St. Paul Interview, even more luck with passport photos.

[NickD 202]

Here are the steps we took for our N-400 application.

At:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

You will find this:

Please note: The Instructions to Form N-400 frequently refer to information in the USCIS document A Guide to Naturalization, M-476. We encourage you to review those referenced sections of the Guide as you complete this form.

And if you go to page 33 of this manual, once you find out how to download it, you will find this:

You should print your name and “A–number” lightly in pencil on the back of each photograph.

Isn't the back of the photograph the side that does not have the picture on it? And isn't a pencil a writing device that uses lead as medium that is erasable?

Well the officer told my wife, we did this all wrong, we should have used black ink and wrote her name and alien number on the left margin on the photo side of her supplied passport photos. Not sure how we could have done that in that small space provided, maybe using 2 point lettering.

But she was nice and told my wife, she will let it go this time, but make sure she does it her way the next time.

Now isn't that luck?

Edited July 19, 2008 by NickD

[NickD 202]

On the other hand, if you were to bring in all the steps outlined above as to why you penciled in the name and alien number on the rear of the photo, you would have humiliated the officer. And in retort would probably ask you to name all 435 representatives in congress plus name the senators and cabinet members. If you don't, you will flunk the civics test.

As it was, my wife sincerely apologized for our error and thanked her officer for pointing it out to her. Whenever tact is required, I let my wife do the talking, I tend to be a little hard headed.

[noone 0]

Isn't the back of the photograph the side that does not have the picture on it? And isn't a pencil a writing device that uses lead as medium that is erasable?

LOL!  O M G! So, how to describe that 'event' to someone who never dealt with the USCIS before? I love situations where I'm made look like an idiot and on top of that I have to act apologetic. The only advice I could give to 'USCIS virgins' is that before they send their first application in is to suppress deep into their memory such nouns as: pride, common sense and (im)patience.