senyorita80

ok tnx ladies

Apologies if this was asked already. Im a US Citizen (got naturalized a few monhts ago) and now currently preparing to petition my dad. On one of the forms, I believe its I-130 states that I need to proof my US citizenship by sending copies of Naturalization certificate (which I have of course) AND a passport. Question is....... I am just about to order, for the very first time, a US passport. Im confused with Passport Book and Passport Card. The book is more than double the price of the card. Can I just get the card and not the book? Is this enough evidence or will they require the passport book itself.

I have been reading and learned that the only diff is that the book is for everywhere u go like international .. the card is for sea-port entries.

I dont have plans on leaving the country by air... Right now Im applying for a passport only because of the requirement for petitioning my dad.

So again,..... is the card ok or should I order the book?

TIA!!!!!!!!

Hello!

I have a few questions:

1. When applying for citizenship based on marriage to USC, it is my understanding that the marriage is still valid not only when applying but up to when one takes the oath. Is this correct? Of course.

2. What proof do I need to submit with the application? Life is complicated and I'm busy working. It sounds a bit annoying to have to submit pictures and the rest like for PR, but I'll do what it takes.

I submitted: 3yrs Tax transcripts showing filed jointly, marriage cert, hubbys b-cert, copies of GC back n front, 2 passport photos, copies of passport/Drivers License, copies of bank statements (as joint) or mortgage. No need to send in photos of your spouse together... and most importantly the needed forms (n400, etc) AND your payment (check).

3. How long does (more or less) the processing take? I mailed my application last wk of October. Biometrics last wk of December. Interview last wk of April. Oath 3rd wk of this month!

4. What happens after I send the paperwork? Is there biometrics again? How does it work? Yes. I actually dressed well and did my hair cuz I thought... oh my this is for my citizenship! But then no picture taking lol just fingerprinting.

Thank you.

On my interview, the IO had a stack of paper (about 1/4 of an inch thick).. she grabbed one and then I realized its the questions!! She will only ask 6 btw. So, in my case, questions were already picked even before I got to the building lol. It could either be that these were her own set of questions copied over and over again OR their branch's selected questions.. or perhaps randomly selected questions for the day/week/month.. who knows. All I know is that she did not pick them right at the moment when I was in her office.

Just adding my 2 cents.. Those you mentioned are not even close to what they mean by "crime". I would answer "no".

If USCIS mailed an RFE, they will particularly state what else you need to submit or bring to the interview. I got an RFE and they asked me to bring original copy of drivers license and all (even expired) passports.

Yep. On my interview I had to bring 2 of my passports. Expired and valid. The lady that interviewed me specifically asked to bring out drivers license, GC and ALL passports used.

Goodluck

Oh and she dint take it away lol.

congrats!

Oh I recommend also reading the book. Theres a PDF version on USCIS site. Cuz sometimes they not only ask about a particular question, they sometimes make you explain why, like with mine.

Here's the link:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-638_red.pdf

That's the exact book that I have, only this ones in pdf format ! It has the exact questions but with explanations.

Goodluck on your citizenship application in the future!

If you got your GC based on a marriage with a USC, then you are more than qualified to apply for citizenship now.

here s quick glance of my timeline:

I applied Oct 2009

Biometrics Dec 2009

Interview April 2010

Oath - 2 wks after interview

Hope that helps!

Haha.

Actually, I was in the room to the left of the entrance.

But I'm sure I'll be there again in a few years or so!

How do you like Michigan? Kalamazoo?

Ahhh I see so the AOS applicants were on the left side of the building. I did not know that. Well ya I was the only one who brought a baby - couldnt find a baby sitter I like Michigan, except for the snow - Its waaay too much for me to handle

I dont see this Question in the practice test? I see how many Senators are there. but WHY? I dont see it. the good thing u told me lol

If you see the question #18 How many US Senators are there, the explanation right below it explains it. You do have the Civics test book dont you?

Just want to add that on the Civics Lesson book they give us, the very back page, there's a "Writing Portion" that he can study. I just checked (had my interview yesterday) and most of the words in my writing test was found in it (except for the word George)! So tell him to review that!

HAHA awesome!! Congrats!

Actually, I was there yesterday for my biometrics for AOS. I'm a little ways away from where you are, haha.

Yea, Michigan here. In Plymouth, where are you?

Were you at the same waiting room as we are?? It's to the right of the entrance. If yes, you must have seen me. I was the only one holding a crying baby!! haha

Im from Kalamazoo!! Im like 2.5 hours away from Detroit But oh well, the trip was worth it! Hubby said I am not driving us here again if you fail it! Mean!! But good thing I aced it haha

CDAgirlMI - Yes thats the one! Are you going there too? I see that u are from Michigan too!

v333k - HAHA thats exactly what my answer was! Of course loyal to michigan!

Sand - She asked me how many senators are there. I answered there are 100. Then she instantly followed that with "And why is that?" I replied "Because there's two in each state"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I gotta correct the 3rd question to : "Name one of our senators".

Also, FYI, she has a paper that has these 6 questions in a chart. So basically, she cant randomly ask me whatever she wants. Questions were already picked even before I got there obviously. And everytime I answer, she writes down my answer and next to that she writes "C" - as in correct. Not sure for wrong answers since I did not have any mistakes guessing its F

Thanks guys! No, Its MY fault on the birth certificate. I totally forgot to request it. Although I got the hospital certificate and stuff I was still nervous. Anyway story short (I had my interview this morning) All the interviewer asked was the baby's full name. DId not ask for birth certificates or whatever. LOL so funny I brought with me enough evidence .. I even took with me my baby and thats all shes gonna ask - her full name and DOB. Haha I guess I was too paranoid.

Lol Yep Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hey Y'all!

So heres what happened:

- Appt. was at 9am. Arrived at 8.45.

They have this big waiting room. It says on the paper "seating is limited" but dang people were not even close to half the size of the whole room. Maybe its just today.

- Got called in 9:10am. IO's name is Schwartz. African american, guessing in her 50s. She doesnt look intimidating. She was ok. I cant say shes nice I guess she has to look professional. Not nice, not mean. But I never saw her smile. Hubby wanted to come in with me but she stopped him and said "Only the applicant can go."

- She walked me out of the waiting room and into another section of the floor where her office room is. She told me to raise my hand and she narrated bunch of stuff and I said "yes". She asked me to take out drivers license, green card and all passports even if they were expired.

- First, she went over my files. She had me verified my full name, DOB and present address. Asked me if I am still married to the same person that petitioned me and of course I said yes. She also asked what my current job is.

- Then she gave me the passport photos I submitted initially and asked me to print my name on it. She also had me sign a blank piece of paper then she compared it with the signature I have in her record.

The first test was writing. She told me to write: "George Washington's face is on the dollar bill."

She also mentioned that as we talk, she will grade my speaking skills.

On to the civics test, these were her questions: (She had me read the first question and answer - that was the reading part of the test)

1. What year was the Constitution written?

2. What did Martin Luther do?

3. Who is our Senator?

4. How many senators are there? Why?

5. What does Freedom of Worship means?

6. Give one state that borders Canada.

I aced it!!! She told me to go wait at the waiting room again and someone will call me. A few mins later, my name was called and this lady gave me a paper that says congratulations u passed it blah blah. 2 wks from now Im scheduled for the Oath ceremony! And told me I can bring a limit of 2 guests.

Woooooooooooopeeeeeeeee!!

I see I see!! Thank you!!

Ok so applying for citizenship on the basis of marriage. I also have a green card since 2006 (expiring 2019)

Anyway, we have 2 kids. One is 6 yrs old and a newborn, well not so new , 5 months old. I have not filed for her birth certificate and I was double checking checklist for tomorrow and I saw that I need to bring b-certs of all children!!!!! I dont have one for our baby!!! Obviously, I cant do anything cuz my interview is tomorrow at 9am!!!

Is this gonna cause a major problem???

Im blaming myself. I thought I got everything.

My interview is in Detroit.

TIA!

hmm i remember when we bought a house - we were super excited (first time homeowner) and forgot about reporting our new address. I actually reported 6 months after (AR11) and I did not get any penalty or something. Not sure if thats the case for everyone.

Here is a convenient way to report new address:

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms

Good luck

If case is pending, and you got your NOA, you may go out of the country - not more than 6 months.

If case is approved (10 yr card), and plan on staying out of the country for more than 12 months - u request a re-entry permit.

In your case, 3-4 months - you will be fine. If still worried, call the USCIS and talk to an officer. Sometimes it helps relieve 'back of the head' doubts if you actually talk to them Good luck

TO all who have helped me from the very beginning of this whole process, from the core of my heart, THANK YOU! Thank you for all the moderators, members that really helped with filing my papers and shared their true experiences - thank you all so much. If I did not have you guys or this site, I would have hired a lawyer. To the creator of this site, you are very much appreciated. I will continue from time to time log in here and help others in return.

I am also thankful for a very fast processing. Here's my timeline:

- Mailed overnight shipping to CSC: Nov. 13.08

- Check cleared 11.18.08

- NOA received 11.22.08

- Biometrics 12.08 - forgot the exact date. But it was 2 wks after my NOA

- 10yr Green card Received: 1.20.09

I wish everyone who's case are pending luck and fast processing as well.

God bless you all!

(Btw, happy inauguration day!! watching CNN. Yay for Obama! - I hope he makes some new changes on Immigration laws lol)