Biometrics at Long Island City ASC

[D&D_NYC 58]

Just wanted to post my experience at the Long Island City ASC office in case it's useful to anyone else in the Queens/NYC area! I got back from my appointment this morning. 

 

I received my biometrics appointment notice on 12/21/2018, with an appointment date of 01/02/2019 at 1:00pm for the Long Island City office. I had planned to try and do an earlier walk-in during the break, but never got around to it. I walked in this morning around 8:15am to try and do it earlier that my scheduled time, since I work down in Brooklyn and it would have been a hassle to come back for the appointment in the afternoon. I'm glad I did! The ASC is easy enough to get to -- about a five minute walk from the Queensboro Plaza and Court Square 7 train stops.

 

When you first walk into the ASC, there's a small vestibule type area, with a security guard blocking the entrance to the main waiting area. There's a window to the main area so you can see how many people are inside/how fast lines are moving. There were already about a dozen people "in line" in the vestibule (more like crowded into the small space in something vaguely resembling a line). I showed my appointment notice to the guard, who said "WOW...WAY TOO EARLY! Get in line." He said this to a few people, some of whom had earlier appointments than I did. He was a bit gruff, but not unfriendly. I ended up waiting in that area for about 15 minutes, at which point the security guard told us to head inside and grab a clipboard off a desk. There's no formal security -- they didn't check my bag for my cellphone (which was on but silenced) or make note of my lunch bag, even though no food or drink is allowed. People were using phones in the vestibule, so as long as you don't take them out in the main waiting area or have any open containers of food, it seems like you're fine to have them on your person. The clipboards had a brief biographical info sheet that we were to fill out, then get into another line to hand the sheet over the to receptionist. Even though people had earlier appointment times, it really doesn't seem to matter once you're in the building, where it's more first-come-first-served. I filled in the paperwork quickly (it's just name, sex, hair/eye color, etc.) and hopped in line ASAP. The receptionist took my completed sheet, appointment notice, and Canadian passport. Since I'm waiting for the green card to change my name on my passport/drivers license, etc., I also brought my NY marriage certificate, which notes my new married surname. When the receptionist went to check my passport against my paperwork, she noted the different names, and I handed over the certificate, which she accepted without issue. She had me flash my hands quickly to be sure I had no visible cuts/injuries, then gave me a number and told me to wait until it was called. There were about 5 biometrics service areas in the back, with 3 people working. Sat down and waited about 10 minutes until my number was called. 

 

The man who took my fingerprints and photo was super friendly -- I wish I caught his name, but he instantly made me feel at ease. I handed over my papers,  and we joked about the tough return to work after the holiday. He chuckled when he saw my passport, saying: "Why would anyone leave Canada? It's so nice!" and mentioned he had relatives there. He took the photo first, and showed it to me on the screen. We joked more about how nobody likes their "official" photos, and he said that he thinks it's weird when people DO like them. Then, he had me confirm that all the information he transposed from my papers was correct, sign my name and took my fingerprints on a digital touchpad. Once that was all settled, he had me fill out a quick customer service survey (a "how did we do today?" sort of thing) and sent me on my way. 

All in all, I was in and out in about an hour. I think it was a bit busier than usual today because of everyone getting notices over the holidays, but once things got moving, it was pretty seamless. By the time I left, there was a much longer line, so getting there as close to opening as possible was a good call. I don't know how it would have gone if I tried to walk in days before my appointment (I imagine it wouldn't have been a big deal if it wasn't busy) but even if the guard gives you grief for showing up early, they'll still let you in, after which point it's a free for all!

[Malaka2019 33]

Thank you so much for a detailed post! I'm anticipating the biometric notice soon and I live in Harlem so I'll definitely try an early walk-in at LIC.