N-400 now or in three weeks after moving?

[jxn 86]

I'm helping someone fill in her N-400. She will be moving in less than a month within the same city, so no change of USCIS area. Does a move like that impact processing times at all? If it is simpler I could suggest waiting.

 

Also, it's been a while since I've dealt with USCIS-related things. I know that the N-400 can now be filed fully online. Does that extend to the AR-11 change of address form too? Thanks!

[OldUser 6,607]

File in a month after move. This reduces the chances of any error due to address change.

[Dashinka 24,479]

I agree, I would wait to file until after the move.

[jxn 86]

Thanks for the feedback! I think I will indeed go ahead and recommend that.

 

Does the applicant need to submit a local state ID / driver license with part of the application or does the scan of the green card suffice? I ask because that will be a whole additional step to get the new ID after moving that could add more time. Obviously it would all be ready by the time of any interview (even by biometrics).

[Mike E 11,739]

22 minutes ago, jxn said:

Thanks for the feedback! I think I will indeed go ahead and recommend that.

 

Does the applicant need to submit a local state ID / driver license with part of the application

Neither my wife nor I submitted state ID / DL with our N-400s. 
 

At the interview the ISO might ask to see state ID / DL as this is evidence of not  abandoning status  and is evidence of qualifying as a resident of the state for the previous 3 months. Some people argue that maintaining a correct state ID / DL is evidence of good moral character (personally I am skeptical).  

22 minutes ago, jxn said:

or does the scan of the green card suffice? I ask because that will be a whole additional step to get the new ID after moving that could add more time. Obviously it would all be ready by the time of any interview (even by biometrics).

If your state requires a new ID / DL after an address change then do that immediately after moving.  Some states neither require it, nor allow it.  

[OldUser 6,607]

@jxn I don't believe state ID is required during N-400 submission, but may be asked by IO during the interview'

[little immigrant 801]

My advise is get a PO box for the mailing address before filing the N400 as the address change may or may not take in the system. 

[CMJuilland 485]

I didn’t submit a copy of my DL either for my N400. From what I remember, it was never asked to produce it as you’ll need to show your GC anyway at the interview (and give it back when you take the oath), so you don’t technically need any more proof of ID. Besides, I didn’t bother getting a new DL when I moved (prior to applying for naturalization) as it was issued for eight years, beyond my GC’s validity, and I didn’t see the harm in having an outdated address on it. 

Best of luck for your friend!

Edited November 10, 2022 by CMJuilland

[Scandi 4,166]

Make sure that she moves within the same USCIS field office jurisdiction before making any plans. Just because it's the same city doesn't automatically mean it's the same field office, which COULD become an issue. Los Angeles for instance has three field offices - two in downtown (in the same building even) and one outside downtown. This is not the case for most cities of course, but we don't know the city your fiend lives in - so it's just a heads up. 

[milimelo 4,475]

AR-11 has always been online only. I-865 (which the USC spouse files in hard copy and mails in) is not online. 

[jxn 86]

9 hours ago, Scandi said:

Make sure that she moves within the same USCIS field office jurisdiction before making any plans. Just because it's the same city doesn't automatically mean it's the same field office, which COULD become an issue. Los Angeles for instance has three field offices - two in downtown (in the same building even) and one outside downtown. This is not the case for most cities of course, but we don't know the city your fiend lives in - so it's just a heads up. 

Thanks for the info! I went ahead and checked the old and new zip codes and it's the same field office. Good to know that some big cities have multiple ones!

[Rushton50 10]

On 11/9/2022 at 10:43 AM, jxn said:

I'm helping someone fill in her N-400. She will be moving in less than a month within the same city, so no change of USCIS area. Does a move like that impact processing times at all? If it is simpler I could suggest waiting.

 

Also, it's been a while since I've dealt with USCIS-related things. I know that the N-400 can now be filed fully online. Does that extend to the AR-11 change of address form too? Thanks!

Definitely wait until after the move as they will have to correct the information at the interview. One less thing to worry about

 

[jxn 86]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I suggested waiting and now that she are in the new place, she will finalize the N-400 shortly and not have to worry about any change-of-address issues.