Expecting Baltimore but got Dover?

[yuna628 9,676]

My husband's biometrics appointment letter arrived today. Since we live in Maryland, I expected that we would be required to report to the Baltimore field office... instead the letter is instructing us to go to Dover, Delaware. We do live in a border town within 15 minutes driving time from Delaware, but we are clearly residents of Maryland. Is this something new they are doing? Does this mean that the Delaware office will be handling us from now on? I can't even really find out any processing times for that office..

[Chejemmie 7]

My husband's biometrics appointment letter arrived today. Since we live in Maryland, I expected that we would be required to report to the Baltimore field office... instead the letter is instructing us to go to Dover, Delaware. We do live in a border town within 15 minutes driving time from Delaware, but we are clearly residents of Maryland. Is this something new they are doing? Does this mean that the Delaware office will be handling us from now on? I can't even really find out any processing times for that office..

Yuna628, I wish I had an answer for you. I've been following your timeline as we are in the same state with a similar timeline. I have not received my biometric appointment letter though my case was accepted on the 3rd. I have no idea what's going on. Congratulations on getting your appointment; you guys are one step closer:)

[Elf 146]

Biometrics are done at Application Support Centers, not at the USCIS field offices that handle the actual AOS application. There are more ASCs than there are field offices, and your biometrics appointment is (usually) at the one nearest to your home. I'm in Montgomery County and had my biometrics taken at the Wheaton MD ASC, but my interview was in Baltimore.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Elf

[yuna628 9,676]

Yuna628, I wish I had an answer for you. I've been following your timeline as we are in the same state with a similar timeline. I have not received my biometric appointment letter though my case was accepted on the 3rd. I have no idea what's going on. Congratulations on getting your appointment; you guys are one step closer:)

I hope you receive it soon

Biometrics are done at Application Support Centers, not at the USCIS field offices that handle the actual AOS application. There are more ASCs than there are field offices, and your biometrics appointment is (usually) at the one nearest to your home. I'm in Montgomery County and had my biometrics taken at the Wheaton MD ASC, but my interview was in Baltimore.

Thanks Elf! That makes better sense now. Well I suppose a 1hr drive is better than a 2hr one for us for such a short appointment.

[Elf 146]

Just remember that they take your photo at the biometrics appointment, and that that photo is the one that will end up on your new GC. I got distracted and forgot this critical fact, and the USCIS officer neither warned me before taking the photo nor gave me the option of looking at it and asking for a second attempt (I'm told some officers do that). My GC makes me look like a cross between a convict and an extra from The Walking Dead. Fantastic motivation to apply for naturalization the minute I'm eligible.