Missed biometric notification, didn't show up to appointment

[MissedAppointment 0]

Hi all, 

 

I sent my application for naturalization in June and got a receipt a couple weeks later.  I left for a 2 week vacation from July 13 returning home on July 30. USCIS sent me the appointment letter for biometrics while I was away, and they booked my appointment time at 3pm July 28th. So I didn't see the notice and obviously missed my appointment. What should I do next? Do I really need to start over again?

[daigo 39]

First, go ASAP to where your biometrics appointment was and attempt a late walk-in. If they don't take you, call the USCIS customer service number (1 (800) 375-5283) immediately after trying a walk-in and request a tier 2 officer and ask them to do a reschedule for your biometrics. Persist with tier 2 before doing a mail-in request. If the officer bitches at you, isn't being helpful, or tells you to do a mail-in request, hang up and call back again until you get an officer who is helpful. If you get nowhere with tier 2 after persisting, you're unfortunately left with having to do a mail-in request.

[MissedAppointment 0]

Thanks. What's a mail in request? Is it the request for rescheduling thing at the bottom of the biometrics appointment letter?

[daigo 39]

Yes.

[GreatDane 366]

RUN to your USCIS office. Go and attempt to get it done ASAP. If you miss it and don't respond, it's considered abandonment of the petition.

[MissedAppointment 0]

Just to give an update - I went to the ASC where I was supposed to get my biometrics today. I was told to speak to am officer there. He was not helpful. I tried to explain that I didn't see the letter until yesterday but he said I have to reschedule using mail in option.  And he scolded me for coming in and said I wasted everyone's time by coming  to the ASC. I asked him what's going to happen to my case and he said he doesn't know.  I then called the customer service and they also said they can't help me.  So that just leaves the mail in option.  I'm going to send the rescheduling request today and I also booked an infopass for next Wednesday. 

[charmander 692]

19 minutes ago, MissedAppointment said:

Just to give an update - I went to the ASC where I was supposed to get my biometrics today. I was told to speak to am officer there. He was not helpful. I tried to explain that I didn't see the letter until yesterday but he said I have to reschedule using mail in option.  And he scolded me for coming in and said I wasted everyone's time by coming  to the ASC. I asked him what's going to happen to my case and he said he doesn't know.  I then called the customer service and they also said they can't help me.  So that just leaves the mail in option.  I'm going to send the rescheduling request today and I also booked an infopass for next Wednesday. 

Don't worry about the ASC folks. It was good that you tried. With your rescheduling request, it is a good idea to include a copy of your travel itinerary showing you were indeed out of town.

[MissedAppointment 0]

Thanks.  I was at my in-laws' beach house for 2 weeks so it would be tough to prove since I didn't stay at a hotel or anything and we drove all the way there   I',m going to include a note in the letter to explain why I didn't make it to the appointment. I don't mind having a bit of delay, I just want to make sure that USCIS will continue processing my case, not considering it abandoned.