Chicago N400 filers

[DonaDony 3]

1 minute ago, kdg said:

I got it personally same day. Make sure you get an early appointment, be there for opening time, you hand in all your documents and pay (it is an extra $60 for same day expedited so total of $205) and they tell you to return between 3 and 4 to collect. I went back at 2.30 and was called straight away to collect. I was flying the next morning so had no choice! I think they can mail it to you to save the extra $60.

Thank you so much!!

[Lu_So 32]

I am finally a US citizen. The ceremony was only 50 minutes long and there were 129 new citizens. Let me take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to all those members of VJ who took their time to share their stories, answer questions and support everyone who sought support in figuring their case status. What you have done is not only bring hope during moments of despair, frustration, confusion, but motivated everyone to believe in this protracted process. Thank you for all your support, and may your future pursuits bear intended fruits. To those who are still racing towards the finish line, even tiring and uncertain this process is at times, don't ever give up. The finish line, no matter how long, is worth all the struggles. Last but not least, I can never forget the work of the Immigration Officers, who made this journey fruitful by guiding us through the process, eased our nerves when overwhelmed and gave us confidence towards our goal. You have been consummate professionals.

[Lu_So 32]

Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|.Sent|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|ECD| 
England2Wisco    |06/11/15|03/13|03/29|03/19|04/09/18|....... |....... |....... |....... |Baltimore, MD.....|IOE
marianav.........|06/09/15|03/12|03/16|03/16|04/13/18|........|........|........|........|Newark, NJ........|NBC
Texan............|06/06/13|03/08|03/14|03/17|........|........|........|........|........|San Antonio, T....|IOE
YafaUSA..........|04/--/15|03/06|03/08|03/10|03/29/18|........|........|07/12/18|........|Greer,  SC........|IOE
CarlosSantana....|08/25/14|03/28|04/02|04/02|04/24/18|........|........|........|........|Atlanta,GA........|IOE
Ady-g............|07/--/10|03/17|03/23|03/26|04/06/18|........|04/30/18|06/07|18|........|Buffalo,NY........|
================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|.Sent|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|ECD|
Sydneybaby.......|10/06/08|03/09|03/14|03/14|04/04/18|........|........|........|........|Las Vegas, NV.....|IOE|10
Kwyjibo78........|04/15/09|03/15|N/A..|03/28|04/17/18|........|........|........|........|Denver, CO........|IOE|10 

==================================
USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|.Sent|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|ECD|
sirius...........|04/10/14|02/25|03/01|03/08|03/27/18|........|04/01/18|05/01/18|05/24/18|Detroit, MI.......|IOE|11
corvusheart......|05/22/15|02/26|03/21|03/19|04/12/18|........|........|........|........|Minneapolis,MN....|IOE 

USCIS Online Filing
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|.Sent|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|ECD|
Emma89...........|05/23/13|03/14|03/14|03/14|04/02/18|........|........|........|........|Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Ghman1...........|06/03/13|03/01|03/01|03/01|03/23/18|........|........|........|........|Atlanta, GA.......|IOE
silvermoon.......|04/24/14|03/01|03/01|03/06|03/20/18|........|........|........|........|Houston, TX.......|IOE|23
vazpayne19.......|01/07/14|03/01|03/06|03/06|03/23/18|........|........|........|........|Phoenix, AZ.......|IOE
N-O-L-A..........|04/17/13|03/02|03/02|03/02|03/26/18|........|........|........|........|Minneapolis, MN...|IOE|20
Lovetoteach......|09/09/08|03/04|03/04|03/09|03/28/18|........|07/02/18|08/08/18|........|Detroit, MI.......|
Louise2018.......|05/13/13|03/04|03/04|03/04|03/20/18|........|........|........|........|Houston, TX.......|IOE
mitchy_ponsi.....|05/08/14|03/04|03/05|03/05|04/05/18|........|........|........|........|San Francisco, CA.|NBC|11
FermiParadox.....|05/29/15|03/05|03/05|03/05|03/14/18|........|........|........|........|Memphis, TN.......|IOE|18
srays4all........|06/03/13|03/06|03/06|03/07|03/29/18|........|........|........|........|San Jose, CA......|NBC
ROC2017..........|06/02/15|03/06|03/06|03/07|03/29/18|........|........|06/25/18|........|Tampa, FL.........|
booga-boo........|06/06/15|03/07|03/07|03/07|03/19/18|..N/A...|07/05/18|08/13/18|08/25/18|Kendall, FL.......|IOE|11
Kzambar..........|05/26/15|03/08|03/08|03/09|03/27/18|........|........|........|........|Las Vegas, NV.....|IOE|11
kmas.............|06/01/14|03/09|03/09|03/09|03/26/18|........|08/10/18|09/05/18|10/17/18|Washington, DC....|
KisAshu..........|09/11/12|03/12|03/12|03/12|04/05/18|........|........|........|........|Dallas, TX........|IOE
GiveYurLife2Jesus|12/06/12|03/12|03/14|03/16|04/11/18|........|........|........|........|Dallas, TX........|IOE
Gte249y..........|06/10/15|03/13|03/13|03/13|04/05/18|........|........|........|........|Atlanta, GA.......|IOE
Njblue...........|06/11/15|03/13/18|03/13/18|03/13/18|04/04/18|........|10/23/18|........|Newark, NJ........|
Mad rabbit.......|04/09/15|03/14|03/14|03/14|03/22/18|........|........|........|........|Los Angeles, CA...|NBC
luciabrooklyn....|05/01/09|03/15|03/15|03/17|04/02/18|........|........|........|........|Brooklyn, NY......|IOE|11
ritbiv...........|06/08/15|03/15|03/15|03/15|03/23/18|........|........|........|........|New York,NY.......|IOE
starspace1.......|06/11/15|03/15|03/15|03/15|04/04/18|........|........|........|........|Orlando, FL.......|IOE
RachelGreen14....|02/08/80|03/15|03/15|03/15|04/04/18|........|........|........|........|Minneapolis, MN...|IOE
journeymanprof...|05/30/15|03/16|03/16|03/16|04/04/18|........|06/12/18|07/24/18|08/02/18|Boston, MA........|IOE
ovilla...........|09/25/14|03/16|03/16|03/17|04/03/18|........|........|........|........|Milwaukee, WI.....|IOE|16 
AvanD............|06/06/15|03/17|03/17|03/17|04/13/18|...N/A..|05/07/18|06/12/18|07/20/18|Jacksonville, FL..|IOE
IslAmy...........|06/15/15|03/17|03/17|03/17|04/10/18|........|07/27/18|09/06/18|........|St. Louis, MO.....|IOE
Elghazi2009......|12/14/12|03/17|03/20|03/23|04/09/18|........|........|........|........|Syracuse, NY......|IOE
trantri2712......|06/14/13|03/18|03/19|03/21|04/09/18|........|10/26/18|12/04/18|........|Orlando, FL.......|IOE
Marynemoga.......|04/27/15|03/21|03/21|03/21|04/12/18|........|........|........|........|Chicago, IL.......|
Maria and Jason..|06/03/14|03/19|03/19|03/19|04/09/18|........|06/04/18|07/11/18|07/13/18|West Palm, FL.....|IOE
Name O Boy.......|06/18/15|03/20|03/..|03/20|04/09/18|........|........|08/01/18|09/04/18|Portland,OR.......|IOE
jyaku............|06/18/15|03/20|03/20|03/23|03/29/18|........|........|........|........|New York, NY......|   
duitta2g15.......|10/27/14|03/20|03/21|03/21|04/12/18|........|........|........|........|Minneapolis, MN...|IOE|20
CoffeeVegan......|06/06/15|03/21|03/21|03/21|04/12/18|........|........|........|........|Detroit, MI.......|IOE|15
Generic1.........|05/22/15|03/21|03/21|03/24|04/10/18|........|........|........|........|San Jose, CA......|IOE|13
sw88.............|11/23/09|03/21|03/21|03/21|04/10/18|........|09/11/18|10/18/18|........|Chicago, IL.......|IOE|13
sw88(my mom).....|11/23/09|03/21|03/21|03/21|04/13/18|........|10/08/18|11/13/18|........|Chicago, IL.......|IOE
OhioFeb15........|06/12/15|03/21|03/21|03/22|04/13/18|........|........|........|........|Cleveland, OH.....|NBC
ajN400...........|02/03/13|03/25|03/25|03/26|04/16/18|........|........|........|........|Chicago, IL.......|NBC|13
ajN400 wife......|02/03/13|03/26|03/26|03/26|04/16/18|........|........|........|........|Chicago, IL.......|NBC|13
Lu & Soso........|09/16/16|03/27|03/27|03/27|04/16/18|........|09/19/18|10/24/18|11/14/18|Chicago, IL.......|IOE
smelserjl........|06/23/15|03/26|03/26|03/30|04/18/18|........|........|10/31/18|12/22/18|Washington, DC....|IOE|12
Mountain Climber.|05/08/15|03/26|03/26|03/26|04/19/18|........|05/18/18|07/10/18|07/25/18|San Bernardino, CA|IOE|11
alicialeyva......|03/08/15|03/27|03/27|03/30|04/18/18|........|10/26/18|12/11/18|........|Philadelphia, PA..|IOE|16
stackeria........|11/27/14|03/27|03/27|03/27|04/17/18|........|........|........|........|New York, NY......|IOE
Bandaria.........|06/24/15|03/27|03/27|03/27|04/03/18|........|10/24/18|11/28/18|........|San Jose, CA......|IOE|11
Life_love........|06/26/13|03/28|03/28|03/28|04/18/18|........|........|........|........|Atlanta, GA.......|IOE|19
HighlyBeloved....|12/06/14|03/28|03/28|03/28|04/19/18|........|05/09/18|06/13/18|10/18/18|Jacksonville, FL..|IOE|
nado2010.........|11/08/11|03/28|03/28|04/02|04/19/18|........|07/12/18|08/16/18|09/11/18|Detroit, MI.......|IOE
oncliffs.........|06/01/12|03/29|03/29|03/30|04/19/18|........|05/21/18|06/28/18|08/15/18|Indianapolis,IN...|IOE|11
jskibo...........|06/23/15|03/31|03/31|04/02|04/25/18|........|06/07/18|07/17/18|08/10/18|Cincinnati, OH....|IOE|12
Jaana............|11/29/04|03/01|03/01|03/01|04/19/18|........|........|09/27/18|09/27/18|Newark, NJ........|IOE
AJAdventures.....|...09/12|03/08|.....|.....|03/30/18|........|10/01/18|11/05/18|........|San Antonio, TX...|
AlphaBravo.......|...03/15|.....|.....|03/18|........|03/15/18|10/26/18|........|........|Washington DC.....|

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion. 
3. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
4. Copy this whole section including instructions and paste it to your typing field.
5. Make changes and Reply.

6. Red Font = "I'm A United States Citizen"!

 

Legend: 
GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card.
Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS.
Cashd: Date your check was cashed / credit card was charged by USCIS.
NOA: Receipt Notice Date Printed on your official I-797 notification.
Fprints:  Date assigned for fingerprinting (Bio-metrics). If you do your biometrics via walk-in prior to your scheduled appointment, please enter the date in bold blue.
In Line: Date you received e-notification about the start of your interview scheduling.
Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview.
Interview: Date of your interview.
Oath: Date Oath taken.

Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you will have the N-400 interview.

[himanshu.7710 14]

15 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

I am finally a US citizen. The ceremony was only 50 minutes long and there were 129 new citizens. Let me take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to all those members of VJ who took their time to share their stories, answer questions and support everyone who sought support in figuring their case status. What you have done is not only bring hope during moments of despair, frustration, confusion, but motivated everyone to believe in this protracted process. Thank you for all your support, and may your future pursuits bear intended fruits. To those who are still racing towards the finish line, even tiring and uncertain this process is at times, don't ever give up. The finish line, no matter how long, is worth all the struggles. Last but not least, I can never forget the work of the Immigration Officers, who made this journey fruitful by guiding us through the process, eased our nerves when overwhelmed and gave us confidence towards our goal. You have been consummate professionals.

Congratulations!

 

Can you breifly go over the process and the list of documets which u presented to officer. 

[DonaDony 3]

16 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

I am finally a US citizen. The ceremony was only 50 minutes long and there were 129 new citizens. Let me take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to all those members of VJ who took their time to share their stories, answer questions and support everyone who sought support in figuring their case status. What you have done is not only bring hope during moments of despair, frustration, confusion, but motivated everyone to believe in this protracted process. Thank you for all your support, and may your future pursuits bear intended fruits. To those who are still racing towards the finish line, even tiring and uncertain this process is at times, don't ever give up. The finish line, no matter how long, is worth all the struggles. Last but not least, I can never forget the work of the Immigration Officers, who made this journey fruitful by guiding us through the process, eased our nerves when overwhelmed and gave us confidence towards our goal. You have been consummate professionals.

Congratulations!! Could you please shed some more light on mechanics of that day?

[Lu_So 32]

6 hours ago, DonaDony said:

Congratulations!!

 

 

6 hours ago, himanshu.7710 said:

Congratulations!

 

Can you breifly go over the process and the list of documets which u presented to officer. 

 

6 hours ago, DonaDony said:

Congratulations!! Could you please shed some more light on mechanics of that day?

Thank you very much, DonaDony and himanshu.7710! The ceremony was held on the third floor, and the seating was based on arrival. Those who arrived earlier, were seated in the front rows and were the first to enter the auditorium. I arrived exactly at 9 am and was in the last row. When we were called in, we submitted the Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445), whose back comprise of a questionnaire with 8 YES or NO questions about your current status about marriage, travel, criminal activity, subversive political organization association, change of mind in bearing arms for USA when required to, and committing criminal activities, like illegal gambling, prostitution, trafficking, being a drunkard, and lying to obtain immigration benefits. You are required to sign thereafter. When called into the auditorium, you are required to submit Form N-445 and the 10-year GC (I only had mine for 2 weeks). You are then given a number that determines who you are in the line, to sort out the Naturalization Certificate. When we were all settled, and on each chair was a large envelope with several paperwork. Enclosed was a card with National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, etc. There was also passport application form, Naturalization Certificate Holder. We were notified that our family members were next to be seated. When family members were seated, the ceremony started (this took an hour). It started by showing us a short video that gave us a glimpse of the history of immigrants. We then introduced to the speaker of the day, and what a heartwarming speech about our journey to naturalization. We learnt that there were 129 of us to be naturalized. After we took an Oath by pledging allegiance to the flag and the USA, we were then deemed citizens. The atmosphere was so conducive, that taking photos was allowed throughout the process, as long it was done inside the auditorium. Finally, the front row was presented their Naturalization Certificate and then from the second row, we were lined up to receive our certificate and family member could come forward to take photos of the event. When everyone was done, it was the end of the ceremony and the new citizens who opted to take photos with the speaker, MC and next to the flags on stage, were taking turns around the podium. After finishing, we exited and I registered to vote and my family and I left the building.  The ceremony took 50 minutes, and the whole process took 1 hour 50 minutes from entering the auditorium to receiving the certificate. I hope that I shared enough details to capture the event for those future attendants.

[DonaDony 3]

3 hours ago, Lu & Soso said:

 

 

Thank you very much, DonaDony and himanshu.7710! The ceremony was held on the third floor, and the seating was based on arrival. Those who arrived earlier, were seated in the front rows and were the first to enter the auditorium. I arrived exactly at 9 am and was in the last row. When we were called in, we submitted the Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445), whose back comprise of a questionnaire with 8 YES or NO questions about your current status about marriage, travel, criminal activity, subversive political organization association, change of mind in bearing arms for USA when required to, and committing criminal activities, like illegal gambling, prostitution, trafficking, being a drunkard, and lying to obtain immigration benefits. You are required to sign thereafter. When called into the auditorium, you are required to submit Form N-445 and the 10-year GC (I only had mine for 2 weeks). You are then given a number that determines who you are in the line, to sort out the Naturalization Certificate. When we were all settled, and on each chair was a large envelope with several paperwork. Enclosed was a card with National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, etc. There was also passport application form, Naturalization Certificate Holder. We were notified that our family members were next to be seated. When family members were seated, the ceremony started (this took an hour). It started by showing us a short video that gave us a glimpse of the history of immigrants. We then introduced to the speaker of the day, and what a heartwarming speech about our journey to naturalization. We learnt that there were 129 of us to be naturalized. After we took an Oath by pledging allegiance to the flag and the USA, we were then deemed citizens. The atmosphere was so conducive, that taking photos was allowed throughout the process, as long it was done inside the auditorium. Finally, the front row was presented their Naturalization Certificate and then from the second row, we were lined up to receive our certificate and family member could come forward to take photos of the event. When everyone was done, it was the end of the ceremony and the new citizens who opted to take photos with the speaker, MC and next to the flags on stage, were taking turns around the podium. After finishing, we exited and I registered to vote and my family and I left the building.  The ceremony took 50 minutes, and the whole process took 1 hour 50 minutes from entering the auditorium to receiving the certificate. I hope that I shared enough details to capture the event for those future attendants.

This is indeed a very elaborate description of the event!! Thank you very much for sharing your experience and I wish you all the best!!

[Greencardchicago 38]

Hello everyone- Can you please share how long did you guys wait till you get an interview? Thank you

[Lu_So 32]

20 hours ago, Greencardchicago said:

Hello everyone- Can you please share how long did you guys wait till you get an interview? Thank you

Hi @Greencardchicago! The average wait (for online application) is 7 months for an N-400 interview in Chicago. I was then naturalized 3 weeks later. I, however, would also mention that each case is handled based on its merit. The most challenging wait has always been the approval of an I-751, which seem to be around the 2-year mark.  I hope that response gives you an idea of how long it might take.

[Greencardchicago 38]

16 minutes ago, Lu & Soso said:

Hi @Greencardchicago! The average wait (for online application) is 7 months for an N-400 interview in Chicago. I was then naturalized 3 weeks later. I, however, would also mention that each case is handled based on its merit. The most challenging wait has always been the approval of an I-751, which seem to be around the 2-year mark.  I hope that response gives you an idea of how long it might take.

Thank you so much for the respond- I applied for N400 in October with a pending I751 application. Hopefully I can get an interview for a naturalization till March or April next year. I am so tired of waiting...

[Lu_So 32]

1 hour ago, Greencardchicago said:

Thank you so much for the respond- I applied for N400 in October with a pending I751 application. Hopefully I can get an interview for a naturalization till March or April next year. I am so tired of waiting...

HI @Greencardchicago! To avoid stressing yourself up, if I were you, I would expect an interview in May 2019. You might have a combo interview, for both your I-751 and N-400 applications. It looks like Chicago has been doing combos lately. Maybe, like in my case, I applied for I-751 in August 2016, and only got an interview July 2018,  got approved 2 weeks before N-400 interview that was held October 24, 2018. I had applied for N-400 in March 2018, with a pending I-751 like you. Again, I know that it is easy for me to say, "don't stress yourself" after completing this protracted journey, but Chicago IOs are working hard to catch up. If anything, use my timeline and other members' to gauge yourself. You are on track, give yourself a little time not panicking.

[Greencardchicago 38]

4 minutes ago, Lu & Soso said:

HI @Greencardchicago! To avoid stressing yourself up, if I were you, I would expect an interview in May 2019. You might have a combo interview, for both your I-751 and N-400 applications. It looks like Chicago has been doing combos lately. Maybe, like in my case, I applied for I-751 in August 2016, and only got an interview July 2018,  got approved 2 weeks before N-400 interview that was held October 24, 2018. I had applied for N-400 in March 2018, with a pending I-751 like you. Again, I know that it is easy for me to say, "don't stress yourself" after completing this protracted journey, but Chicago IOs are working hard to catch up. If anything, use my timeline and other members' to gauge yourself. You are on track, give yourself a little time not panicking.

Hopefully I will be approved for my I751 by then or get a combo interview next year. Thank you again, I really appreciate your reply. 

[ssmhty 14]

On 11/17/2018 at 6:51 PM, Lu & Soso said:

HI @Greencardchicago! To avoid stressing yourself up, if I were you, I would expect an interview in May 2019. You might have a combo interview, for both your I-751 and N-400 applications. It looks like Chicago has been doing combos lately. Maybe, like in my case, I applied for I-751 in August 2016, and only got an interview July 2018,  got approved 2 weeks before N-400 interview that was held October 24, 2018. I had applied for N-400 in March 2018, with a pending I-751 like you. Again, I know that it is easy for me to say, "don't stress yourself" after completing this protracted journey, but Chicago IOs are working hard to catch up. If anything, use my timeline and other members' to gauge yourself. You are on track, give yourself a little time not panicking.

I am going to have my N400 interview in early December with I751 pending, not sure if it's going to be a combo interview or not. I just wanna say, I have been checking the online forum very frequently and you are always so helpful. Just wanted to express my appreciation to you! @Lu & Soso

[Greencardchicago 38]

15 minutes ago, ssmhty said:

I am going to have my N400 interview in early December with I751 pending, not sure if it's going to be a combo interview or not. I just wanna say, I have been checking the online forum very frequently and you are always so helpful. Just wanted to express my appreciation to you! @Lu & Soso

Hello ssmhty, when did you apply for N400? 

[Lu_So 32]

10 hours ago, ssmhty said:

I am going to have my N400 interview in early December with I751 pending, not sure if it's going to be a combo interview or not. I just wanna say, I have been checking the online forum very frequently and you are always so helpful. Just wanted to express my appreciation to you! @Lu & Soso

Thanks @ssmhty, that's very kind of you! This process can be very frustrating because it hasn't been definite, and other members' experiences going through the same, is not only can be calming but brings a glimpse of hope. Nothing as excruciating as a process that you can only do your part, and have to wait indefinitely for others to decide your fate. I, however, do believe that this process has started shaping up. For instance, it has taken you exactly 7 months to get your N-400 interview in Chicago, that's what happened to me and a number of Chicago filers. Your I-751, although pending, chances are, shall be adjudicated with your N-400. Make sure to bring your spouse with,  updated documents, latest shared (taxes (last 3 years including 2017), bank statements, insurance, photos together (with friends, family), utility bills) and whatever updated from your last I-751 and N-400 submission. Make copies, because you don't want to have a decision delayed because you only brought originals, not all copies (like me, no tax and recent joint account bank statements copies). If you are missing something that you can retrieve from a computer and print it out, ask to submit it the same day (within an hour). There is a UPS not far from Immigration offices, and can log on to their computers and print whatever is needed. Go back and submit it, and in my case, status changed within an hour. I believe that you'll have everything handy and won't have to go through that.  You'll do just fine, nothing to panic about, just be ready with your documentation. You'll probably have your oath, late December or early January 2019! I wish your the best in this final lap of your immigration journey! Happy holidays!

Edited November 19, 2018 by Lu & Soso