oneoftheunderdogs

4 minutes ago, Sgtn9486 said:

I thought it was $85 aside from the $710 for the application 

The $710 for the N-400 online filing includes the non-refundable biometric fee, whether you end up needing to go in for biometrics or not.

8 minutes ago, Sgtn9486 said:

We only filled the N400. The biometrics fee would’ve been paid the day of your appointment if biometrics were needed.

First I've heard of that. As far as I know, fees are due at the time of filing.

11 hours ago, tucson-laramie said:

There is some really bad info in this thread. Let my story be a warning to you.
I applied on March 30 in Tucson, and unexpectedly received my interview notice for May 14 on April 12. Six weeks before the law goes into effect. You also cannot CHOOSE when you take your oath; you have to explain in writing if you will miss the ceremony. And what if they do same day? You just say "No, I'm good"??

 

Now I really wish I had waited with the application some more. The average posted processing time for Tucson then and today is 7 months, why they approved mine in less than two weeks ... who knows. Now I am scrambling to have it postponed.

Don't know what info you are referring to, but just because you didn't wait long enough does not make it "bad".

12 hours ago, MunnoTheCat said:

 

Try "USCIS civis test study tools" one from USCIS dept of homeland security. Don't try to memorize the answers as you will get nervous again and will eventually be lost in a thin air. Your problem is not English but when the IO looks at you and ask the question you try to shake your head for the answers because you have a tendency to get nervous. Don't do that. Go through all the questions as it is a story to you. Who's the president and his cabinet, and congress, senate. US flag has a name "star spangled banner" like everyone else has one. constitution is all about laws and no one is above the law. There are 27 bill of rights which is also called 27 amendments. 1776 declaration of independence written by Thomas Jefferson (don't forget this name as he is one of the founding fathers). Exactly eleven years later meaning in 1787, constitution was written by founding fathers. When we say who's the father of our country, that's George Washington, so if he's the father, he had to be the first president and matter of fact he was. Do you see the pattern here. now go ahead download the app and have fun. I am sure you will ace the civic test this time. By the way, IO only asks 5 questions the max and don't feel you are ready, you got to be ready 100% Good luck!!!!!

This is a great way to do it! But there is only one Bill of Rights and it comprises the first 10 amendments to the constitutions, and the IO will likely ask at least 6 questions ; )

14 hours ago, californiabear said:

I'm a little hesitant to file N400 before 26.06 tbh. I reached out to the German embassy and they told me to hold off with starting my application until the date the law goes into effect. There was no particular reason given but I try to play it safe and wait with my application until June 26th.

 

What do you guys think? I know lots of people say it will not be an issue as long as you didn't attend the Oath Ceremony before the 26th. But hearing the embassy's opinion I'm not so sure anymore.

Who knows why the German embassy recommends waiting until the 6/26. as long as you don't take the oath before then you will be fine. I am eligible on May 1 and planning on filing my N-400 on 5/26, because my field office has been known to process applications quickly.

Hi all,

just filling out the new N-400 version in anticipation of filing for citizenship next month. I am planning on filing online but I am anxious to get this started so here we are. I have noticed that there seems to be some weird dependency between Part 5. 4d and Part 10. 1 when filling out the form in Acrobat Reader. It seems that both answers can only be the same, either both yes or both no. This might just be the case for me, but I thought I'd mention it. So, if you are filing by mail, your spouse lives at the same address as you, AND you make more than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, or vice versa, triple check your answers!

5 hours ago, Letspaintcookies said:

I just started filling out the online form and will hit the send button tomorrow ( don't want to send my application on April Fools Day 🤣). 

Hope we'll all have a smooth sailing and get done with this last part of the journey rather quickly🤞

 

A positive note about the new online form that came out today is, that USCIS finally acknowledges 3 year filers in the form when it comes to residency and trips outside. So yeah for that.

That's great! I was wondering why I had to provide 5 years of info when applying under the 3 yr rule! Getting ready to file next month 🕺🏼

1 hour ago, Transatlanticism said:

Update:

Applied: 31 March 2023

Status updated to case being actively reviewed: 26 April 2023

Case approved: 15 March 2024

 

I was with the National Benefits Center.

 

Good luck everyone.

Congrats! Great name btw!

The law officially got announced today, will go into effect 6/26/24!

Congratulations! Just goes to show that every case is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach!

On 3/7/2024 at 11:46 AM, AZ_linda said:

It went really well! It turns out it was a combo interview so I’m glad I brought all the extra documentation, they made my husband and kids wait in the waiting room though. I answered all six questions correct and passed, so now I’m waiting for the letter for the ceremony. 😊

Congratulations!! Just to clarify, it was a combo interview, but they didn't interview you AND your husband for the I-751?

21 hours ago, Charmss said:

I just did my interview in Phoenix office and I thought I'd share. It took me a little less than 7 months. When you arrive, there will be plenty of parking, and they will let you in 30 minutes before the interview. When you go in with the officer, they get your fingerprint from both of your index fingers, then the officer would ask you to raise your right hand to pledge that you wouldn't lie.

 

For me they confirmed my name, address, date of birth, marital status, etc. from the start (i guess to confirm that it is me?). The officer asked civics questions, reading and writing (very easy), and started asking questions on Part 12 from N400. Make sure you listen to questions carefully because most of the answers will be no (unless you did anything), but it becomes yes when you are asked about your duties as a citizen.

 

I had additional out of country trips since my application, but they already had it in the system. I had to update my employment and my title, and thank god I brought my document. They didn't take it but wrote down the name and address of my new job. I think your paystub, W-2, verification letter/offer letter would suffice as long as it contains those info... 

 

They didn't ask me why I wanted to become a citizen, my previous address, or definitions.. but I speak English fluently and I was even having a small talk before the interview.

 

They told me to wait outside and they gave me a letter that my oath was scheduled at a courthouse, so no same day ceremony, but overall it was a breeze. Everyone was so nice and welcoming.

I found US Citizenship Test. Org Youtube very helpful (I'm not affiliated). I watched the interview, and practice 100 civics questions from Youtube so that I can listen to the questions. Thier mock interview videos were on point.

https://www.youtube.com/c/USCitizenshipTestOrg

 

 

 

Congratulations!

1 hour ago, AZ_linda said:

Oh thank you! I’m thinking of bringing my husband’s and our kid’s birth certificates, car insurance, health insurance, marriage certificate and tax transcripts. 

Bring your husband, too!

As far as I know the letter doesn't (always) specifically mention the ROC. I would bring my spouse and the relevant documents/evidence just in case!

As others have mentioned, USCIS usually conducts home visits when they suspect fraud. The fact that you got approved for your conditional GC suggests the evidence you guys submitted was strong enough to convince them of the legitimacy of your marriage. When it comes to your removal of conditions, the chances of getting an interview seem higher if you weren't interviewed for your AOS so I would expect to be called in for an interview. Note, this is not from first-hand experience, just from what I gathered in this forum.

Everyone's living situation is different; if you and your spouse are in a legitimate marriage (it seems you have solid evidence to back that up, too), and you choose to sleep in separate bedrooms for reasons that are nobody's business but your own (well, and USCIS', should they ask you during the interview) then you have nothing to worry about imo!

On 12/6/2023 at 2:02 PM, Letspaintcookies said:

Hey there 😀 I'm waiting. Some had citizenship interviews in less than 3 months, and I'm not going to risk that. I'll start gathering my stuff again to have it ready to go the minute we can, tho 😅

On 12/5/2023 at 11:19 AM, Sagoo said:

Hi - fellow German i-751 November 2022 filer here.  When are you planning to file? Are you waiting until the law (hopefully!) passes in April 2024, or are you starting the citizenship process now?

Let's hope they actually get it done!

6 minutes ago, Henrinawrocki said:

Hey OldUser,

 

Thanks a lot for the help. Am I still able to file for naturalization during this process, and would that be recommended?

Since you are officially no longer married to a USC you will have to file for naturalization under the 5 year rule.

Any updates?

3 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

I didn't apply for one- didn't want to....it's kinda no fish- no meat....lol And I don't wanna go back anyways😉

Fair I don't think I will go through the hassle either! Congratulations again!

On 10/23/2023 at 4:52 PM, Caligirl1 said:

🇺🇲 all done👍 had this morning my combo interview- and it was a piece of cake! Super friendly officer - he started with saying my I-751 is approved because we had a rock solid case with more than sufficient evidence 🙂 Then the civics test...easy peasy, same for Englisch test - i was super nervous....for no reason🤣🤣🤣 It really is the biggest step- but the easiest! Same day oath a few hours later , outside , nice setting😃👍 I'm going to stick around here, and maybe do my part of helping others- like I found so much help/support or simply sharing experiences in this awesome community VJ 👍Thank y'all !!!😉

whooo congrats!! Did you get the BBG beforehand?

Even though they might have been sent on the same day, they can get to you at wildly different times, sometimes days to weeks. AFAIK you need the original notice to travel with your expired green card, but others might be able to say for sure.

14 hours ago, Don0 said:

Hi everyone! Just got my i751 approved. But I never got to see this type of stuff for mine. I was wondering where you can find the "Your Uploads" tab? I would like to know so I know what to prepare for the n400. Thank you.

Congrats! When did you file? It took probably 4 -- 5 months for my documents to show up on my.uscis.gov.

Same here, only a handful of random bank statements under that Your Uploads tab, nothing too substantial or crucial it seems.

I'm actually thinking about amending my evidence somewhat using the unsolicited evidence tab. For one (lengthy) document (part of our cohabitation evidence) I only sent the signature pages because the rest was all irrelevant (to USCIS) legal text. From what I read on this forum sometimes sending incomplete copies can lead to RFEs. Don't want to chance it AND I need something to do while I wait.

I will definitely upload updated tax return transcripts when the time comes.

We added like 8 photos total. A couple each from our formal wedding celebration (happened after I became LPR) and trips we took together. Nothing crazy

8 hours ago, conan789 said:

Thank you so much for your kind words, which help me relieve a lot of anxiety! Today I also logged into my USCIS account, and I saw all the 3 letters (biometric, online case number, extension receipt) were uploaded there.  I want to know, will USCIS in future upload all the important documents there? I move addresses quiet a bit, so I am wondering will our online USCIS account keep updated for our case? Thanks!

It is important to keep your address current with USCIS. Is it possible to have a PO Box so you don't have to constantly file an A-11 every time you change address? I can't speak for the reliability of the USCIS online account and letters and documents uploaded to it. My letters don't show up there at all...

1 minute ago, conan789 said:

I just received 2 mails today: one is the online case number, and the other one is the 48 months extension letter. However, I did not receive the Biometric letter that you guys are talking about.😩 I am just wondering, do I assume that I am going to receive the biometric letter around this week as well?

 

For most of you guys, it seems it is biometric letter comes earlier than the 48 months extension letter. But I did not see my biometric letter at all. Is this a problem?

 

Thank you guys for so much supportive voices and such encouraging powers!

It’s not a problem. You can’t compare your case to every other case, some have their biometrics reused, others don’t. More importantly, letters sometimes don’t arrive at the same time, so you might still get your biometrics letter. Relax!

1 minute ago, conan789 said:

Just want to make sure, for people who file in IL via UPS, is this below address correct?

 

"USCIS 
Attn: I-751 (Box 4072)
2500 Westfield Drive 
Elgin, IL 60124-7836"

 

Thank you so much!!

That's what it says on the website, so yea