N-400 November 2020 Filers

[california_luv 56]

I got my interview scheduled for Sept 15. Super stocked. So in addition of the documents they require what would be a good idea to bring to the interview? I read 5 years of tax returns, bank statements? I apply under the 5yr rule but wife and I are still happily married. Thanks for your input. 

[ImmiGeek 59]

49 minutes ago, california_luv said:

I got my interview scheduled for Sept 15. Super stocked. So in addition of the documents they require what would be a good idea to bring to the interview? I read 5 years of tax returns, bank statements? I apply under the 5yr rule but wife and I are still happily married. Thanks for your input. 

Congrats!! Be excited for some time then prepare practically.

Review my notes in my signature below, it may give you some idea of what you can look for in the next few steps. Dont forget to update us as you progress.

Edited September 6, 2021 by ImmiGeek

[california_luv 56]

12 hours ago, ImmiGeek said:

Congrats!! Be excited for some time then prepare practically.

Review my notes in my signature below, it may give you some idea of what you can look for in the next few steps. Dont forget to update us as you progress.

Thanks ImmiGeek! I checked your notes and it's very well put together. Reminded me that I need to find out who my representative is lol.

However in Section 4 I couldnt find the list of of documents that may be needed. Any pointer?

[ImmiGeek 59]

3 hours ago, california_luv said:

Thanks ImmiGeek! I checked your notes and it's very well put together. Reminded me that I need to find out who my representative is lol.

However in Section 4 I couldnt find the list of of documents that may be needed. Any pointer?

Glad that my notes gave some additional insight for your preperation.

I didn't add the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section for few reasons. But please feel free to add or edit the document if you find that you can enrich if for me and others.

Reasons:

1) Required Documents are very different for different Categories (Marriage Based, Employment Based, Family Based etc) 

2) What I believed (at least for my category of EB) is that I will just take few additional originals (such as my IRS account Tax summary online print etc) beyond the originals of what I have submitted online while filing my petition(Original GC, Driving License, Passport, Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate), nothing beyond. If they need any additional documents, they may ask us to submit (it may result in few additional days of delay). But if I know exactly what documents (beyond the above) that I need to carry, I will take them along with me.

3) Again, please consider adding that section in my document (you can edit it) if possible with your preparation list into it and I will update it to be more generic.

Thanks

[Awla 0]

Hi everyone. Posting here for the very first time. We just got the N-400 Citizenship Interview letter for my parents.

I'm just curious whether it is mandatory to bring state ID/ driver license ID during interview. My parents have neither.

In the notice only documents that are mentioned to bring - interview letter, passport, green card. 

Can someone kindly verify if that's all that are required?

 

[G_One 10]

On 9/8/2021 at 4:30 PM, Awla said:

Hi everyone. Posting here for the very first time. We just got the N-400 Citizenship Interview letter for my parents.

I'm just curious whether it is mandatory to bring state ID/ driver license ID during interview. My parents have neither.

In the notice only documents that are mentioned to bring - interview letter, passport, green card. 

Can someone kindly verify if that's all that are required?

 

They will ask for Drivers License at the security and also the USCIS officer will ask for the IDs. That State Id/License is so basic that I dont think anyone could not have them. I would advice that you get the Ids for your parents rather than second guessing them if that is mandatory or not. You should try to clear the interview without any hiccups. Those Ids will be useful all the time, you should avoid using passport or GC as your ID proofs.  

Edited September 12, 2021 by G_One

[aratamorne 164]

Use what ID they have.  If this the green card or passport, it is fine.  Not everyone has a drivers license or State ID.

[california_luv 56]

APPROVED!!!! DONE WITH USCIS!!!

 

Oh my oh my what a relief this is. I took the interview yesterday and was approved. I have had quite an interesting immigration history so it's the end of about 20 years of underlying uncertainty and stress. 

 

I arrived at the West Palm Beach USCIS building about 15mn and went in 5mn before my interview time. After passing security (empty pockets, remove belts) I was directed to take a sit in the waiting room. After about 15mn of waiting my name was called. I was expecting to be in a closed office but the interview took place at a counter with glass separating the officer and me.

She was very professional, not really friendly but just serious lol and we started right away with the civics test: Where is the statue of liberty? Why did colonists fight the british? she didn't want to hear the other 2 reasons and cut me off, that was funny, who live in america before colonists arrived? .... can't remember what the other questions were but they were easy. Then we went thru the yes/no questions, of course my past immigration issues were brought up but quickly reviewed.

Then after long minutes of typing on her computer fixing some minor issues she announced me that because of covid they do not hold naturalization ceremonies anymore so she'll administer the oath right away. At that I had to ask if she meant I was approved to which she said "yes, congratulations you're approved!". I was i shock (again considering all I've been thru with uscis) and needed a few seconds to get myself together. She was already standing up ready to go with the oath and for the fist time I saw a big smile on her face.

Oath was then taken, I thanked her again and after about 30mn wait I had my naturalization certificate in my hands. I headed out and hugged my family who was waiting in the car.

 

I still can't believe this is over and that I am now a proud US citizen ready to embrace American life to its fullest.

 

By the way, I applied under the 5yr rule but went to the interview with 5 yr of tax transcripts, bank statements, originals of the documents i submitted with the n-400, none of those were asked for.

 

Hope this was helpful, good luck to all still waiting for their interview.

 

 

 

[ImmiGeek 59]

1 hour ago, california_luv said:

APPROVED!!!! DONE WITH USCIS!!!

 

Oh my oh my what a relief this is. I took the interview yesterday and was approved. I have had quite an interesting immigration history so it's the end of about 20 years of underlying uncertainty and stress. 

 

I arrived at the West Palm Beach USCIS building about 15mn and went in 5mn before my interview time. After passing security (empty pockets, remove belts) I was directed to take a sit in the waiting room. After about 15mn of waiting my name was called. I was expecting to be in a closed office but the interview took place at a counter with glass separating the officer and me.

She was very professional, not really friendly but just serious lol and we started right away with the civics test: Where is the statue of liberty? Why did colonists fight the british? she didn't want to hear the other 2 reasons and cut me off, that was funny, who live in america before colonists arrived? .... can't remember what the other questions were but they were easy. Then we went thru the yes/no questions, of course my past immigration issues were brought up but quickly reviewed.

Then after long minutes of typing on her computer fixing some minor issues she announced me that because of covid they do not hold naturalization ceremonies anymore so she'll administer the oath right away. At that I had to ask if she meant I was approved to which she said "yes, congratulations you're approved!". I was i shock (again considering all I've been thru with uscis) and needed a few seconds to get myself together. She was already standing up ready to go with the oath and for the fist time I saw a big smile on her face.

Oath was then taken, I thanked her again and after about 30mn wait I had my naturalization certificate in my hands. I headed out and hugged my family who was waiting in the car.

 

I still can't believe this is over and that I am now a proud US citizen ready to embrace American life to its fullest.

 

By the way, I applied under the 5yr rule but went to the interview with 5 yr of tax transcripts, bank statements, originals of the documents i submitted with the n-400, none of those were asked for.

 

Hope this was helpful, good luck to all still waiting for their interview.

 

 

 

Congrats!!! Nice to know that at-the-counter Oath. Did you take the Certified Copy of Naturalization right there?

[pdx751 12]

3 hours ago, california_luv said:

APPROVED!!!! DONE WITH USCIS!!!

 

Oh my oh my what a relief this is. I took the interview yesterday and was approved. I have had quite an interesting immigration history so it's the end of about 20 years of underlying uncertainty and stress. 

 

I arrived at the West Palm Beach USCIS building about 15mn and went in 5mn before my interview time. After passing security (empty pockets, remove belts) I was directed to take a sit in the waiting room. After about 15mn of waiting my name was called. I was expecting to be in a closed office but the interview took place at a counter with glass separating the officer and me.

She was very professional, not really friendly but just serious lol and we started right away with the civics test: Where is the statue of liberty? Why did colonists fight the british? she didn't want to hear the other 2 reasons and cut me off, that was funny, who live in america before colonists arrived? .... can't remember what the other questions were but they were easy. Then we went thru the yes/no questions, of course my past immigration issues were brought up but quickly reviewed.

Then after long minutes of typing on her computer fixing some minor issues she announced me that because of covid they do not hold naturalization ceremonies anymore so she'll administer the oath right away. At that I had to ask if she meant I was approved to which she said "yes, congratulations you're approved!". I was i shock (again considering all I've been thru with uscis) and needed a few seconds to get myself together. She was already standing up ready to go with the oath and for the fist time I saw a big smile on her face.

Oath was then taken, I thanked her again and after about 30mn wait I had my naturalization certificate in my hands. I headed out and hugged my family who was waiting in the car.

 

I still can't believe this is over and that I am now a proud US citizen ready to embrace American life to its fullest.

 

By the way, I applied under the 5yr rule but went to the interview with 5 yr of tax transcripts, bank statements, originals of the documents i submitted with the n-400, none of those were asked for.

 

Hope this was helpful, good luck to all still waiting for their interview.

 

 

 

Congratulations ! Such a relief to hear that the final step was almost anti-climactic and a quick cakewalk! I have my interview scheduled for next month and can't wait to share good news myself  All the very best to you! Did you apply for your US passport right away?

[california_luv 56]

No i didnt ask for a certified copy nor did i apply for the passport. I was explained to contact Social Sec. in two weeks and then send in my passport application. Both will require me to mail my original certificate.

[Emilly2021 4]

Can someone please help me locate the USCIS office which is processing my case. I need to find out how long I need to wait. Until now, I was thinking my field office will be Sacramento because it is closest to my residence. Today, I was told I needed to check the bottom of my reciept notice. Here is the address provided on my notice. Can someon please confirm which field office is processing my case?

 

National Benefits Center
U. S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SVC
P.O. BOX 25920
Overland Park KS 66225

[mnt96 22]

3 hours ago, Emilly2021 said:

Can someone please help me locate the USCIS office which is processing my case. I need to find out how long I need to wait. Until now, I was thinking my field office will be Sacramento because it is closest to my residence. Today, I was told I needed to check the bottom of my reciept notice. Here is the address provided on my notice. Can someon please confirm which field office is processing my case?

 

National Benefits Center
U. S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SVC
P.O. BOX 25920
Overland Park KS 66225

Use your zipcode on the USCIS webpage to find out.

[Emilly2021 4]

8 minutes ago, mnt96 said:

Use your zipcode on the USCIS webpage to find out.

Thanks for your response.  Based on my zip code,  my office is Sacramento which means the procesing time for my case is between 14 and 19 months. This is about 8-14 mnths for Boston office. 

[pdx751 12]

On 9/24/2021 at 12:02 AM, Emilly2021 said:

Thanks for your response.  Based on my zip code,  my office is Sacramento which means the procesing time for my case is between 14 and 19 months. This is about 8-14 mnths for Boston office. 

As I understand, the field office location seems to have little to do with the actual processing timeframe. When your file gets sent to a field office, you get an interview date assigned (assuming there are no red flags at that point). So the delay in getting an interview date is actually not a result of your field office....it seems to be a delay at the center where your application was filed....NBC, Kansas City in your case. I think that was the same office for my application as well. As I noticed for my own case, the estimated processing timeframe varied almost every few weeks from 6 mos to 12 or even 14 mos. My field office is Portland OR. But the delay wasn't really because the Portland office was backlogged. It just took a very long time for my application to get transferred from NBC, Kansas City to my field office.