predictably, is “if you haven’t received the notice, wait 14 days”. But I don’t have 14 days!

What do I do?!

Is the notice really necessary on the day of the interview? Has someone been able to show proof that you know you have an appointment and proof that there has been no notice? 
 

I’m lost, could really use some help if anyone’s aware of a similar situation. 

23 minutes ago, Vasto_Lorde said:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/forms.html

Use the DS-11 form filler then save and print out that PDF and take it with you to the passport office.

But that's the same link on which, according to Shivoham, the forms are obsolete. The form itself says "EXPIRATION DATE: 3-31-2021" (whatever that means), so I'm curious what happened there where the OP claimed somehow they got an obsolete form.

On 3/11/2021 at 4:24 PM, bmq said:

Hi folks,

 

I was able to go to Seattle courthouse today and got my name changed before my interview. Anyone able to get their name changed on state ID? It seems we need updated social security card, with new name but that won't be issued because local offices are closed and not allowing anyone.

 

 

At what time was the hearing? Just wondering if it's later in the afternoon or pretty early?

Also, once you change your name, you don't have to change all of your documents right away, correct? You can just wait till the naturalization process wraps up and then do everything at once in the new name, right?

On 3/15/2021 at 4:06 PM, Shivoham said:

Tip on Passport: Make sure you fill out the passport application form in "Black Ink" not blue , and don't use the form from the website (Coz it's not an updated form). Instead, use the form that the USCIS gives you as part of naturalization packet OR pick up the form from a post office. Someone  had shared about the Bellevue passport officer being a helpful guy. I just walked in this morning, and he happily took my passport application (no appointment). I had my paper work all ready for him to make it quick.

Does anyone know if those new forms are posted somewhere?

Also, can we fill in forms digitally and then print out? (You mentioned black vs blue ink, I'm wondering if it's ok at all to print them out after filling in digitally.)

8 minutes ago, mikeEmikeEmike said:

@nikgon When did you apply? The spreadsheet doesn't appear to have anyone who submitted apps in November 2019 (we submitted in early December), so trying to get a bead on our future appt timing.

Early November 2019

Ok, an update. Just called the number on the notice. Was unusually easy to get through to a real human being. It looks like it got rescheduled, actually, to an earlier date. Still don't see that information updated on the web site, but I want to trust what the agent said. 

Really confusing. The History tab is saying:

Received a notification in the morning that the interview got scheduled for mid-march. Got excited for a few hours. Then, a minute ago getting "Interview De-Scheduled". What is that about?! Anyone got this in the past? 

"This is to advise you that, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel the previously scheduled interview on XXX for the above applicant. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. We will advise you of any further action taken on this case, including any rescheduled interview appointment information, under separate notice."

Anyone has recommendations of good immigration attorneys to have a quick consult about name changes?

I think I have an idea of how this all works together, but just wanted to double-check with a professional.

Also, thank you very much everyone for your input -- really appreciate!

On 3/14/2021 at 3:09 PM, bmq said:

We got the next day hearing, but if you reach court earlier in the day (before 11am, ideally before 10:30am) I think you can get same day hearing.

 

I suggest get your name changed, and don't wait for interview date. 

Thank you for the update! Really helps! 

Here's what I got from the USCIS on the subject:

USCIS has two types of naturalization ceremonies. Depending on your USCIS office, you may attend a judicial ceremony or an administrative ceremony.

1. In a judicial ceremony, the court administers the Oath of Allegiance.
2. In an administrative ceremony, USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance.

More information about naturalization ceremonies can be found here.

If you are taking the oath in a judicial ceremony, you may request the court to change your name. Any name change you request on your N-400 application will not be final until you are naturalized by the court. If the court grants your request, your new name will appear on your Naturalization Certificate. 

You do not need to request a name change if your name has changed through marriage, divorce, or other court order. However, you may need to present proof that you have already changed your name according to the legal requirements that apply to persons living in your state. Such proof might include a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing that you changed your name when you married or divorced or a state order establishing that you changed your name.

You may discuss your options regarding any name change requests with the immigration officer during your naturalization interview.

If your Naturalization Certificate is issued with an error, you may file Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, to request a corrected certificate. You may download a free copy of the form and instructions on our website at www.uscis.gov/n-565. Please read the instructions carefully before filing your application.

7 hours ago, SHV said:

but was told I would be notified when my oath ceremony is scheduled at a later date

Yeah, wow, not exactly surprising that everything changes all the time, but very upsetting and it's a constant source of unnecessary stress. 

How's the ceremony related to name changes? Which one goes before or after another? I'm very confused about whether my name change will go through as part of naturalization or should I apply for it separately in the country court or just let it roll and do it after I get the passport.

Also, does anyone know how to get through the USCIS's automated customer support system to get a real human being on the phone? I tried, but the robot just hangs up on me all the time.

1 hour ago, murph32 said:

No idea why, if this is indeed a requirement, it's not listed on the interview notice documentation list, but they do mention bringing certified tax transcripts here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/G-1151.pdf

Thank you! Never heard of this before. Could anyone who's gone already comment on what they did and how it played out?

Also, https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript doesn't mention anything about "certified" (which the guide you mentioned does). So which transcript type is "certified"? And also, do you need to request the ones by mail or the online ones would work? What about this year's taxes -- are they going to available as a transcript right after you file or is there a wait time?

15 hours ago, Shivoham said:

question on Citizenship interview: 

I had already submitted my last 5 year tax transcripts until the date of applying for citizenship in sep 2019. So i only need to take tax transcripts that i have after applying for citizenshup, correct? OR Do i need to take all pre and post application tax transcripts? 

 

Hm, I don't remember this being a requirement (at least when I applied in Nov 2019). Did I miss something? Should I upload those now as I'm still waiting on the interview to be scheduled?

Also what's the difference between transcripts and just a copy of the submitted form? If you can bring the latter, there shouldn't be any limit on how many you could get if you keep your own copies. 

Just called the Seattle court about name change. They said that if you show up in person and pay the fee in cash, they will schedule your hearing for the next available slot right there, without having to wait 30 days (as you would if you paid in a different form or scheduled online). Some courts are busier than others, but there's no way to know which one is in which state before you pay. But looks like, Seattle is holding more hearings than others.

Once you're at the hearing, they'll give you a certificate of change, which I believe, murpth32 was referring above.

So, I guess, the conclusion is that if you pay cash and are lucky to be scheduled for a hearing that's pretty soon, you should be good. But no guarantee.

Anyone has any experience with scheduling name change hearings lately? How long does it take? 

13 hours ago, murph32 said:

you will get proof of your name change day of that you take with you and that should be sufficient to have the immigration officer issue your card in your new name

Interesting, thank you! But could you clarify what you mean by "get proof of your name change day of"? Do you mean that you don't have to wait for the court to record things? Just the fact that you applied for the name change with the county and have a proof of that is sufficient?

Please keep us updated!

22 hours ago, thewaitingame said:

let us know how the process is like. they say it might take 6-8 weeks for recording

Does anyone know if there's a risk in doing a name change in parallel with the naturalization?

I'm not an expert, but two thoughts:

1) If that comes up during the background check as part of the naturalization, would it raise a flag?

2) If the recording comes back later than your ceremony, what's going to happen? Will you have to get a passport for the old name and then use the name change to request another copy of the passport with the new name?

Anything else anyone can think of?

I'd also love to not to have to deal with the extra hassle, but at the same time, I'd prefer not to interfere with the process and, as annoying as it is, would prefer to do a name change after being done with the naturalization.

19 hours ago, Love_Victoria said:

They told me that name change is possible ONLY with a court document. I just said "NO" to name change

Could someone provide more details on how this works? I thought if you request a name change on the naturalization application, you don't need to go through the court.

Is there an additional step? If so, should I just apply for that pre-emptively? Would it be through the regular process? 

On 2/10/2021 at 11:03 AM, Love_Victoria said:

Passports are going to be another different story. Close-by post offices are booked till March 11 with no available slots  

Any reports on which office locations have shorter waits? I wouldn't mind driving somewhere farther to get it done sooner. Or is it not encouraged to do so? (Within the state, of course.)

On 2/9/2021 at 8:00 PM, JFH said:

I’m September 30, 2019. I’ll be sure to post here when I get my interview date as that will be a good indicator of when they have started working the October files. 

Yeah, early Nov here. Still nothing.

A friend who applied in August has their interview in mid-Jan.