N-400 November 2024 Filers

[OldUser 7,910]

7 minutes ago, Tella&T said:

Could you clarify what they meant by 'any period of separation' though? 

Marital union is the requirement for naturalization under 3 year rule. If you had things like spouse or you living in different state because of work, travelling for few months outside of the US without spouse, living temporarily at different addresses due to other things - this all can lead to denial of N-400 under 3 year rule. The requirement is you and your spouse living in marital union until oath without breaks.

[Elise&Joe 36]

1 hour ago, Tella&T said:

Thank you so much for being so detailed about your experience. It always helps me to have a better idea of what to expect! Sounds like your experience was very positive. Could you clarify what they meant by 'any period of separation' though? 

He wanted to know if we had temporarily broken up and then got back together since we got married, or spent a significant amount of time apart. 

 

Whilst we have been physically apart on the odd occasion (I have stayed a week longer than my wife when visiting family in the UK a couple of times), we have still been romantically/mentally/spiritually together the entire duration of our marriage.

Edited February 13 by Elise&Joe
Adding detail

[OldUser 7,910]

11 minutes ago, Elise&Joe said:

He wanted to know if we had temporarily broken up and then got back together since we got married, or spent a significant amount of time apart. 

 

Whilst we have been physically apart on the odd occasion (I have stayed a week longer than my wife when visiting family in the UK a couple of times), we have still been romantically/mentally/spiritually together the entire duration of our marriage.

Depending on the officer and their interpretation of marital union, even a week apart could lead to denial when filing under 3 year rule. Looks like your officer was pretty relaxed about it but maybe had to get additional approval from his boss hence this excuse about slow computer. Let us know how it goes and congrats with the interview!

[MaceMk 28]

9 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Depending on the officer and their interpretation of marital union, even a week apart could lead to denial when filing under 3 year rule. Looks like your officer was pretty relaxed about it but maybe had to get additional approval from his boss hence this excuse about slow computer. Let us know how it goes and congrats with the interview!

A week apart? Even if it's for traveling and visiting family? Me and my husband have been together and been living together this whole time, however we were apart on 2 different occasions. I spent a month in Macedonia visiting my family while he stayed and worked here and another time we spent 3 weeks apart, him visiting his family in India and me mine in Macedonia again. So that would be a problem? I find it awkward that they would deny for something like that.

[Elise&Joe 36]

6 minutes ago, MaceMk said:

A week apart? Even if it's for traveling and visiting family? Me and my husband have been together and been living together this whole time, however we were apart on 2 different occasions. I spent a month in Macedonia visiting my family while he stayed and worked here and another time we spent 3 weeks apart, him visiting his family in India and me mine in Macedonia again. So that would be a problem? I find it awkward that they would deny for something like that.

I wasn't worried about it. You would be hard pressed to find a married couple who haven't ever spent a night apart, particularly those with families abroad. There's also the linguistic distinction: Separated is a common term for a married couple who are living at different addresses before either divorcing or reconciling. 

[MaceMk 28]

21 minutes ago, Elise&Joe said:

I wasn't worried about it. You would be hard pressed to find a married couple who haven't ever spent a night apart, particularly those with families abroad. There's also the linguistic distinction: Separated is a common term for a married couple who are living at different addresses before either divorcing or reconciling. 

Yes that's how I see it too. We never even thought about it, it seems natural in this case, cause at least one spouse has some ties abroad and normally they'll be spending some time there even without the spouse.

[eliottreid 20]

Sooooo I did the interview today. Was 10 min long and easy. We first chatted about the weather then he asked for my green card and drivers license and any documents I previously submitted. Then he asked 6 questions and asked me to read and write a sentence. Then asked me if I committed any crime and if I understand the oath and who my employer is. 
he also asked about my travel history. 
 

he was so so so nice and approved me on the spot. Yayyyyy

Edited Thursday at 07:00 PM by eliottreid

[Thatsright 17]

On my interview letter it says to bring my existing passport in addition to my green card. No problem, of course, but my passport has expired in Sep 24. Currently in process of renewing (shooting for dual citizenship) but it’s really difficult getting even an appointment  so there’s no way I’ll be able to get an appointment at the embassy AND a new passport before my USCIS interview.
 

Do you guys think the expired passport will do, since I’m (hopefully) becoming an US citizen anyway in a couple of weeks? 

[ODATT 44]

15 minutes ago, Thatsright said:

On my interview letter it says to bring my existing passport in addition to my green card. No problem, of course, but my passport has expired in Sep 24. Currently in process of renewing (shooting for dual citizenship) but it’s really difficult getting even an appointment  so there’s no way I’ll be able to get an appointment at the embassy AND a new passport before my USCIS interview.
 

Do you guys think the expired passport will do, since I’m (hopefully) becoming an US citizen anyway in a couple of weeks? 

Does UK not allow for “premium processing” and get it done faster? 

[OldUser 7,910]

22 minutes ago, Thatsright said:

On my interview letter it says to bring my existing passport in addition to my green card. No problem, of course, but my passport has expired in Sep 24. Currently in process of renewing (shooting for dual citizenship) but it’s really difficult getting even an appointment  so there’s no way I’ll be able to get an appointment at the embassy AND a new passport before my USCIS interview.
 

Do you guys think the expired passport will do, since I’m (hopefully) becoming an US citizen anyway in a couple of weeks? 

Are you British? Why do you need an appointment at embassy to renew passport? You can do it online.

 

If you haven't started the process of UK passport renewal, just wait to renew passport after your N-400 interview. It's OK to have expired UK passport. You just can't use it for travel.

 

When you become a US citizen, use US passport to leave and enter the US. Use UK passport to leave and enter the UK. Other countries - up to you, whichever passport gives you better terms.

Edited yesterday at 12:43 AM by OldUser

[Thatsright 17]

Thanks. That’s very helpful and eases my mind.
 

I actually have a German passport. I just happened to emigrate to the US from the UK where I used to live for many years. I know that makes my country of origin still Germany, of course, but I had entered it here that way 10 years ago without thinking much about it and just never corrected it.
 

Not sure about the UK embassy/requirements but the German ones are a nightmare. Just getting an appointment (which they require even for simple renewals) is really tricky. Seriously considering ditching the German citizenship altogether. Will see. As long as the agent doesn’t send me home with my expired passport I’m good. 

[OldUser 7,910]

1 minute ago, Thatsright said:

Thanks. That’s very helpful and eases my mind.
 

I actually have a German passport. I just happened to emigrate to the US from the UK where I used to live for many years. I know that makes my country of origin still Germany, of course, but I had entered it here that way 10 years ago without thinking much about it and just never corrected it.
 

Not sure about the UK embassy/requirements but the German ones are a nightmare. Just getting an appointment (which they require even for simple renewals) is really tricky. Seriously considering ditching the German citizenship altogether. Will see. As long as the agent doesn’t send me home with my expired passport I’m good. 

Oh I see. Expired German passport isn't a problem for N-400 interview or becoming a US citizen. Just bring it to the interview. You may or may not be asked for it.

What's more important is valid Driver's License or state ID with correct address and valid GC (or expired GC with valid extension letter)

Good luck!

Edited yesterday at 01:01 AM by OldUser

[eliottreid 20]

I did my interview yesterday and received today the oath date (03-28) almost doooone!!!

[eliottreid 20]

On 2/13/2025 at 4:49 PM, Elise&Joe said:

I wasn't worried about it. You would be hard pressed to find a married couple who haven't ever spent a night apart, particularly those with families abroad. There's also the linguistic distinction: Separated is a common term for a married couple who are living at different addresses before either divorcing or reconciling. 

Sounds like we’re going to be at the same ceremony. Congratsss

[ghostinthemachine 85]

22 hours ago, Thatsright said:

Thanks. That’s very helpful and eases my mind.
 

I actually have a German passport. I just happened to emigrate to the US from the UK where I used to live for many years. I know that makes my country of origin still Germany, of course, but I had entered it here that way 10 years ago without thinking much about it and just never corrected it.
 

Not sure about the UK embassy/requirements but the German ones are a nightmare. Just getting an appointment (which they require even for simple renewals) is really tricky. Seriously considering ditching the German citizenship altogether. Will see. As long as the agent doesn’t send me home with my expired passport I’m good. 

 

Where is your nearest consulate? They have different procedures on how much in advance they publish new appointments (e. g. Houston is 3 months, Atlanta is only 28 days), but they all typically go live midnight German time. Just renewed my passport in Houston last week. Relatively painless other than getting an appointment booked in time.