N-400 February 2024 Filers

[minivatreni 193]

Hi everyone, was wondering if someone could help me out with understanding how to write a check for a passport application. I called the county clerk's office where I'm going in but they weren't helpful: 

1. Do you write the check and include it with your application to be sent to the Department of State? 
2. I want to pay for expedited shipping ($21.36) + expedited processing ($60.00). Does this mean I need to write 3 different checks, one for $130, one for $21.36 and one for $60. Or can I just write a check for the full amount?  $211.36

[YellowDuneBuggy 59]

14 minutes ago, minivatreni said:

Hi everyone, was wondering if someone could help me out with understanding how to write a check for a passport application. I called the county clerk's office where I'm going in but they weren't helpful: 

1. Do you write the check and include it with your application to be sent to the Department of State? 
2. I want to pay for expedited shipping ($21.36) + expedited processing ($60.00). Does this mean I need to write 3 different checks, one for $130, one for $21.36 and one for $60. Or can I just write a check for the full amount?  $211.36

Bring your DEBIT card with you, you can make one on the spot when you apply at the post office.

[minivatreni 193]

13 minutes ago, YellowDuneBuggy said:

Bring your DEBIT card with you, you can make one on the spot when you apply at the post office.

I am applying at the county clerk office, I'll see if they accept debit. Also did you need a copy of your driver's license, or is just a certificate of naturalization enough? The Dept of State website is saying to print a photocopy of the driver's license and certificate of naturalization also 

Edited July 11 by minivatreni

[YellowDuneBuggy 59]

6 minutes ago, minivatreni said:

I am applying at the county clerk office, I'll see if they accept debit. Also did you need a copy of your driver's license, or is just a certificate of naturalization enough? The Dept of State website is saying to print a photocopy of the driver's license and certificate of naturalization also 

Oh... I don't know for the clerk office. At the USPS they asked me for a copy of my driving licence too and a copy of my naturalization certificate.

For the check, well... I don't know, but I would call to be sure. Once you pay for one, the money is gone...

[Laure&Colin 557]

2 hours ago, minivatreni said:

Hi everyone, was wondering if someone could help me out with understanding how to write a check for a passport application. I called the county clerk's office where I'm going in but they weren't helpful: 

1. Do you write the check and include it with your application to be sent to the Department of State? 
2. I want to pay for expedited shipping ($21.36) + expedited processing ($60.00). Does this mean I need to write 3 different checks, one for $130, one for $21.36 and one for $60. Or can I just write a check for the full amount?  $211.36

 

- You write one check for the full amount and bring it to be sent together with your application. Make sure you have the right total amount (I think there's a calculator on the DoS website), depending on whether you want just a passport book or also a card. If the county clerk's office charges a processing fee like the post office does, you'll pay that separately.

- Bring everything the DoS asks for, including copy of your driver's license.

 

The DoS didn't actually cash my check, they used the account and routing # to take an ACH payment from my account. So I'm not sure why they don't allow online payments yet, but whatever. My husband just renewed his passport, and apparently they just started an all online renewal process they're beta-testing. I wouldn't want to be a beta-tester for any official paperwork, lol!

[OldUser 5,855]

33 minutes ago, Laure&Colin said:

My husband just renewed his passport, and apparently they just started an all online renewal process they're beta-testing. I wouldn't want to be a beta-tester for any official paperwork, lol!

Apparently online renewals are quite successful. I'd give it a try. I wouldn't apply for an immigration benefit if it was in beta though 😃

[minivatreni 193]

1 hour ago, Laure&Colin said:

 

- You write one check for the full amount and bring it to be sent together with your application. Make sure you have the right total amount (I think there's a calculator on the DoS website), depending on whether you want just a passport book or also a card. If the county clerk's office charges a processing fee like the post office does, you'll pay that separately.

- Bring everything the DoS asks for, including copy of your driver's license.

 

The DoS didn't actually cash my check, they used the account and routing # to take an ACH payment from my account. So I'm not sure why they don't allow online payments yet, but whatever. My husband just renewed his passport, and apparently they just started an all online renewal process they're beta-testing. I wouldn't want to be a beta-tester for any official paperwork, lol!

Do you need to make a note on the check that you’re paying for an expedite as well as 1-2 day shipping? 

[brazibride 43]

1 hour ago, minivatreni said:

Do you need to make a note on the check that you’re paying for an expedite as well as 1-2 day shipping? 

I didn't – I think they can tell from the check amount! The "add-ons" are priced pretty differently. And yeah I did just the one check. 

[Laure&Colin 557]

4 hours ago, minivatreni said:

Do you need to make a note on the check that you’re paying for an expedite as well as 1-2 day shipping? 

 

I don't think you need to, but there's a line on my checks to make a note and I wrote something like "expedited processing and shipping". They can tell based on the amount anyway.

[minivatreni 193]

10 hours ago, brazibride said:

I didn't – I think they can tell from the check amount! The "add-ons" are priced pretty differently. And yeah I did just the one check. 

Thank you this information is really helpful

8 hours ago, Laure&Colin said:

 

I don't think you need to, but there's a line on my checks to make a note and I wrote something like "expedited processing and shipping". They can tell based on the amount anyway.

Got it, I will make a note on the bottom that it's for expedited processing + shipping. 

[ctrlplm 42]

On 7/11/2024 at 2:54 PM, minivatreni said:

I am applying at the county clerk office, I'll see if they accept debit. Also did you need a copy of your driver's license, or is just a certificate of naturalization enough? The Dept of State website is saying to print a photocopy of the driver's license and certificate of naturalization also 

Note that there’s a  $35 dollar processing fee check should be written for the local county office (or in my case, City of Seattle). The rest goes to department of state.

 

Edited July 12 by ctrlplm

[ctrlplm 42]

Not sure if anyone here has Global Entry, but if you need to update your GE after citizenship / name change, you can contact CBP via the portal and send them scans via email. Took them about 2 weeks to process my request but I didn't have to go to the enrollment center.

 

• Go to ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
• At the bottom of the page where it shows CBP Support, click on "For help with Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST"
• It will open a new page for CBP Customer Service. Click on "Ask A Question" which will bring up a fillable form
• Under "Topic" choose "Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST)"
• Under "Applicable Issues", choose "Change my name due to marriage/divorce/legal"
• Under "TTP Programs", choose "Global Entry" - this includes TSA Pre Check
• Fill in the rest of the information
• They'll send you an email requesting documents
• You can send them the N400 certificate or court order for name change and the US passport

Edited July 15 by ctrlplm

[Tunes 27]

On 7/11/2024 at 10:34 PM, brazibride said:

I didn't – I think they can tell from the check amount! The "add-ons" are priced pretty differently. And yeah I did just the one check. 

 

Edited July 15 by Tunes
Wrong post my apologies

[Tunes 27]

Finally I got scheduled for an interview next month . I filled 2/16/2024 in Desmoine Iowa . 

[mmv_1 16]

Hi all, Oath ceremony happened on the 4th of July in Seattle as scheduled. Passport in hand next day at the Seattle Passport Agency.

 

The status online seems to be off, from "We recommended that your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, be approved. Your case was submitted for quality review." on May 28 to "Certificate Of Naturalization Was Issued" on July 11. Took an extra week to update the conclusion of this whole process. Happy it is all over and wishing you all good luck.