STO Overland

PS I used an attorney for my LPR. I didn't know about VisaJourney back then. When I received my greencard I said to my attorney that I would see him for N400. "No you won't" He replied, "unless between now and then you have issues with the law. You can do this one yourself".

Never too soon to prepare. Create an account with the USCIS, and get familiar with the N400 online application by filling it out (but not submitting it obviously). You mention you don't intend to travel however if you do, keep track of dates traveled on a excel spreadsheet. The biggest pain I have seen folk complain about is getting their IRS transcripts from before the preceding 3 years. So download them annually. If you get yourself into trouble (speeding, whatever) make sure you keep all records (fine payment etc). Between the time of LPR and my N400, I drove like I was "driving Miss Daisy". My kids say I still do...so what. If you already have past tickets, or infractions then use this time to collect that evidence. I had a speeding ticket from 2003 that I was able to get records for and submitted with my application in 2020. Excessive maybe? Yeah too right, I'm a stickler for detail and looked for anything that could derail my application. @ImmiGeek has his own journey and preparation listed within his notes which you might find useful https://tinyurl.com/myUSCNotes You do not need an attorney. Save your money for passport fees and for your first trip using your new passport.

No… https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf. Page 10 after all these years, it’s our turn to help Crazy Cat. good luck

Not every country has a sophisticated method or maybe doesn’t even have the ability to confirm the security threat or not of their citizens or visitors. Some countries do not want to share what they have with the United States. I agree however with your sentiment

So because of this thread which I read at 5am local time this morning, it prompted me to call the CBP this morning for clarification. We're currently overseas and my wife has to travel home today with one minor (unexpected return) and my second minor is traveling home with me later this month. The officer told me that a permission letter from the other spouse was not required but highly recommended for the country of departure and the possible requirement at the US border. We decided to visit a local notary and have two permission letters signed and notarized. Thanks to this thread. (different but same) She also sent me an email Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center. CBP strongly recommends that children carry a letter authorizing international travel when traveling alone or with one of the following adults: • Other parent • Adult sibling • Single parent • Adult relative • Legal guardian • Non-relative adult The letter must state the following: • Child’s name and birth date • Name(s) of legal custody adult(s) (Parents, legal guardians, etc.) • Contact information of legal custody adult(s) • Name of adult(s) accompanying the child and their relation (Aunt/Uncle, Grandparent, teacher, chaperone, etc.) • Purpose of travel (Visiting relatives, vacation, school trip, special competition, etc.) • Dates of travel • Places of travel (Countries where visiting, cities, etc.) There is no regulation that requires the authorization letter to be notarized. However, CBP highly advises this, because notarization is proof that the Notary has identified the person(s) signing the letter as being the actual parent(s) or legal guardian(s). CBP recommends that single parents also provide documentary proof that there is no other parent of the child (only one parent stated on birth certificate, single adoption, parent death, sole custody, etc.). If you have not yet viewed our FAQs regarding children on travel, you are encouraged to view them using the following link https://help.cbp.gov/s/global-search/children. Thank you again for contacting our office. Regards, CBP Information Center NOTE: The answers provided in this forum are for general information purposes only. Utilizing this forum does not constitute reasonable care under the Informed Compliance guidelines. The CBP Information Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. We are closed on U.S. federal holidays. Our toll-free line within the United States is (877) 227-5511. International callers can reach us during our hours of operation by dialing 00+1+202-325-8000.

I'm with AnJay & Timona but that's by the by now. Yes you can reschedule. If your husband is okay with continuing to live and work with his green card until the interview is rescheduled, to goodness know when, then go ahead with your plans. How long have you been waiting?

Try here https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/158-passports-etc-what-to-do-now-that-you-are-a-us-citizen/

Agree with Crazy Cat...I added 5 years worth for the same reason however during the interview, the officer disregarded everything other than the presented 3 years information.

I wouldn't worry about it if your travel dates out of the USA is no where near compromising the physical presence requirement. Otherwise if are close to physical presence days then find a way to figure out actual days in and out. Just FYI: I used yellow post-it notes and marked all the pages which showed my travel dates. The IO took my passport and went through the passport and compared them to my application. She was very happy not to have to search page by page. I also kept an excel log of my trips which she took from me but that's by the by now for you. You might get lucky like I was and try the I-94 travel history https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search I was able to use this right up and until I passed my N-400 (even when I was a GC holder from 2017)

Got a story when I was taking my motorcycle test in Scotland! I was 19...going around town with the examiner following me. He radios me to pull over as he wanted to test my emergency stop. We pull over to the side of the road and he points down the street - I want you to ride to that roundabout (one of those alone would screw up any American). I need to see you use your indicators, lane control and come back up the other side. I will be standing on the opposite side of the street and when you see me step out on the road with my hand up, you need to come to a controlled stop and put both feet down. I go off on my merrily way, nervous and trying to remember everything he just said. My bike is surging because my throttle control was sucking and as I go around the roundabout I stall it because I'm in a too high gear for the speed. As I try to get it started on the opposite of the roundabout other vehicles are not waiting on me and continue on their way.. I get my bike started within maybe 10 seconds and head off hoping he wont be pi$$ed that I took so much time. As I'm head up the street I see brake lights come on and wonder what's going on. You've guessed, one of the vehicles that passed me was a high powered motorcycle that was now laying down with its pilot cursing loudly at my examiner "why the hell would you step out in front of me. Are you blind??"

The first time I had to take a US driver's test was in a small town in SE Louisiana (oilfield), freshly arrived on a H1B...if Selma Bouvier was based on anyone, then she was based on my examiner. "You wont mind if I smoke in your car!" It was statement rather than a question. The test consisted of 4 right turn stop signs in 1 mile . The second time was in Houston after being out of the country for 7 years.. I had to parallel park in my wife's Suburban. "You do know it is okay to use your rear view camera?"

Lots of resources. Good luck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DxKsNYfLGo&t=193s https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/find-study-materials-and-resources/study-for-the-test-2008-version/2008-civics-practice-test

Both sources are conflicting which is my point. One says yes you do and one says no you don't..... not sure your example is the same. The AR-11 refers to US address changes. Easy for everyone to tell the OP...will you or I be there at the OP's next USCIS interview if this is brought up?

Even if you google "AR-11 temporary address", you get conflicting information. eg: https://berardiimmigrationlaw.com/ar-11-tips-and-pointers-2/ States "You do NOT need to include temporary addresses as long as you maintain your present address as your permanent residence and continue to receive mail there;" https://immigrationlawnj.com/ar-11-four-things-must-know-immigration-rules/#change-address-necessary States : "DO I REALLY HAVE TO FILE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS AR-11 EVERY SINGLE TIME I MOVE? EVEN IF IT’S TEMPORARY? Yes. You do. In order to avoid any problems with USCIS you must file an AR-11 within ten days after ANY move YMMV

congratulations! I enjoyed looking through this thread, it was obvious that you were doing a lot of research yourself and it paid off. “Chapeau” for updating us on your case.

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/citlist.php?op6=All&op7=Salt+Lake+City+UT&op1=6&op2=&op4=1&op5=5%2C10%2C11&cfl=

Don’t base your life on what could happen or forever tread water instead of powering through. Cross the bridge if it comes, there is always another way. Enjoy the moment, good luck on your journey.

I’m not from Australia however like some others, we don’t plan to remain the US for the rest of our days. And for the reasons given by others, I also applied for my US citizenship (never know what the future brings, 10 quarters for working and ease of travel back to the US). with regards to researching our future home, we’re about 5-7 years away from making that move but I research everyday (joined Facebook groups to understand the process, purchased books, have been learning the language for past 2 years). Good luck

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization As Scandi mentions millions of us have all sent our original certificate and have received them back. We only read about the few that were lost and then believe that someone losing your certificate is the norm. See the above link for details on how to get a copy. Quote: “You do not need to obtain a Certified True Copy if the U.S. government asks for a copy of your certificate for official U.S. government business. For example, if the U.S. Department of State requests your Certificate of Naturalization when you apply for a U.S. passport, you may use a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated. You may use a normal photocopy of your certificate for legitimate U.S. government business.” Would you mind trying this and then letting us know if you got away with it ?🤨

You are fine. If your spouse is a U.S. citizen, you only need three years of continuous residence while married to him/her.

No it wont accept something that isn't there, I typed in "Timbuktu" and it threw an error warning

Your 31 days out of the US will not matter. Just for interest: there is a physical presence and continuous residence requirement. Better explained here than I could I agree with the other respondents who state not to apply on the day that you become eligible. In my own interview the officer said "okay, our last thing today is to check when you applied" And she pulled out a calendar and walked it back manually. She got it wrong the first time and said "oh oh, let's check again". Squeaky bum time! However the second time she counted it correctly and said that it matches what she sees on her screen.

I had guessed that. Different humor for different folks

According to the N400 civics test Question 24, that would be California. Question 49: only citizens are allowed to vote in a federal election