N-400 January 2024 filers

[samdog 56]

Just found out that DHS does accept certified copies of the naturalization cerfiticate for initial passport applications. All we have to do is call USCIS and schedule an appointment to get a certified copy once we take oath. Getting a certified copy is free... but if your (original) naturalization certificate is lost in the mail it'll take $500+  (AND you get to deal with USCIS and VisaJourney all over again!) for USCIS to issue a new naturalization certificate.

 

Although there's some ambiguity here:

(A) USCIS says original must be submitted for passport application: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

(B) BUT DHS says certified copy is fine: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html#:~:text=ALL%20%2F%20ALL%20%2F-,Get%20evidence%20of%20U.S.%20citizenship%20(and%20a%20photocopy),of%20the%20official%20issuing%20authority.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

Edited March 28 by samdog
typo; added links

[Tumiluv 46]

On 3/26/2024 at 3:00 PM, Shroy123 said:

Interview scheduled April 30th Dallas Field

Office !!

 

 

N400- Applied on Jan 15th

Biometrics Resue - Feb 27th

 

Best of luck to you!

[minivatreni 193]

30 minutes ago, samdog said:

Just found out that DHS does accept certified copies of the naturalization cerfiticate for initial passport applications. All we have to do is call USCIS and schedule an appointment to get a certified copy once we take oath. Getting a certified copy is free... but if your (original) naturalization certificate is lost in the mail it'll take $500+  (AND you get to deal with USCIS and VisaJourney all over again!) for USCIS to issue a new naturalization certificate.

 

Although there's some ambiguity here:

(A) USCIS says original must be submitted for passport application: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

(B) BUT DHS says certified copy is fine: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html#:~:text=ALL%20%2F%20ALL%20%2F-,Get%20evidence%20of%20U.S.%20citizenship%20(and%20a%20photocopy),of%20the%20official%20issuing%20authority.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

Honestly, if this is works, would be great because I it's so nerve wrecking to wait to get the original back once you send it out to them 

[jackiegringa 419]

47 minutes ago, samdog said:

Just found out that DHS does accept certified copies of the naturalization cerfiticate for initial passport applications. All we have to do is call USCIS and schedule an appointment to get a certified copy once we take oath. Getting a certified copy is free... but if your (original) naturalization certificate is lost in the mail it'll take $500+  (AND you get to deal with USCIS and VisaJourney all over again!) for USCIS to issue a new naturalization certificate.

 

Although there's some ambiguity here:

(A) USCIS says original must be submitted for passport application: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/how-do-i-guides/us-citizens/how-do-i-obtain-an-authenticated-copy-of-a-certificate-of-naturalization

For example, when you apply for a U.S. passport, you must submit the original Certificate of Naturalization, and you should also submit a normal photocopy that has not been authenticated.

(B) BUT DHS says certified copy is fine: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html#:~:text=ALL%20%2F%20ALL%20%2F-,Get%20evidence%20of%20U.S.%20citizenship%20(and%20a%20photocopy),of%20the%20official%20issuing%20authority.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority.

I've seen a lot of discussion on this and there are two main sticking points: the person accepting your passport application might not accept the copy, regardless of what the DHS says and that getting the certified copy from USCIS might as well be impossible.

 

I think it's worth the try but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Yes there's a chance of the certificate to get lost but most people get them back.

[minivatreni 193]

7 minutes ago, jackiegringa said:

I've seen a lot of discussion on this and there are two main sticking points: the person accepting your passport application might not accept the copy, regardless of what the DHS says and that getting the certified copy from USCIS might as well be impossible.

 

I think it's worth the try but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Yes there's a chance of the certificate to get lost but most people get them back.

Apart from a passport, is there any other process which requires the original certificate to be mailed in? 

[yuna628 9,674]

2 minutes ago, minivatreni said:

Apart from a passport, is there any other process which requires the original certificate to be mailed in? 

Updating your DL at the MVA and updating your SSN will require going in with the original certificate, but no other process except the passport to be mailed in that I can think of.

[EMBELL_17 102]

I filed 2/3/2024 in Baltimore. Just got a letter today saying interview scheduled for May 6. Woohoo!

[labelladell2 8]

On 3/21/2024 at 4:30 PM, Shroy123 said:

Dallas Field Office

 

N400- Applied on Jan 15th

Biometrics Resue - Feb 27th

No update yet

I too filed online at the Dallas Field office. Applied on 01/28/24. No updates after biometrics reuse. My estimated time went from 3 months to 5 months recently

[Shroy123 749]

15 hours ago, labelladell2 said:

I too filed online at the Dallas Field office. Applied on 01/28/24. No updates after biometrics reuse. My estimated time went from 3 months to 5 months recently

You will definitely hear something within 2 weeks

[alt blank 28]

sent in our applications on 16 feb 2024. saw the biometrics reuse notices pretty much immediately.

 

still waiting for an update.

 

st paul / minneapolis, MN.

[yosemite1997 9]

Our applications were filed in early-mid February 2024. Completed biometrics for AOS and EAD shortly after then radio silence for over a month now with no update. MyUSCIS says EAD case decision is taking longer than usual.

 

Houston, TX

[PicklePiggy 5]

On 3/20/2024 at 10:09 PM, PicklePiggy said:

Phoenix AZ field office

 

3-year married to USC rule with pending I-751 (Filed back on 01/12/2023)

 

Filed online 01/31/2024

Biometric reused 02/01/2024

case is being actively reviewed by USCIS 02/01/2024

 

anyone filed at similar time in Arizona? I saw some ppl said they would not schedule interview until you reached 3-year GC anniversary? My 3-year GC anniversary would falls on 04/02/2024, hope the interview letter will happen in April.

Checked USCIS account. the estimated processing time went up to 6 months from 4 months.  I'm planning to have Chik-Fil-A tonight.

[minivatreni 193]

34 minutes ago, PicklePiggy said:

Checked USCIS account. the estimated processing time went up to 6 months from 4 months.  I'm planning to have Chik-Fil-A tonight.

Those estimates mean nothing at all. It is just a general timeline and has nothing to do with your case 

[PicklePiggy 5]

6 minutes ago, minivatreni said:

Those estimates mean nothing at all. It is just a general timeline and has nothing to do with your case 

gotcha

[happydoctor 36]

15 hours ago, PicklePiggy said:

Checked USCIS account. the estimated processing time went up to 6 months from 4 months.  I'm planning to have Chik-Fil-A tonight.

Hi! I applied online around 3 weeks ago and received a notice in my profile that my biometric will reuse. At that moment it says waiting time was 4 months ( Chicago ).Now it says 7 months . I don’t know why …

Also, do we need to upload out taxes for the last 5 years to online profile ? Or do we need to bring it to the interview?