Short-term move while n400 application is pending

[.yana 598]

Hi,

 

I'm hoping that someone with experience can comment on my situation (I searched the forum & found several topics that answered some of my questions but at the same time raised even more...)

 

I have a pending I-751 (paper file), and have recently submitted n400 online (early June). 

 

As my husband and I live in the heart of San Francisco, and the city became a bit unsafe and unsanitary given the ongoing shelter in place order, and because we are both working remote for the foreseeable future - we decided to take advantage of a family vacation house in Vermont, and drove cross country to spend our summer & early Fall here. Our current lease in SF ends in October which is when we plan to drive back to either move to a new place in SF or (depending on whether there is a second wave of COVID or not, and how things are going to be in the city by then) come back to East Coast until things go back to (more or less) normal. 

 

My question is: should I file for a change of address?

 

We have a friend who can occasionally check our mailbox (not sure how quickly the biometrics notices are mailed for n400) if needed. But of course I would feel safer knowing that USCIS mails all the letters directly to me. However then I'm worried that I will not be a state resident for 90 days. Or that I will have to change my address again in October if we decide to stick around in California. And another worry is that even if I get the biometrics appointment this Summer - I will have to fly to California for it (assuming I won't be able to do my biometrics out of state).

 

What is the right way to do this? 

[millefleur 5,047]

17 minutes ago, .yana said:

(not sure how quickly the biometrics notices are mailed for n400)

Biometrics are moving extremely slowly right now....we have no idea when they are even going to pick up again. Application Support Centers will start a "phased reopening" on July 13th, so not even all offices will start doing biometrics even then.

 

If you are still leasing a building in SF until October, my hunch is that SF still your official domicile. It doesn't sound like you are not living in Vermont, just visiting. Unless you plan to actually move there, updating the address doesn't seem necessary.

Edited June 25, 2020 by millefleur

[lucardo3 220]

7 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Biometrics are moving extremely slowly right now....we have no idea when they are even going to pick up again. Application Support Centers will start a "phased reopening" on July 13th, so not even all offices will start doing biometrics even then.

 

If you are still leasing a building in SF until October, my hunch is that SF still your official domicile. It doesn't sound like you are not living in Vermont, just visiting. Unless you plan to actually move there, updating the address doesn't seem necessary.

There is also potential furlough in talks very soon, so i would anticipate a long wait on anything USCIS related.

[.yana 598]

Thank you both for your comments!

 

I am also thinking that nothing will really happen (in terms of application progress) in the next 3-4 months anyway but just wanted to be safe rather than sorry.

 

millefleur, I see that you moved states with a pending n400. So if we do move in the future long-term - changing address is not an issue? And 90-day residency only applies before you file n400?

 

 

 

 

[millefleur 5,047]

1 minute ago, .yana said:

millefleur, I see that you moved states with a pending n400. So if we do move in the future long-term - changing address is not an issue? And 90-day residency only applies before you file n400?

It was very easy. We just filled out the AR-11 online and a notice appeared on the site that they are transferring the case to a new local office. Since my husband hasn't even had biometrics yet, my guess is his case is still just sitting at NBC until local offices/APC's start opening again, hence we haven't received any further updates. Regarding mail in general, my husband hasn't received a single piece of mail at all from USCIS since filing the N-400...I don't know if this is common with online filing or if it's a result of the ongoing insanity due to the virus. The "we're transferring your case" was an online update on myuscis.

 

Exactly, the 90 day residency only applies before you file. If you do move and update your address, it won't be a problem since you already started the process (and met the 90 day requirements there).

[.yana 598]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

It was very easy. We just filled out the AR-11 online and a notice appeared on the site that they are transferring the case to a new local office. Since my husband hasn't even had biometrics yet, my guess is his case is still just sitting at NBC until local offices/APC's start opening again, hence we haven't received any further updates. Regarding mail in general, my husband hasn't received a single piece of mail at all from USCIS since filing the N-400...I don't know if this is common with online filing or if it's a result of the ongoing insanity due to the virus. The "we're transferring your case" was an online update on myuscis.

 

Exactly, the 90 day residency only applies before you file. If you do move and update your address, it won't be a problem since you already started the process (and met the 90 day requirements there).

Super helpful - thank you so much!