N400 Interview Scheduled - I have questions lol

[DJClaire 134]

So finally my app has update to show that my N400 interview has been scheduled and I have some questions.

 

Originally a K1. Temp Greencard, expired 2021. Extension letters received 24 months and recently a 48 month.

Sept 21: i751 Filed 

Sept 22: N400 filed

 

Case moved to Hartford, CT from Vermont.

 

So my questions . . . 

 

1) Only my N400 has updated on the apps, not the i751 - is my interview likely to be a combo interview?

2) Has anyone managed to do a same day oath in Hartford, CT? I understand there is a 1.30pm cut off?! 

3) What additional paperwork should I take? It's been 7 months since my application. I will have my fresh 2022 tax return in hand for the interview, but what else?

4) Must my spouse attend too? Has anyone done it without their spouse?

 

The reason I ask is because we are in Spain for a few months and it would be easier and cheaper for me to return alone to do the interview rather than dragging my wife and young son.

 

Thoughts? Experiences to share?

[Dashinka 24,493]

10 minutes ago, DJClaire said:

So finally my app has update to show that my N400 interview has been scheduled and I have some questions.

 

Originally a K1. Temp Greencard, expired 2021. Extension letters received 24 months and recently a 48 month.

Sept 21: i751 Filed 

Sept 22: N400 filed

 

Case moved to Hartford, CT from Vermont.

 

So my questions . . . 

 

1) Only my N400 has updated on the apps, not the i751 - is my interview likely to be a combo interview?

Very possibly, but not a for sure.  I think you can send a message to USCIS requesting a combo.  Maybe @Crazy Cat will weigh in.

10 minutes ago, DJClaire said:

2) Has anyone managed to do a same day oath in Hartford, CT? I understand there is a 1.30pm cut off?! 

Not familiar with Hartford.

10 minutes ago, DJClaire said:

3) What additional paperwork should I take? It's been 7 months since my application. I will have my fresh 2022 tax return in hand for the interview, but what else?

The interview notice and N400 instructions give a good list of what documents to bring to the interview (beginning on page 11).

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf

10 minutes ago, DJClaire said:

4) Must my spouse attend too? Has anyone done it without their spouse?

If it is a combo interview your spouse should attend.  The N400 interview portion should be just you.

10 minutes ago, DJClaire said:

 

The reason I ask is because we are in Spain for a few months and it would be easier and cheaper for me to return alone to do the interview rather than dragging my wife and young son.

 

Thoughts? Experiences to share?

Good Luck!

[Verrou 1,962]

please bring ur USC spouse. i know it doesnt list so to bring ur spouse on the letter, but if its under 3 years rule, bring ur spouse. last may 2022 my friend got the interview in jacksonville, FL.  friend USC husband is military and stationed in korea. he didnt come with her, she brought his paperwork that showed he was stationed in korea. the check in person wont let her in no matter how much she begged and cried.. if its not because an office came out, heard what happened and let her in, there's no way she can get in. this is because the officer was a military who was stationed in korea so he understood. 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Misscloud

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 hour ago, DJClaire said:

1) Only my N400 has updated on the apps, not the i751 - is my interview likely to be a combo interview?

We had prepared for a combo interview since my wife's I-751 was pending, Then, 2 days before the appointment, we received an email from the field office which instructed me to be there with my wife.  It used the term "combination interview".  I would certainly prepare for I-751 questions. 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[AffableAndy 107]

The issue is that individual experiences vary so much that it is really difficult to give you a concrete answer other than to prepare for every situation.

 

I had my N400 interview last Friday, with a pending I-751. My husband came along with me. The IO didn't need him to come inside for the interview so he just waited in the USCIS lobby. Before the interview I prepared an updated binder for all the new stuff since filing for citizenship: 2022 taxes, updated insurance, current bank statements, recent vet bills. However, we had submitted a pretty large binder for both I-751 and N-400, so she said she didn't need any more documentation from us. So all in all if my husband hadn't taken a day off work I think I would have been absolutely fine, though we did enjoy a really nice sushi lunch together post-interview and day home.

 

On the other hand, you read stories about IOs wanting to interview spouses or refusing to proceed if both partners aren't there. I'd probably play it safe and have your wife attend if at all possible.

[DJClaire 134]

2 hours ago, Misscloud said:

please bring ur USC spouse. i know it doesnt list so to bring ur spouse on the letter, but if its under 3 years rule, bring ur spouse. last may 2022 my friend got the interview in jacksonville, FL.  friend USC husband is military and stationed in korea. he didnt come with her, she brought his paperwork that showed he was stationed in korea. the check in person wont let her in no matter how much she begged and cried.. if its not because an office came out, heard what happened and let her in, there's no way she can get in. this is because the officer was a military who was stationed in korea so he understood. 

Were they intending to do a combo interview then? N400 does not require the US spouse.

[DJClaire 134]

58 minutes ago, AffableAndy said:

The issue is that individual experiences vary so much that it is really difficult to give you a concrete answer other than to prepare for every situation.

 

I had my N400 interview last Friday, with a pending I-751. My husband came along with me. The IO didn't need him to come inside for the interview so he just waited in the USCIS lobby. Before the interview I prepared an updated binder for all the new stuff since filing for citizenship: 2022 taxes, updated insurance, current bank statements, recent vet bills. However, we had submitted a pretty large binder for both I-751 and N-400, so she said she didn't need any more documentation from us. So all in all if my husband hadn't taken a day off work I think I would have been absolutely fine, though we did enjoy a really nice sushi lunch together post-interview and day home.

 

On the other hand, you read stories about IOs wanting to interview spouses or refusing to proceed if both partners aren't there. I'd probably play it safe and have your wife attend if at all possible.

This is really useful. I think connecting with people who have been processed through my local office in Hartford is the way to go. Thank you

[Verrou 1,962]

3 minutes ago, DJClaire said:

Were they intending to do a combo interview then? N400 does not require the US spouse.

yes combo. the interview letter doesnt say combo, but it doesnt matter, why do u want to risk it right? 

ur n4-00 cant be approved if i-751 is not approved

Edited March 14, 2023 by Misscloud

[AffableAndy 107]

We talked about my I-751. The IO had a scanned copy available to her. She just confirmed that we were still married and living together, and after the naturalization interview she said everything looks good but my A-file needs to be shipped over from the service center (LIN) to my local office before they can approve my cases. She did say that barring anything else coming up she everything looked good for approval.

 

You don't necessarily need an interview for I-751 at all so I can't tell if it was a combo interview or my interview was waived by the IO.

 

Definitely ask other people at your location and make your decision! 

 

If you get a same day path, traveling back right away might be complicated. My state doesn't allow for it but I'm not sure about CT.