Filing online vs by mail

[danielenglish 3]

Hi all,

I have been recently told about the possibility of filing for naturalization by using the online service. I was suggested to do so because the online process is supposedly much faster. 

Could you please give me a confirmation about this?

Do you guys all submit the application online or some of you still do it the old way?

Is there a thread where the instructions on how to do so are outlined?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[Kevo 69]

We mailed our application, biggest reason being is my scanner is a pain in the a-- to operate.  

 

The application was scanned by USCIS.  Not sure if they do this for all applications now or not, but I think everyone's in the same boat now regardless of how you file.  Filing by mail may have set us back a couple days.  

[CarlHamilton 252]

16 minutes ago, Kevo said:

We mailed our application, biggest reason being is my scanner is a pain in the a-- to operate.  

 

The application was scanned by USCIS.  Not sure if they do this for all applications now or not, but I think everyone's in the same boat now regardless of how you file.  Filing by mail may have set us back a couple days.  

There's an app called Scannable that turns your smartphone into a scanner.  In case you need it later.

[danielenglish 3]

Thank you for your reply!

As far as you know, is there any real benefit in filing online rather than mailing hard copies?

[bsp 32]

4 minutes ago, danielenglish said:

Thank you for your reply!

As far as you know, is there any real benefit in filing online rather than mailing hard copies?

There are obvious benefits like not having to print anything and immediate online tracking etc, but in terms of timing not really.  You'll shave a few days off at the beginning of the process but the overall timeline won't be materially impacted by online vs offline.  People often forget that this site gives a glimpse at only a very, very small subset of the total applications so drawing any meaningful conclusions from the data is often not possible.  As an example, if you look at the March thread the only person with an interview so far is someone who physically mailed their application despite the common belief that online is faster.  Do what you feel most comfortable with and ignore the noise.

[danielenglish 3]

Thank you bsp for your answer that makes absolute sense. 

I think I will go for the online option that presents some immediate benefits. 

I still need to clarify more important elements of my eligibility but hopefully I will get some answer in that thread too!

Edited April 14, 2018 by danielenglish

[Momknowsbest 13]

I applied online March 1st and have interview scheduled in April. Also only had to scan 2 documents when paper copy asks for a lot more. 

[danielenglish 3]

23 hours ago, Momknowsbest said:

I applied online March 1st and have interview scheduled in April. Also only had to scan 2 documents when paper copy asks for a lot more. 

Thank you Momknowsbest for your contribution. 

How is it possible only one month between application and interview?

I thought the wait was much longer!

[Rusty72 68]

14 hours ago, danielenglish said:

Thank you Momknowsbest for your contribution. 

How is it possible only one month between application and interview?

I thought the wait was much longer!

I filed march 5 ..my interview is scheduled for mid may.

 

Online was much easier it sorta guides you through it and it tells you what evidence you need so no guessing.

It was easy and painless

[danielenglish 3]

2 hours ago, Rusty72 said:

I filed march 5 ..my interview is scheduled for mid may.

 

Online was much easier it sorta guides you through it and it tells you what evidence you need so no guessing.

It was easy and painless

Wow! So you are basically confirming that online is extremely faster. I don’t understand why some people still submit all the forms offline, knowing they will wait almost one year then...

[CarlHamilton 252]

9 minutes ago, danielenglish said:

Wow! So you are basically confirming that online is extremely faster. I don’t understand why some people still submit all the forms offline, knowing they will wait almost one year then...

It's not "extremely faster" as a rule, but it has been speedy for some. 

[Haideraaz 19]

I filed by mail and my case took 8 months ! my friend filed online same date and got his interview after 3 months ! No comparison !

[Rusty72 68]

3 hours ago, danielenglish said:

Wow! So you are basically confirming that online is extremely faster. I don’t understand why some people still submit all the forms offline, knowing they will wait almost one year then...

I think my location has alot to do with it..

I don't know to be honest.

I was unsure about doing it online myself i had everything put together even bought envelopes so I could mail it in...

I am not in a rush for it my resident card expires in '22 i have time. The only reason I looked to the online version was that I had no checks and didn't want to wait the week for the bank to send some or pay extra for a money order (this whole thing cost us all enough).

So I went online started filling it out and realised it was guiding me through was able to fill everything without the need for extra paper to add info so I continued on was much faster filling it out and they took the payment right away.

I sent everything else by mail..noone was more surprised than me that a week after I did it I had an appointment for biometrics that was 20 days after i filed then a week after that got my interview notice ...

Doing it online they send you emails and text messages when they update your case (i didn't have that when i filed for visa and green card) 

The one thing I like about online you don't have to worry about your mail getting delayed or lost

[danielenglish 3]

Thank you guys for reporting your direct experiences. 

 

Rusty 72, I would like to ask you few questions:

1) can you pay by using credit card at time of filling out the application online?

2) you said that you also sent by mail other documents? Couldn’t you keep submitting them online like you did for some of them?

3) more in general, what do you suggest me to keep handy when I will start the process online?

i just don’t want to get to the point where I am asked something that it is not in my possession at that time (although I guess one can save the application whenever and then resume it later, correct?). 

 

Thanks a lot!!

[Rusty72 68]

2 hours ago, danielenglish said:

Thank you guys for reporting your direct experiences. 

 

Rusty 72, I would like to ask you few questions:

1) can you pay by using credit card at time of filling out the application online?

2) you said that you also sent by mail other documents? Couldn’t you keep submitting them online like you did for some of them?

3) more in general, what do you suggest me to keep handy when I will start the process online?

i just don’t want to get to the point where I am asked something that it is not in my possession at that time (although I guess one can save the application whenever and then resume it later, correct?). 

 

Thanks a lot!!

Ok

1 yes all online

 

2 i may have explained it funny ..my naturalization I did online.

 

My visa..and greencard application the ROC all other stuff i had mailed in

 

3 everyone has different circumstances i needed to scan green card and my wifes past divorce records and my marriage certificate. Thats all

 

But I had tax records birth certificates and other stuff incase needed (and I will bring all that with me ..just incase)

But yes you can go back and continue if needed it will tell you what you need to upload