N-400 July 2017 Filers

[Going through 5,671]

Just a general question to everyone in this thread, no matter the circumstances you filed under...

 

How are you going about arranging your documentation to show when you get called for your interview?  I thought perhaps we could share some tips to help each other prepare for a smooth interview day?

 

Here's what I've done so far (filing under 5-year rule):

 

• organized everything in a binder using dividers and page protectors.  My binder is divided into the following categories:  ID (all ID and birth/marriage certificate pertaining to myself, spouse, child in case anything is asked for, ya never know), BANKING (to show active residency proof), TAXES (tax return transcripts and original W2 forms for myself), BILLS (utility, vet, misc.), WORK (to show employment verification if asked), HEALTH (to show more residency/marriage proof incase asked--recent medical bills/prescriptions/HIPPA certificate showing all 3 of us under the same coverage), COURT DOCS (don't ask lol), TRAVEL (official proof of travel dates since I am not able to rely on passport stamps) USCIS (what correspondence they have sent me and a printout of my application), MISC. (anything else that doesn't fit, including any beneficiary info)
• I made copies of everything and slipped them in the page protectors behind the originals.  This way I can show the original plus offer a copy to keep in their file incase they just snap up the original automatically, when a copy might be acceptable.
• labelled with a sticky note on each page protector as a note to myself about what the document is, pertains to, and any other notes relevant.
• anything certified, I made sure to get duplicate certified copies since I may need them for other reasons in the future.
• I plan on bringing 2 passport-sized photos even though not required, incase the IO says my photos taken at biometrics are deemed unusable.  This saves me from any delays in taking the photos over again, as I have heard this happening to other applicants.  Plus, if I don't use them at the interview, I can use them for my passport application later on.

Even though my N400 filing isn't based on marriage, I figured it wouldn't hurt to bring proof of that as well as I hear many times 5-year filers are still asked briefly about the validity of their marriage during the interview.  I'd rather bring something and not have it asked for, than vice versa.

 

Any tips to share on your own preparation for the interview?

 

16 minutes ago, LRP said:

yaayy! so happy for you @Going through

Thank you!  You know I was worried I'd get stuck in BG check!  I'm hoping this means an actual letter will show up and not just a nicer way of saying "in line" lol

Edited August 15, 2017 by Going through

[mia166 11]

1 hour ago, lover5 said:

Wow congratulations 

yeah, congratulation!

[mia166 11]

19 hours ago, Going through said:

Yes.  When they gave it back to me, I walked over to the security desk and asked if they were sure they didn't need this back...when they said no, I then joked "So you mean I filled out info myself, about myself, for myself?"   The lady just gave me a wry smile and started laughing as I walked away  

lol, I was wondering that too when she gave me back the paper. Goofy procedure

[Going through 5,671]

1 minute ago, mia166 said:

lol, I was wondering that too when she gave me back the paper. Goofy procedure

I know, it made no sense---no one even looked at the paper.  As soon as I handed it to security after completing it, they stapled it to my appointment letter and handed it back to me without even glancing it.  When I went to the agent for my prints, she didn't even look at it either.  

 

Seemed no point to it at all.

[mia166 11]

Hi everyone. I am so happy I finally find this topic

Here is my journey so far

File date: 7/5/20177

Bio date: 8/3/2017

 

I wish our journey goes smoothly

[Tim & Helga 1]

Had my Biometrics appointment today, no issues are problems for me, I was finished in under 30 min. Can someone please update my timeline..

[Going through 5,671]

15 minutes ago, Tim & Helga said:

Had my Biometrics appointment today, no issues are problems for me, I was finished in under 30 min. Can someone please update my timeline..

It was updated when you'd announced your appointment date before  

Edited August 15, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

2 hours ago, mia166 said:

Hi everyone. I am so happy I finally find this topic

Here is my journey so far

File date: 7/5/20177

Bio date: 8/3/2017

 

I wish our journey goes smoothly

mia welcome!  What's your GC date? Did you file online or paper? Do you know what date you received your NOA? Do you know what date your payment was cashed? Need to know so you can be added to the tracker fully  

[ARDallas 59]

I finished my biometrics appointment today at Fort Worth, TX office. So impressed, no wait. In and Out under 10 mins. The lady is super nice and knows what she is doing (my fingerprints are so hard to take because I wash my hand a lot ). She gave me the civic study handbook and told me that we will send you a notice for interview. She said it may take a while since they are behind (no surprise there, Dallas FO).

 

I asked if they accept walk in. She said it depends on the emergency and how busy the office is. I came around 1 pm and practically no one there. So if any of you wants to do FP walk-in on Fort Worth, TX office, 1 -2 pm will be your best bet.

 

Now the waiting begins...and my estimated waiting time has moved again, one month early. I have a feeling it will move again lol.

 

@Going throughCongrats on your in-line status!!!!!

 

[Maridiego 1]

Hello!

Finally after waiting more than a month, I got my FP appointment letter scheduled for next tuesday August 22nd.
When I got my NOA, my birth day came wrong, so I had to put an inquired, and Oh boy, it was a mess, when I called 
on July 17th to make the request, the representative told me that if I don't received by mail the notice with the correct info, 
to call them back again. Haven't received the new NOA with the correction, but got my FP Appointment....

N-400: July 2017 Applicants

==================================
Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
==================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE
Maridiego.....|09/25/14|06/27|07/10|07/10|08/22/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York City....|NBC
kmdr..........|09/22/14|07/03|07/12|07/11|08/07/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA......|NBC
lover5........|--/--/--|07/10|07/15|07/13|08/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York City....|NBC
alejandreska..|08/31/14|07/03|07/11|07/10|08/03/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Boston, MA.......|NBC
bountyhunter..|10/06/14|07/08|07/13|07/12|08/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX......|NBC
Kuzzy.........|09/20/14|07/18|07/25|07/21|08/16/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Jacksonville, FL.|NBC
Tim&Helga.....|06/27/14|07/05|07/19|07/20|08/15/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Montgomery, AL...|NBC
rt1012........|10/28/14|07/31|08/07|08/07|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New Orleans, LA..|NBC

================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE
SETTI.........|05/22/08|06/29|07/03|07/03|07/25/17|07/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Jose, CA.....|NBC
SJS87.........|08/26/17|07/05|07/12|07/10|08/02/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA......|NBC
Jaxx..........|08/23/09|07/13|07/17|07/20|08/10/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Francisco,CA.|NBC
kumamon.......|10/11/12|06/28|07/02|07/05|07/17/17|07/19/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Jose, CA.....|NBC
CA1234........|09/08/12|07/05|07/12|07/17|07/31/17|08/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA..|NBC
Greatdane.....|10/22/14|07/22|07/26|07/31|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA......|NBC
nit407........|06/17/14|07/25|07/28|08/01|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA......|NBC
Margiee.......|06/06/13|07/17|07/20|07/20|08/14/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO.......|NBC
rerto.........|10/14/14|07/29|08/07|08/02|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Francisco,CA.|NBC
Huvvaligen....|09/11/14|07/11|07/18|07/24|08/14/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|St. Louis, MO....|NBC
shuashua......|10/06/12|07/07|07/12|07/10|08/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA..|NBC

==================================
USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox
==================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE
u_got_that....|08/13/11|07/14|07/19|07/14|08/11/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Philadelphia, PA.|NBC
peachlings....|10/--/12|07/15|07/21|07/18|08/15/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL......|NBC
marieMH.......|08/16/12|07/14|07/17|07/17|08/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL......|NBC
rangrut.......|07/13/11|07/22|07/25|07/24|08/18/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Philadelphia, PA.|NBC
Venice000.....|10/10/14|07/22|08/01|07/31|08/24/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Philadelphia, PA.|NBC 

==================================
USCIS Online Filing
==================================
UserName......|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office.....|NBC/IOE
LRP...........|10/01/14|07/04|07/05|07/04|07/21/17|07/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington, DC...|IOE
Bsze..........|10/26/10|07/09|07/10|07/10|08/03/17|08/04/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|St Paul, MN......|IOE
AK_2014.......|10/09/14|07/12|07/12|07/12|08/02/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL......|IOE
GoingThrough..|08/18/05|07/14|07/14|07/14|08/08/17|08/14/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Queens, NY.......|IOE
SamBillz......|05/24/11|07/16|07/17|07/16|08/11/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX......|IOE
NewOrleansJerry10/04/14|07/17|07/17|07/17|08/08/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Montgomery, AL...|IOE
ARDallas......|10/18/14|07/26|07/26|07/26|08/15/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX.......|IOE
vkhutchings...|07/22/14|07/28|07/28|07/28|08/14/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Queens, NY.......|IOE
ragex.........|07/13/17|07/28|07/29|07/28|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL......|IOE
danielp60.....|10/28/14|07/30|07/30|07/31|08/23/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Miami, FL........|IOE
reneesuarez...|10/20/14|07/31|07/31|07/31|08/22/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Greer, SC........|IOE



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[Going through 5,671]

Just now, Maridiego said:

Hello! Finally after waiting more than a month, I got my FP appointment letter scheduled for next tuesday August 22nd. When I got my NOA, my birth day came wrong, so I had to put an inquired, and Oh boy, it was a mess, when I called on July 17th to make the request, the representative told me that if I don't received by mail the notice with the correct info, to call them back again. Haven't received the new NOA with the correction, but got my FP Appointment....

Oh my lord what a mess!  Congrats on finally getting your FP appointment!

[SamBillz 23]

23 minutes ago, ARDallas said:

I finished my biometrics appointment today at Fort Worth, TX office. So impressed, no wait. In and Out under 10 mins. The lady is super nice and knows what she is doing (my fingerprints are so hard to take because I wash my hand a lot ). She gave me the civic study handbook and told me that we will send you a notice for interview. She said it may take a while since they are behind (no surprise there, Dallas FO).

 

I asked if they accept walk in. She said it depends on the emergency and how busy the office is. I came around 1 pm and practically no one there. So if any of you wants to do FP walk-in on Fort Worth, TX office, 1 -2 pm will be your best bet.

 

Now the waiting begins...and my estimated waiting time has moved again, one month early. I have a feeling it will move again lol.

 

@Going throughCongrats on your in-line status!!!!!

 

@ARDallas - good that it went smoothly. When I went for mine last Friday in Houston, I was in and out in about 25 min.  I don't expect to have my case completed anytime soon since Texas has a backlog of cases. Let's hope for the best!

[SamBillz 23]

2 hours ago, Going through said:

Just a general question to everyone in this thread, no matter the circumstances you filed under...

 

How are you going about arranging your documentation to show when you get called for your interview?  I thought perhaps we could share some tips to help each other prepare for a smooth interview day?

 

Here's what I've done so far (filing under 5-year rule):

 

• organized everything in a binder using dividers and page protectors.  My binder is divided into the following categories:  ID (all ID and birth/marriage certificate pertaining to myself, spouse, child in case anything is asked for, ya never know), BANKING (to show active residency proof), TAXES (tax return transcripts and original W2 forms for myself), BILLS (utility, vet, misc.), WORK (to show employment verification if asked), HEALTH (to show more residency/marriage proof incase asked--recent medical bills/prescriptions/HIPPA certificate showing all 3 of us under the same coverage), COURT DOCS (don't ask lol), TRAVEL (official proof of travel dates since I am not able to rely on passport stamps) USCIS (what correspondence they have sent me and a printout of my application), MISC. (anything else that doesn't fit, including any beneficiary info)
• I made copies of everything and slipped them in the page protectors behind the originals.  This way I can show the original plus offer a copy to keep in their file incase they just snap up the original automatically, when a copy might be acceptable.
• labelled with a sticky note on each page protector as a note to myself about what the document is, pertains to, and any other notes relevant.
• anything certified, I made sure to get duplicate certified copies since I may need them for other reasons in the future.
• I plan on bringing 2 passport-sized photos even though not required, incase the IO says my photos taken at biometrics are deemed unusable.  This saves me from any delays in taking the photos over again, as I have heard this happening to other applicants.  Plus, if I don't use them at the interview, I can use them for my passport application later on.

Even though my N400 filing isn't based on marriage, I figured it wouldn't hurt to bring proof of that as well as I hear many times 5-year filers are still asked briefly about the validity of their marriage during the interview.  I'd rather bring something and not have it asked for, than vice versa.

 

Any tips to share on your own preparation for the interview?

 

Thank you!  You know I was worried I'd get stuck in BG check!  I'm hoping this means an actual letter will show up and not just a nicer way of saying "in line" lol

The list seems more than appropriate. I plan on compiling similar sort of documents although, like you, I am filing under the 5 year rule. I do have a question though. Are you gonna take itineraries for overseas travel? For evidence, I had submitted stamps on my passport Instead. 

[Maridiego 1]

@Going through Congrats!!!   You must be excited!!!!

[Going through 5,671]

6 minutes ago, Maridiego said:

@Going through Congrats!!!   You must be excited!!!!

I am and I'm not---I won't get fully excited until the actual interview date is posted online, or I get the paper letter lol