Biometrics Appointment - What to expect?

[nandojourney 13]

All,

 

Looking for some feedback on those out there who have gone to a Biometrics appointment and there feedback. It seems straight forward:

 

1. Take your finger prints

2. Take your photo

3. Confirm your identity (in our case my wife's passport, not expired)

4. Provide filled form (height, weight, eye color, hair color)

 

Anything else to look for?

 

Thank you in advance!

- Nando

[K1visaHopeful 2,814]

Bring MC to confirm name change if name on Biometrics notice is married name (as you file AOS in married name) and passport is maiden name.

Edited August 16, 2021 by K1visaHopeful

[nandojourney 13]

Thanks! Luckily name has not changed and is the same on  passport. Based on the Biometrics letter, it actually does a good job of making sure there are no "gotchas", for once and do provide some direction for name changes etc.

Edited August 16, 2021 by nandojourney
Updated/edited

[B&O0302 62]

On 8/16/2021 at 1:49 PM, nandojourney said:

All,

 

Looking for some feedback on those out there who have gone to a Biometrics appointment and there feedback. It seems straight forward:

 

1. Take your finger prints

2. Take your photo

3. Confirm your identity (in our case my wife's passport, not expired)

4. Provide filled form (height, weight, eye color, hair color)

 

Anything else to look for?

 

Thank you in advance!

- Nando

THATS PRETTY MUCH IT

[R. Wolfe 25]

 

The only thing I forgot to bring was something to do while you wait. It was about an hour sitting there and phones have to be kept stored away. So bring a book or a sketch pad or something. Otherwise you'll have nothing to do but watch the looping Public Service Announcements on the video screen.

 

Also, it seemed to me that they gave several people (like a dozen) the same appointment time. They have you take a number when you get there and wait your turn. So if a lot of people have a "10 am" appointment, the people who get there at 9:50 are going to be done 60-90 minutes sooner than the people that get there at 10:05.  This was at the Pittsburgh (Monroeville) office earlier this month so your mileage may vary.

 

 

[flicks1998 1,044]

On 8/19/2021 at 9:00 PM, x3n said:

 

The only thing I forgot to bring was something to do while you wait. It was about an hour sitting there and phones have to be kept stored away. So bring a book or a sketch pad or something. Otherwise you'll have nothing to do but watch the looping Public Service Announcements on the video screen.

 

Also, it seemed to me that they gave several people (like a dozen) the same appointment time. They have you take a number when you get there and wait your turn. So if a lot of people have a "10 am" appointment, the people who get there at 9:50 are going to be done 60-90 minutes sooner than the people that get there at 10:05.  This was at the Pittsburgh (Monroeville) office earlier this month so your mileage may vary.

 

 

We had the biometric appointment last Friday at the same location. Our appointment was for 1pm. We showed up at 1240pm and my wife came down from the 6th floor at 1245pm. I didn’t believe she was done that quick but she was. 

[nandojourney 13]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. We were a bit lucky since the office we were assigned is in the middle of "nowhere" lol and not the city. It was all straight forward:

 

1. Not entering the building any earlier than 15 minutes, as stated on the letter

2. Bringing a valid ID, as stated in the letter

3. If the name on the ID does not match what the letter,  bring supporting documentation (in our case my wife is not using my last name until AFTER the process because it can be a bit more work), as stated in the letter

4. Bringing the form filled out (double check everything)

 

The appointment was last week at 2:00 and she got out of the car at 1:44 and started to walk to the entrance and the guard came out to greet her, looked at her ID and form  to ensure her appointment time. She was then directed to go in. We saw a few of people being asked to go back to their cars to wait because a) too early b) other appointments were still in process.

 

They took her prints, photos, and stamped her form and she was out the door by 1:56. I can only imaging the wait in the city.

 

The only other note was you are not allowed to bring someone in with you and your phone off. If you need an interpreter or have other valid reasons its states on the form to call ahead (way ahead).

 

Thanks!

 

- Nando

[chancecody 125]

On 8/19/2021 at 6:00 PM, x3n said:

 

The only thing I forgot to bring was something to do while you wait. It was about an hour sitting there and phones have to be kept stored away. So bring a book or a sketch pad or something. Otherwise you'll have nothing to do but watch the looping Public Service Announcements on the video screen.

 

Also, it seemed to me that they gave several people (like a dozen) the same appointment time. They have you take a number when you get there and wait your turn. So if a lot of people have a "10 am" appointment, the people who get there at 9:50 are going to be done 60-90 minutes sooner than the people that get there at 10:05.  This was at the Pittsburgh (Monroeville) office earlier this month so your mileage may vary.

 

 

Thanks everyone for all the tips! I plan to bring an iPad to read my book. Is it just cellphone that is not allowed or all electronic equipment?

[Chancy 6,241]

11 hours ago, nandojourney said:

in our case my wife is not using my last name until AFTER the process because it can be a bit more work

 

Off topic but just wanted to clarify -- do you mean after biometrics or after AOS?  If after AOS, note that whatever name gets listed on your wife's green card will be her legal name in the US.  If her GC has her maiden name but she wants to use her married name as her legal name, she will need to do name change through state court or as part of naturalization.  Her marriage certificate will no longer be sufficient for SSA (and probably every other government agency) as her legal name change document if her GC is issued with her maiden name.

 

[R. Wolfe 25]

My assumption is that anything that could take a picture is not allowed.

 

[nandojourney 13]

Here is what I found on the USCIS site: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-1-part-a-chapter-8 . Each facility also may have stricter rules. I do know from others that some facilities do not even let you take your devices out while others will as long as it follows the standard rules below.

 

A. Privacy in USCIS Offices

When communicating about personal or case specific information, both USCIS employees and the public should note the importance of protecting privacy.^[1] Whenever possible, both USCIS employees and the public should take common sense steps to make communications as private as possible. For example, USCIS employees should:

• Avoid projecting so that others in the room can clearly hear conversations that involve personal information; and

• For in-person encounters about case-specific inquiries, ensure that inquirers are given sufficient space so that documents presented are not on display for others to see.

USCIS must strike a balance between quickly and accurately assisting large groups of benefit requestors on the one hand, and protecting the privacy of all persons on the other. USCIS employees and benefit requestors must work together to strike this balance as best as possible. Persons contacting USCIS regarding a matter with heightened privacy considerations should work with USCIS employees to ensure that their privacy is protected.

B. Electronic Devices

Visitors must abide by applicable policies established by the facility in which they are seeking services. Depending on the facility’s policies, visitors may be permitted to possess cell phones, personal digital assistants, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices.

No one may photograph or record at a USCIS office except when observing naturalization or citizenship ceremonies. In addition, phones should be silenced while in the waiting area and any conversations should be kept to a low level so as not to disrupt others. Phones should be turned off during interviews or while being served by USCIS staff at the information counter.

To ensure successful implementation of this guidance, USCIS field offices are encouraged to:

• Ensure all USCIS federal and contract employees are aware of the cell phone usage policies;

• Ensure all visitors are informed of the cell phone usage policies; and

• Display posters and signage regarding this guidance in common areas.

Footnote

---

[^ 1] See Chapter 7, Privacy and Confidentiality [1 USCIS-PM A.7].

[Ayrton 965]

On 8/26/2021 at 9:49 PM, x3n said:

My assumption is that anything that could take a picture is not allowed.

 

It depends on the office. NYC office allows phones, laptops...

[Matilda Bloom 1]

Review of biometrics today in Florida, Orlando, near the airport.
I had my ID and the appointment letter, I had filled out the information beforehand. I arrived half an hour earlier, my documents were checked at the entrance and I was allowed into the waiting room. At registration I showed the same documents, then sat with my husband, who was waiting for me. The phone could be used, only the sound was turned off. The line moved quite quickly so we left within an hour. They took a photo of me, fingerprints, and that's it. The letter of invitation was given back to me stamped. The atmosphere is positive and relaxed. The staff is friendly and professional. Good luck!