N-400 and I-751 combo pending

[drmo 6]

5 hours ago, MK108 said:

 I had my N-400 interview on July 17th at the Omaha Field Office.

Sharing my experience here.

Interview was at 11:20 am and we arrived at 11am. We waited about 15 to 20 mins before an IO called out my name and asked me to follow him to the interview room. As my husband made to follow us into the room, the IO officer asked him to wait outside.

We were both taken aback because we'd always had interviews together. In my anxiousness about the interview, I had myself forgotten and also forgotten to mention to my husband that it'll be a solo interview. It was momentary. We kissed and he wished me luck as I went in to room. He sat down in a giant waiting room all by himself.

The IO had a very calming presence that helped a bit with my anxiety.

He swore me in and we started with the English reading test where he asked me to read aloud the the sentence shown on the tablet.

'Who was Abraham Lincoln?'

For the English writing test, he asked me write the following,

'Lincoln was the president during the Civil War.'

We went on to the civics test where he asked me 6 questions that I answered correctly.

For some reason I can only recall one of questions asked,

- Who is the commander in chief of the U.S. military?

He went to ask a few questions from my application to verify that they are still current and also asked where I met my husband.

He then informed me that my application is approved and he was trying to schedule my oath ceremony.

He then went on to ask if we had to be anywhere after the interview. As I had cleared the whole day for interview, I said no. He then went on to ask if I would like to attend the oath ceremony that very same day! He continued to explain that the cut off was at 11:45 am that's why he was rushing. (I honestly didn't feel like he was rushing at all, it was calm pace)

Of course, I said yes! So, here we were basically going to be done with USCIS forever.

After confirming everything he provided a letter confirming the approval and also an oath ceremony letter.

The ceremony was to be held at the field office at 2pm. The IO asked us to be back by 1:45 pm to get checked in on time. He asked me to fill out the form on the back of the ceremony letter before coming in.

He asked if I had any questions for him. As I had learnt that we would be able to apply for a passport at the oath ceremony and we'd have to submit the original Certificate of Naturalization to do so. I asked him how long until I'd get my certificate back if I did choose to do so. I continued to explain that my driver's license was expiring at the end of August and would prefer to renew and update my status as a citizen at same time.

He offered to provide me with certified copies of my Certificate of Naturalization after the ceremony to be sent with the passport application. I graciously accepted the offer.

The IO opened the door and I don't know what look I had on my face, but my husband had to ask the IO, 'Did she pass?' 🤣 After a humourous conversation with the IO, with him saying 'you never have to give us any money anymore', my husband and I left to grab a quick lunch.

During lunch, I finally had a chance to read the notice letter in full and started freaking out as my outfit was not up to the dress code for the ceremony. My husband assured me that since I only found out about the ceremony that morning, they should be ok with it.

We returned to the field office by 1:30pm. We waited in the same waiting room as earlier in the morning but it was almost full this time around. I sat next to a person wearing slippers. My dress code was fine 😅

When it got close to 1:45pm, officers went around the room asking applicants for their PR card and Oath ceremony letter. They checked the name on the card and letter, I think. They asked us to have it in our hands as they will need it to check us in for the ceremony. After a few moments, one of the officers pointed out a banner next to the U.S. flag and a picture of the Statue of Liberty and told us we could take pictures there after the ceremony.

Few minutes later, they asked us all to line up. I was second in line. They took our naturalization notice letter and our Permanent Resident card, checked us in and gave us a number token corresponding to the number against our name on the list. I was the last number on the list. I'm guessing it was numbered as people were signed up for the ceremony. As I was snuck in at the 11th hour, I was the last on the list. No complaints, was just happy to be on it 😁

They proceeded to tell us that we would now be moving to the ceremony hall and that our family will be joining us later. The number token had another role to play. We were to sit on the chair with the same number in the hall. Each chair had a packet with helpful materials.

Once in the hall, they started providing tips and instructions for what to do after we receive the Certificate of Naturalization. Tips included not to pose for or post pictures (on social media) of the certificate with sensitive information on display. Instructions were about how to apply for passport and register to vote, and a reminder to update our status at the Social Security office.

Family and friends were ushered in shortly.

They showed a video message for new citizens from the president, showed a song video about being American citizen. Played a video with the national anthem during which everyone was asked to stand up. They showed a video with the words from the Oath of Allegiance and we could read off of altogether. Being a short person and in the last row in the room with tall people in front of me, it was a bit difficult to read from the projector, but I managed. 😅

After that, they proceeded to call our names down the same numbered list as earlier to hand out the certificates.

As I was gathering up my stuff to start to leave, my interviewing IO came up to me and gave me a few certified copies of my Certificate of Naturalization. I had completely forgotten about it, thankfully, the IO didn't. 😁

We took a few pictures on the inside next to the flag the officers had pointed out earlier and a few on the outside of the office.

After an eventful day, we were officially done with our path to citizenship.

Thank you to the members here who provided words of guidance, comfort and solidarity. I couldn't have done it on my own without this community.

I already renewed my license with updated status. I still need to apply for passport and visit SSA.

If I need help with them, I know where to look for answers.

How nice! Thanks for sharing

[Samh 0]

Hi everyone, I'm about to submit my N400 the next weeks when I become elegible. I'm elegible through 3 years residence based on marriage. I'm checking that for the travel history they're asking for the last 5 years, however since it's a 3 year residence I don't have 5 years living in the USA. Should I only put the 3 year travel history? Has anyone had this issue before?

[kc2177 6]

16 hours ago, drmo said:

Hey, around the same time, mine was cut down from 5 months to 2 months and estimated time changed to 4 days! Spoiler alert nothing happened after those 4 days and my waiting times changed to "we are taking longer than expected to process your case ..." I am tending to believe that those times are not accurate.  

That's so annoying... I had a feeling it was too good to be true. The waiting continues! Thanks for sharing

[drmo 6]

8 minutes ago, kc2177 said:

That's so annoying... I had a feeling it was too good to be true. The waiting continues! Thanks for sharing

beyond annoying ... my wife has three job offers that we can't decide about because we don't wanna change states in this situation. At the same time, we don't know when this game is gonna be over. I don't understand the politics behind this.

[Miki28 91]

After filing N-400 did they move your I-751 to a different jurisdiction? Just wondering if the update on I-751 is in relation to me submitting my N-400 or if it’s just one of those few who got their case transfered. Thanks! 

[drmo 6]

5 minutes ago, Miki28 said:

After filing N-400 did they move your I-751 to a different jurisdiction? Just wondering if the update on I-751 is in relation to me submitting my N-400 or if it’s just one of those few who got their case transfered. Thanks! 

After submitting N400, nothing happened to my I751. Not sure if anyone else had the same experience.

[fascinating123 38]

My wife had her interview today. 11:20 appointment time, we got there just before 11. Waited 50 minutes until they called her name. 

 

She passed. But they have to review her I-751 which they hadn't reviewed yet despite us receiving the letter saying they transferred it on June 24th. The officer said it should be just a few weeks and asked if she had brought evidence with her (she did). 

 

So now we wait again. 

[dilip 187]

16 minutes ago, fascinating123 said:

My wife had her interview today. 11:20 appointment time, we got there just before 11. Waited 50 minutes until they called her name. 

 

She passed. But they have to review her I-751 which they hadn't reviewed yet despite us receiving the letter saying they transferred it on June 24th. The officer said it should be just a few weeks and asked if she had brought evidence with her (she did). 

 

So now we wait again. 

Did the IO or local office receive your I-751 file ?  Did IO asked you to submit any other documents?  Is your I-751 loaded with evidence?

Edited July 25, 2019 by dilip

[fascinating123 38]

2 minutes ago, dilip said:

Did the IO or local office receive your I-751 file ?  Did IO asked you to submit any other documents?  Is your I-751 loaded with evidence?

He said they hadn't reviewed it yet and wasn't sure why they hadn't already approved it (I guess he's unaware of the backlog). He took a copy of our marriage certificate and the printout of the county property website showing us as owners of our house. 

 

Our I-751 had pictures, joint tax transcripts, mortgage and loan settlement documents, bank records for our joint bank account and personal letters from our parents, among other things. I think we are good there. 

[dilip 187]

30 minutes ago, drmo said:

After submitting N400, nothing happened to my I751. Not sure if anyone else had the same experience.

Yes, after submitting N-400 while I-751 is pending, NBC usually calls the I-751 and hold with them and most of the cases send with N-400 when your case is ready for N-400 interview.

 

In my case , I applied I-751 ( Nov 27, 2017), N-400 ( Nov 27, 2018), N-400 interview ( Jun 28, 2019), no I-751 interview, but IO during N-400 interview told me that he had to review my I-751 before approval of N-400.  July 3, 2019 both are approved, July 15- Oath , Applied passport July 15, same day of naturalization.  Received passport July 28.

 

So once, ball will roll, it will fast, hang on.

[dilip 187]

4 minutes ago, fascinating123 said:

He said they hadn't reviewed it yet and wasn't sure why they hadn't already approved it (I guess he's unaware of the backlog). He took a copy of our marriage certificate and the printout of the county property website showing us as owners of our house. 

 

Our I-751 had pictures, joint tax transcripts, mortgage and loan settlement documents, bank records for our joint bank account and personal letters from our parents, among other things. I think we are good there. 

So once he will get it , he will review it and will approve it, since he took latest document from you and if you are out of processing time window, send an email inquiry, it might help and if you case is not approve in 30 days, send IO an registered mail.

 

 

Edited July 25, 2019 by dilip

[dilip 187]

2 hours ago, Samh said:

Hi everyone, I'm about to submit my N400 the next weeks when I become elegible. I'm elegible through 3 years residence based on marriage. I'm checking that for the travel history they're asking for the last 5 years, however since it's a 3 year residence I don't have 5 years living in the USA. Should I only put the 3 year travel history? Has anyone had this issue before?

[1] Are you sure, they are asking 5 year of travel.  Just put 3 years.  But you can put 5 years of where you live that what I did and no issues

[2] Always remember, you will have chance to add or correct during interview, but try your best to put accurate information based your knowledge 

[dilip 187]

17 hours ago, drmo said:

How nice! Thanks for sharing

Congratulation!  You are very lucky and got a nice IO ( still nice people are there in USCIS)

[Nayda 28]

2 hours ago, Samh said:

Hi everyone, I'm about to submit my N400 the next weeks when I become elegible. I'm elegible through 3 years residence based on marriage. I'm checking that for the travel history they're asking for the last 5 years, however since it's a 3 year residence I don't have 5 years living in the USA. Should I only put the 3 year travel history? Has anyone had this issue before?

I did. Same like you. I put 3 years, because I worked as a flight attendant and I traveled of course a lot every week, it wouldn’t fit into any form 😂 Now, this was work related, but I didn’t mention anything beyond 3 years in the form, I didn’t make a difference between work and private travels. 

[dilip 187]

On 7/18/2019 at 11:01 AM, J1991 said:

called uscis today to find out if i would have a combo interview or not but they said no it is just going to be n 400 interview but i got an email from uscis a couple of months back that said that both cases would be adjudicated together so i dont know who to believe

Go for N-400 interview with your spouse and take latest documents which you believe you will add to I-751.  IO office might take N-400 interview and might approve I-751 at the background, but sure to ask at the end of N-400 interview whether local office or IO receives your I-751 file.

 

If he conducts joint interview, you are all set.  In my case, only N-400 interview and at the end when I asked about I-751 , IO asked, is your spouse with you.  I said yes.  He told me that he will review my I-751 file.  Interview was June 28, 2019, both I-751 and N-400 were approved on July 3, 2019.  Oath July 15, 2019.