Question about timing

[msd 3]

So I'm starting to get a package together for my birth country to keep my citizenship in europe before I apply for the USA one.

Meanwhile I'm wondering:

My 3 year mark is in October. I can send off the N400 in July (provided that I got the certificate from my home country by then).

It shows that right now they are processing N400s from October 17 2012.

I will have to move to another state in January 2014. Don't know where that is going to be (my husband is army).

Should I still start the process in July? Can I change my address while my petition is pending just like I was able to during the previous processes?

I'm asking because when I read through the requirements, it says I have to have lived in the same state for 3 months before applying for citizenship.

[mozplay 29]

If you want to file under the 3 year rule, then you can file three years minus 90 day from the "resident since" date on your green card. So without knowing your dates, I'd say yes, you can file in July if your actual anniversary date is in October. You don't have your location listed on your timeline so I can't check to see what the processing times are like for others in your area, but IF all goes smoothly AND you file in July then you should have your citizenship in hand before you move in January.

If things are going very slowly, is there someone in the army who can help speed up the process for you? You can change your address at any time, but once your case has left the lockbox (which is where you will mail your application to) and is sent on to your local service center, my gut tells me that changing your address to an address out of that service center's jurisdiction could result in delays or even them losing pieces of your file. But that's just my gut. (This is with me assuming that military applications also get processed at the service centers.)

Another option that you have is to wait until you move to file, then you don't have to worry about any of it.

On the USCIS website, there is a much larger document called A Guide to Naturalization. You should read it. In it you will find all the exceptions to the rules which, as a spouse of someone in the army, you may well be eligible for.

Here's the link to that USCIS Guide. Also, I'm just noticing at the top of that page that there is a separate link for military members and their families. I would start here. Good news is you have lots of time to decide.

Good luck.

[msd 3]

How Do I look up processing times for my area? I only saw the one entry where it said that N400s are somewhere in October 2012.

I live in Madison, WI.

I just wanted to get the new process out of the way before I move again because if I move in January 2014, I won't be able to file until somewhere in uhh late March I think. Because of the 3 month rule.

But thank you for the link! I'll check it out for sure. I'm very precise when it comes to the immigration paperwork. No need to delay anything by making mistakes.

[mozplay 29]

Here you go.. you can check your processing time here. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page and use the drop down box to find your field office. That's the one you want to use. If you don't know your field office, then use the 'office locator' which is towards the top of the page in the left hand margin.

And.. in the left hand margin, you will also find the link to create and account and sign up for case updates. You can also receive text and email messages re: your updates (once you file, of course).

All the best.

[msd 3]

You didn't post the link but after searching for a while I found it on the USCIS homepage.

I put in Milwaukee because it was the closest office and it said 6 months. All in all it's probably better if I just wait until we have moved again.

The other link you posted above had some info for military. Mostly concerning people who are in the service themselves but it did say something about spouses being exempt from some residency requirements. I'll probably have to just call the helpline again to clear this up.