Bobsled

"On 2/21/11 she had her biometrics and the interview 3/21/11."

Sorry, that was On 1/14/11 she had her biometrics. Received the interview letter 2/10/11 and the interview 3/21/11.

So yeah, it took about 3 months.

congradulations,is it really losangeles,because myself and sombody else from this forum seems to be waiting long when comparing to your timeline,just want to make sure

Yes, it was Los Angeles. If I remember my dates, we filed the n400 late Nov. 2010. It was returned to us for incorrect funds (we send $675 vs. $680). We resubmmited about 12/13/10. We were never asked for anything after that. On 2/21/11 she had her biometrics and the interview 3/21/11.

Thanks folks. She PASSED. I went with her but waited out in the lobby. She missed one out of ten questions. Just waiting for the oath ceremony letter which she was told could be 2 months.

Wife said IO did not ask for orginals she already had copies of (but still best to be prepared),

Less than 24 hrs.

Thanks.

None of this is needed.

If you go with your wife to the appointment, it's the best proof there is that you and your wife are still together. Keep in mind that she also has to swear with her raised hand that everything she wrote and states is true, so God help her.

The naturalization process is totally different from anything that came before, unless the applicant has excessive absences from the US, a criminal history, or other adverse factors hat would warrant some kind if investigation. If your wife has no dead bodies in the trunk, you will need no support documentation showing that you still live together.

Well, the interview is Monday just a few days away. Yes, I still plan to accompany her to the interview. She has not been out of the country but a few weeks within the last several years (we visit the in-laws a couple weeks every two years) and has not been in trouble with the law. Still paln to take a few support papers (everything requested on the interview notice plus a couple other stuff mentioned here).

Wish us luck. I'll be sure to report back.

Thanks!

I just submitted 3 yrs worth of transcripts. They arrived in less than a week after ordering.

n-400 is $680 http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=480ccac09aa5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD.

Thanks for the reply Sand.

I read the letter once I got home yesterday, and I think it answered a lot of my questions. In addition to the items they request on the letter I will include the items you mention that have both our names.

But I still want to know if I should accompany her to the interview? Will I be allowed in or just wait in the lobby?

Thanks again.

So we submitted my wife's n400 app back in early Dec. and she got her interview letter today. She had her biometrics on 1/14 where they gave her that packet to study. My question is what can she expect during the interview? What I mean is what kind of support documents should she bring? We submitted copies of my US passport, her GC, our marriage Cert. (5 yrs in Aug.) and 3 yrs worth of tax transcripts. That's it and they never asked for anything else, will they hammer us now for being minimalists? First time marriage for both with no kids for either. Can/should I go with her?

So I guess studey the guide now until she knows backwards and forwards.

Thanks.

Rob

Hi Rob,

The important issue is when did she receive her 2 year green card, not her 10 year green card or her K-1 entry stamp. The three years of residency are counted from the date the first green card she received is issued. She is eligible to apply for citizenship 90 days before the 3rd anniversary of her 2 year greencard date, as long as you have also been married 3 years at the time you apply.

Depending on the timing of her green card and when you wish to submit her citizenship application, you should try to plan that she isn't out of the country when they are likelly to issue her her biometrics appointment - it generally comes between 1 to 2 months after the application is submitted.

I hope this information helps.

Thanks Kathryn,

That was very helpful. 90 days before 3rd anniversary of 2yr GC would be now. I think we will wait until we return to avoid missing apppointments.

Rob

I have some questions about my wife’s Philippine passport that will expire in May 2010 and applying for US citizenship.

A little background first; she arrived in the US on a K1 visa in May 25, 2006, we married in Aug. 20, 2006. She received her 10 year GC in Dec. 2008.

We are thinking of visiting the PIs (2nd time) in March or April of 2010. Will it be a problem if she travels on a nearly expired passport? I’m really trying to avoid paying the 100-150 dollars to renew her passport which will become useless if/when she applies for US citizenship. I’d rather apply the $$$ to the citizenship fee.

I believe she is eligible to apply for US citizenship now based on the following:

2. A lawful PR for at least 3 years and at least 18 yrs old; and been married to and living with the same USC for the last 3 yrs; and I have been a USC all my life.

The question I have is based on the above, she IS eligible to apply for her USC? Also, when does the clock start ticking on the 3 years of permanent residency? Is that as soon as she had her K1 stamped at the POE or the date she was first issued her 2yr GC?

Thanks,

Rob

Next time tell her to try boiling in a pan on the next burner some vinegar and cinnamon and lemon juice, if you can't get that have her boil some peppermint while she's cooking the fish...I've done that for years and never had any problems.

We'll have to check this out as we have the same problem.

Good News,

Got an email today stating that USCIS has requested production of my wife's 10 yr G.C. Woo Hoo. I thought for sure we would get an RFE.

Robert

3 months, wow! Congrats.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, we have the NOA but we didn't realize that would serve as the extension. Now we know.

Lenlen, my wife is in the situation (Pinay) and we just used her first name and her surname by marriage (my last name). We did this on everything: SSA, DL GC, everything! And so far we have not had any problems. Good luck.

Robert

Ok, so we filed for my wive's 10yr GC in Oct. '08. Her 2yr GC expires on 12/30/08. She had her biometrics early Nov. Anyway, it's obvious that the 10yr GC will not be approved before her current GC expires so is she suppose to just walk around with an expired GC while we wait for the 10yr GC to show up or is there some way to get a temporary extension until the new card shows up?

Rob

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, we have my work provided health insurance where she is my dependent plus auto insurance with our names on it and all the utility bills too.

We went to the bank yesterday and got a letter from them stating that the acct is a join acct since 10/06 because only my name appears on the monthly statement (bank policy).

We do have a ton of pix with us and my family.

I'm thinking we will do the affidavits too. We have a few folks that attended the wedding and see us on a regular basis.

Thanks again for all the good suggestions.

Ok, so we're getting ready to file my wife's I-751 (expires 12/15/08). Problem is that we're weak with evidence of relationship but I can explain everything. I'm thinking we're going to get called in for an interview. August 20th was our 2nd wedding anniversary.

This is the deal:

I purchased the house we live in back in 1998 so the title (loan, insurance papers, etc.) are all in my name. I didn't feel like going the the county recorders office just to get that changed and paying fees and stuff.

We still have separate bank accts. but we do fill our taxes jointly.

Of the 3 vehicles we own, 2002 tahoe is in my name (before her), 1998 civic (her car) is in my name (she had a provisional driver's license) when we reg. the car. 2005 camry (my car) we're both on title.

Just recently added her name to all utility bills. Still waiting for one with both names to show up.

We have no children. She's going to college and working. We have talked about this tho.

On the plus side, besides filing taxes joinly we have my work insurance papers showing she my dependant. All her work and school papers come to the house we share. Is there anything else I can use to show evidence of relationship that I have over looked?

Thanks.

Thanks folks for the info. I think I have everything I need now. Just have to wait until Sept.

I posted in the wrong section that's partially why I couldn't find anything.

Anyway, thanks again.

Hello,

Sorry, after the intial hoop jumping for the K1 process I just wanted to forget everything. Well, I think I did too good a job because I'm way out of touch with the whole process again. Anyway, my wife's two year green card will expire in Dec 2008. I was told we need to re-apply for the 10 yr on or around Sept. '08. Can someone please tell me if this is correct and what form(s) do we need.

Oh, also, at what point can she apply for US citizenship?

TIA,

Robert

Well, I'm back visiting the site again since last year. Things are going well for us and I see some changes to the site (improvements) have occured since then. I'll try to drop in every once in awhile.

Thanks.

I see three options:

1. Become her co-applicant for her own credit card (this will mean you're indirectly responsible for her spending; in other words, if she damages her credit score, she also damages yours as well).

2. Add her to your credit card as an authorized user (this will mean she won't technically have a credit card of her own, she'll just be authorized to use your credit card number with her name on it, and you'll be entirely responsible for her spending).

3. Attempt to apply for a secured credit card (these sometimes work for people with no or very little credit history; however, there is generally a small credit line attached to the card itself, something in the area of $300 to $500 for new users).

The first two options enable your wife to have larger credit lines; however, you'll be responsible, whether directly or indirectly, for whatever she purchases. With the third option, you won't be responsible but she'll have a much smaller credit line.

I know all of these options work because (although I am a USC), I got my first credit card by being an authorized user on my parents' account (option 1). Then when I was older, I got my own credit card, but because I didn't have a credit history, my father had to co-sign for me (option 2). The last one (option 3) I've read about extensively here on VJ, so while I don't have any personal experience with it, I know it does work from time to time.

I hope some of this helps.

Thanks for the replies. I think #2 is the worst option becuase it doesn't create her credit history. I think we will try #3 (having a $300 to $500 limit is actually a good thing) and if she gets rejected then we'll do #1. Or we can always try B of A. ; )

Rob

My 22 y.o. wife wants to get a credit card now that she’s been working for a whole three weeks. Since she has no credit history what so ever, what’s the best route to take in her situation? Should she/we have her open a line of credit in her name (with me as her sponsor/ co-applicant), should I just ask my C.C. company for another card for her (I have forgotten to add her to my C.C. accounts – pure over sight)?? Or some other option??

Thanks.

Thanks everyone and congrats to those who may have recently received their GC too.

Happy Holidays!!!

Well, after a tad less than 2 weeks of waiting my wife called and said the mailman just delivered her G.C. (2 yr deal). So that's a nice way to close out 2006.