N-400 February Filers 2018

[Haji delco 103]

10 minutes ago, gc@gc said:

 

thanks for sharing.

 

you are not done with uscis yet if, only if you are going to sponsor someone 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ha ha true that, can we ever get done with USCIS? LOL. 

[shell20 746]

1 hour ago, Haji delco said:

BTW. I actually thought i updated regarding my oath ceremony and subsequent passport application. 

 

I was scheduled for the oath at 8:45 at the court house as it was a judicial ceremony and arrived at 8:30. We waited for almost 45 minutes before the lady conducting the preparation before we met the judge called us in a jury room but no family or friend was allowed. We were asked for the N445 (oath ceremony letter) and it was cross checked whether there had been any changes since the interview. If they were, we have to show documentation proof. If not you will not be allowed to swear in. And there are certain questions that under no circumstance will you be allowed to swear if you answered "yes" to. 

 

After going through our N445 letters, there is also present a USCIS officer (coincidentally had met her on one of my info passes); we gave up all documentation that USCIS ever gave us (Green card, EAD, AP etc) as it is the property of the USCIS. If you had a stamp it will be cancelled out without prejudice by the USCIS officer. We filled in our voter registration form there and then and it will be sent to the electoral commission by the court. 

 

We went into the courtroom and waited for about 20 or so minutes before the judge walked in. A kinda young caucasian (no more than 35 IMO) came in and introduced the personnel (the court clerk, USCIS official, and court official that led us through, a congressman rep). She also read our rights that USCIS is waving and certifying that we all have been through the process and are thus qualified to receive the benefit sought and if USCIS wants to challenge that, they do not have the authority to do so except through the courts, to which the USCIS officer answered in the affirmative. 

 

We were about 60 in total naturalizing ranging in ages from 25-80 from about 40 different countries. Each one of us stood up to introduce ourselves to the judge and from our countries of origin and some got really emotional. The judge then read the oath to which we answered to the affirmative. Once we got through that, the judge read some more rights and we were called up and handed our certificates one by one and took a photo with the judge if we choose. We were then asked to confirm that all our info on the certificates were correct and if not we had to wait and take it up with them after the ceremony.  

 

After we got through with the certification handing, we went back into the waiting room where we sang in harmony and this time family and friends were allowed in. We colleceted our belongings and that was the end of the ceremony and we were given each a pack with passport application forms etc. 

 

As soon as the ceremony was over, I wanted to apply for the passport but didn't want to do the paper application and wait for like 2 weeks so I wanted expedited. My city doesn't have the passport agency so I drove 3 hours to the nearest passport application agency. I arrived at like 2pm and the agent said i was late for that same day service so I could complete the application and pick it up within 24hours as I had come prepared. She realized I was coming 3 hours away and sort of suggested she could mail it next day blah blah. There was no doubt in my mind that I would stay and pick it up rather than have it mailed. So i stayed in the hotel and picked it up the next day at 3pm.

Checked to see all my info was correct and zoomed off and that was that. ON the freeway back home, having done with USCIS.

 

  

Not a problem; always welcome boss lady! 

Lol 

[shell20 746]

1 hour ago, Haji delco said:

BTW. I actually thought i updated regarding my oath ceremony and subsequent passport application. 

 

I was scheduled for the oath at 8:45 at the court house as it was a judicial ceremony and arrived at 8:30. We waited for almost 45 minutes before the lady conducting the preparation before we met the judge called us in a jury room but no family or friend was allowed. We were asked for the N445 (oath ceremony letter) and it was cross checked whether there had been any changes since the interview. If they were, we have to show documentation proof. If not you will not be allowed to swear in. And there are certain questions that under no circumstance will you be allowed to swear if you answered "yes" to. 

 

After going through our N445 letters, there is also present a USCIS officer (coincidentally had met her on one of my info passes); we gave up all documentation that USCIS ever gave us (Green card, EAD, AP etc) as it is the property of the USCIS. If you had a stamp it will be cancelled out without prejudice by the USCIS officer. We filled in our voter registration form there and then and it will be sent to the electoral commission by the court. 

 

We went into the courtroom and waited for about 20 or so minutes before the judge walked in. A kinda young caucasian (no more than 35 IMO) came in and introduced the personnel (the court clerk, USCIS official, and court official that led us through, a congressman rep). She also read our rights that USCIS is waving and certifying that we all have been through the process and are thus qualified to receive the benefit sought and if USCIS wants to challenge that, they do not have the authority to do so except through the courts, to which the USCIS officer answered in the affirmative. 

 

We were about 60 in total naturalizing ranging in ages from 25-80 from about 40 different countries. Each one of us stood up to introduce ourselves to the judge and from our countries of origin and some got really emotional. The judge then read the oath to which we answered to the affirmative. Once we got through that, the judge read some more rights and we were called up and handed our certificates one by one and took a photo with the judge if we choose. We were then asked to confirm that all our info on the certificates were correct and if not we had to wait and take it up with them after the ceremony.  

 

After we got through with the certification handing, we went back into the waiting room where we sang in harmony and this time family and friends were allowed in. We colleceted our belongings and that was the end of the ceremony and we were given each a pack with passport application forms etc. 

 

As soon as the ceremony was over, I wanted to apply for the passport but didn't want to do the paper application and wait for like 2 weeks so I wanted expedited. My city doesn't have the passport agency so I drove 3 hours to the nearest passport application agency. I arrived at like 2pm and the agent said i was late for that same day service so I could complete the application and pick it up within 24hours as I had come prepared. She realized I was coming 3 hours away and sort of suggested she could mail it next day blah blah. There was no doubt in my mind that I would stay and pick it up rather than have it mailed. So i stayed in the hotel and picked it up the next day at 3pm.

Checked to see all my info was correct and zoomed off and that was that. ON the freeway back home, having done with USCIS.

 

  

Not a problem; always welcome boss lady! 

Thanks for sharing and Ive learnt something new from this I didn't realise you could get a same day passport service?  Wow, wanted to plan a trip to see my son but thought it would be at least 6 weeks before I could leave. Is expedited only if you have booked flights already> 

[Sukie 1,460]

Interview on Thursday this week!

 

For those already through the process who are JUST N-400 interviewees - did you just take the documents they said to bring?  It has been over 30 days now since we uploaded the N-400 and the documents, and I cannot get back on to see exactly what I submitted for her file!  Luckily, I had printed out a copy of the N-400 so my spouse can double-check all her answers.

 

Other than the questions and reviewing the N-400, did you get asked things like "What is "Truth"? and "What is the thing you miss most from your original country?  She's been looking at interviews on YouTube, and they are asking questions like that.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sukie in NY

[CTgal18 157]

13 minutes ago, Sukie said:

Interview on Thursday this week!

 

For those already through the process who are JUST N-400 interviewees - did you just take the documents they said to bring?  It has been over 30 days now since we uploaded the N-400 and the documents, and I cannot get back on to see exactly what I submitted for her file!  Luckily, I had printed out a copy of the N-400 so my spouse can double-check all her answers.

 

Other than the questions and reviewing the N-400, did you get asked things like "What is "Truth"? and "What is the thing you miss most from your original country?  She's been looking at interviews on YouTube, and they are asking questions like that.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sukie in NY

As you know I interviewed in your field office. I brought the letter, tax transcripts for past 4 years (wasn’t able to get the 5th), my passport, green card, birth certificate, proof of residence and drivers license. Only things I was asked for was the interview letter when I checked in through security and the immigration officer asked for my green card and my passport and that was it. The guy that interviewed me did not ask any questions about defining truth or asking what I miss about my country of birth. He was friendly and engaged in small talk and asked things like how I was doing, how the drive was and how the weather was etc. 

 

Good luck to your wife!! I’ll be at my oath ceremony this Thursday but I’ll send positive thoughts your way!

Edited July 23, 2018 by CTgal18

[Haji delco 103]

2 hours ago, shell20 said:

Thanks for sharing and Ive learnt something new from this I didn't realise you could get a same day passport service?  Wow, wanted to plan a trip to see my son but thought it would be at least 6 weeks before I could leave. Is expedited only if you have booked flights already> 

Yes you could. BUT it has to be in person and at a passport agency that offers expedited service. Those agencies are only in a handful of cities so a bit of driving may be required if you are not lucky enough to be in one of those states. Also proof of urgent travel is also required for the service. If you apply early in the morning and the agency is not too backed up, they will print your passport that day otherwise you can pick it up after 24 hours. 

[bsp 32]

1 hour ago, Sukie said:

Interview on Thursday this week!

 

For those already through the process who are JUST N-400 interviewees - did you just take the documents they said to bring?  It has been over 30 days now since we uploaded the N-400 and the documents, and I cannot get back on to see exactly what I submitted for her file!  Luckily, I had printed out a copy of the N-400 so my spouse can double-check all her answers.

 

Other than the questions and reviewing the N-400, did you get asked things like "What is "Truth"? and "What is the thing you miss most from your original country?  She's been looking at interviews on YouTube, and they are asking questions like that.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sukie in NY

I took additional docs and it's lucky I did as the IO asked for documentation relating to our new house as we've lived there less than 12 months so they just wanted something to put on the file.  They also asked for the 2017 tax transcript even though I'd uploaded it after filing, but I think that's a fairly common request.   The interview itself was very straight-forward with everything based off the questions on the form (they have to get you to verbally affirm a lot of it under oath, hence the repetition) and then just the civics and English test so nothing out of the ordinary. 

[marriedtomrg 141]

12 hours ago, Sukie said:

Interview on Thursday this week!

 

For those already through the process who are JUST N-400 interviewees - did you just take the documents they said to bring?  It has been over 30 days now since we uploaded the N-400 and the documents, and I cannot get back on to see exactly what I submitted for her file!  Luckily, I had printed out a copy of the N-400 so my spouse can double-check all her answers.

 

Other than the questions and reviewing the N-400, did you get asked things like "What is "Truth"? and "What is the thing you miss most from your original country?  She's been looking at interviews on YouTube, and they are asking questions like that.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sukie in NY

Weird, you should be able to log back in and see what she sent.

 

I had tax transcripts, copies of proof that my speeding ticket was resolved - and my pending replacement green card NOA  (since I had no GC to surrender).

 

Even through my speeding ticket fine was below $500 and there was no DUI or property damage involved, the officer still asked to see the documents.

 

If anything changed since she filed, like change of jobs or anything like that, then it will need to be mentioned at the interview.

 

As a side note: throughout all this I was hoping to get a refund on my replacement GC - but alas - it arrived in the mail about less than two weeks ago lol So I guess now I will have a GC to surrender at my ceremony - which is tomorrow afternoon.

 

I have a post about my interview experience on this thread here somewhere - no crazy questions, I feel like our interview was very conversational - not like an interrogation, neither was it awkward nor stiff .

 

Best of luck on her interview!  I am sure she will do great

 

[Anabless 68]

14 hours ago, Sukie said:

Interview on Thursday this week!

 

For those already through the process who are JUST N-400 interviewees - did you just take the documents they said to bring?  It has been over 30 days now since we uploaded the N-400 and the documents, and I cannot get back on to see exactly what I submitted for her file!  Luckily, I had printed out a copy of the N-400 so my spouse can double-check all her answers.

 

Other than the questions and reviewing the N-400, did you get asked things like "What is "Truth"? and "What is the thing you miss most from your original country?  She's been looking at interviews on YouTube, and they are asking questions like that.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sukie in NY

I brought to my interview all docs submitted plus the most recent. My application was based on marriage. Besides passport and driver's licence the IO asked me a most recent joint bill. I gave her some options of what I had and she picked the car insurance. Also she asked for the 2017 tax transcript which I had uploaded after the application had sent. Both tax transcript and car insurance copies she kept with her.

[shell20 746]

16 hours ago, Haji delco said:

Yes you could. BUT it has to be in person and at a passport agency that offers expedited service. Those agencies are only in a handful of cities so a bit of driving may be required if you are not lucky enough to be in one of those states. Also proof of urgent travel is also required for the service. If you apply early in the morning and the agency is not too backed up, they will print your passport that day otherwise you can pick it up after 24 hours. 

Oh well wont be going for that then. Thanks for sharing, also whilst I a on a roll, what documentation do I need to bring I know my EAD card and my GC, but it says something about all correspondence from the USCIS does this mean NOA1s?  I need to get on it if so as my ceremony is tomorrow.

[shell20 746]

17 hours ago, Sukie said:

Interview on Thursday this week!

 

For those already through the process who are JUST N-400 interviewees - did you just take the documents they said to bring?  It has been over 30 days now since we uploaded the N-400 and the documents, and I cannot get back on to see exactly what I submitted for her file!  Luckily, I had printed out a copy of the N-400 so my spouse can double-check all her answers.

 

Other than the questions and reviewing the N-400, did you get asked things like "What is "Truth"? and "What is the thing you miss most from your original country?  She's been looking at interviews on YouTube, and they are asking questions like that.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

Sukie in NY

I have no idea about what is Truth, I must have missed something along the way. I took all my husbands divorce certs, all the childrens birth certs, rent agreement, mail with my name on it, mail with his on it, all what we uploaded like tax returns, bank statements, health insurance and nothing was asked for. I tell a lie I was asked for the rent agreement and told I didn't need to give it as I had uploaded it and so she didnt need it. I took my passport and 10 year card. I mentioned I had been on a trip abroad in between the application and interview which she altered.  I was asked about where my husband worked and did my son want to emigrate from England and that was about it. No documentation other than passport and 10 year card was asked for, oh and my state id as I don't have a driving licence, that was asked for as proof of residency in Pennsylvania.  

 

I am not sure why you cant see your documentation, other than it has ROC and then down below N400 where you have to click on documents. Perhaps it has changed since a couple of weeks ago, wouldnt surprise me USCIS like to keep us on our toes. Thankfully tomorrow I shall be done with the immigration journey, other than sending off for my passport.  Good luck, I know you will sail through it!

[gc@gc 184]

4 minutes ago, shell20 said:

I have no idea about what is Truth, I must have missed something along the way. I took all my husbands divorce certs, all the childrens birth certs, rent agreement, mail with my name

 

how many? 20?  that would be pretty heavy

 

hahahaha, just kidding 

[shell20 746]

Just now, gc@gc said:

 

how many? 20?  that would be pretty heavy

 

hahahaha, just kidding 

2 before me, 3rd time is a charm!!

[Santos12 41]

19 minutes ago, shell20 said:

Oh well wont be going for that then. Thanks for sharing, also whilst I a on a roll, what documentation do I need to bring I know my EAD card and my GC, but it says something about all correspondence from the USCIS does this mean NOA1s?  I need to get on it if so as my ceremony is tomorrow.

I think it's unlikely that they'll ask to see notices from USCIS or anything like that. For a case without issues what they really want to see is basically your green card, passport and tax returns/transcripts. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to take extra documents. I don't even have my EAD anymore. It expired and became useless so I shredded it after I received my GC. I read on another thread that someone was able to keep her expired 2-year GC after naturalization. I wonder if I could do the same. I don't plan on using it. I just want to keep it as sort of a memory. And good luck tomorrow with your oath ceremony!  

Edited July 24, 2018 by Santos12

[shell20 746]

2 minutes ago, Santos12 said:

I think it's unlikely that they'll ask to see notices from USCIS or anything like that. For a case without issues what they really want to see is basically your green card, passport and tax returns/transcripts. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to take extra documents. I don't even have my EAD anymore. It expired and became useless so I shredded it after I received my GC. I read on another thread that someone was able to keep her expired 2-year GC after naturalization. I wonder if I could do the same. I don't plan on using it. I just want to keep it as sort of a memory. And good luck tomorrow with your oath ceremony!  

They ask for your transcripts at interview, not the Oath ceremony.  I had the interview two weeks ago, but it does say on the Oath letter something about past correspondence I think as well as GC.  I kind of don't want to give my GC back but I guess they want it, now should I frame it for them, thats the dilemma! LOL