Stationed abroad, had fingerprints done at Embassy, USCIS suspends N400 application for $85 biometrics fee

[toribae1031 3]

Just received our second issue related to N400 for my wife. We live overseas in a country where there is no military base and are filing for naturalization 319(b) expedited citizenship. USCIS rejected the package last month because they did not read the coverletter and thought we were filing FOR naturalization overseas (instead of filing for naturalization FROM overseas to be naturalized back in the States). We redid the package and resent. On 2 Aug, we received a letter stating that we had to send $85 for the biometrics fee and that the application would be suspended until they received the fee. However, according to their website (and everyone else on every other immigration website), the biometric fee is not needed if stationed overseas and if the fingerprinting is done on a base or Embassy/consulate. We did the fingerprints at the Embassy here and sent them, the rest of the package, and a coversheet that explained that we did not include the biometrics fee because the fingerprinting was done overseas and were included. I will call the military help line tomorrow when it opens but a few questions:

1) Could this notification simply be another one of USCIS's glitches and everything will be fine? Has this happened to anyone else?

2) The fingerprinting is dated Jan 2013 and USCIS sent me the letter 2 August. Are the fingerprints still valid?

3) I just looked at a picture I took of the fingerprint cards and I don't see any Embassy emblems or seals on the cards. Could this be an issue?

4) Will USCIS allow us to resubmit the fingerprint cards so that my spouse doesn't have to pay the $85 fee, wait for the appointment notification, and fly all the way back to the States for simply a fingerprinting appointment?

5) We will be traveling to the States in September for a week. Is it possible to try and do a walk in at the USCIS fingerprinting office?

I am active duty military.

I know that no one can answer for USCIS or what they will/won't accept but any help that can be provided would be appreciated.

Wang

I would rather pay for finger print fee. its only 85 dollars.

and just ..don't worry of it too much. you can schedule finger prints whenever you can again.and again.

once you go to the U.S. but finger prints appintment date is not coming. if I were you, i would bring that letter wherever I go. and i would walk in U.S. fingerprinting office in U.S. too.

they will accept your fingerprint cards... but you should call there how can you pay for it.

because there are sooo many people will send all the paperworks everyyy day.... idk i never had that happened

but you should identify yourself(ohh sry your wife)

[Kingwashington 0]

Hi there!

That was exactly what happened to me. I made some phone calls but the answer was so vague. So I just went ahead and sent the biometric fee and my application got through! Soon after that it was forwarded to the field office and i got interview date. I passed the test, took the oath the same day and got the passport the next day in DC.

Good luck with your application!

Snaildo,

Can you please put some insight to passport process? Is it possible to get passport in one day, if yes, please tell me how?

Thanks

King

[Jpelf 0]

Same thing happened to me. I just sent in the $85 fee and they have un-suspended my application now.

JamalNtam

Hello I just have a question regarding your n400 application. We are station here in Ramstein and I send my application Nov 12. Just wondering how long until the schedule my interview? I just checked my online status and it says case received.

My friend and I file the same day, but her's says it's already line up for the interview.

Same thing happened to me. I just sent in the $85 fee and they have un-suspended my application now.

[Lenchick 133]

Hi all!

I see that the thread is a little bit old but hope that someone will answer. I am going to submit my n-400 application soon and wondering about fingerprints since I read confusing information. My spouse is an army civilian and I will apply under the section 319b. Do I have to do fingerprints myself and submit the cards at the same time with the application , meaning without waiting for their further instructions? Or do I wait until they write me back? It is strange that their new instruction doesn't say that I need to submit the fingerprints cards. Did it say in the previous editions? Also, they exclude from the payments for biometrics only people over 75 and military. Others, I guess, have to pay the fee regardless of where they were taken, at a military base or an embassy. Do I just go ahead and submit the fingerprints without waiting for them? Really worried if they schedule me a fingerprint appointment in the US.

This is what their instruction says: Biometrics Services Appointment.

USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide fingerprints,

photograph, and/or signature at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background

and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI), before making a decision on your application. After USCIS receives your application and ensures it is complete,

we will inform you in writing if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the

notice will provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date

and time of your appointment or, if you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or

USCIS office outside the United States to set up an appointment.

-If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that:

--You provided or authorized all information in the application; and

-You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and

-All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.

If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your application

[Jpelf 0]

Hi all!

I see that the thread is a little bit old but hope that someone will answer. I am going to submit my n-400 application soon and wondering about fingerprints since I read confusing information. My spouse is an army civilian and I will apply under the section 319b. Do I have to do fingerprints myself and submit the cards at the same time with the application , meaning without waiting for their further instructions? Or do I wait until they write me back? It is strange that their new instruction doesn't say that I need to submit the fingerprints cards. Did it say in the previous editions? Also, they exclude from the payments for biometrics only people over 75 and military. Others, I guess, have to pay the fee regardless of where they were taken, at a military base or an embassy. Do I just go ahead and submit the fingerprints without waiting for them? Really worried if they schedule me a fingerprint appointment in the US.

This is what their instruction says: Biometrics Services Appointment.

USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide fingerprints,

photograph, and/or signature at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background

and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI), before making a decision on your application. After USCIS receives your application and ensures it is complete,

we will inform you in writing if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the

notice will provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date

and time of your appointment or, if you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or

USCIS office outside the United States to set up an appointment.

-If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that:

--You provided or authorized all information in the application; and

-You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and

-All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.

If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your application

[Jpelf 0]

Hello. Yes you have to send the finger print card the first time you send your application. And yes you still have to pay the $85 no matter what. I got my finger print taken on base at the security forces office, just tell them you need it for naturalization they already know what to do.

Good luck on your application!

[Lenchick 133]

Hello. Yes you have to send the finger print card the first time you send your application. And yes you still have to pay the $85 no matter what. I got my finger print taken on base at the security forces office, just tell them you need it for naturalization they already know what to do.

Good luck on your application!

But when did you apply? Their updated instruction says I should wait until they instruct if you read what I quoted. Also, It doesn't list any fingerprints cards in the requirements section. I decided to send without fingerprints and wait until they contact me back and schedule me an appointment with the near by US consulate where I reside.

[Lenchick 133]

Hello. Yes you have to send the finger print card the first time you send your application. And yes you still have to pay the $85 no matter what. I got my finger print taken on base at the security forces office, just tell them you need it for naturalization they already know what to do.

Good luck on your application!

oh if I do it without waiting for them to get back to me it will be just faster I guess

I just crossed the border last month and got my fingerprints taken at the Point of Entry. Maybe I won't need any fingerprints at all? Who knows?

Are you a military spouse?