Goran

That's good and it's nice it was a joke and Sweden is safe - viva ABBA - viva Agnetha

BUT there is the point that the Wisconsin Germans did fight against Germany with no compunction - so it seems that people do fall in line with their new country when required

and to a surprisng degree

Perhaps we shouldnt be surprised as we have the example of the American civil war where sometimes brother killed brother with relish as soon as they had chosen sides.

Strange folk us humans. I wish I was a duck sometimes.

Strange, indeed, and I agree with you. Being "re-spawned" as a rubber duck, in particular, would be interesting.

haha - no it was the Swedish chap who said he would go to war against Sweden no problem and his reasoning was that the USA would win... I imagined him nuking his mom and brothers and sisters and thinking it was worth it to get USC.

:

While I must admit that British humor is a bit "unique," I wouldn't imagine that my comment could be taken that seriously. Really? US and Sweden in a war? If that happened, we (as in the world) would have much more serious problems to worry about.

Yes, you need to submit the original if you apply for your passport through a post office or via mail. If mail, I strongly recommend to certify your mail. Copies are not accepted.

If you have a ticket that says you're traveling within 14 days, you can request same-day processing at one of the very few Passport Agencies across the country. One is in Washington, D.C. Anyway, you will need to setup an appointment via phone, and then you need to bring your certificate with you to your appointment. You will get it back the same day.

Hope this helps,

goran

User Name..........Location...........Application..........Passport Rcvd.....Certificate Back.............Service

Goran..............Richmond, VA..........07/15/09...............09/05/09.............09/05/09.............Normal

raleighn400........Durham, NC............07/30/09...............09/03/09.............09/05/09.............Normal

Rebelheart'son.....Atlanta, GA...........07/31/09...............08/31/09.............09/02/09.............Normal

Tini 27............Brooklyn,NY...........08/04/09...............08/14/09.............08/14/09.............Expedited

Sami76.............Atlanta, GA...........08/07/09...............08/28/09.............08/31/09.............Normal

jeangab75..........Durham, NC............08/17/09 ..............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Normal

so2008.............Tampa, FL.............08/17/09 ..............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Normal

Annelizabeth.......New Albany, IN........08/24/09...............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Normal

Kathryn41..........Stockbridge, GA.......08/28/09...............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Normal

l.j./1999..........Brooklyn, NY..........08/29/09...............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Normal

wifey246...........Pomona, CA............08/29/09...............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Normal

cookiee............Miami, FL.............09/01/09...............--/--/--.............--/--/--.............Expedited

Here's my experience and time line applying for a passport.

1) Applied for standard processing at local Post Office (Richmond, VA) on July 15.

2) Received letter on August 22nd from the New Orleans Passport Agency that my application had been submitted "unsigned." Agency returned a blank passport application and one of the photos I submitted with my original application. They also kept my original application, one photo, and my Naturalization Certificate.

3) Resubmitted another passport application at the same post office on August 24th. Also enclosed a $60 check for expedited processing (just in case).

4) Called several times to the National Passport Information Center, but all they said was "your application is still being processed."

5) Received passport, naturalization certificate, and $60 check back on September 5th.

6) Still waiting for the Passport Card, which will probably come in a separate mailing.

It took over 7 weeks and 3 days. A process that should take less than 6 weeks. Oh, and their statement that I had not signed my original application is not true. I signed it.

Anyway, in the end, I got my passport before my departure in 1.5 weeks.

Cheers,

Goran

NickD: Did they return your USC certificate in the same package? Did you go back to that guy at the post office and ask him what's going on. Didn't he make you sign it in front of him after saying the oath and all that stuff?

No. In the cover letter they sent me they stated that they were retaining my USC certificate. All they sent me were three things. The first was the cover letter, which indicated the "problem" of not having signed the application and that they would wait 90 days for me to correct the problem, and in those 90 days keep my USC proof. The second was a letter to the Passport Acceptance Agent that included a check list of things he/she needed to do when I showed up (such as do not charge this customer another $25 for processing, etc). The third was clean passport application with one of my two photos that I sent in with my original application stapled to it.

I filled out the application again and returned to the same post office where I submitted my original applciation. It so happened that the same "acceptance agent" was on duty this time as well. He is as sure as I am that we both signed the application before it was sent to the New Orleans Passport Agency.

Yes, I took the oath and signed the application in front of him. (It's hard to miss the "DO NOT SIGN THIS APPLICATION UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO BY A PERSON ADMINISTERING OATH." I am a pilot, and therefore very linear in my thinking. I do not leave things "undone," nor do I not follow instructions, line by line, and double check that they are done. (Known as Checklists to pilots).

NickD: We had a choice in our town between the city clerk and the post office, always a line at the post office, so elected to use the city clerk. She had that authorized thingy on the wall from the DOS, but apparently they only trust her to give the oath, but not to make a copy of the certificate. Really enjoy watching that TV program, NCIS where one government agency never trusts another. Surprised the DOS trusts the USCIS, in our case, we don't trust anyone of them. Not a paranoid statement on my part, constantly on the news about Americans not trusting their government.

It's funny that you mention the "...not to make a copy of the certificate." I was going back and forward on this one. It states clearly on my certificate that you are not allowed to make copies. However, the Immigration Officer that handed us our USC Certificates at the Oath Ceremony told us that even though it says not to make copies on the certificate that we should do so anyways. I am regretting that I didn't before sending it away for my passport application.

I was naturalized on July 15th 2009, and applied for my U.S. Passport at the local Post Office the same day. Standard Passport Processing time is stated to be 4-6 weeks on the Department of State website. My planned vacation to Sweden starts September 17th - plenty of time to get my passport processed (at 6 weeks, should be processed by last week of August.)

Think again....

I received a letter yesterday stating that my passport application was not signed in front of the passport application acceptance agent at the post office. This is completely incorrect. I signed the bloody application right in front of the agent. I am 100% certain of this. What really baffles me is why would they say I didn't sign the application????

Anyway, now, barely more than 3 weeks before I leave for Sweden, I still have no passport, and I have to go back to the post office and re-apply for the passport. All I say is that they better expedite the process this time so that the passport comes within 2 weeks.

... and I thought dealing with incompetent and lazy federal workers would stop once I got my Naturalization Certificate and became a U.S. Citizen... HA! I am afraid it has just begun!

Goran

I feel it's okay to worry or even panic until that certificate comes in, you need it for other stuff, so either have to battle with the DOS or with the USCIS with 400 bucks plus a copy of the one that was lost with a 6-9 month wait.

With expedient service, passport came in in a cardboard envelop that I had to sign for, three days later, the extremely more expensive certificate came in first class in a cheap paper envelop from exactly the same office, New Orleans in our case when Chicago is nearby. DOS could have saved 43 cents for the stamp and another 20 cents for the envelop, and even another hundred bucks to pay someone to address it, if they just stuck it in with the passport. But this is our government.

Did they accept a copy of your Naturalization Certificate? It says on mine that it is illegal to make copies of the certificate.

Completed the oath today, and received the certificate. Held the certificate in my hand for about 3 hours, then headed over to the post office to apply for a passport. Now, the certificate is in the hands of the Government again ... 4 to 6 weeks....

Good luck to everyone else still waiting!

Best regards,

Goran

Alan,

I think you're right. It's an extremely relative question, and also a very personal question. I've been lucky enough to have experienced many cultures on many different continents, and to me, the U.S. is as good as it gets. All countries have pros and cons. Their weights, I believe, depends on what you value as an individual.

I'm taking the oath on July 15th. I will remain a Swedish citizen, and therefore have dual-citizenship. However, I am fully aware (and willing) to renounce my allegiance to Sweden. In other words, if the U.S. ever declared war on Sweden, I will fight for the U.S. Which, I don't think, is a particularly bad idea considering the military powers of each country

Of course, Sweden will always have a place in my heart, but I would never have sought U.S. Citizenship if I was not willing to be fully loyal to the U.S. and accept the U.S. Culture.

Cheers,

Goran

Anticlimactic or not, he is still a citizen of the greatest country in the world

On what basis ? A certain Austrian gentleman thought it was a good idea to trumpet his country and people as superior in every way - and look where that ended up.

I will be a dual citizen of the U.S. and the U.K. but claiming superiority over other countries is not a necessary qualification unless one is Rush Limbaugh fan. Mitt Romney says the U.S. is the 'finest country in the history of the world', but a stroll round downtown Seattle at midnight (dare you), might have people wondering about that.

On the basis of the ratio of doctors to patients (4 times as many as the U.K.), and the quality and cost of care, France for instance, beats the U.K. and the U.S. easily - so the criteria is important

So in my book it's ok to point out some aspects of the U.S. and say they are superb (and I do), but fauning over America as some kind of heaven on earth is a bit yucky and not realistic unless one comes from a 3rd world country where becoming an American (or a citizen of anywhere in the West), really is salvation.

On the basis of the quality and gravitas of the citizenship ceremony, it seems the US has some way to go, and it sounds like a sausage machine with little regard to the importance of the occasion to the individual . It would probably have more solemnity to do it at the end of the interview on a one to one basis with relatives present then

Hi everyone,

My question is I got married in 1993 to a US citizen who is the friend of my mother-in-law. He was the boyfriend of my mother-in-law and he wanted to help me stay in the US. I have no information about him when I married him legally at Las Vegas. At that time, I was young and I just wanted to stay in the US. Of course, the marriage was never consumated. However, a day after the marriage, I felt guilty of my wrongdoing and just decided to forget it and go back to my country. By twist of fate, I got a H1B visa in 2000. I applied immediately for an annulment when I reached the US. It was granted. However, I have no information about his whereabouts since 1993. The annulment went through even without his presence. My mother in law is dying and too sick to give me any information about him. In my permanent residence application, I did not mention him. I got my 10 year green card recently. I now want to apply for US citizenship and worried on how I can get information about him or INS might see the discrepancy and why I did not report him in my immigration application.

Thanks,

Silly Lady

I agree with the other responders to your dilemma. USCIS takes marriage fraud very seriously, even if there is no fraud there. If it looks like fraud, they have no tolerance. Check out this article: Article

I think you should go over your application with a reputable immigration lawyer before attempting to file for naturalization.

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of filling out the N-400 Application but I am not sure how to answer Part 8A.

How many times have you been married (including annulled marriages)?

I had never been married before and this is my first marriage to a US Citizen. Do I answer 0 or 1?

Thanks!

One.

Thank you for a quick reply!

I concur - one. I was confused as well. The IO was fine with the way I filled that part of the application out.

Goran

Hi all,

Does anyone know if oath and interview are on the same day?

Thanks

No, they do not do interview and oath on the same day. Oaths are given in the U.S. Eastern District Courthouse in Richmond, VA. The next oath date is July 15, 2009. It seems that they give these oaths every 2 months.

Goran

Thanks everyone for your well wishes and congratulations! I think this is the best forums around and it is of such great help!

I with everyone good luck and best wishes in your journey!!

Happy weekend!

Goran

Congratulations!!! I've been wondering how you are doing since I haven't read from you in a while. Too bad you didn't get to take the oath at Monticello. But soon you'll be all done!

Thanks, Stella!

Yeah, my absence is due to work. Been a lot going on lately, so haven't had much time (or energy) to be on the computer at night.

I asked the IO if I could take it at Monticello. Unfortunately, I can't since Monticello is within the D.C./NOVA USCIS field offices. Only those applicants going through the process in those offices can elect to be sworn in at Monticello (or if you are invited by a Senator or other public figure).

I meant to ask you. Did you decide to keep your German citizenship?

Cheers,

Goran

Interview experience here: Norfolk, VA Interview Experience

I just filed the Ar11 for both myself and my wife online and got confirmation numbers for both of us. Should it be ok now for me to send in our N 400 applications .

Zoony,

I don't know anyone but an immigration officer can say whether that is okay. I have heard horror stories that involved change of address mistakes. Currently, there is a physician (resident of the US for over 20 years w/ family and kids), who are in deportation proceedings (although they are currently delayed due to the interjection of his state senator) because he didn't keep his address up-to-date. Important to note in this story is that the change of address is not the underlying problem. The problem was that he was technically married to two people at once while he went through the AOS/Greencard process. The INS back then tried to contact him at his "current" address. Since he didn't have a current address, he never got the correspondence from the INS. Because he didn't answer the INS, his case has been flagged for deportation. Once he "surfaced" again during his Citizenship application, the USCIS started deportation procedures.

I think you have three options. One is to send in your application and talk it over with the immigration officer once you get called to the interview. This may be risky. They may rule that you do not have "Good Moral Character", since you did not follow the law.

A second option is to wait until >5 years since you put in your change of address (and assuming that you put in a change of address each time you move from now on). I think this will put your change of address mistake outside of the "good moral character" measuring period.

The third option is to contact a lawyer and get some advise on how to proceed. Since I am not a lawyer, and there are very few of them on this forum, this may be the best route in your case. It may cost you some $$ though.... But nothing compared to the $$ if you get involved in deportation proceedings.

Sorry if I sound "doom and gloom." Normally I wouldn't. I just went through the interview myself today, and it turned out that I was worrying needlessly about my application. I was worried about the different spellings of my name and a couple of speeding tickets. But, I must give kudos to the USCIS. At least the immigration officer I had made me feel very at ease as we both went through my application, changed what needed to be changed, and then I signed it again at the very bottom of the last page in front of the Officer. I guess it is not your "official" application until you sign there. However, I didn't have any instances where I had "broken" USCIS protocol and not changed my address, so I cannot speak to what would have happened if that was the case.

Good luck, and keep us all updated on your progress!!!

Cheers,

Goran

Hello Everyone!

The following is my experience going through the interview process on the journey to become a Citizen. While I am sure there is a general interest in my post, I am posting partly because of the seemingly small group of people on this forum who go through the Norfolk office. So, hopefully, this post will be of some help and reassurance to those folks. Here goes...

I arrived at 9:15AM for a 10:00AM appointment. The reason I was 45 minutes early was because you are never too sure of the delay going through the tunnels to the peninsula where Norfolk is located. There was about a 4.5 mile backup before the tunnel at 8:45am (going east on I-64). However, had there been a wreck, it is not unusual for much longer delays.

Guards outside of the USCIS building inform everyone that cell phones, weapons, and other sharp objects have to be left in the car. I was prepared and did not have any of these items. As you enter the building, the first thing you will hit is the X-ray machine, on which you have to place everything except your clothing.

The next step was to put your notice to appear document in a basket just off the waiting room area. I did so, and sat down and waited. At 9:50AM I was called by Officer Patterson to come with her to her office. She conducted the interview as follows:

1) You are sworn in. She asked me to remain standing, drop my brief case, and raise my right hand. After I swore to tell the truth, she invited me to sit down.

2) She asked for my Passport and Green Card. She took a quick glance and then explained that she would start the exam. She started by giving me a piece of paper with about 10 sentences on it. She pointed to one sentence and asked me to read it. Then she took that paper and gave me another that had 10 empty rectangular boxes. She asked me to write something about freedom of speech. Cannot remember the exact wording.

3) Next she started to ask me the questions. If I recall correctly, these were the questions she asked:

• What do you promise to do when you become a United States citizen?
• Who is the Governor of Virginia?
• Name two national U.S. holidays.
• Where is the statue of liberty?
• Who was the first President?
• What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

As I was answering the questions, she marked on a sheet of paper what I answered, and checked off whether the answer was correct. I must have answered all 6 questions correct since she didn't continue with questions 7-10 (which were printed on her form). She checked off "100% Correct".

4) The next step was to go through my application. We started with my name. She asked me to say my first, middle and last names. I did, and then I added that there is a discrepancy on my passport last name and my last name as printed on the green card. This is a long story (explained in a different post). The short story is that my Swedish passport and birth certificate spell my last name with an "f", however, all my official documents here in the U.S. (Green Card, SSN Card, etc, etc) spell my last name with a "v". I filled out my N-400 with the "v" spelling, since the instructions said that you should spell it exactly as it appears on your Green Card. Nevertheless, she said that to fix this, she had to change the spelling of my last name on the N-400 to an "f", and then request a name change to "v". She said she will file the paperwork, and my "new" name will take effect when I take the oath on July 15th.

5) Continuing on with the application, she verbally asked the questions in the application. Then she asked me if I have ever been arrested. I explained that I had been cited twice for speeding, and therefore answered yes to the "Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained..." question. She said that traffic tickets are no problem, and wrote "traffic tickets" on the line with that question.

6) The last thing left to do was to sign the application. I had not used my "real" signature, since it is ineligible, and they asked for a legible signature on the application. She said that was fine, but that I need to sign with my "normal" signature at the very bottom, and then print my name.

7) Then she congratulated me and said that I passed and that she approved my application .

8) She asked if I still lived in Richmond, and that she would schedule me to take my oath in the U.S. court house in Richmond on July 15th there. She gave me two pieces of paper. The first document stated that I had passed the test and that I was recommended for citizenship. The second document stated that I was to appear in the U.S. Court house in Richmond to take the oath on July 15th.

The whole process took 15 minutes. I was out of there at 10:05 am Officer Patterson was very nice, professional, and made me feel "at ease."

I think one thing to take away from my experience is that if you are worried about whether you filled in the application right, you will have the opportunity to change it as you are talking with the IO, as they can give you definite answers as how to correctly fill it out.

Good luck everyone!

Cheers!

Goran

Just got back from the Interview. Updating "the list." Will post another e-mail with details about the interview.

Cheers,

Goran

1. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.

2. Click 'Reply' on the most recent/updated posting version of this list (**not a quoted response, pls**).

3. Remove quotes (top and bottom) around the list.

4. ALWAYS use Courier New font. Font size 2

5. Do NOT move or delete these instructions.

NSC

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview.....Oath.............Office

YamSam.........01/10/09......01/25/09......xx/xx/xx........03/25/09.........04/29/09....05/06/09......Chicago, IL

murukun........01/12/09......01/26/09......02/12/09........03/03/09.........04/08/09....05/01/09....St. Louis, MO

TSC

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

eltemp.........01/05/09......01/16/09......02/06/09........03/12/09.........04/29/09....04/29/09......Atlanta, GA

tabta..........01/12/09......01/26/09......xx/xx/xx........02/12/09.........03/23/09....--/--/--................?

oklahoma.......01/23/09......02/05/09......02/19/09........03/02/09.........04/16/09....05/29/09..........OKC, OK

VSC

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

borntorule.....01/01/09......01/10/09......01/30/09........02/19/09.........04/07/09....05/07/09.......Boston, MA

Lappa1.........01/02/09......01/15/09......02/04/09........02/28/09.........04/07/09....--/--/--.........Wash. DC

yorker123......01/03/09......01/17/09......02/03/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.......Newark, NJ

KatherineCC....01/06/09......01/13/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.....New York, NY

Par............01/07/09......01/14/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--....Baltimore, MD

awaterlily.....01/12/09......01/21/09......02/09/09........02/19/09.........03/31/09....03/31/09................X

Marchlyne......01/12/09......01/23/09......02/17/09........04/29/09.........04/30/09....04/30/09.......Newark, NJ

Couille Molle..01/15/09......01/31/09......02/17/09........03/30/09.........05/07/09....06/12/09.....New York, NY

cHiQy..........01/20/09......01/31/09......02/19/09........04/13/09.........06/02/09....--/--/--....Baltimore, MD

Sarara.........01/22/09......02/02/09......02/23/09........03/09/09.........04/14/09....05/15/09.......Boston, MA

USCIS Lockbox Arizona

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

buckeye6976....01/22/09......02/02/09......02/19/09........03/23/09.........05/04/09....05/19/09.....Columbus, OH

nocturnalbeat..01/28/09......02/05/09......02/24/09........03/19/09.........05/12/09....--/--/--..Los Angeles, CA

USCIS Lockbox Texas

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

GTMo...........01/21/09......01/26/09......02/24/09........--/--/--.........05/07/09....--/--/--......Houston, TX

Goran..........01/31/09......02/10/09......03/03/09........03/19/09.........05/21/09....07/15/09......Norfolk, VA

I'm sorry to hear that. I take it you wrote a statement and sent it along with your application where you stated what the tickets were for and what the fine was? I had put everything down (even just warnings) and explained on separate sheet of paper. The IO didn't want to see any paperwork and just put "traffic" on my application. But that's the thing - you never know what your individual IO wants to see and what he decides. That is frustrating because you never know what's going to be the outcome of your case (same thing when you enter the States and have to go through immigration). I guess, in your case I would try to get your driving record and just show them that. How far back does that go? Maybe you could sign an affadavit? Maybe the IO even doesn't want to see the papers. On my interview letter it stated I had to bring all the originals of copies I had sent in and in the end he even didn't ask for them. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks, Stella! I think you're right. It doesn't matter how much standardization the feds try to push into the naturalization process, it still comes down to the "mood" of the immigration officer and how much of a pain he/she wants to be.

I think your advise is good. I actually did get my driving record already (11 year), since before the 1/22/2009 guideline to the N-400 application was released, traffic tickets weren't very well discussed. On my 11-year driving record, only the ticket in 2005 shows up. The ticket in 2000 is no longer on it. I do remember several years ago (around 2003) when I pulled my driving record, the ticket I got in 2000 was on there, but I think traffic tickets are only on there for 5 years and is then purged from the record.

Oh, and for clarification, I did not attach a separate explanation for the tickets with my application. I simply stated in the "matrix" below the "Yes" / "No" questions for arrested, detained, cited, etc, etc, the two tickets and that they were "Prepaid". I did not include the actual amount. I have that information for the 2005 ticket, but not for the 2000 ticket. It was around $120, but there is no way I can prove that because the court has no record of it. All I can tell the officer is that I got the ticket in 2000, I have no record of it, the court has no record of it, and really, if the USCIS wants to pursue it further, the burden of proof lies with them. I've done everything possible to disclose truthfully any interactions I've has "with the law." If the court in Dare County, North Caroline chooses not to maintain traffic court records, there's really nothing I can do about it, and if the USCIS believes that's somehow grounds for denying my application, then so be it.

Anyway, thanks for your reply Stella! It's always nice to read positive replies.

I must admit, it is sometimes VERY frustrating dealing with the federal Government. It clearly states in their guidelines for the N-400 application NOT to submit originals or court certified dispositions of traffic tickets less than $500 or if the ticket did not involve a DUI.

I have had 2 tickets. One in 2000 (speeding 11mph over, about $120), and one in 2005 (speeding 16mph over, about $185). I CLEARLY stated the fact that I had these two tickets in the application (Part 10), and checked "Yes" to the question whether I had been Arrested, cited, or detained.

Today, I get the "yellow letter" in the mail requesting that I bring an original or court certified copy of the courts' dispositions because I had indicated on my application that I had been arrested (in the "yellow letter" they conveniently avoid writing out the remaining of the sentence that I answered "Yes" to in the N-400 application). Unbelievable!

The tricky part for me is that I was able to get a court certified copy of the disposition for the 2005 speeding ticket, but the court for the speeding ticket in 2000 has no record what-so-ever of me ever getting a ticket.

What I am suspecting will happen is that after I explain this obvious fact (if they had actually looked at my application and read their own guidelines), they will keep my application in "pending" mode after my interview on May 21 until they have tried to contact the court that dealt with my ticket in 2000 to verify that, indeed, there is no record of me ever getting a ticket.

This unnecessary bureaucratic manure frustrates me to no end! And, let this be a lesson to all honest people who actually believes in disclosing everything on the application.

What would you do?

Goran, congrats!

Thanks, awaterlily!!!!

I brought tons of papers to prove every little thing to the interview. All the IO wanted to see was my passport, greencard and driver's license. That was it. I also had passport pictures from my N-400 at home (I got a set of six) and I took them along. I didn't need them, the officer had the ones I had sent in. About the name: I had posted a while back that I have a German Umlaut in my maiden name. I spelled it the way you spell it when there's no "Umlaut" available and I was worried about that little inconsistency. I printed out several explanations that both spellings are the same thing (Umlaut = vowel + e). The officer didn't worry about it (maybe, too, because I haven't used my maiden name in almost 15 years).

If I were you I would bring anything you think of to the interview. If you need it, you got it right there and there won't be a delay. If the officer doesn't ask to see it, just take home with you.

Congratulations on your interview letter!

Thanks for the reply, Stella. I appreciate your feedback. I agree. It seems that the better prepared you are, the less chance there is they will ask you for any additional documentation After all, I have two months to prepare my documentation before my interview date! The Norfolk office must run a little bit slower since they are so close to the beach, and the weather is getting warmer...

Hello everyone!

Today, I received my notice to appear for an interview, Request for Applicant to Appear for Naturalization Initial Interview (I-797C, Notice of Action form). I do not have a problem with the documents they list on the I-797C, which states to bring:

1) This letter

2) Your Alien Registration Card (green card).

3) Any evidence of Selective Service Registration.

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

5) Those items noted below which are applicable to you:

If applying for NATURALIZATION AS THE SPOUSE of a United States Citizen... [does not apply to me]

If applying for NATURALIZATION as a member of of the United States Armed Forces... [does not apply to me]

I am fine with these requirements. However, there is a form, N-659, Naturalization Interview Document Check List, revision 01/22/07, that is enclosed with the I-797C. My questions are:

Regarding bullet 1 on the I-797C - "You must be properly attired and bring:"

* Although not required, it is recommended that you bring two additional passport-style photos (2"x2")...

Question: For those of you that had the same check list enclosed, did you bring an extra set? If not, did the USCIS give you any trouble?

Regarding inconsistency between passport last name and green card last name

On my Swedish passport, my last name states "Gustafsson"

On my Green Card, my last name states "Gustavsson"

The correct spelling of my last name is "Gustavsson." Long story, but when my mom took my dad's last name, they incorrectly recorded it with an "f", rather than a "v". My brother's and sister's Swedish passports state Gustavsson. Somehow, my last name was recorded based on my mom's incorrectly recorded last name. With the exception of my Swedish Passport and my Swedish Driver's License, I always use "Gustavsson," including when I applied for my Green Card some 10 years ago. Back then, the INS recorded my name in their system as Gustavsson, and had no problem that my passport actually says "Gustafsson."

Question: Has anyone else had this problem? If I explain this to the IO during the interview, do you think there will be any problems/delays in my application?

I appreciate any feedback.

Best regards,

Goran

Got the Interview appointment letter today, hence updating the info below accordingly.

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NSC

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview.....Oath.............Office

YamSam.........01/10/09......01/25/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--......Chicago, IL

murukun........01/12/09......01/26/09......02/12/09........03/03/09.........04/08/09....--/--/--....St. Louis, MO

TSC

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

eltemp.........01/05/09......01/16/09......02/06/09........03/12/09.........04/29/09....--/--/--......Atlanta, GA

tabta..........01/12/09......01/26/09......xx/xx/xx........02/12/09.........03/23/09....--/--/--................?

oklahoma.......01/23/09......02/05/09......02/19/09........03/02/09.........04/16/09....--/--/--..........OKC, OK

VSC

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

borntorule.....01/01/09......01/10/09......01/30/09........02/19/09.........04/07/09....--/--/--.......Boston, MA

Lappa..........01/02/09......01/15/09......02/04/09........02/28/09.........04/07/09....--/--/--.........Wash. DC

yorker123......01/03/09......01/17/09......02/03/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.......Newark, NJ

KatherineCC....01/06/09......01/13/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.....New York, NY

Par............01/07/09......01/14/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--....Baltimore, MD

waterlily......01/12/09......01/21/09......02/09/09........02/19/09.........03/31/09....--/--/--................X

Marchlyne......01/12/09......01/23/09......02/17/09........04/29/09.........--/--/--....--/--/--.......Newark, NJ

Couille Molle..01/15/09......01/31/09......02/17/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.....New York, NY

cHiQy..........01/20/09......01/31/09......02/19/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--....Baltimore, MD

Sarara.........01/22/09......02/02/09......02/23/09........03/09/09.........04/14/09....--/--/--.......Boston, MA

Ahuacatl.......01/31/09......--/--/--......--/--/--........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.......Boston, MA

USCIS Lockbox Arizona

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

buckeye6976....01/22/09......02/02/09......02/19/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--.....Columbus, OH

nocturnalbeat..01/28/09......02/05/09......02/24/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--..Los Angeles, CA

USCIS Lockbox Texas

UserName........ Sent...........NOA1.......Biometrics....Int letter rec.....Interview....Oath..............Office

GTMo...........01/21/09......01/26/09......02/24/09........--/--/--.........--/--/--....--/--/--......Houston, TX

Goran..........01/31/09......02/10/09......03/03/09........03/19/09.........05/21/09....--/--/--......Norfolk, VA