N400 March 2021 Filers

[DanielaSalv 1]

25 minutes ago, jingo said:

They re-used my fingerprints so I didn't have to go and do it, but I filed on March 18th and was issued the biometrics reuse letter March 19th.

Awesome that you didn’t have to go for the biometrics appointment! So how many visits total does one have to attend between filing the N-400 and the final oath ceremony?

Also, do you know if it is ok to travel outside the US while under application?

Thanks a bunch!!

[Savva 222]

2 hours ago, DanielaSalv said:

Hello everyone!

Quick question: is it permitted to travel outside of the US after filing online the N-400 application? 
Any drawback to it?

Please, let me know. Many thanks!!

You can definitely travel after submitting your application, just don't forget to tell about it at your interview

[jingo 38]

2 hours ago, DanielaSalv said:

Awesome that you didn’t have to go for the biometrics appointment! So how many visits total does one have to attend between filing the N-400 and the final oath ceremony?

Also, do you know if it is ok to travel outside the US while under application?

Thanks a bunch!!

If you don't need a biometrics appt then it's just one visit before the oath ceremony and some offices let people do the interview/ceremony on the same day.

 

It's okay to travel but they do ask you about it and I'd just be careful of traveling 2 weeks before your interview for covid precautions.

[DanielaSalv 1]

2 hours ago, jingo said:

If you don't need a biometrics appt then it's just one visit before the oath ceremony and some offices let people do the interview/ceremony on the same day.

 

It's okay to travel but they do ask you about it and I'd just be careful of traveling 2 weeks before your interview for covid precautions.

 

Very good point… thank you so much 

[DanielaSalv 1]

3 hours ago, Savva said:

You can definitely travel after submitting your application, just don't forget to tell about it at your interview

Thanks a lot for the advice! Much appreciated 

[jingo 38]

Hey all,

 

Had my oath ceremony this morning - it was pretty painless! It was outside in the courtyard of the LA office so luckily my friends were able to come watch and take pictures! I got there around 7.45am and was out by 8.20am. There was a long line of people and it was moving quickly so they didn't seem to care about arriving at exactly 8am on the dot. Everyone wore masks.

 

Got the naturalization certificate right after and they gave us a passport application and guide on voting. The guy said passport applications are taking about 6 months right now (eeek), I hope that's not the case. Then there was a guy taking pictures (on your phone) and he was really nice too. The only kinda sad thing is the certificate says your marital status so I guess mine will forever say 'divorced' lol but otherwise so glad it's done with. I'm surprised the process went this quickly for me since I filed in mid March, I kind of assumed it'd take like a year.

 

Anyway wishing speedy progress to all those of you still waiting and feel free to ask any questions!

[leymanai 60]

Had my interview this morning and was approved! I got a super chill officer and very easy questions. We started off with civics and English test and then went through basic questions from application. He took my green card and told me to come back at 13:30 for naturalization ceremony. Interview took about 25 minutes maximum with waiting time in waiting room. The ceremony was pretty fast too but San Antonio office does not let anyone but applicant in. Anyways, I came back home with naturalization certificate in my hand 😁 I wish everyone a smooth and easy interview!

 

 

 

P.S. I have a question in regards to passport application. Does certificate copy must be authenticated by USCIS only or any notary can do that?

[Timona 4,207]

On 6/25/2021 at 11:29 AM, jingo said:

Hey all,

 

Had my oath ceremony this morning - it was pretty painless! It was outside in the courtyard of the LA office so luckily my friends were able to come watch and take pictures! I got there around 7.45am and was out by 8.20am. There was a long line of people and it was moving quickly so they didn't seem to care about arriving at exactly 8am on the dot. Everyone wore masks.

 

Got the naturalization certificate right after and they gave us a passport application and guide on voting. The guy said passport applications are taking about 6 months right now (eeek), I hope that's not the case. Then there was a guy taking pictures (on your phone) and he was really nice too. The only kinda sad thing is the certificate says your marital status so I guess mine will forever say 'divorced' lol but otherwise so glad it's done with. I'm surprised the process went this quickly for me since I filed in mid March, I kind of assumed it'd take like a year.

 

Anyway wishing speedy progress to all those of you still waiting and feel free to ask any questions!

 

✋???

You filed in March 2021 and already done 😳, in LA? 

[Talako 785]

16 hours ago, leymanai said:

Had my interview this morning and was approved! I got a super chill officer and very easy questions. We started off with civics and English test and then went through basic questions from application. He took my green card and told me to come back at 13:30 for naturalization ceremony. Interview took about 25 minutes maximum with waiting time in waiting room. The ceremony was pretty fast too but San Antonio office does not let anyone but applicant in. Anyways, I came back home with naturalization certificate in my hand 😁 I wish everyone a smooth and easy interview!

 

 

 

P.S. I have a question in regards to passport application. Does certificate copy must be authenticated by USCIS only or any notary can do that?

 

You have to submit the original certificate with the passport application.  Just make a copy for your records in case they screw up.

[jingo 38]

5 hours ago, Timona said:

 

✋???

You filed in March 2021 and already done 😳, in LA? 

Yes! I know, so crazy. I assumed it'd take up to a year so after I applied I really checked out and didn't think about it, which helped it feel fast too.

5 hours ago, Talako said:

 

You have to submit the original certificate with the passport application.  Just make a copy for your records in case they screw up.

I hate that we have to send in the actual certificate lol. Does anyone know how long till they send it back to you?

[Timona 4,207]

11 minutes ago, jingo said:

Yes! I know, so crazy. I assumed it'd take up to a year so after I applied I really checked out and didn't think about it, which helped it feel fast too.

I hate that we have to send in the actual certificate lol. Does anyone know how long till they send it back to you?

 

Allow me to tag you in another thread. Yours is a rare case, and being in LA makes it even weird.

 

Are you sure you don't have links at the LA USCIS office? 🤔

Edited July 1, 2021 by Timona

[jingo 38]

45 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

Allow me to tag you in another thread. Yours is a rare case, and being in LA makes it even weird.

 

Are you sure you don't have links at the LA USCIS office? 🤔

There's actually another March filer in LA on the spreadsheet whose turnaround was even quicker than mine.

[leymanai 60]

1 hour ago, jingo said:

I hate that we have to send in the actual certificate lol. Does anyone know how long till they send it back to you?

I know I can go to USCIS and ask them to authenticate the copy that way my original stays with me. They even told me I don’t have to send in original if I don’t feel like it. But the photocopy must be legal. So I was wondering if I can do that through notary like UPS or at military base and submit that instead of going to USCIS office because it is a loooong trip 😅 
and as far as about how long will it take for them to return original certificate… if they take up to 6 months processing applications then it will take up to 6 months to receive original documents. On official website they even have a warning that passport and documents arrive separately. So it may take even longer to get originals back.

Edited July 1, 2021 by leymanai

[Blessed21 141]

Hey guys quick question. Haven't applied for Citizenship yet cause still waiting for my Gc,plus I didn't want apply for Citizenship cause of the waiting.I  want to travel back home to visit my family around winter time. My question  is does the time limit for apply for citizenship has expiration date?or u can apply anytime?thanks in advance. 

Edited July 1, 2021 by adipo21

[EternalForeigner 57]

11 minutes ago, adipo21 said:

Hey guys quick question. Haven't applied for Citizenship yet cause still waiting for my Gc,plus I didn't want apply for Citizenship cause of the waiting.I  want to travel back home to visit my family around winter time. My question  is does the time limit for apply for citizenship has expiration date?or u can apply anytime?thanks in advance. 

It does not expire at all as long as you maintain your green card and it’s not otherwise revoked.