OldUser

If you roll a dice, that prediction may be more accurate than estimated time. Pay 0 attention to it. It's never accurate. The interview is in May. In normal circumstances you can naturalize within few weeks of interview. With name change it can be additional month or so. It's hard to predict, but most likely you should naturalize by August / September unless there's something USCIS doesn't like about the case.

The estimate you're seeing is a random number which means nothing because it's super inaccurate. I wouldn't worry about it. Some people get way passed promised estimate, others have estimation showing several months when they get approval. The petition will likely take about 18 months from filing.

What documentation is she going to provide to Russian authorities trying to leave the country with the kid? I'd imagine same docs would work for embassy.

That's weird to say the least! What's the history: did you apply for N-400 while I-751 was pending, and then I-751 got denied? Meanwhile you filed I-290B and got scheduled for N-400 interview? How did the interview go? I may be optimistic, but perhaps IO just didn't bother updating I-751 case or updated to whatever status because N-400 got approved? Tell us more.

Agreed, estimates are random numbers

You can switch jobs with EAD in hand. Once you receive GC you can: 1) Go to SSA office, file SS-5 form and replace SS card to remove restrictions from it (e.g. wording "Valid for work only with DHS authorization") 2) Use Drivers License / State ID in conjunction with SS card for I-9 verification moving forward. This way you don't need to worry about showing GC and if it's conditional, extension letters and all of that stuff. Some HRs get confused about GC expiration, extension letters etc. It's far easier using documentation a regular American uses. Obviously, make sure to use term Lawful Permanent Resident and never say you're a US citizen until you become one. It's just me, but I'd go as far as obstaining from using words "Green card holder", "I have a Green card" because that's what triggers HRs / employers to ask for GC as proof, which has multiple issues as outlined above. I always say "I'm a lawful permanent resident and don't require work authorization" whenever asked about status.

I don't believe common law marriage is good enough for immigration.

No issue. It hasn't been that long, and stamp is valid for 1 year.

Having your spouse puts a moral pressure on IO to decide favourably, based on what I read on VJ and heard from lawyers: https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/marriage-based-citizenship-do-i-have-to-accompany--3147956.html I read somewhere of rare cases when conditions were already removed but spouse was asked few questions as part of N-400 under 3 year rule. I will post links if I find it. It's pretty much like with evidence. If you bring a lot with you, nobody asks for it. If you bring little or none - you get RFE. Bringing spouse to 3 year rule N-400 is not mandatory, but helps to get approval easier even if spouse is just sitting in the waiting area.

Tax return transcripts is what immigration officer wants to see. Do you have 1040s or other forms you filed for other years?

Yes you can. Naturalization is an opportunity for a name change regardless of marital status. Be advised, this may introduce a bit of a delay because it requires a special judical oath ceremony.

This is USCIS ,everything is possible 😃

Convenience is probably the reason. If only USCIS built a good app that could help tracking one's cases and get immediate notification when case is approved. I'm aware of text message / email alerts for updates to the case and uses them too. Another reason for using websites for tracking progress of hundreds of cases is to know which cases USCIS is actively working on. The official processing times are not transparent or detailed enough. But third party apps give a better insight. For example, when my I-751 was pending I checked the status of about 10000 neighboring cases around mine filed within a month before and a month after me. I kept watching it few times a week. One moment USCIS started touching neighboring cases - issuing RFEs, scheduling interviews, approving and denying ROC petitions. That gave me an idea that my case is going to be processed within a month or so. Soon after tracker app showed cases being looked at, VJ folks in relevant month threads started posting updates about their cases. So it may be useful to some people.

How did it go?

This data is already publicly available without any login. Just enter any case number here and you'll get the status - https://egov.uscis.gov/. This is how most if not all tracker apps work. The case numbers are sequential and predictable, allowing some websites pulling statuses for blocks of cases (hundreds and thousands) every day and updating database.

Some people get hard time when spouse is not present. Looks like not in your case. In general, just because you had approval before doesn't mean effortless approval in the next stage of immigration. The system is designed to re-examine any previous decisions when granting new immigration benefit.

Highly recommended, even if I-751 is approved. Especially recommended if I-751 is still pending. You're applying based on marriage and having spouse come with you proves marriage is going well. Also, IOs occasionally ask USC questions.

I haven't studied the questions yet, but I'd study what's on USCIS website. I'm sure there are websites / apps giving you more user friendly expeirence, but I haven't used them.

I'd include all statements you have for that account with both names on it (since marriage date) rather than just one recent. Did you have utility bills (gas, internet, electricity, water) with both names?

Couldn't agree more.

Few years ago California was one of the fastests service centers. Things can change any moment.

Are you a US citizen? Did you check processing times? https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Here's the recent story of IO not expecting combo and getting worked up when requested on the day: If writing and uploading 1 page document is too much of an ask - you can skip, it's optional. In theory USCIS has all the documentation to connect the dots, but you know how busy / lazy people can get. If there's anything I could do to walk them through and make their decision easier - I'd do, but it's just me.

Or personal check

If you read the forum, you'd see some IOs only performed N-400 because they weren't ready for I-751. Giving heads up might have been helpful.