N-400 and I-751 Combo Pending -- Part 2

[NYBEtt 88]

5 hours ago, lilygracexx said:

Hi Everyone!

WOW it was a long day basically spent the whole afternoon at USCIS. We got there at 12noon and there’s no line to get in. My husband came with me. The waiting room is full so we waited outside but they didn’t  let me husband in so waited for me at the lobby. I was called around 1:30pm and I asked the IO if she needs my husband. She answered yes and she let me call him. He waited in the waiting room this time. First she conducted the N-400 it is very easy and passed 100%. So we moved on to I-751 and I sworn in etc. I brought recent bills, tax return etc and handed it all to her. Then the questioning started it was very long!! I was there till 3:30 then it was my husband’s turn and he’s interviewed for almost an hour. We’re both very hungry and thirsty also we’re the one of the last group of people to leave there. They’re just checking bonafide marriage. How we met? Who propose? How many marriages? If my husband has any tattoos, marks? What do we like to do together and so on. I was not prepared for this type of questioning but my husband and I had nothing to hide. I was a bit concerned about his recollections of events and when it happened.

 

My memory is really good with dates and events. And the IO asked me if my husband remembers everything I remember. I said he will most likely remember the event but not the date LOL. And that’s exactly what my husband told the IO. At the end I was given a paper that my case is under review since I added more proof of bonafide marriage. She said she will talk to her supervisor and recommend approval. She said everything looks good and she just needs to review it. 
 

So, here I am back on the waiting game. One virtue I learned from USCIS is patience. Goodluck to everyone that is still waiting. I will update you guys once I hear something. 

Thanks for sharing. I wonder if providing that additional evidence might end up delaying your approval. We also have additional documents to show, but if it turns out to delay your case we might just hold off since we are confident with all information submitted. Best of luck and keep us posted and on when you hear back !

[NYBEtt 88]

19 hours ago, trinadr said:

Hello, everyone. I haven't completed my timeline, but I'd like to share my I-175 interview experience yesterday at USCIS Newark. 

 

I have a pending I-175 (November 2018) and N-400 (November 2019). My appointment notice for the N-400 arrived in March, scheduled for April. Sadly, that was cancelled due to COVID closures. 

Last month, I received an interview notice for I-175. I was a bit disappointed as I was hoping to head straight into an N-400 interview, which I read could turn into a combo interview. In any case, I prepared the required documents, more evidence, and we trooped to the USCIS office in Newark, NJ, yesterday.

 

The case officer assigned to us was extremely nice. As soon as we sat down, he said "So, the reason we have you here today is you need to get through the I-175 before naturalization. But since I see you already submitted your application for naturalization, we can do your naturalization interview NOW. But, do you know all your history questions? Are you ready?"

 

I was not prepared for that!!! I'd read about N-400 interviews that covered I-175, but not the other way around. Unfortunately I wasn't 100% confident. I even asked him if I could have an hour to review (haha) to which he said–if I wasn't sure, best to schedule a separate N-400.

 

Lesson: Be prepared for a chance to take your N-400 test during your I-175 interview! What a pity! Otherwise, I would've completed I-175, N-400, and gotten sworn in on the SAME DAY!! I was this close to completing the immigration journey then and there 😢

 

The case officer said they are expediting processes as fast as they can, so more of us can vote in November. He approved my case within the hour, and my card is currently being processed. Hope some of you get the same chance!

 

Thanks for the hot tip! Sorry to hear you couldn't get both interviews at once but hopefully soon. Can you share some dates from your timeline on I-751 and N-400 dates and service centers?

[lilygracexx 22]

18 hours ago, Phoenix777 said:

Thank you for sharing...kind of scared now...why sometimes they interview the couple together and sometimes separately? Does it depend on the field office?...Why don’t skip all this stupid 751 interview because of Covid...((( 

I thought we’ll be interviewed together and unprepared with being interviewed separately but all they ask is stuff about our life, our marriage. There’s nothing to be scared off as long we’re being truthful. 
 

Yeah i thought because of COVID there wouldn’t be questioning like that but I was wrong lol

[lilygracexx 22]

14 hours ago, NYBEtt said:

Thanks for sharing. I wonder if providing that additional evidence might end up delaying your approval. We also have additional documents to show, but if it turns out to delay your case we might just hold off since we are confident with all information submitted. Best of luck and keep us posted and on when you hear back !

I’m not sure but I’ve been waiting for a while so a bit more waiting won’t be so bad. I just hope it’ll be good news once I hear from them.

[lilygracexx 22]

On 8/12/2020 at 8:12 PM, lilygracexx said:

Hi Everyone!

WOW it was a long day basically spent the whole afternoon at USCIS. We got there at 12noon and there’s no line to get in. My husband came with me. The waiting room is full so we waited outside but they didn’t  let me husband in so waited for me at the lobby. I was called around 1:30pm and I asked the IO if she needs my husband. She answered yes and she let me call him. He waited in the waiting room this time. First she conducted the N-400 it is very easy and passed 100%. So we moved on to I-751 and I sworn in etc. I brought recent bills, tax return etc and handed it all to her. Then the questioning started it was very long!! I was there till 3:30 then it was my husband’s turn and he’s interviewed for almost an hour. We’re both very hungry and thirsty also we’re the one of the last group of people to leave there. They’re just checking bonafide marriage. How we met? Who propose? How many marriages? If my husband has any tattoos, marks? What do we like to do together and so on. I was not prepared for this type of questioning but my husband and I had nothing to hide. I was a bit concerned about his recollections of events and when it happened.

 

My memory is really good with dates and events. And the IO asked me if my husband remembers everything I remember. I said he will most likely remember the event but not the date LOL. And that’s exactly what my husband told the IO. At the end I was given a paper that my case is under review since I added more proof of bonafide marriage. She said she will talk to her supervisor and recommend approval. She said everything looks good and she just needs to review it. 
 

So, here I am back on the waiting game. One virtue I learned from USCIS is patience. Goodluck to everyone that is still waiting. I will update you guys once I hear something. 

 

OUR I-751 AND N-400 ARE APPROVED!

My husband and I are totally unprepared for the I-751 interview (we were interviewed separately). But since we are a real couple we did not have difficulty with any of the questions. Good luck to everyone.

[Kimnguyen 4]

I got combo interview on sept 2nd, 2020 at durham raleigh, North Carolina

Both aproved

N400

• Dec 11,2019 apply online
• Dec 11,2019 NOA
• Jan 3,2020 biometric
• Feb 10,2020 interview for N400 canceled because they don’t have the I751 at field office local
• September 2, 2020 combo interview n passed

 

I751

• November 13, 2018 uscis received 
• June 17,2019 Notice of action
• July 19, 2019 Biometric
• June 17, 2020 case is ready to be sccheduled for an interview
• July 29, 2020, we scheduled an interview for your Form I-751
• September 2nd, 2020 combo interview

I didn’t get an interview for N400, they just sent the interview letter for I751 and asked for husband come with me. When we came the OI (through video call) asked if I want to do the N400 also, I was ready for it so we did both at the same day. He started with the I751 first (my husband was with me the whole time, he just couldn’t talk when they interviewed me for N400) he just asked a few question about basic information: name, day of birth, married date and asked my husband the day he became citizen, that was it, he moved to N400, I don’t remember the civic questions, they were easy

reading: what do we pay the goverment?

writing: we pay taxes

He asked me almost every yes no questions, he asked the meaning of the question about hereditary title. I got the Oath Ceremony right after that. We were there about an hour and half (30mins he reviewed the files, 30mins for both interviews n 30mins waited for the Oath) It was just me (and my husband) getting the Oath

I’m so glad everything is done 

good luck to everybody

[SnailRaceSeattle 16]

Month ago, i applied for naturalization; precisely 88 days before GC 2nd year anniversary. 

Across one week after n-400 applying,  I-751 status updated to “Case transferred, new office has jurisdiction”. NOA received almost immediately after form submitted, electronically and in few days - on paper. Just couple of days ago status of N-400 changed from “validation error” to “Case Received and Notice Mailed”.

  Everything  according to plan, right before doubling of n-400 filing fee in October.

Now i’ll just wait for biometrics, and after that, my combo interview. 

I didn’t get biometric appointment, yet. 

Most of applicants got biometrics appointment across 2-3 weeks, but i have 5 weeks now. Is it normal? I guess, letter from USCIS with day and time, should arrive any day from now? 

Edited September 6, 2020 by Orm

[cosmonauts 125]

14 hours ago, Orm said:

Month ago, i applied for naturalization; precisely 88 days before GC 2nd year anniversary. 

Across one week after n-400 applying,  I-751 status updated to “Case transferred, new office has jurisdiction”. NOA received almost immediately after form submitted, electronically and in few days - on paper. Just couple of days ago status of N-400 changed from “validation error” to “Case Received and Notice Mailed”.

  Everything  according to plan, right before doubling of n-400 filing fee in October.

Now i’ll just wait for biometrics, and after that, my combo interview. 

I didn’t get biometric appointment, yet. 

Most of applicants got biometrics appointment across 2-3 weeks, but i have 5 weeks now. Is it normal? I guess, letter from USCIS with day and time, should arrive any day from now? 

I applied for citizenship in June and I haven't received biometrics appointment. I-751 transferred to NBC mid August.

[Rymb2008 1]

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!
I’m applying for N-400 in 10 days , However i still have a pending I-751 since September 2019.
The issue is my wife and i will be moving to a different state after i apply by around a month. The confusion here is should we state the physical address where we live right now in california or should we put the new physical address as Alabama (we got a lease there with both our names on it).
We’ll be still using the mailing address as my in laws house in California. We’ll be living in Alabama for 2 years as my wife is going for school there. My job will still be in CA though and i’ll be working remotely and will be travelling like once/twice a month and will be staying at my in laws(mailing address) when i come for work , our taxes will still be filed in California for the time being.
We are really confused and don’t know what to do also don’t wanna delay filing for next month because of the significant fees increase. The main concern is also how will that impact my pending I-751 because my understanding that even with filing for N-400 a decision should be made in the pending i-751 first before the N-400 even if it’s done on the same interview. So will filing in 2 field offices may cause a problem?

Any advice will be appreciated!
thanks alot

[USAjune2016 101]

9 hours ago, Rymb2008 said:

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!
I’m applying for N-400 in 10 days , However i still have a pending I-751 since September 2019.
The issue is my wife and i will be moving to a different state after i apply by around a month. The confusion here is should we state the physical address where we live right now in california or should we put the new physical address as Alabama (we got a lease there with both our names on it).
We’ll be still using the mailing address as my in laws house in California. We’ll be living in Alabama for 2 years as my wife is going for school there. My job will still be in CA though and i’ll be working remotely and will be travelling like once/twice a month and will be staying at my in laws(mailing address) when i come for work , our taxes will still be filed in California for the time being.
We are really confused and don’t know what to do also don’t wanna delay filing for next month because of the significant fees increase. The main concern is also how will that impact my pending I-751 because my understanding that even with filing for N-400 a decision should be made in the pending i-751 first before the N-400 even if it’s done on the same interview. So will filing in 2 field offices may cause a problem?

Any advice will be appreciated!
thanks alot

I think you’re missing an important point here which is that you have to be living in the same USCIS district for at least 3 months before you can file N400. I wouldn’t move there and put my old address because that gives them the right to deny your application.

Edited September 7, 2020 by USAjune2016

[BT1453 16]

Hi all, I have some good news. My I-751 status changed to interview was scheduled. I also have pending N-400. There is no news on N-400 yet. Hopefully they will do a combo interview and the this process will be over finally. 

[Rymb2008 1]

35 minutes ago, BT1453 said:

Hi all, I have some good news. My I-751 status changed to interview was scheduled. I also have pending N-400. There is no news on N-400 yet. Hopefully they will do a combo interview and the this process will be over finally. 

Congratulations!!!

May i ask when did you file your I-751 and N-400 and which service center?

[NYBEtt 88]

On 9/19/2020 at 2:29 AM, Rymb2008 said:

Congratulations!!!

May i ask when did you file your I-751 and N-400 and which service center?

it's all in his signature

[MMR 1]

Hello Everyone,

 

Finally my I-751 and N-400 combo was completed yesterday. Previously scheduled on April 2020 delayed due to COVID-19. 

 

Frustrating part was my case was in Providence RI field office even though I live in CT. Requested multiple time to transfer the case to Hartford CT finally it was done by Tier1 officer.

 

Civics question asked was:

1: What is the supreme law of the land

2: Who is the president of the United States now

3: Eisenhower was a general what war was he involved in 

4:What are the two political parties in the United States.

5:Who makes the laws

6: I couldn't remember

 

Nice thing was Combo interview and the Oath Ceremony was done at the same day which completes the entire process.

Nice work done by Hartford CT Field Office. (I personally say Thankyou for the smooth service) 

[trinadr 8]

Hello, everyone. I had my citizenship interview and test in Newark, NJ last Tuesday and passed! My appointment was at 12:45 pm, so I was uncertain if I could take the oath same-day. Luckily, my interview ended at 2pm and the oath ceremony took place from 3-3:30pm. I had a name change but received my Naturalization Certificate during the oath ceremony. Grateful to have finally completed the journey!

 

I'd like to share a few things I encountered a long the way:

 

My original N-400 appointment was set for April 2020, but was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Estimated Completion date was September 2020.

 

– In July, I received a text notification regarding an update in my case. I logged into my online account to see that an I-751 interview had been scheduled for August 2020. A few days later, I received the notice in the mail.

 

– Shortly after the I-751 interview, the Estimated Completion date disappeared from my online account. 

 

– Mid-September, I received the N-400 notice in the mail, but never received a text alert. My case status online never updated either, nor did the Estimated Completion date return. The interview notice never appeared in the Documents section of the online account either.

 

– I checked my online account days after I took the oath and it says, "We have scheduled your naturalization ceremony" 😮 The Estimated Completion date is back, indicating January 2021. All this AFTER I took the oath, received my Naturalization Certificate and basically completed the process.

 

All to say: Check your mail diligently, and the online system isn't always accurate! 

 

Good luck, everyone! Thank you for all your help through the years.