N-400 DECEMBER 2018 filers

[Kath2506 13]

Hi all, 

Well had a late night with our DNA results and figuring out where these people fit in our Family Tree.  So ended up going to bed really late.  This morning got on my computer, and the first thing I do before the coffee is checking USCIS. 

 

There was the notification I have been waiting for right in front of me. Waited 3 months (after Bio) now I have to wait for what date my interview is.. There was NO email from USCIS either. Has that been the case with anyone else?  

 

 

Edited April 25, 2019 by Kath2506

[GirlPower 9]

15 minutes ago, Kath2506 said:

Hi all, 

Well had a late night with our DNA results and figuring out where these people fit in our Family Tree.  So ended up going to bed really late.  This morning got on my computer, and the first thing I do before the coffee is checking USCIS. 

 

There was the notification I have been waiting for right in front of me. Waited 3 months (after Bio) now I have to wait for what date my interview is.. There was NO email from USCIS either. Has that been the case with anyone else?  

 

 

Same Here. I did not get any notification regarding my interview notice and I just received the notice in the mail and when I checked my account I saw the notice has been on my account for a couple of days.

[Kath2506 13]

1 minute ago, GirlPower said:

Same Here. I did not get any notification regarding my interview notice and I just received the notice in the mail and when I checked my account I saw the notice has been on my account for a couple of days.

There was none for my reschedule either. If I hadn't checked my account 2 days before the 24th December 2018 we would have gone up to Detroit for my biometrics appointment. 

[Leo7777 243]

Wife went through Oath Ceremony yesterday.

Of course they took her 10 year Green Card, so now for first time in 9 years she cannot travel outside USA and return.

So at the very end of the process, she is in a worse situation travel wise than at any time before.

What a nice way to end that long venture and start a new life as USA citizen !!!

 

This morning we went to Post Office with completed application for her USA Passport.

But can't book any airline tickets until Passport in hand . . . unless we want to possibly pay $300 or so to change the dates later.

 

There are several items that I have not seen on  any website previously that are ready to trip us up in the Passport Application stage.

 

You must submit original Certificate of Naturalization and a copy.  But surprise surprise, the copy must be black and white.

OK, so read that on the application just as we were starting to fill it out last night . . . but I don't think I ever saw this requirement stated anywhere else on the entire Web.

Why was this irritating to me?  Because I made an extra stop after a tiring day to buy a new color ink cartridge.

 

Second, I don't think I have ever read anywhere on Web that in addition to showing a second form of ID, you must submit a copy of it, front and back.

This is stated on the application, but unlike the rules for copy of Certificate, there was no statement that it should be only black and white.

So I made color copy of front and back of her Driver's License.

The postal guy took on look at it and rudely said . . . it must be black and white.

I showed him the application instructions which do not state anything about black and white.

So then he was nice and made black and white copy on his machine.

 

Third, it is stated on official website that you can pay $60 extra to State Dept for expedited processing, but that doesn't include any faster mailing.

It further states you can pay an extra $16.48 for 1-2 day delivery, but it is unclear as to which delivery they are talking about.  i.e. Delivery to the processing office or delivery to person after passport ready.  In casual discussion about this at the Oath ceremony, everyone assured us that this $16.48 included fast mail both ways.

But not true and again, nowhere on the Web have I seen discussion of this.

The postal guy stated that the $16.48 only covered the mailing back to the person.

 

So I said, OK how about another fee for fast shipping to the passport office.

He said yes . . . $25.50 !!!

My wife gasped and said how can it be about $17 one way and $25.50 back for the same distance?

He just shrugged his shoulders . . . .

 

And I included this additional amount in the check to US Postal.

 

So to State Department  $110 + 60 + 16.48 = $186.48.

 

To US Postal  $35 processing + 15 for picture + 25.50 mailing = $75.50

 

Grand total = $261.98

 

Plus figure $400 - $900 dollars extra to buy plane ticket now (or when passport arrives) compared to buying same plane ticket 2-3 months in advance.

 

Or better yet . . . don't take 10 year Green Card away from people until USA Passport is in hand!!!!!

 

Then we could safely buy ticket in advance to get cheapest prices . . . plus avoiding the anxiety of not knowing when you might be able to visit with family, etc.

 

I think there is something to be said for corrupt countries where you can just pay bribes to get things done efficiently.

[Leo7777 243]

N-400: December 2018 Applicants

==================================
USCIS Online Filing
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Pass |Oath.....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE
Amhara...........|03/18/16|12/22|12/22|12/22|01/18/19|03/05/19 |03/06/19 |04/23/19 |     |--/--/--.|Tucson, AZ........|IOE
Leo7777(for wife)|10/20/15|12/06|12/08|12/08|01/09/19|--/--/-- |02/19/19 |03/26/19 |Yes  |04/24/19 |Pittsburgh, PA....|IOE
Jessica Donahue..|02/18/16|12/08|12/08|12/08|01/04/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |San Diego, CA.....|IOE
Zeta054..........|10/14/15|12/15|12/15|12/15|01/02/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |San Francisco, CA.|IOE
Kath2506.........|10/25/06|12/07|12/08|12/10|01/09/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |Detroit, MI.......|IOE
Beatka1..........|03/28/14|12/28|12/28|12/28|01/09/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |Chicago,IL........|IOE
Natonstan........|03/16/15|12/13|12/13|12/?.|01/03/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |Dallas, TX........|IOE
TheCaptain.......|02/09/16|12/06|12/08|12/10|12/26/18|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Bperes...........|03/17/16|12/18|12/18|12/19|01/11/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
hobbitspouse.....|03/03/16|12/02|12/08|12/07|12/13/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Pickle...........|07/17/15|12/13|12/13|12/15|12/31/18|--/--/-- |02/25/19 |04/08/19 |Yes  |TBS--/-- |Oklahoma City, OK.|IOE
kkg325...........|02/07/16|12/03|12/03|12/03|12/17/18|--/--/--.|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/--.|Hartford, CT......|IOE
Journey_Man......|--/--/--|12/12|12/12|12/12|12/27/18|--/--/--.|02/26/19 |04/02/19 |Yes  |TBS--/--.|San Diego, CA.....|IOE
torres10 ........|--/--/--|12/10| - - |- - -|- - - - |--/--/--.|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/--.|Kansas City, MO ..|IOE
APK2019  ........|--/--/--|12/31| - - |- - -|- - - - |--/--/--.|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |     |--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA ..|IOE
knicker .........|--/--/--|12/14| - - |- - -|12/19/18|--/--/-- |02/22/19 |04/03/19 |Yes  |Scheduled|San Diego, CA ....|IOE

================================== 
Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox 
================================== 
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Pass |Oath.....|Field Office..    |NBC/IOE
karvarall........|09/10/13|12/31|01/02|01/03|01/23/19|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|     |--/--/--.|Dallas, TX....    |IOE

==================================
USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Pass |Oath.....|Field Office..    |NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|     |--/--/--.|?????????????.    |...

===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Pass |Oath.....|Field Office..    |NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|     |--/--/--.|???????????...    |...

TBS - To Be Scheduled

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[3rd 84]

1 hour ago, Leo7777 said:

Wife went through Oath Ceremony yesterday.

Of course they took her 10 year Green Card, so now for first time in 9 years she cannot travel outside USA and return.

So at the very end of the process, she is in a worse situation travel wise than at any time before.

What a nice way to end that long venture and start a new life as USA citizen !!!

 

This morning we went to Post Office with completed application for her USA Passport.

But can't book any airline tickets until Passport in hand . . . unless we want to possibly pay $300 or so to change the dates later.

 

There are several items that I have not seen on  any website previously that are ready to trip us up in the Passport Application stage.

 

You must submit original Certificate of Naturalization and a copy.  But surprise surprise, the copy must be black and white.

OK, so read that on the application just as we were starting to fill it out last night . . . but I don't think I ever saw this requirement stated anywhere else on the entire Web.

Why was this irritating to me?  Because I made an extra stop after a tiring day to buy a new color ink cartridge.

 

Second, I don't think I have ever read anywhere on Web that in addition to showing a second form of ID, you must submit a copy of it, front and back.

This is stated on the application, but unlike the rules for copy of Certificate, there was no statement that it should be only black and white.

So I made color copy of front and back of her Driver's License.

The postal guy took on look at it and rudely said . . . it must be black and white.

I showed him the application instructions which do not state anything about black and white.

So then he was nice and made black and white copy on his machine.

 

Third, it is stated on official website that you can pay $60 extra to State Dept for expedited processing, but that doesn't include any faster mailing.

It further states you can pay an extra $16.48 for 1-2 day delivery, but it is unclear as to which delivery they are talking about.  i.e. Delivery to the processing office or delivery to person after passport ready.  In casual discussion about this at the Oath ceremony, everyone assured us that this $16.48 included fast mail both ways.

But not true and again, nowhere on the Web have I seen discussion of this.

The postal guy stated that the $16.48 only covered the mailing back to the person.

 

So I said, OK how about another fee for fast shipping to the passport office.

He said yes . . . $25.50 !!!

My wife gasped and said how can it be about $17 one way and $25.50 back for the same distance?

He just shrugged his shoulders . . . .

 

And I included this additional amount in the check to US Postal.

 

So to State Department  $110 + 60 + 16.48 = $186.48.

 

To US Postal  $35 processing + 15 for picture + 25.50 mailing = $75.50

 

Grand total = $261.98

 

Plus figure $400 - $900 dollars extra to buy plane ticket now (or when passport arrives) compared to buying same plane ticket 2-3 months in advance.

 

Or better yet . . . don't take 10 year Green Card away from people until USA Passport is in hand!!!!!

 

Then we could safely buy ticket in advance to get cheapest prices . . . plus avoiding the anxiety of not knowing when you might be able to visit with family, etc.

 

I think there is something to be said for corrupt countries where you can just pay bribes to get things done efficiently.

They don't allow you to keep your Greencard because you aren't eligible to travel under it anymore. You aren't a LPR but a citizen so there is no need for the card.

[Leo7777 243]

47 minutes ago, 3rd said:

They don't allow you to keep your Greencard because you aren't eligible to travel under it anymore. You aren't a LPR but a citizen so there is no need for the card.

I think you missed the entire point and logic of what I wrote.

 

THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR THE CARD . . . UNTIL PASSPORT RECEIVED.

 

SHE CAN'T TRAVEL NOW . . . SHE COULD BEFORE. 

[3rd 84]

28 minutes ago, Leo7777 said:

I think you missed the entire point and logic of what I wrote.

 

THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR THE CARD . . . UNTIL PASSPORT RECEIVED.

 

SHE CAN'T TRAVEL NOW . . . SHE COULD BEFORE. 

I definitely understood your post. The frustration on being in limbo is hard, but something necessary between moving from one legal presence to another. There’s not much that can be done other than to wait. You can’t use the Greencard any further, as it’s not a legal form of ID once you’re a citizen and, just like any citizen that has to wait for a passport, you can travel once you have proof. The good news is that when I got my son a US passport back in December 2017 it came in less than a week! It was unprecedented.

[gregcrs2 1,778]

34 minutes ago, Leo7777 said:

I think you missed the entire point and logic of what I wrote.

 

THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR THE CARD . . . UNTIL PASSPORT RECEIVED.

 

SHE CAN'T TRAVEL NOW . . . SHE COULD BEFORE. 

You are only looking at it as how it affects your family situation.  Someone born in the USA also cannot travel to a foreign countries unless they have a US passport. It's a very short time that it is an inconvenience in your situation.  

[xyz12345 260]

2 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

Wife went through Oath Ceremony yesterday.

Of course they took her 10 year Green Card, so now for first time in 9 years she cannot travel outside USA and return.

So at the very end of the process, she is in a worse situation travel wise than at any time before.

What a nice way to end that long venture and start a new life as USA citizen !!!

 

This morning we went to Post Office with completed application for her USA Passport.

But can't book any airline tickets until Passport in hand . . . unless we want to possibly pay $300 or so to change the dates later.

 

There are several items that I have not seen on  any website previously that are ready to trip us up in the Passport Application stage.

 

You must submit original Certificate of Naturalization and a copy.  But surprise surprise, the copy must be black and white.

OK, so read that on the application just as we were starting to fill it out last night . . . but I don't think I ever saw this requirement stated anywhere else on the entire Web.

Why was this irritating to me?  Because I made an extra stop after a tiring day to buy a new color ink cartridge.

 

Second, I don't think I have ever read anywhere on Web that in addition to showing a second form of ID, you must submit a copy of it, front and back.

This is stated on the application, but unlike the rules for copy of Certificate, there was no statement that it should be only black and white.

So I made color copy of front and back of her Driver's License.

The postal guy took on look at it and rudely said . . . it must be black and white.

I showed him the application instructions which do not state anything about black and white.

So then he was nice and made black and white copy on his machine.

 

Third, it is stated on official website that you can pay $60 extra to State Dept for expedited processing, but that doesn't include any faster mailing.

It further states you can pay an extra $16.48 for 1-2 day delivery, but it is unclear as to which delivery they are talking about.  i.e. Delivery to the processing office or delivery to person after passport ready.  In casual discussion about this at the Oath ceremony, everyone assured us that this $16.48 included fast mail both ways.

But not true and again, nowhere on the Web have I seen discussion of this.

The postal guy stated that the $16.48 only covered the mailing back to the person.

 

So I said, OK how about another fee for fast shipping to the passport office.

He said yes . . . $25.50 !!!

My wife gasped and said how can it be about $17 one way and $25.50 back for the same distance?

He just shrugged his shoulders . . . .

 

And I included this additional amount in the check to US Postal.

 

So to State Department  $110 + 60 + 16.48 = $186.48.

 

To US Postal  $35 processing + 15 for picture + 25.50 mailing = $75.50

 

Grand total = $261.98

 

Plus figure $400 - $900 dollars extra to buy plane ticket now (or when passport arrives) compared to buying same plane ticket 2-3 months in advance.

 

Or better yet . . . don't take 10 year Green Card away from people until USA Passport is in hand!!!!!

 

Then we could safely buy ticket in advance to get cheapest prices . . . plus avoiding the anxiety of not knowing when you might be able to visit with family, etc.

 

I think there is something to be said for corrupt countries where you can just pay bribes to get things done efficiently.

Sorry if you feel that way. Some comments though from personal experience :

1) paid for expedited everything including passport card. I didn't have that $25.50 mailinh fee.

I just paid $140+$60+$35+$16.48+$1.25 money order=$252. 73. I asked if I can have applic shipped overnight but no, the quickest is 2 days. When shipped back to you, the passport will be delivered within 2 days.

2) I didn't have problems with the usps worker who helped me. Had my nat cert and drivers license photocopied in color bec i didnt know about the b&w and no problems at all.

3) if you had your passport expedited, you'll get it within 9 days of applic. That's not too long.

4) I already bought my plane tix in Jan for an overseas May trip. I got naturalized in March. Not a big deal! Jyst call up the airlines that you're now an American citizen. Just don't change your IT though. I think(!) that you can still buy a plane without neither green card or passport. I don't think they will ask for passport info yet.

And fyi... When I say you, I mean your wife. ..

Best wishes and congratulations! You'll get your passport back next Saturday!

 

[Leo7777 243]

22 minutes ago, gregcrs2 said:

You are only looking at it as how it affects your family situation.  Someone born in the USA also cannot travel to a foreign countries unless they have a US passport. It's a very short time that it is an inconvenience in your situation.  

You have absolutely no idea the length of the inconvenience this has been to my wife.

 

And you also missed my point.

 

Those with a foreign passport and a USA Green card can travel in and out of the USA.

 

Those who become USA citizens cannot travel in and out of the USA . . . regardless of how short the time period may be.

 

Totally absurd situation that a USA citizen should have less rights than a non-citizen . . . regardless of how short the time period may be.

[gregcrs2 1,778]

1 minute ago, Leo7777 said:

You have absolutely no idea the length of the inconvenience this has been to my wife.

 

And you also missed my point.

 

Those with a foreign passport and a USA Green card can travel in and out of the USA.

 

Those who become USA citizens cannot travel in and out of the USA . . . regardless of how short the time period may be.

 

Totally absurd situation that a USA citizen should have less rights than a non-citizen . . . regardless of how short the time period may be.

No amount of whining is going to change the fact that once you have US citizenship, you need a US passport to get back into the USA.  Your wife can leave the USA anytime she wants but she needs the US passport to come back. 

[Leo7777 243]

1 hour ago, gregcrs2 said:

No amount of whining is going to change the fact that once you have US citizenship, you need a US passport to get back into the USA.  Your wife can leave the USA anytime she wants but she needs the US passport to come back. 

Where have I ever whined about fact that a US Citizen needs a US Passport to get back into USA?

I fully know the rules and support those rules.

 

I am merely pointing out to the clueless that for  a period of time, a US Citizen has fewer rights than does a non-USA citizen living in USA.

 

Those who can't see the absurdity of this, well . . . .

 

You would be one of those who told Black persons who at one time could not vote . . . don't whine, it will only be for a while until the law is changed.

[afrocraft 313]

9 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

Wife went through Oath Ceremony yesterday.

Of course they took her 10 year Green Card, so now for first time in 9 years she cannot travel outside USA and return.

So at the very end of the process, she is in a worse situation travel wise than at any time before.

US citizen problems 😂. Some of us applied months before you did, and due to no fault of ours, we are still waiting for action on our applications. But carry on...

[asilva411 4]

4 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

Where have I ever whined about fact that a US Citizen needs a US Passport to get back into USA?

I fully know the rules and support those rules.

 

I am merely pointing out to the clueless that for  a period of time, a US Citizen has fewer rights than does a non-USA citizen living in USA.

 

Those who can't see the absurdity of this, well . . . .

 

You would be one of those who told Black persons who at one time could not vote . . . don't whine, it will only be for a while until the law is changed.

Can't she travel to her home country and apply for a US passport there, if there is such a hurry to get there?