N-400 Newark/Mt Laurel New Jersey

[NihalV 26]

Hello All, need help... CASE DENIED 😞  I remember when I was applying online it was not allowing me to file if Its prior to 90 days. I was able to file on 8th sept on ~10:23 PM but it was 91 days .

any one know what are best options for me now.

 

 

 

  

[George & Roth 1,485]

22 minutes ago, NihalV said:

Hello All, need help... CASE DENIED 😞  I remember when I was applying online it was not allowing me to file if Its prior to 90 days. I was able to file on 8th sept on ~10:23 PM but it was 91 days .

any one know what are best options for me now.

 

 

 

  

 

Check out this thread

 

 

[Babycanuck 34]

On 2/7/2022 at 1:03 AM, avmvisajourney said:

Ok, thanks for the update. Please update here once you get the invite for the oath.

I received an update that I am now in line for an oath ceremony.

[Immi_Matter 15]

Hi All,

 

How long was your N400 case status 'Case is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS' before it got changed to 'Interview Scheduled'? 

What does processing time look like?

 

April 2022 Newark filer here. My case status is active review for 4 weeks now.  

Edited May 11, 2022 by Immi_Matter

[Hamada91 9]

On 2/11/2022 at 2:12 AM, LCCF said:

I HAVE MY INTERVIEW!!!!! 😭😭😭😭 was checking updates here, decided to check, and it was there!!!!! Just posted yesterday! 😭 March 12th, here i Come!!!! Mt. LAUREL. Filed back in April, 28, 2021. 

How was your experience? I’m expecting my interview at Mt. Laurel too

[Duncan21 202]

On 5/10/2022 at 9:35 PM, Immi_Matter said:

Hi All,

 

How long was your N400 case status 'Case is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS' before it got changed to 'Interview Scheduled'? 

What does processing time look like?

 

April 2022 Newark filer here. My case status is active review for 4 weeks now.  

Hello...see timeline in my signature below.  I can't recall my online status ever showing "Case is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS".  I hope your interview is scheduled soon!

[nastra30 2,284]

On 3/29/2022 at 10:16 AM, NihalV said:

Hello All, need help... CASE DENIED 😞  I remember when I was applying online it was not allowing me to file if Its prior to 90 days. I was able to file on 8th sept on ~10:23 PM but it was 91 days .

any one know what are best options for me now.

 

 

 

  

Unfortunately  you'll have to submit a new application since you filed this one a day or so too early.

[Immi_Matter 15]

On 5/12/2022 at 10:57 PM, Duncan21 said:

Hello...see timeline in my signature below.  I can't recall my online status ever showing "Case is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS".  I hope your interview is scheduled soon!

Thanks! 

[NihalV 26]

On 5/13/2022 at 5:07 PM, nastra30 said:

Unfortunately  you'll have to submit a new application since you filed this one a day or so too early.

yeh seems like system glitch from USCIS side. it wont allow you to file before 90 days. I applied new application have to go though whole cycle again....!

[81soalk 16]

Hi NJ people.  Idk why there are no updates here, but since I read all the comments in this thread and helped me I will post here.

 

I applied on October 2021 some of you know kearny usps had a problem with the roof and there were delays with the mail.  I thought I lost my package, I was stressing because My only court disposition certified was there.  Went to court and they never gave me another one except for the expungement.  So Def there was stress there.  I received an update that the package was delivered and NOA November 01, 2021.  Bio for November 30, 2021.  I didn't pay attention to the estimate, but I think it said like 15 months if im not mistaken.

 

Last week of may I received an update that the interview was schedule for july 12, 2022.  

 

So last week I reserved a parking with an app (spothero)  for the parking next to the building 1000 broad st.  The app said to scan the  barcode, there was no scanner and no one there.  So I had to press for a ticket and the gate open.  And to come out you come out via orchard st.  And there was a machine to pay the ticket, which came out to $21.  So Im not even mad at spot hero at this point. I will take the L but If I had to do it again I wouldn't use spot hero and just go there, because it was cheaper paying cash.

 

Went to the building and up to 15th floor waited like 2 hours 30 mins and I was called to approach a door.  The interviewer asked me for my green card and passport.  Then the standard questions.

 

Who was the fist president?  

What is one duty as a citizen?

What are the first 3 words.....?

Capital of New jersey?

A war in the 1800's?

And I forgot  the other one but I think it was a right of a citizen.

 

Then read a sentence,  What is the largest state of the US.  and write Alaska is the largest state.

 

Then the standard yes and no questions, file taxes or if I owe any money.  Have I ever been arrested and If I submitted the court disposition, which I did.  He checked that, told me to check if the info was correct on the tablet and said I was approved.  

 

Some people that were approved will have their oath ceremony at another place next week.   From what I heard a lawyer telling a couple of her clients, I think it was like a special oath ceremony if they were from that county they were likely going to do it there.

 

As my journey ends here, I want to thank the people of this website and forums that wrote their experiences.  And to @sandranj the lawyer at the Vawa forum, I read her responses to the vawa recipients and realize that there are still some good lawyers that care.   And that's how my  journey on this forum began.  I filed everything myself from Vawa to 485 to n400.  

 

(tips that helped reading this forum and listen on spotify n400 questions).   Eat a good breakfast because you are likely going to be there for a while.

 

 

 

[Duncan21 202]

7 hours ago, 81soalk said:

Hi NJ people.  Idk why there are no updates here, but since I read all the comments in this thread and helped me I will post here.

 

I applied on October 2021 some of you know kearny usps had a problem with the roof and there were delays with the mail.  I thought I lost my package, I was stressing because My only court disposition certified was there.  Went to court and they never gave me another one except for the expungement.  So Def there was stress there.  I received an update that the package was delivered and NOA November 01, 2021.  Bio for November 30, 2021.  I didn't pay attention to the estimate, but I think it said like 15 months if im not mistaken.

 

Last week of may I received an update that the interview was schedule for july 12, 2022.  

 

So last week I reserved a parking with an app (spothero)  for the parking next to the building 1000 broad st.  The app said to scan the  barcode, there was no scanner and no one there.  So I had to press for a ticket and the gate open.  And to come out you come out via orchard st.  And there was a machine to pay the ticket, which came out to $21.  So Im not even mad at spot hero at this point. I will take the L but If I had to do it again I wouldn't use spot hero and just go there, because it was cheaper paying cash.

 

Went to the building and up to 15th floor waited like 2 hours 30 mins and I was called to approach a door.  The interviewer asked me for my green card and passport.  Then the standard questions.

 

Who was the fist president?  

What is one duty as a citizen?

What are the first 3 words.....?

Capital of New jersey?

A war in the 1800's?

And I forgot  the other one but I think it was a right of a citizen.

 

Then read a sentence,  What is the largest state of the US.  and write Alaska is the largest state.

 

Then the standard yes and no questions, file taxes or if I owe any money.  Have I ever been arrested and If I submitted the court disposition, which I did.  He checked that, told me to check if the info was correct on the tablet and said I was approved.  

 

Some people that were approved will have their oath ceremony at another place next week.   From what I heard a lawyer telling a couple of her clients, I think it was like a special oath ceremony if they were from that county they were likely going to do it there.

 

As my journey ends here, I want to thank the people of this website and forums that wrote their experiences.  And to @sandranj the lawyer at the Vawa forum, I read her responses to the vawa recipients and realize that there are still some good lawyers that care.   And that's how my  journey on this forum began.  I filed everything myself from Vawa to 485 to n400.  

 

(tips that helped reading this forum and listen on spotify n400 questions).   Eat a good breakfast because you are likely going to be there for a while.

 

 

 

Congratulations!  

[NihalV 26]

Got my citizenship yesterday…!

I have changed my name during N-400 process.

I received later during my oath ceremony stating I have changed my name.

 

What should I do next ?

• A. Request name change in SSN
• B. Passport application (Naturalization certificate + name change later I received during oath ceremony)
• C. I can do both process simultaneously

[Duncan21 202]

On 10/14/2022 at 9:27 AM, NihalV said:

Got my citizenship yesterday…!

I have changed my name during N-400 process.

I received later during my oath ceremony stating I have changed my name.

 

What should I do next ?

• A. Request name change in SSN
• B. Passport application (Naturalization certificate + name change later I received during oath ceremony)
• C. I can do both process simultaneously

Congratulations!  If it helps, this is the process and order of steps we took after N-400 approval with name change last year:

 

1. Went to NJ MVC and updated Driver's License with Naturalization Certificate and Name Change Court Document.  At the time we did this, no appointments were needed for Name Changes and everything was done on the same day, and we were given back all documents

 

2. Passport application after receipt of Driver's License.  Note that we did this first before SSN because we were planning a trip outside the US.  If you plan to do SSN first, USCIS advised we wait about 10 days or so since it takes about that time for records to be updated.  That is about the same time it takes for new Driver's License to come in the mail anyway.  For the passport application, take new Driver's License along with a copy of it, original Naturalization Certificate and also a copy of it (see Department of State website for details here).

 

3. Once we received back the Naturalization Certificate from Passport Agency, we did the SSN name change.  

 

I hope this helps.  Good luck!

 

[NihalV 26]

On 10/16/2022 at 10:38 PM, Duncan21 said:

1. Went to NJ MVC and updated Driver's License with Naturalization Certificate and Name Change Court Document.  At the time we did this, no appointments were needed for Name Changes and everything was done on the same day, and we were given back all documents

can you explain what is "Name Change Court Document".  I have received one document during oath ceremony saying my old name and new name. are you referring to same one or I have to get it from court?

[Immi_Matter 15]

Finally a citizen.  

 

My interview happened this week at the Newark office. My appointment was at 8:30. I reached at 7:30. There was a small line to get inside the building. 

Security is airport style. I got inside the the building at 7:45 and took the elevator to 15th floor. At the check in desk, security verified my id and N400 appointment letter. 

 

Once inside, I submitted my appointment letter to the check in desk. Check in officer asked me to sit and wait for my name to be called out. There were 50 to 60 people in the room. I was called to meet with the officer at 9:15. 

 

The officer first began with civics questions first. 

1)  When was the constitution written?

2) What are 2 Cabinet level positions?

3) Why did colonists fight the British?

4) What did Susan Anthony do?

5) Name one American Indian tribe.

6) Who makes federal laws?

I got first 6 questions right. We then moved to reading and writing sections of the test, which I cleared as well. 

 

The officer then began reviewing my application in detail. The officer asked me to verify current address, date of birth, date of marriage and contact details. I was then asked for my 10 year Green card (didn't get it back),  marriage certificate and spouse's certificate of naturalization.Then I was asked Yes/No questions (part 12).

I was then asked to verify my details (name, date of birth, address) & sign on a tablet. I was told that my application was recommended for approval. I was handed an interview cleared letter and told to sit outside until my name was called for oath ceremony.  The interview lasted 15 minutes. 

 

Oath ceremony happened more an hour later at 10:45. About 30 people took the oath with me  All of us were handed the naturalization certificate along with another packet containing key rights as a US citizen, voting information and passport application details. 

 

My experience was great at Newark. USCIS team at Newark is very friendly and ready to address any questions. 

 

Timeline: 

N400 submitted online - April 25th. (I-751 approved in January)

N400 Receipt - April 25th

Biometrics Waiver notice - April 25th

Interview scheduled - October 20th

Case Approved - October 20th (Same day oath)

 

Overall, it took me about 6 months from application to approval. 

Edited October 22, 2022 by Immi_Matter