me&me

Kathryn41,

Thanks a lot, your help is highly appreciated.

Atlanta doesn't have a passport office so you can't get a same day passport here.

Kathryn41,

How can I get an expedited service in Atlanta and how soon they can issue a passport?

Are the private agnecies trustworthy?

Thanks lissa04, warlord I sure did google it before posting, I was just hoping to find someone who would share his/her experience with me. And sure NickD did.

Thanks NickD, I have my itinary and my travel plan is 2 days exactly from the day the passport request would be submitted. I don't know mind paying the extra fee. Just want to get the passport ASAP.

And LoL@ We did get her certificate back in exactly the same condition we sent it, considered that to be good luck, but still don't know why they don't even trust their own agents.<=== You are getting me worried with such a statement.

The name that matcing the passport you are traveling with. As the airlines check your name in your ticket and your passport when you check in and they have to match.

Since you are on military orders (CMS), you are considered living in an american soil. NO re-entry permit required.

If you are considering Naturalization you can apply under the INA 319(b), Get your package ready and apply as soon as possible, you can either apply before leaving the states or even after getting to the new duty station, just make sure that you leave an enough window for the 1 year after inteview date overseas assignment requirement.

You can find all the requirments at http://www.hoodmwr.com/acs/Media/Program_folder/IRO/Naturalization/319b_FAQ.pdf

and since you are a military spouse, send your application to Nebraska.

Good Luck.

The work load on that office is so huge, tell your sis not to worry, just hang in there.

Don't worry, my status is still stuck on initial review, even though I have received my interview notice LoL. Online status is NEVER reliable.

Hi there,

You don't mention where you are living now, but I am under the impression that you cannot do the interview and oath outside the US. I have just started the 319b process and am living in China and will need to travel to the US in a few months to complete the application.

No matter that you are currently overseas, you will need to return to the US to do the interview and oath ceremony. Everything I have read here and elsewhere online says to request the interview and oath ceremony for the same day in Fairfax, VA. Do a search for 319b and you will find a lot of info.

I am sure you can contact the office you filed your application (do you have a receipt notice?) and ask them to move everything to Fairfax, VA. The other thing to consider is that once you have taken the oath ceremony, you need to leave the US on a new US passport within 45 days.

I hope this makes sense, I am learning all about this process too.

Kim

Where can the interview and naturalization take place?

As an applicant for naturalization under section 319(b), you may be interviewed at any USCIS office of your choice in the United States, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you choose to be interviewed at our office, you will be naturalized the same day as your interview, in most cases. Please note that, if you want to change your name, you cannot be naturalized by our office. You will be required to attend your oath ceremony at a Federal Court. Court ceremonies are held only one day each month and, depending upon when in the month you are interviewed, it may take at least two months to be scheduled for a ceremony.

On a quick note, Fairfax has a very long waiting time as the load on that office is so huge, I have asked to be interviewed there, but on one of my phone calls with one of the nicest and professional USCIS officer I spoke to, she has suggested to get interviewed somewhere else, and the moment I said I am okay with that, they've scheduled me on the same day to the next available interview date in Atlanta, and provided me the date and the time of my interview over the phone. Atlanta office is familiar with the 319(b) cases and have a same day oath.

From my very own experience, it's better NOT to specify where you would like to be anterviewed at (unless you have some personal reasons for that), just ask for an office which is familiar with 319(b) cases, as they are a lot out there along Fairfax and Honolulu.

p.s Guam has a US passport Office, you can check it out on following web site. http://www.govguamdocs.com/passport/docs/PASSPORT_OFFICE_HOURS_04122010.pdf

Contact USCIS, they will send you a copy in your e-mail.

I just checked our status online for expedited naturalization. It says that our records for interview and testing were sent to the local office. By local office I think it means where i did my initial interview before for my change of status from K1 visa to adjustment of status. I am hoping that I could get information where and how we could request to change the venue since California is too far now since we are already overseas. Would be glad to have some info from you guys. Thank you!

If you are a military or military dependent, you should e-mail them at militaryinfo.nsc@dhs.gov , if you haven't requested a certain office when you mailed your application and they already know that you are overseas, they will assign you to the nearest DO to your current geographical location.

BTW<

You must meet the applicable naturalization requirements outlined in sections 312 and 316 of the INA and Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (physical presence is not required).

what are those requirements under the 312 and 316?

Good Moral Character.

To be honest with you, I have no idea about your traffic citation and its impact on your case (have never been in simillar situation), BUT, from reading online on different forums generally it shouldn't be a biggie. Just list it there where it asks on the application form, and then when you are called for the interview have your paperwork ready with you, just in case.

For the address thing, I sent mine to Vermont and it was processed at the National Benifit center and ended up at Nebraska lol, so cut the story short and send it to Nebraska, so you can save some waiting time. As they have to do all the final checks and immigration background checks before transfering your case to the local office. And at the same time it's the best cause they can provide you with detailed info about your case and where it stands when you call the military help line.

And one more thing: Copy of your spouse's "Command sponsored" military orders to the overseas assignment.

YES, You are eligible for N-400 under the INA 319 (b) and you should apply as soon as possible. Your application should be sent to Nebraska Service Center, as they process all military and miltary spouses N-400 applications.

The requirements in your case are:-

You must be a lawful permanent resident at the time of your interview.

You must meet the applicable naturalization requirements outlined in sections 312 and 316 of the INA and Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (physical presence is not required).

You must be married to a U.S. citizen and living together in a valid marital union.

Your U.S. citizen spouse must be regularly stationed abroad as:

o A member of the U.S. Armed Forces

You must show evidence that you will depart to join your U.S. citizen spouse within 45 days of your naturalization.

A cover letter directed to USCIS advising that you are applying for naturalization under section 319(b) of the INA. You must state on your cover letter where you wish to be interviewed.

Application fee.

Two(s) sets of FD-258 fingerprint cards.

(If you are living overseas at the time of filing your application, you must go to a U.S. Embassy/Consulate or U.S. installation to have your fingerprints taken. You do not need to pay a fingerprinting fee to USCIS (you must check with the entity taking your fingerprints to find out if there is an associated fee)

Form DD-1278 issued no earlier than 90 days prior to the scheduled date of overseas travel, if you are authorized concurrent travel. If you cannot submit this form, the letter from your spouses Commanding Officer that is described below must also include permission for you to reside abroad with your spouse after naturalization.

A letter from your spouses Commanding Officer on official letterhead certifying that he or she is your spouses Commanding Officer and the official date of rotation (DEROS) of your spouse from the overseas assignment.

A copy of your I-551 permanent resident card (green card)

Proof of your spouses U.S. citizenship (copy)

Your birth certificate (copy)

Your marriage certificate (copy)

Proof of termination of all prior marriages for you and your spouse (copies)

2 identical passport photos

And not to forget the N-400 application form signed and dated .

Yes, there is an interview and you can ask to be interviewed at any USCIS office of your choice back in the states, people suggest Fairfax, VA cause of its experience of 319(b) cases, same day oath, and the convenience of the passport office located in the area. Honolulu, HI is another option as it's the west coast expert of the 319 (b) cases. It's your choice to name your interview location or you can leave that blank and they will direct you to the nearest USCIS office to your geographical location.

Good luck.

YES, You are eligible for N-400 under the INA 319 (b) and you should apply as soon as possible. Your application should be sent to Nebraska Service Center, as they process all military and miltary spouses N-400. Get your 2 sets of finger prints cards done at any MP station or Security unit on your military installation there and enclose them with your application package.

Yes, there is an interview and you can ask to be interviewed at any office of your choice back in the states, people suggest Fairfax, VA cause its experience of 319(b) cases, same day oath, and the convenience of the passport office located in the area. Honolulu, HI is another option as it's the expert of the west coast for the 319 (b) cases. It's your choice to name your interview location or you can leave that blank and they will direct you to the nearest expert office to your geographical location.

Good luck.

Well you shouldn't write explict add. in part 4B, if it's the same as your home address. According to the N-400 instructions: if your mailing address is the same like your home address simply write (SAME). That shouldn't be the problem, other wise they would have mentioned in the rejection letter incorrect or unacceptable mailing address.

If she has any blank spaces in her application, try fill them in with N/A. Review the application carefully and try to see if you have skipped something minor by mistake, it might be the date of the application or any other thing.

The requirements in your wife case is:-

Must be a lawful permanent resident at the time of your interview.

Must meet the applicable naturalization requirements outlined in sections 312 and 316 of the INA and Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (physical presence is not required).

Must be married to a U.S. citizen and living together in a valid marital union.

• The U.S. citizen spouse must be “regularly stationed abroad” as:

o A member of the U.S. Armed Forces;

o An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. government;

o An employee of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General;

o An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States;<== which I guess it's your case.

o An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or

o A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States.

• The applicant must show evidence that s/he will depart to join the U.S. citizen spouse

Overseas employment contract for the spouse clearly shows that the spouse’s employment will continue abroad for at least one year after the date that the applicant will be naturalized.

Documents should be submited with the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization?

• A cover letter directed to USCIS advising that you are applying for naturalization under section 319(b) of the INA. You must state on your cover letter where you wish to be interviewed.

• Application fee. Please visit our website at www.uscis.gov for a listing of the current fee.

• Fingerprint fee OR two(s) sets of FD-258 fingerprint cards. <== Have she enclosed them??

o If you are living overseas at the time of filing your application, you must go to a U.S. Embassy/Consulate or U.S. installation to have your fingerprints taken. You do not need to pay a fingerprinting fee to USCIS (you must check with the entity taking your fingerprints to find out if there is an associated fee).

Documentation to establish that your U.S. citizen spouse’s employer is a qualifying employer and the length of your spouse’s overseas assignment, which are in your case:-

ALL OTHER EMPLOYERS (an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General, an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States, a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty, or a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States).

• A letter on official letterhead which states:

o The title of the official attesting to the facts in the letter;

o The name of the institution, firm or corporation and whether the official has access to the company’s records;

o The nature of the business that the employer conducts;

o The name of the State under the laws of which the employer was organized and the date of incorporation, etc.;

o The ownership structure of the enterprise; and

o The facts of your spouse’s employment, the basis of your spouse’s hire (contract, permanent employee, etc.), and the length of your spouse’s overseas employment.

• A copy of your I-551 permanent resident card (green card)

• Proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship (copy)

• Your birth certificate (copy)

• Your marriage certificate (copy)

• Proof of termination of all prior marriages for you and your spouse (copies)

Print out what I have listed above, get a pen and get your wife's N-400 package and go one by one and check what you have enclosed, until you find out what is missing. May be your company or the length of your contract is not eligible for the INA 319 (b), or you have missed a paper and it's what they are asking for.

Good luck. And let me know the outcome.

And don't forget a copy of her Green card (form I-551) back and front and the 2 identical passport photos with her full name and A# written on the back. And it's always good to mention all the enclosed documents in the cover letter, that helps a lot in sorting out the paperwork. And if she has a pending I-751 case, you should mention that as well in the cover letter. And don't forget the big fat check of $ 595.00 made payable to Department of Homeland Security.

Dear me&me:

Thanks for your reply. I am filing from Shanghai for my wife and I work for a US company. Therefore, I do not have an APO address. I entered our Shanghai home address in part 4A and in 4B simply mentioned "same as above".

Maybe, I should put an an explicit address in part 4B as well??

Well you shouldn't write explict add. in part 4B, if it's the same as your home address. According to the N-400 instructions: if your mailing address is the same like your home address simply write (SAME). That shouldn't be the problem, other wise they would have mentioned in the rejection letter incorrect or unacceptable mailing address.

If she has any blank spaces in her application, try fill them in with N/A. Review the application carefully and try to see if you have skipped something minor by mistake, it might be the date of the application or any other thing.

The requirements in your wife case is:-

Must be a lawful permanent resident at the time of your interview.

Must meet the applicable naturalization requirements outlined in sections 312 and 316 of the INA and Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations (physical presence is not required).

Must be married to a U.S. citizen and living together in a valid marital union.

The U.S. citizen spouse must be regularly stationed abroad as:

o A member of the U.S. Armed Forces;

o An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. government;

o An employee of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General;

o An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States;<== which I guess it's your case.

o An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or

o A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States.

The applicant must show evidence that s/he will depart to join the U.S. citizen spouse

Overseas employment contract for the spouse clearly shows that the spouses employment will continue abroad for at least one year after the date that the applicant will be naturalized.

Documents should be submited with the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization?

A cover letter directed to USCIS advising that you are applying for naturalization under section 319(b) of the INA. You must state on your cover letter where you wish to be interviewed.

Application fee. Please visit our website at www.uscis.gov for a listing of the current fee.

Fingerprint fee OR two(s) sets of FD-258 fingerprint cards. <== Have she enclosed them??

o If you are living overseas at the time of filing your application, you must go to a U.S. Embassy/Consulate or U.S. installation to have your fingerprints taken. You do not need to pay a fingerprinting fee to USCIS (you must check with the entity taking your fingerprints to find out if there is an associated fee).

Documentation to establish that your U.S. citizen spouses employer is a qualifying employer and the length of your spouses overseas assignment, which are in your case:-

ALL OTHER EMPLOYERS (an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General, an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States, a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty, or a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States).

A letter on official letterhead which states:

o The title of the official attesting to the facts in the letter;

o The name of the institution, firm or corporation and whether the official has access to the companys records;

o The nature of the business that the employer conducts;

o The name of the State under the laws of which the employer was organized and the date of incorporation, etc.;

o The ownership structure of the enterprise; and

o The facts of your spouses employment, the basis of your spouses hire (contract, permanent employee, etc.), and the length of your spouses overseas employment.

A copy of your I-551 permanent resident card (green card)

Proof of your spouses U.S. citizenship (copy)

Your birth certificate (copy)

Your marriage certificate (copy)

Proof of termination of all prior marriages for you and your spouse (copies)

Print out what I have listed above, get a pen and get your wife's N-400 package and go one by one and check what you have enclosed, until you find out what is missing. May be your company or the length of your contract is not eligible for the INA 319 (b), or you have missed a paper and it's what they are asking for.

Good luck. And let me know the outcome.

Two days ago, I become a US citizen and I want to share my journey to you all.

June '07 - my husband (USC) & I met

Mar '08 - I-129F submitted

May '08 - proposal/engagement

Oct '08 - interview (Saudi Arabia)/marriage (GA)

Nov '08 - I-751 submitted

Jan '09 - fingerprints (ATL)

Mar '09 - GC received

Apr 01, '10 - N-400 received by USCIS (319b)

May 03, '10 - fingerprints

June 02, '10 - USC (Atlanta, GA)

Questions:

1. Who is the Chief Justice? John Roberts

2. How many chief justices are there? 9

3. What month we vote for President? November

4. Who is the first President? George Washington

5. How many representatives? 435

6. We vote representatives for how many years? 2

The IO is very nice and proud to be a retired US Army. My husband is very supportive. I couldn't imagine myself finishing my journey strong without him. Goodluck to you all out there. ARMY STRONG, HOOAH!

MARAMING SALAMAT (Thank you so much). I am proud to be a USC from Manila, Philippines.

Congrats and thanks for sharing. HOOAH!

And as the other member who replied to your post earlier, in I-751 they ask for your name and to list other names you have used. And for N-400 application, they ask for your Legal Name and then your name as it appears on your GC, and then any other names you have used.

BTW through the Naturalization process they address you with your Legal name, even if it was different from your GC name (maiden name).

This has left me speculating that the real reason could be that my international Home Address did not have a "county" or "state"; these fields were blank in my form.

My questions are: (1) Have people successfully filed using foreign "Home Address". Was the "state" and "county" fields completed (2) If you successfully filed using a US Home Address, how did USCIS communicate with you; through the "Home Address" or the alternate "Mailing Address"

Thanks for your assistance.

BTW: County, State and Zip Code fields in my application were blank too, and I have never provided any State side address, or alternative mailing address other than what we have overseas. And they are communicating with me through our APO add.

ValerieA. You are welcome!

Thank you me&me for the answer, but I thought to add last name in my SSN I have to change my maiden name to married name in my permanent resident card first. I did change my last name in my passport already, but for SSN the condition to change the name is after I change my last name with USCIS, which I am going to do when I file for removing conditional status. Cause if I did it now it is going to cost me around $350, which I dont want. So, the case is that I want to buy property and then put my married name, and then when I file for removing conditional status I will change my name on my permanent resident card then go to SSN to change my name on it. What do you think? will it be okay?

Regarding the Social Security Service, here is the answer from their web site, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10002.html

If you need to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. Documents Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:

Marriage document;

Divorce decree;

Certificate of Naturalization showing a new name; or

Court order for a name change. .

If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security with additional documentation.

Marriage, divorce or annulment: In addition to showing us a legal document proving your marriage, divorce or annulment, you must provide an identity document. That document must show your old name, as well as other identifying information or a recent photograph. (We can accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)

As far as the property, as long as you have your passport with your husband's name, and you have what to prove that the 2 names belong to you then you are GOOD TO GO, it shouldn't be an issue.

Skarim,

I have filed for N-400 under INA 319(b) too from overseas. I have written down our overseas home address in part 4.A and provided our APO add in part 4.B. they have sent me the NOA in our APO add. Having an overseas home address is not the cause of your 319 (b) case rejection, they even list your name, date of birth and overseas home add on the first NOA and ask you to verify them. The physical and the continous residence in the US is waved for 319(b) if you have been admitted to the US as a legal permanent residence, even if that was only for one day.

You should check the other requiremnets as they have told you on your rejection letter. You can look it up on this web site, go one by one and see what is missing. http://www.hoodmwr.com/acs/Media/Program_folder/IRO/Naturalization/319b_FAQ.pdf

Good luck.

After you obtain your legal name change document, don't forget to update and apply for a new social security card with your new name. SSN is your real ID in the US, as the A# is your real ID to USCIS. Keep your record updated with them and you wouldn't have any issues down the line with IRS or any other authorities.

Hi, if anyone could give me advice on this matter I would really appreciate it. Well, I am planning to add my husband's last name when I file for removing conditional status, which is still be later on the beginning of June 2011. Right now I still have my maiden name. The question is if next year we are planning to buy a house and a car, that we are going to put my name on it as well, can we just put my married name already? I mean, I hope this will not be a problem or affect anything with tax or anything. I know that when we are filing for tax return I will still use my maiden name since it has to be based on the name on SSN. But how about buying property? will it have any effect? Thank you for anyone answering this, have a good day!

You need a legal name change document to use your husband's last name if your marriage certificate doesn't state that. To obtain it you need to go to the court and do the legal name change. And that shouldn't be a problem down the line with either USCIS or buying properties together, since you will have a legal document which showing both your names before and after marriage.

Good luck.

Well that was my 2 cents from my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (as I've been there, done that), and good luck to all.