Document Checklist and Advise for N-400 I-751 Combo Interview

[ds2 101]

Hello! 

 

I have my N-400 Interview (probably a combo interview due to pending I-751) on Jan 9th, 2024 and was wondering if anyone has a document checklist they used to compile all documents outside of the documents mentioned on the interview letter. Any additional tips are also welcome Excited but also nervous for the last step of the process. Thank you all for all your guidance throughout this entire journey!

[straddler 12]

I actually have a interview few weeks after yours at Newark also, have they confirmed yours will be a combo interview?

 

From my side I already submitted a lot of the 'on-going relationship' stuff as part of the initial n-400 submission bank statements etc which i I dont plan on taking. So on the day am planning on taking:

 

• Some new bank statements since the N-400 submission and some photos of us (probs overkill)
• I-751 48 month extension letter
• Dates and places of international trips i've taken since filing n-400
• Filled out SS-5 (someone mentioned if you have same-day oath at Newark you can get your social updated after, figure its best to have this pre completed so dont need to fill it out on the day)
• EAD card

 

Let me know if you have anything you're taking you think i'm missing

 

 

[ds2 101]

2 hours ago, straddler said:

I actually have a interview few weeks after yours at Newark also, have they confirmed yours will be a combo interview?

 

From my side I already submitted a lot of the 'on-going relationship' stuff as part of the initial n-400 submission bank statements etc which i I dont plan on taking. So on the day am planning on taking:

 

• Some new bank statements since the N-400 submission and some photos of us (probs overkill)
• I-751 48 month extension letter
• Dates and places of international trips i've taken since filing n-400
• Filled out SS-5 (someone mentioned if you have same-day oath at Newark you can get your social updated after, figure its best to have this pre completed so dont need to fill it out on the day)
• EAD card

 

Let me know if you have anything you're taking you think i'm missing

 

 

Hey! Nice to meet someone who also has an upcoming interview at Newark. I haven't received any confirmation yet if it will be a combo interview but I've read in most cases if you have a pending I751, it ends up being a combo interview so I'm taking my spouse with me. Have you heard of people receiving a confirmation on whether or not it will be a combo interview? 

I had also submitted a lot of on-going relationship evidence but I feel like with USCIS its never enough so I am planning to take at least the following:
 

• Appointment letter
• I751 Extension Letter
• Mine:
  • Green Card (2-year)
  • Driver license + Real ID
  • Passports 
  • Birth Certificate
  • EAD Card
  • SSN
• US Citizen Spouse's passport
• US Citizen Spouse's driver's license
• US Citizen Spouse's Birth Certificate
• US Citizen's OCI (This is an Indian thing)
• Tax Transcripts (last 3 years)
• Tax Returns (last 3 years)
• Marriage Certificate Original
• Property Deed
• Bank Statements:
• Driver's License showing same address for me and spouse (copy)
• Proofs of Bonafide relationship:
  • Pictures of all trips with family (last 2 years)
  • Flight tickets, hotel reservations
  • Beneficiary proof in life insurance policies, 401ks, etc

I know a lot of it is overkill but better be prepared than delay being done with USCIS. Are you taking SS-5 for name change? Can you think of anything else I should take or does this list look good? I will let you know about my interview experience once done.

[straddler 12]

Cool, thanks! Yes I may do similar then, better to be overprepared!

 

Ignore the SS5, I mis-read another experience at Newark. After citizenship you have to update Social security that you're a citizen, but you have to wait 10 days to do it (the social security office is in same building as interview).

 

I have read of some people being notified prior that it will be a combo but the majority seems to be in our situation where we'll just have to see on the day :).

 

 

 

[ds2 101]

On 1/3/2024 at 8:27 PM, straddler said:

Cool, thanks! Yes I may do similar then, better to be overprepared!

 

Ignore the SS5, I mis-read another experience at Newark. After citizenship you have to update Social security that you're a citizen, but you have to wait 10 days to do it (the social security office is in same building as interview).

 

I have read of some people being notified prior that it will be a combo but the majority seems to be in our situation where we'll just have to see on the day :).

 

 

 

I also heard a lot of people received a "case has been transferred" notification on their I751 case prior to the N400 interview. I haven't received any such update though so there is a chance it won't be a combo interview but I'll keep you updated.

[ds2 101]

Hey! 

I had my N400 interview today at Newark, NJ and passed. It was a combo interview even though the officer said we dont usually do combo interviews which sounded incorrect and he also didnt have the I751 which he said he will request to be transferred from another office. He gave me the letter saying I passed the N400 interview and told me to wait for a letter in the mail but nothing has been updated online so I am a little concerned. Fingers crossed.

 

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[straddler 12]

Congratulations! Thanks for the update, yes fingers crossed it gets transferred and resolved quickly, I maybe in the same boat as my I751 looks like it will also not have moved to Newark.

 

Did you end up needing all the evidence you took?

[ds2 101]

35 minutes ago, straddler said:

Congratulations! Thanks for the update, yes fingers crossed it gets transferred and resolved quickly, I maybe in the same boat as my I751 looks like it will also not have moved to Newark.

 

Did you end up needing all the evidence you took?

He didn't take any evidence just looked at some pictures we took. I would just take bank statements, tax transcripts if you havent uploaded already, lease agreement and some pictures as proof of ongoing marriage. That should be more than enough I feel. But no harm taking more since it totally depends on the officer. 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

5 minutes ago, ds2 said:

He didn't take any evidence just looked at some pictures we took. I would just take bank statements, tax transcripts if you havent uploaded already, lease agreement and some pictures as proof of ongoing marriage. That should be more than enough I feel. But no harm taking more since it totally depends on the officer. 

We had a combo interview in Dallas.  The officer wanted to see evidence and paper trail  of bonafide marriage from the time of original I-751 filing to interview.  He was especially interested in leases, drivers licenses, and the ADIT stamp wife got.  I also presented bank statements, etc. 

[s11 14]

Hello, 

 

I have my interview in Newark office too in March and I was wondering how long the complete process takes? I have a couple of months old baby and don't want to bring the baby for the interview. Assuming mine will also be a combo interview so US Citizen spouse will be together too. 

Also, does the oath ceremony happens the same day or they call you at a later date? 

 

 

[ds2 101]

4 hours ago, s11 said:

Hello, 

 

I have my interview in Newark office too in March and I was wondering how long the complete process takes? I have a couple of months old baby and don't want to bring the baby for the interview. Assuming mine will also be a combo interview so US Citizen spouse will be together too. 

Also, does the oath ceremony happens the same day or they call you at a later date? 

 

 

It depends case to case I have seen is very different. This is what my timeline looks like. I am still waiting for a oath ceremony. If you have a pending I751 then definitely take the US spouse. Oath ceremony it depends if your I751 has been transferred before your interview and if they are able to approve everything the same day. Based on what I have seen thats the case 30% of the time and rest 70% of the times they mail you a notice with oath ceremony details . The interview itself was 15 mins but we had to wait in the room for close to 90 mins and outside the building around 45 minutes, it was super cold that day 🥲

Edited February 12 by ds2

[s11 14]

thank you for sharing your timeline. This definitely makes it easier for me to decide. I have not seen any update on I-751 since I applied almost 2 years ago so I think I may have to wait too. Hope you get the oath ceremony date soon, good luck! 

[straddler 12]

On 2/12/2024 at 1:51 PM, s11 said:

Hello, 

 

I have my interview in Newark office too in March and I was wondering how long the complete process takes? I have a couple of months old baby and don't want to bring the baby for the interview. Assuming mine will also be a combo interview so US Citizen spouse will be together too. 

Also, does the oath ceremony happens the same day or they call you at a later date? 

 

 

 

I had mine with pending I751 a few weeks after ds2, waited 2hrs in the waiting room for the interview. Interview was 15mins, couldn't approve on the day due to I751 but things moved quickly after and I751 was approved a couple of days later, so guess it depends on your CO how quickly things move after. Had my ceremony Friday (about a hour wait in the waiting room)

[s11 14]

Thank you all for your help. I had my interview early this week. My i-751 case was already transferred last week to a new processing centre (not Newark) so that probably made everything a bit faster.

Similar experience like everyone else here and today status changed to "oath ceremony will be scheduled"  

 

Now follow up question to everyone who had oath ceremony - can I take my partner in with me to take pictures? 

 

[OldUser 6,635]

On 3/22/2024 at 7:13 AM, s11 said:

 

Now follow up question to everyone who had oath ceremony - can I take my partner in with me to take pictures? 

 

It varies from office to office. Call them up and ask to clarify.

Edited March 25 by OldUser