npson

When I log in online via my USCIS account, the case received date is towards the beginning of August 2016 with the status showing as "In Process" the status message says "Your benefit request has been accepted and is under review".  

My field office is Houston.  Based on the link in my post above, selecting Houston as the field office.  It says field office processing dates for Houston as of January 2017 for N-400 is "processing cases as of date May 15, 2016".  I am assuming there is a backlog as they are just under 3 months from getting to August 2016?

I tried calling the USCIS Customer Service line a few months ago to get an idea of timeline or an update. The advice I received was they do not monitor the next steps after biometrics. It would be the local office closest to my zip code and if I wanted an update I would have to schedule an appointment, physically go there and ask them the question directly. That did not seem right just to get a status update?

On the biometrics notification of appointment letter I received back in August 2016 which includes the stamp that was placed on the letter to prove completion shows the Service Center in the top right of letter as "NBC".  Does that help with filing question?  Whereabouts can I find processing times? I found this link but not clear which option I am meant to select i.e. field office or something else?  https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

Hi

A couple of questions I am hoping anyone can help with:

1. I submitted my N-400 application last year and completed my biometrics appointment towards the end of August 2016.  My online status still says in process and haven't received any letters since my biometric appointment. Out of curiosity, does anyone know how long it typically takes to receive an interview appointment letter based on my timeline tied to my biometrics appointment?
2. I am a permanent resident (green card holder), since submitting my N-400, I have had to renew my British passport.  Do I need to do anything in terms of notifying the USCIS of my new British passport number? I did not need to provide my British passport information in my N-400 and am assuming that no action is required on my part.  Am I right?

Thanks!

Hi!

I completed my biometrics appointment towards the end of August 2016, I have checked online but the last update is still showing as biometrics.

I called the customer service center to get an idea of timeline or an update, the advice I received was they do not monitor the next steps. It would be the local office closest to my zip code and if I wanted an update I would have to schedule an appointment, physically go there and ask them the question directly. That seems a bit much for just an update.

Does anyone know how long it typically takes before I should receive a notification about when my interview / test would be taking place?

Thank you!

Nich-Nick

My thought process was because all my previous applications were tied to marriage I should follow the same process. Based on the above I will change my form to Option A, from what I have read, am I right in saying all I now need to submit is the 4 items listed below?

• N-400 Parts 1 to 15
• A copy of my permanent resident card
• 2 photographs
• N-400 application fee

Thanks once again!

Nich-Nick, thanks for clarifying!

As part of the pack using Option B, I have included:

i) Copy of both sides of my Permanent Resident card

ii) 2 identical color photographs of myself with my name and Alien Registration Number on the back of each photograph

iii) Application fee for N-400

iv) Copy of my wife’s US Passport

v) Copy of my marriage certificate to my wife

vi) Copies of jointly filed tax returns (2015, 2014, 2013) - I only included three years worth based on Option B i.e. last three years. Do I need to provide 5 years worth?

vii) A Deposit Account Balance Summaries for our joint accounts (which also shows the date when we opened the accounts, both our names, current balance) provided by my local bank branch:

viii) Copies of bank statements from our joint checking account for the last 3 years - I only included three years worth based on Option B i.e. last three years. Do I need to provide 5 years worth?

ix) A copy of the deed to our jointly owned home

x) Copies of joint leasing agreements for our previous apartment

xi) A copy of our son’s birth certificate

Thanks!

Thanks for all the help. I have completed my pack and getting ready to send it. After reviewing the form, I am now a little confused regarding Part 1. For the purposes of my application, I selected Option B " Have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 3 years. In addition, you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse for the last 3 years, and your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the last 3 years at the time you filed your Form N-400".

Little background, I have been a lawful permanent resident for 5 years and 8 months. I was granted this status through marriage to my wife (US citizen). which is why I selected Option B as it has been "at least 3 years" that I have been a permanent resident, in addition, I have been married to and and living with the same US citizen spouse for the last 3 years, and my my spouse has been a U.S.citizen for the last 3 years at the time of filing my N-400.

On the N-400 there is also Option A "Have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years. " Technically, this also applies to me as I have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years too.

Am I okay to go ahead with Option B (given all my previous submissions tied to my green card all related to being married). My pack is ready to be sent but Part 1 has confused me a little bit.... as I also fall into Option A based on timing of application.

Am I okay to just go ahead with Option B?

Thanks

Hi!

I am pulling together the supporting documentation for my N-400, Item 4a of the checklist states "documents referring you and your spouse: tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children".

How far back do I need to go for documents such as:

• Tax returns - I was planning on sending the last 3 tax returns we filed jointly, is that sufficient enough?
• Bank accounts - do they need actual statements? If so, how many months worth of statements do I need to send?
• Mortgage - I am sending evidence that we own a home tomorrow so that's covered
• Birth certificate of children - sending a copy of this so that is also covered.

Thanks and appreciate the help!

It's the forms and the way they are worded coupled with the advice given by the customer service line which is follow what it says in instructions! lol

My wife was born in the US, my wife's birth certificate is not in the best of condition at all, which is why I was leaning towards her US passport (one of the recommended options) which states her place of birth within the US and using the picture page not the artwork page .

Thanks for the responses. Should have clarified that my wife was born in the US.

Thanks Doodles08, You mentioned easier to send certificate vs copy of the specified pages of the US passport, curious to know how so?

Charmander, thanks for clarifying, that's what I thought too, the way it is worded on the form is what threw me off as the photo page with name and so forth is page 2 not the "inside front cover". In that case, I will go sending a copy of the picture and signature page.

Hi,

I am about to ask what could be deemed an embarrassing question. I am currently completely the N-400 form to apply for US citizenship on the basis of marriage to a US citizen.

The checklist asks for me to evidence that my spouse has been a US citizen for the last 3 years, using, "the inside of the front cover and signature page of your spouses's current US passport".

What do they mean by the "inside front cover'? I ask becauset he "inside front cover" of my wife's US passport is just artwork with no information relating to her. Page 2 is in fact the page that includes her picture / details followed by the "signature page" on page 3.

Am I meant to be sending the picture page of my wife's passport and signature page because the "inside front cover" as mentioned is just artwork?

I called the US passport hotline and they said they do not have the form in front of them and would refer me back to the instructions - which is in fact the point of confusion right now.

Would greatly appreciate your help in getting this resolved!!

Hi All,

I wanted to thank you all for your advice and help. I received my son's British Passport a couple of days ago!

Thanks once again!!!

A quick couple of follow up questions regarding applying for my son's British passport now he has arrived safe and sound!

1. My son is now 2 months old, if we take pictures for his passport now but will not be traveling until he is one year's old. Will his passport picture still be valid given the fact babies grow so quickly and will look different? Will we need to update his picture again?

2. Where can I get passport pictures taken in the US (Houston, TX) that meet the required measurements for a British passport?

Thanks in advance!!

Nich-Nick - per my earlier post. I did check my birth certificate by looking through my greencard application paperwork - fond memories!!!!

My original birth certificate was not in the US required format (parents names). I now recall having to request one through:

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/most_customers_want_to_know.asp#GettingStarted

Useful link for anyone else that might need it!

It's true so much useful and friendly knowledge!

Cheeky Monkeys - as the group have mentioned, you will be absolutely fine to travel alone with just a green-card as long you have your british passport to go along side it (in the absence of not having a U.S. passport) of course!

The other benefit of having a british passport aside from the key things is avoiding the long queues at terminal 5 as you can just tap it on the electronic security gates!

Racheal&David / Nich-Nick, thank you for all the helpful posts!

Nich-Nick - I took a quick look at the link to the PDF document for supporting documents. As my son will be born in the US, I will need to provide items from Table B. If I have understood correctly, do I (FATHER) only need to provide a copy of my birth certificate? It mentions showing both the child's and parents' details - I am assuming they are referring to me as the child in this instance given it is my birth certificate?

I do not recall my parent's names being on my birth certificate but will have to check? (I was born in the UK).

Number 2 does not seem to apply as my son is due to arrive next month i.e. born after 1 July 2006.

Appreciate your advice.

Extract from Table B:

1. one of your parents’ full birth certificate (showing both the child’s and parents’ details) or naturalisation or registration certificate; and
2. if this is your father, his marriage certificate to your mother (this does not apply for those born on or after 1 July 2006).

Much appreciated!

Hi,

I am a British Citizen (Permanent Resident - Green Card) and my wife (US citizen by birth and also holds a British Passport) are expecting our first child.

We are trying to work out how to get our newborn baby his British passport as he will be born here in the US. The process seems a little confusing?

1. Would I be right in saying we go through the process via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports - Overseas British passport applications? If yes, as I go through answering the questions, I come across "Which country were you born", this sounds silly but is it asking where I was born or where our baby is born?

2. Once I get through the initial questions, (I selected USA in response to "Which country were you born" as I based it on my son's place of birth). I am redirected to an online application portal page via the gov.uk page for British Nationals. Have I been redirected to the correct place?

3. If I am correct in 1 and 2, what documents do my wife and I need to provide? Is it easier just to note my wife as a US citizen even though she is a British Citizen too?

Sorry for all the specific questions but want to make sure I am following the correct process.

Much appreciated!!

Hi,

I just read the above posts, I am a British Citizen (Permanent Resident - Green Card) and my wife (US citizen by birth and also holds a British Passport too) are expecting our first child.

We are trying to work out how to get our newborn baby his British passport as he will be born here in the US. The process seems a little confusing.

1. Would I be right in saying we go through the process via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports - Overseas British passport applications? If yes, as I go through answering the questions, I come across "Which country were you born", this sounds silly but is it asking where I was born or where our baby is born?

2. Once I get through the initial questions, (I selected USA in response to "Which country were you born" as I based it on my son's place of birth). I am redirected to an online application portal page via the gov.uk page for British Nationals. Have I been redirected to the correct place?

3. If I am correct in 1 and 2, what documents do my wife and I need to provide? Is it easier just to note my wife as a US citizen even though she is a British Citizen too?

Sorry for all the specific questions but want to make sure I am following the correct process.

Much appreciated!!

Thanks VJ Newbie

I did not have my affidavits notarized when I submitted my info for removing conditions (I'm still going through this process) and I didn't have them notarized when I submitted my original i-130 (the i-130 application all got approved just fine in that format).

My affidavits just stated "I declare under the penalty of perjury laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct". I think this wording was actually from the I-130 instructions on affidavits.

Hope this helps

Hi VJ-Newbie

Thanks for the post, in response your helpful suggestions, please see my comments in red below.

1. To further establish that you have shared and continue to share the same residence: I was planning to send them copies of our respective drivers licenses which show our communal address - both for our previous address and current home.

2. Re: d - auto insurance - perhaps include full premium payment statements spanning the entire length of your marriage we usually make a full payment for the duration premium - can we just highlight that payment from our joint account bank statement? You mention entire length of our marriage. My understanding is that they just need info from the point at which I received conditional status.

I have nothing to hide it is just that my wife (US citizen) and I lived in the UK and we started our i-130 process with the UK embassy which was all approved. We both moved to the US once I received my green card in January 2011 and have joint accounts, joint auto insurance policies etc from Jan 2011 to the present day. Prior to that that, (in the UK) we were living at my mothers house and we had provided all evidence of our joint UK bank accouint (the funds in this account are now at 0 as we transferred this to our US joint account). I have read in the USCIS forms NOT to submit evidence that was previously sent as part of an application. You mentioned entire length of your marriage and wanted to give context. Any thoughts? Will showing the payment from our joint account covering each policy be sufficient?

3. Re: f - health coverage - perhaps ask your health insurance folks to simply send you a verification letter with both of your names listed indicating that you both have been covered from date xx/xx/2010 - present; also, perhaps include any EOBs that demonstrate both of you have used and paid for medical expenses covered by your insurance company I have been on the phone with my employer benefit hotline asking for a letter that fits this descrption but they are saying they only have a standard letter that does not provide a "to" date as it remains open ended as benefits can change etc. The info I provided already shows my name, my wife's name our DOBs and when the coverage started - with that I am not sure what else they would need, am I missing something here?

4. Re: joint financial liabilities -

a. bank statements - I think you should submit evidence spanning your entire marriage until now - as many statements as possible; and if you can get the bank manager to write a letter verifying the dates you both opened the account and a summary of transactions, that might help as well; see my comments in red above in 2 regarding when we moved to the US

b. joint tax returns - did you send them in previously? This is a must. Thanks for the tip - we can send them the last two years of our joint tax returns!

Re: affidavits - though most folks on the boards say affidavits are not necessary, since your RFE specifically asked for it then somethings to help might be doing the following: a. my lawyer friends said it's key to be thorough and detailed (and follow legal formatting since an affidavit is a legal document); and if possible include "Exhibits" (documentary evidence: photos of you and your spouse with the affiant; include dates and location in a caption). My friends, family members, and co-workers specified dates, locations, and as many details as possible when chronicling their interaction with us. Thanks - we will ask our friends and family to be more detailed. Can we request for the two individuals who already submitted their affidavits to re-write a more detailed description? Also, can anyone write the affidavit or does it have to be a US citizen or US Perm Resident? I ask as we could request for our family and friends from London to write and affidavit.

Additional advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Nilesh

Hi All

On October 11, 2012, I submitted a joint petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. I was granted my green card in January 2011 (I am the green card holder and my wife is the US Citizen). I completed the biometrics and also submitted the following evidence as part of the joint petition:

i) Copy of my permanent resident green card

ii) Copy of our joint bank account statement

iii) Copies of our previous and existing joint apartment leasing contract

iv) Copies of our previous and existing joint renters insurance policies

v) Copy of our joint car finance loan statement

vi) Copies of previous and existing joint auto insurance policies

vii) A copy of my my life insurance summary that states my wife's name as the beneficiary

viii) A copy of a letter from my wife's life insurance provider that confirms my husband as the beneficiary

ix) A copy of our joint medical insurance coverage

x) A copy of our confirmed airline itinerary from a recent vacation

xi) Two sworn affidavits by U.S. citizens, attesting to our relationship and marriage

A few days ago (April 26, 2013), we received a blue letter from the USCIS saying they needed additional evidence to process my form. They stated that "the evidence provided does not sufficiently establish that you and your spouse entered the marriage in good faith and continue to share a life together." Their comments were as follows (I have placed my comments/questions in red next to each bullet to give readers of this post context):

"You submitted:

a) Joint account monthly statement cover pages that do not include transaction details showing you and your spouse have actively used the account throughout your marriage (I am going to send 12 months of full statements of the first year since I was granted conditional residence and then provide statements for every other month thereafter to date - will this be sufficient enough?)

b) expired joint leases for a former residence (the reason why this is now expired is because I submitted all of my evidence back in October 2012 along with my I751. My wife and I purchased a home in Feb 2013 - i notified the USCIS of this address change - I will explain this in a cover letter and send will will send them a copy of the deed that has both our names on it - will this enough to be resolve this issue?)

c) homeowners tenant policy for a former residence (this relates to my comments in "b" i.e. we have since moved from that residence)

d) expired joint auto insurance ID card without proof of premium payments (i provided insurance cards from the point I received conditional residence to the point I submitted my I751 - again all valid when I sent all of this back in Oct 2012. I can provide updated information given I only received a response to my original petition a few days ago.

e) employment verification letter (neither my or I submitted an employment verification letter - we provided a letter from my wife's employer life insurance policy stating I was the sole beneficiary along with the effective date, the date of which - I am not sure what do here other than re-state this - should I re-submit this - it says not send items that have already been submitted?

f) joint health insurance card that does not verify the duration of the coverage period (I printed out an online summary page of our health coverages which shows the effective date - what do they mean by "Does not verify the duration of the coverage? What are they looking for here?)

g) travel itinerary

h) third-party affidavits that do not provide detailed, specific information regarding the affiants' knowledge of your marital relationship

The evidence you provided does not show in sufficient detail covering the period of your marriage that you and your spouse have lived together, shared responsibility and ownership of financial resources and obligations or have made joint health coverage, estate and financial planning arrangements.

Please submit evidence to show that you and your spouse entered the marriage in good faith and continue to share a life together. The evidence should cover the entire period of your marriage and may include one or more of the following:

- evidence that you and your spouse resided together and shared responsibility for a common residence

- leases in both names showing joint occupancy

- deeds and mortgages in both names showing joint ownership (can I provide them with update information for a, b, d - based on the context I have provided above?)

- evidence that you and your spouse have combined financial resources may include financial records showing joint ownership of assets and joint responsibility for liabilities such as joint checking and savings account statements showing deposits or withdrawals for the period of your marriage, insurance policies that show the other spouse as the beneficiary, joint tax returns (my intention is to provide the USCIS with what I set out in "a" above - is this the correct approach?

- evidence that you and your spouse have made estate health and financial planning arrangements with each other: a will, a trust or a durable power of attorney, for health care or property or both (we do not have a will in place but we our both the respective beneficiaries for the life insurance through our employers life insurance policies - how can I resolve this issue? I do not understand what they would need from my comments in "f" to understand what they are looking for regarding duration?

-affidavits from third parties who have knowledge of the bona fides of your marital relationship. An affidavit should be supported by documentary evidence and must be sworn to or affirmed by at least two people who:

- have known you and your spouse since your conditional residence was granted and have provided information about their relationship to you or your spouse

- have personal knowledge of your martial and have provided a detailed explanation about how this knowledge was acquired

- may be required to testify before an immigration officer regarding the affidavit's content and have provided their full name, address, date and place of birth.

(We submitted two affidavits one from a friend (a doctor) that provided info saying he had known us for just over a year at the time we submitted the I-751 back in Oct 2012, he dines with my wife and I on a regular basis whether it is out or that he comes over to our home, that we all go out together in a group, he has met my wife's family and that he sees first hand we are both truly happy and loving towards one another, we are planning on buying a house and anticipate extending our family with children. The second affidavit was from my wife's uncle who along with his family attended our wedding nearly four years ago, that when we moved from London to Houston. My wife and I lived in his family home, sharing many happy memories during that time and helped us with settling into our new surroundings in Houston, has maintained a close relationship with his entire family and we often meet for dinners/social and religious occasions. I am not sure what more they need here as they say it does not provide detailed specific information of the affiant's knowledge of our marital relationship?? Does anyone have any advice to offer here? We are planning for other family members and friends to provide additional affidavits??? We were even thinking for my wife to submit an affidavit?

- any other relevant documents not already mentioned, please do not send copies of documents previously sent ( we are going to now send pictures since we met through to the present day - anything else here that will help?

We would be really thankful for help on this!!

Hi, I have my biometrics appointment for removing conditions from my two year green card tomorrow.

Can someone help clarify if I need to bring passport sized pictures of myself along with me? My understanding was I would just need to provide my fingerprint and signature. If there is anything else I need to bring please let me know.

The letter I received about the appointment did not state anything particular that I needed to bring with me other than my greencard and copy of my appointment letter.

Thanks

Thanks!!!

Yep, we've been married for less than two years so we'll have to do the remove the conditional bit at the time you've mentioned.

Do you have a link to so I can access the guidance on this - I'll save that for closer to the time! I am guessing it is a quicker process?

Hi

Another quick question, as I have a CR1 visa, based on the info on visa journey, "A CR1 Visa will result in the applicant obtaining "conditional" permanent residency within the US and after a period of two years the applicant can apply to "Remove Conditions" 90 days before the conditional permanent resident card expires and they will be issued a regular 10 year green card."

The visa in my passport also states " upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year". I was not entirely sure what was meant by this sentence as it's different to the statement above?

ps re: flights we found it on BA website.