N-400 Seattle (Part 2)

[TBoneTX 45,291]

This is the continuation thread for

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/666282-n400-seattle-merged/

which was closed because of its large size.

---

Be sure to continue with unfinished conversations from the old thread!

[PedroDaGr8 245]

Bringing the Case Status Tracking Spreadsheet over early so that it can be easily seen by applicants.

 

Tracking Spreadsheet Link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FcItCasVItCDsUNEbDu15IRQ-AbDMRJWsiljwtz5WRI/edit?usp=sharing

[X2-X2 0]

Hello Everyone, 
Recently I submitted N 400. 
I filed all papers and application Sent By Mail Not Online , I Didn't Request for Online account with uscis or anything and i didn't file any forms to request Online account i always prefer to receive everything by mail .
After Filling N400 i receive Reuse biometric letter and received letter from Uscis it says they created Uscis Online account for me and i have 90 days to long on and confirm my Online account with uscis and they sent me Online Access Code . 

what is the benefits Or advantages and disadvantages Of Creating Account Online with uscis .

here is my questions 
1-What will happen if i didn't confirm my Online Account with uscis and just ignore this letter regarding Online Access code .

 

2-will be any delay for my case N400 if i ignored this letter regarding confirm my Online account 

 

3-Will I receive All letters in the future by the mail from Uscis about my case if i confirmed my Online account with them Or all updates, informations and letters will be Only On my Online account. 
 

[eugene-eugene 14]

I keep online account only because I don't trust USPS - they have lost mail that was important to me on multiple occasions. I don't know for sure the answers to your other questions but my educated guess would be that your case will keep processing as usual if you ignore the online account and that if you do create it, you'll keep receiving both mail as well as online notifications.

[X2-X2 0]

10 hours ago, eugene-eugene said:

I keep online account only because I don't trust USPS - they have lost mail that was important to me on multiple occasions. I don't know for sure the answers to your other questions but my educated guess would be that your case will keep processing as usual if you ignore the online account and that if you do create it, you'll keep receiving both mail as well as online notifications.

Thanks for your answer 

You just mentioned that you keep Online account. 

Do you receive all letters and information from Uscis about your case by Mail and your Online account as well ?

[eugene-eugene 14]

34 minutes ago, X2-X2 said:

Thanks for your answer 

You just mentioned that you keep Online account. 

Do you receive all letters and information from Uscis about your case by Mail and your Online account as well ?

Yes, I do! I can log into my account and see the same letters there. They look like scans of the paper letters I received a week or so later.

 

Now since it has been months since any update, I am really struggling to recall if I was notified about those online letters in any way. I think I did receive some SMS or email but my memory is hazy about this so don't quote me on this part.

Edited January 25, 2022 by eugene-eugene

[na-1 13]

Friends, I am happy to say that I am now a U.S. citizen!

 

I had my interview this morning at the Tukwila center. I didn't see any free parking, so I used the lot to the left of the building ($8). There were people queueing up near the entrance already, but I was told to proceed directly inside since my appointment was just about 15 mins away. The security line cleared pretty quickly (you will be asked to remove shoes, fyi) but the line where they check you in and take biometrics took about 10 mins. I got my ticket, proceeded upstairs, and waited another 10 minutes until my ticket number was called.

 

At this point an officer informed me that my interview would be conducted virtually. I was escorted to a cubicle, instructed to pull out my green card, ID, and passport, and put the rest of my belongings in a drawer. There were two iPads - one running Teams where I could see the officer who would be interviewing me, and another iPad mini which would be used for signing, reviewing docs etc. The headset I was given was extremely loose to the point where it would keep falling off if I tilted my head downwards! Anyway, the officer was friendly and polite; walked through my personal details to confirm them, and then proceeded to the civics test. I was asked the following (not in this order though):

• What was the war fought between northern and southern states?
• Where is the Statue of Liberty?
• Name two holidays.
• Who was president during WWI?
• Name one state that borders Mexico.
• How many senators are there?

I thought that was a fairly easy spread, and was glad I didn't get one of the others that sometimes trips me up. Next was the reading and writing comprehension. After that, the majority of the time was spent going over the application questions in detail (address, recent travel, spouse info, and all the Y/N questions). I found it strange that the officer was hesitant to allow me to retrieve my printed copy of the application to follow along. I guess they're trying to prevent you from reading the answers back to them and answering verbally from memory? Anyway, know that that can happen to you as well. 

 

I carried my tax return summaries, marriage certificate etc. with me but was not asked for them at all. I was asked for proof of Selective Service registration since for some reason that question wasn't presented to me online but I verbally responded yes. Thankfully I anticipated that and took a printout of the letter.

 

After that, I reviewed the oath on the iPad, and was told that I was approved and that I would be taking the oath today. Proceeded to wait outside and got called into the oath ceremony within less than 10 mins. 

 

All told, I was in and out of there in just over an hour. 

 

Much thanks to all the users of this forum - your experiences have helped me more than you know. Tracker has already been updated :P. Good luck!

Edited January 25, 2022 by na-1
added info

[na-1 13]

PS: A couple weeks ago I was also able to secure an appointment at the Seattle Passport Agency for an urgent travel passport application. I proceed straight there after receiving my naturalization certificate. There wasn't a line when I arrived (11:30am). The lines are primarily in the morning, which is consistent with reviews you'll see on Google. While I had an appointment, they were letting in folks without appointments too. All you need is a filled out application, 1 passport photo, credit card/check to pay, and proof of international travel within the next 3 days. If your travel is via road to Mexico or Canada, you can show a hotel reservation. For all other travel, a flight ticket/itinerary is required. I showed a hotel booking I made in Vancouver. I will be picking up my passport tomorrow. 

Edited January 25, 2022 by na-1

[SnailRaceSeattle 16]

na-1

Very happy for you! And thank you for sharing your experience. 
Quick question. Could you please tell us,

does uscis office was be very busy inside, or pretty much relaxed with just a few people waiting? 

[na-1 13]

@Orm thanks! The offices were reasonably busy, but not packed if that makes sense. Just remember to head straight through the doors and not wait in line if you get there within 15 mins of your appointment time. I waited longest in the line after security to get checked in/biometrics, about 10 mins. And another 10 minutes or so waiting to be called for the interview. Thr waiting area is also really large and all the seats are spaced out so you’ll be able to find a spot to sit down pretty easily. 

[hselin 0]

What documents are needed to be carried for the interviews?

[D-1 4]

On 1/25/2022 at 1:20 PM, na-1 said:

Friends, I am happy to say that I am now a U.S. citizen!

 

I had my interview this morning at the Tukwila center. I didn't see any free parking, so I used the lot to the left of the building ($8). There were people queueing up near the entrance already, but I was told to proceed directly inside since my appointment was just about 15 mins away. The security line cleared pretty quickly (you will be asked to remove shoes, fyi) but the line where they check you in and take biometrics took about 10 mins. I got my ticket, proceeded upstairs, and waited another 10 minutes until my ticket number was called.

 

At this point an officer informed me that my interview would be conducted virtually. I was escorted to a cubicle, instructed to pull out my green card, ID, and passport, and put the rest of my belongings in a drawer. There were two iPads - one running Teams where I could see the officer who would be interviewing me, and another iPad mini which would be used for signing, reviewing docs etc. The headset I was given was extremely loose to the point where it would keep falling off if I tilted my head downwards! Anyway, the officer was friendly and polite; walked through my personal details to confirm them, and then proceeded to the civics test. I was asked the following (not in this order though):

• What was the war fought between northern and southern states?
• Where is the Statue of Liberty?
• Name two holidays.
• Who was president during WWI?
• Name one state that borders Mexico.
• How many senators are there?

I thought that was a fairly easy spread, and was glad I didn't get one of the others that sometimes trips me up. Next was the reading and writing comprehension. After that, the majority of the time was spent going over the application questions in detail (address, recent travel, spouse info, and all the Y/N questions). I found it strange that the officer was hesitant to allow me to retrieve my printed copy of the application to follow along. I guess they're trying to prevent you from reading the answers back to them and answering verbally from memory? Anyway, know that that can happen to you as well. 

 

I carried my tax return summaries, marriage certificate etc. with me but was not asked for them at all. I was asked for proof of Selective Service registration since for some reason that question wasn't presented to me online but I verbally responded yes. Thankfully I anticipated that and took a printout of the letter.

 

After that, I reviewed the oath on the iPad, and was told that I was approved and that I would be taking the oath today. Proceeded to wait outside and got called into the oath ceremony within less than 10 mins. 

 

All told, I was in and out of there in just over an hour. 

 

Much thanks to all the users of this forum - your experiences have helped me more than you know. Tracker has already been updated :P. Good luck!

Congrats na-1!!

 

Thank you for sharing your experience in detail.

[Hamilton 511]

Hi all! Just filed for citizenship, can't believe I get to join the club for one of the slowest local offices!! The system is predicting 14 months, but maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised!

[eugene-eugene 14]

8 minutes ago, Hamilton said:

Hi all! Just filed for citizenship, can't believe I get to join the club for one of the slowest local offices!! The system is predicting 14 months, but maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised!

Welcome! I am on month 4 of them "actively reviewing" my case. Very thorough people.

[Hamilton 511]

1 hour ago, eugene-eugene said:

Welcome! I am on month 4 of them "actively reviewing" my case. Very thorough people.

Hah thanks! Mine switched to being "actively reviewed" within an hour or so of submitting the application, so I figured that was automated and meaningless.