ManuFred

Oh and another question... since some of the things asked does not apply... like how many children 0 ... fill out their names... how many spouses 1 ...fill out previous spouse info act ect.... do I have to put N/A on every spot like that or just leave those all blank??

That's recommended but totaly up to you.

Hello All,

I have a quick question. I am hoping I can get an answer from somebody. Because, I received different answers from people.

I received my green card 08/07/2007 and it looks like I can apply for 5 year minus 90days, which turns out to be 05/09/2012.

I haven't traveled abroad more than 180days and I am residing in the same state for more than 3 months.(I have been at the same state for 17 years, same address for 3 years)

My question is I have to travel next week and I don't think I will be back before 05/09/2012, Can I leave my documents to a lawyer or a friend and they can submit it for me on 05/09/2012 while I was away.

I will be back at the end of may. Obviously, I do not wish to waste those weeks.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

90 day rule is never prefered. Don't cut it so close if you don't have to. Physical presence is not as straigth forward as you think. If you for instance have traveled within the first 3 months after receiving your GC the physical presence counter is set to zero again. This kind of stuff has caused people to be denied.

If no other reasons are there to apply this quickly then just give yourself a couple of months extra.

Well that's the thing, all that was required was money, passport pics and the form. I sent no additional information other than those three as it was not marriage based.

Well, that makes things easy! Just bring what they ask for.

The time is finally coming for my interview (May) and I didn't know if I need to take documents other than ID's and photocopies of them as stated on the interview letter. Do I need to take any other evidence, since I did not apply based on Marriage? Thanks for the help!

Originals of things you sent with your application.

thanks to Manufred,Ree& Huppytheslayer for ur reply

i know that all have diff timeline but was just getting an idea.

got email/txt message today :

Oath Ceremony

On April 5, 2012, we scheduled you for your oath ceremony and sent a notice providing the date, time, and location. If you move prior to the scheduled ceremony, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283

now i am

Awesome, your done!

Birth, marriage, and death certificates are no problem here, provided you were born, married, or died in that county. Wanted to register key important papers from Colombia or Venezuela for that type of certified copy. Those are not easy to replace here and really dead meat if they get lost for any reason.

I had to get our marriage license in my county, no choice on that, and every county in Wisconsin has a different fee for that license. My county was near the top end of that list. But wondered if I married a gal from a different county in Wisconsin, would we both have to buy separate marriage licenses? Didn't have to get married in my county, but had to find a place that would recognized my county's license. They don't make it easy.

No, you obtain a license from the county in which your wedding is gonna take place. In most cases you don't even have to be a resident of that county. A license is per proposed marriage not per person.

I received yellow letter today. It says that should bring a proof of registration of selective services to my interview. I never registered for that cuz I never knew abt it. I came here when I was 23 and now I am 36. What should I do abt it?

Well, it depends on the status you were on while 23-26 years of age. If you were here on a non-immigrant status (e.g. student VISA) at the time you are perfectly fine. I find myself in that situation too. Came here first on a J1 VISA age 25 and came here on a K1/got my GC at age 28 so I never registered.

so in my case, number of days outside the US wouldn't be that many as he moved over a year before becoming a LPR. and he spent most of the year before here in the US on the VWP. This is all questioned at interview? if so I don't see either way being wrong as it can be checked and its not trying to hide anything? the wording is so confusing. so i should only list the 2 trips since becoming an LPR, and list the days from 5 years. what about the number of trips, he's come and gone a few times on VWP in the prior year? how about the address question is this also 5 years?

Well, VWP might be questionable since it is only allowed to stay up to 90 consecutive days on VWP but if he didn't overstay he should have no problem. I don't think you guys overstayed since it would have come up in prior I-485 or I-751 cases.

Look at your GC. It will say "permanent resident since" and list trips you guys took from this date. That's all

PLESE POST UR TIMELINE AFTER INTERVIEW

WAITING FOR OATH LETTER

NOVEMBER 2011 DECEMBER 2011 & JANUARY 2012 FILERS ONLY PLZ

INTERVIEW DONE ON 21 MARCH WAITING FOR OATH LETTER

ONLINE STATUS : INTERVIEW & TESTING

I'm actually more interested in approval update timelines. I honestly don't mind waiting few months after interview having the assurance being approved. Oath schedule is solely dependend on locality. One can assume time between approval and oath at same office is about the same.

The reason I would have the ticket and receipt of payment handy at the interview is I've found three or more reviews/discussions of interviews where the interviewer actually required proof of payment on a traffic ticket or parking ticket. Right or wrong, he wasn't signing off until that documentation was in his hands. So since you have it, put it in the interview folder even though a sensible interviewer won't ask for it.

I did not list time outside the US except for the last 3 years. I still believe the point of the question is based on if your filing eligibility. The Guide to Naturalization says:

"Physical Presence concerns the total number of days you were in the United States

during the period required for your naturalization

."

In our case the required period is three years. We'll know in 3 weeks if that is okay.

1 trip, 14 days.

Yep, but N-400 doesn't ask about physical presence. N-400 asks:

A. How many days did you spend outside of the United States during the past five years? xx Days

B. How many trips of 24 hours or more have you taken outside the United States during the past five years? xx Trips

C. List below all the trips of 24 hours or more that you have taken outside the United States since becoming a lawfull permanent resident.

These questions are very straight forward. USCIS will of course use the physical presence rule to determine you're eligble based upon what you fill out here but as I said first question can be answered with 600 days as OP is filing on 3-year rule. It makes sense OP was not present the first 1 to 2 years out of the last 5.

Hello All,

First time poster here. I'm currently a Permanent Resident (Marriage based). I moved to CA from MA in October, 2011 with my family. I became eligible for naturalization when I was living in MA, but I thought to apply for naturalization after moving to CA. I sent N400 application to USCIS in December and they received it on December 21, 2011. I have been married for four years so I thought I was eligible, not knowing that there is also a continuous residence in one state requirement, i.e, that I have to live in CA for three months before applying. USCIS should have sent me a letter stating that I am not eligible because I do not meet the requirements. But they didnt. They cashed the application fee check, called me for biometerics and then interview. I passed the test and the officer gave me N-652 saying that my application has been recommended for approval and I should get Oath ceromony letter in a week. Its been three weeks since my interview, and I get a phone call from that officer to see him again in person. When I asked the reason, he told me that I dont meet continuous residence requirement, and no one picked it up. He gave me a hint that either he'd have to deny my application, or I withdraw my application. And I might have to apply again, and sent them the application fee again. He gave me his phone number to schedule this appointment.

So now there are two things. I am going to pay the fee again. I dont know what effect this mess up is going to have on my future application. I mean, why am I suffering because of their mistake. Should I withdraw or get denied? Any insight/suggestions would be appreciated.

Withdraw would probably the way to go because in that case you won't have to declare you have been denied on your future N-400 application.

I'm pretty sure that's the definition of a certified copy... aka a copy made after the original was issued, that has all the real seals and signatures of the original... a photocopy is not a certified copy, and not what people are referring to when they say certified copy.

Indeed. A certified copy is ussualy made by the institution that issued you the original certifcate and has this institutions' certification it's an true copy of the original.

Thank you for the quick reply. Funny thing with the speeding ticket, we paid it in person, so I still have the ticket and the receipt of payment. So that crosses that worry off. Just wanted to double check, because my husband just keeps questioning me, I may act like his secretary at times but I don't always have all the answers.

Thanks again!

Don't worry about the ticket. The instructions are clear about it. You do not need to submit or bring evidence for traffic violations less than 500 dollars. DUI is one exception but it doesn't sound like any of that is going on.

I don't agree with crossing out things if it comes to trip-question. 1st question asks how many days you spent outside US in the last 5 years, the 2nd question asks you to specify the trips you took since you became a permanent resident. I was in the same situation as you so answered first question with 600 days (as I entered US in Jul 2008) and specified the trips I took since dec 2008, the month I became a GC-holder (app. 60 days).

Updating...

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6. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

**For more detailedinstructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

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N-400: February 2012Applicants

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USCISDallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName.....|Sent.....|ChkCashed|NOA......|Fprints..|IntLtr...|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice......|

=============|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=================|

runtodeep....|02/02/12.|02/09/12.|02/13/12.|03/28/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD.....|

JayDee.......|02/04/12.|02/10/12.|02/09/12.|03/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|NewYork,NY......|

LLbeans......|02/06/12.|02/13/12.|02/10/12.|03/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia,PA..|EB: 03/23/12

preciousgift.|02/06/12.|02/15/12.|02/13/12.|04/02/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Charlotte,NC.....|

imtay........|02/07/12.|02/09/12.|02/10/12.|03/02/12.|03/23/12.|04/26/12.|--/--/--.|Buffalo,NY.......|

kcash........|02/07/12.|02/13/12.|02/16/12.|03/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD.....|

Gypsyangel...|02/08/12.|02/15/12.|02/14/12.|03/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|MountLaurel,NJ..|

Jkage........|02/09/12.|02/14/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas,TX........|

interesting..|02/13/12.|02/??/12.|02/16/12.|03/20/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|WashingtonDC....|

Ianletz......|02/15/12.|02/21/12.|02/21/12.|03/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Hartford,CT......|

greenteanyc..|02/15/12.|02/24/12.|02/24/12.|03/14/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|LongIsland,NY...|

J*C*H*2007...|02/21/12.|02/28/12.|02/24/12.|03/13/12.|03/22/12.|05/03/12.|--/--/--.|SanAntonio,TX...|

Ashleen......|02/21/12.|02/28/12.|02/24/12.|03/13/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas,TX........|

KPC..........|02/21/12.|02/29/12.|02/27/12.|03/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|NewYork,NY......|

melanctha....|02/24/12.|03/01/12.|02/27/12.|03/14/12.|03/23/12.|05/04/12.|--/--/--.|SanAntonio, TX..|

PepeGalleta..|02/27/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Charlotte,NC.....|

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USCIS PHOENIX,Arizona Lockbox

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Username..........|Sent.....|ChkCashed|NOA......|Frrints..|IntLtr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice......|

==================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=================|

imse82............|02/01/12.|02/10/12.|02/12/12.|03/12/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|Portland,OR......|

BILV..............|02/06/12.|02/14/12.|02/15/12.|03/06/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|LasVegas,NV.....|

Derek &Yun........|02/13/12.|02/17/12.|02/21/12.|03/12/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|LosAngeles,CA...|

H&B...............|02/15/12.|02/21/12.|02/20/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Indianapolis,IN..|

pacificleye.......|02/19/12.|02/24/12.|02/23/12.|03/22/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|Denver,Co........|EB: 03/09/12

cantoamer.........|02/19/12.|02/27/12.|03/02/12.|03/14/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|Sacramento,CA...|

latteberry .......|02/21/12.|../../...|../../...|04/03/12 |../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|Seattle,WA.......|

ManuFred..........|02/22/12.|02/27/12.|02/23/12.|03/15/12.|03/28/12.|05/02/12.|--/--/--.|Tucson,AZ........|EB: 03/06/12

sharkysparky......|02/23/12.|03/01/12.|02/29/12.|03/21/12.|04/02/12.|05/07/12.|--/--/--.|Honolulu,HI......|

NWMushroom........|02/28/12.|03/06/12.|03/05/12.|04/13/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|Portland,OR......|

pineappleprincess.|02/28/12.|03/06/12.|03/03/12.|03/28/12.|../../...|../../...|--/--/--.|SanDiego, CA....|

============================================================================

USCIS LINCOLN,Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328 or 319 of INA)

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Username.....|Sent.....|ChkCashed|NOA......|Fprints..|IntLtr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice......|

=============|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=================|

Example......|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City,ST..........|

filed for N 400 yesterday on 4/3/12 and hope everything goes good.

Well, you'd better start an April 2012 topic then Good luck with your application.

Is it just me or does it feel like the Los Angeles office has stalled. It seems like everyone else has there interviews scheduled but non of the folks in LA are moving past biometrics. I wonder what's going on?

You're probably right. My sense is that "in line for interview scheduling" actually means "background research is done., local office pick it up."

Charged us $8.00 for the first one, $5.00 for each additional one, everyone looks identical. Says right on our marriage certificate, will be fined $10,000 if you make a copy of it. As we also wanted to register our marriage in my wife's home country, we needed additional certificates for that and an apostile, but that only cost two bucks extra. All have their seal on it.

Exactly, they don't want you to make a copy. They themselves issue you as many as you want them too. The 10.000 dollar fine is just warning people not to do anything fraudulent with the certificate. I'm pretty sure nobody is gonna prosecute you for sending a copy to USCIS upon their request.

O that reminds me that a naturalization certificate states a similar thing but USCIS doesn't seem to mind receiving copies at all.

First, you won't be a US citizen when you marry your American boyfriend, so it's better to post your question in the CR-1/IR-1 forum or the Canadian regional forum because you'll get more traffic and therefore more answers. Second, if you're going to take up residence in the US, you'll have to apply for a CR-1 visa and that process will take about 9 months after you're married. Third, does your job require that you reside in Canada? You can't be a resident of both the US and Canada at the same time, unfortunately; you've gotta pick one.

trips are considered trips if more than 24 hours is what I gather from the paperwork so assuming SH1983 goes to Canada in the morning and come back in the evenening it wouldn't count as a day of absence from the US right?

I am a Canadian citizen. About to marry my American boyfriend. Once I get all my papers to live over there is it possible for me to live in the U.S.A and still work for the Canadian government and commute back and forth?

To answer your question. There is no restriction to live in one country and work in the other. However, while on adjustment of status (AOS) you won't be able to use the VISA waiver program to enter the US. So you will have to prepare yourself for some telecommuting.

I recieve a yellow form stating I need to bring ID to my interview, when they schedule my interview?

Yep, that's what USCIS considers part of the paperwork reduction act

You can bet the farm that the I.O. will not want to see your marriage certificate. He knows that you got married, when you got married, where you got married, and to whom you got married, because you got a Green Card based on it. All he wants to know is if you are still married, and that is not something your marriage certificate would reveal.

That was my thought too. The only thing it might reveal is that USCIS made a mistake in the past in some cases. My case is not one of them.

Anyone from the nederlanse here? I'd like to know if i will lose my dutch nationality if i become naturalized or can i hold dual citizenship. Thank you!

First of all, current regulations in the Netherlands state that by default one will lose Dutch citizenship when becoming a citizen of another country. Couple of exceptions apply and one of them is that if you live in another country and you are married to a citizen of that country and you acquire citizenship of that country you won't lose your Dutch citizenship. This is the exception that I'm currently using in applying for my US citizenship. See http://www.minbuza.nl/producten-en-diensten/burgerzaken/nederlandse-nationaliteit/een-andere-nationaliteit-verkrijgen.html

The Dutch government is currently proposing to eleminate these exceptions for future naturalization cases. This proposal is still to be voted on in Dutch congress (2e en 1e kamer) so will at least take 3-4 months and most likely more time to become law.

If you are married to a USC and are eligible to apply for N-400 then you might wanna go for it soon.

The instructions state to send a copy not an original. You should have no problem with sending a copy.

You don't not need to send any originals filing N-400 but the interview letter states to bring the following (I'll type it out for people who are interested in this):

You MUST BRING the following with you to the interview:

* This letter

* Your Alien Registration Card (green card)

* Any Evidence of Selective Service Registration

* Your passport and/or any other documents you used in connection with any entries into the United States

* Those items noted below which are applicable to you:

If applying for NATURALIZATION AS THE SPOUSE of a United States Citizen;

* Your marriage certificate

* Proof of death or divorce for each prior marriage of yourself or spouse

* Your spouse's birth or naturalization certificate of certificate of citizenship

If applying for NATURALIZATION as a member of the United States Army Forces;

* Your discharge certificate or form DD 214

If copies were submitted as evidence with your N-400 application, the originals of those documents should be brought to the interview.

Darn, just gathered some stuff for interview in a month. I'm filing based on marriage and now I found out I can't find the original marriage certificate. I do have certified copies though. My guess is that IO will accept this as substantial evidence. What do you guys think? Should I go through the hassle of getting another one (not even sure if that's possible)?

ManuFred

If applying for the three year marriage, they sure wanted to see mine or other proof of US citizenship, like a US passport. And I wasn;'t even the applicant, just the spouse of the applicant.

Wife only had to show her green card for her DOB, for some strange reason, they trusted their own AOS for that green card. But her green card was also based on marriage to me, for some reason, they didn't trust that aspect of it. So also had to bring in her marriage certificate, same one for the AOS. Then they questioned if that was valid, also had to bring in all of divorce papers in as well. Go figure.

Plenty of joint living together evidence was needed for her ten year card, didn't trust themselves on all of that either.

OP isn't even giving a hint about his/hers application, is it the 3 or 5 year? For the later, don't need anything except your green card.

Of course. They want to verify if the spouse who is claimed to be a USC is a USC. One kind of proof is the BC of the US spouse but like you said any other proof of US citizenship (e.g. spouses passport or naturalization certificate) would be fine.