Applying for CZ from NJ - some Last minute QQ

[jenim]

Hello all,

My parents are applying from NJ and we have a couple of quick questions, as we want to send the application today.

1. Can both applications be sent in the same envelope with separate check for each applicant?

2. As per this website - https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
should we be mailing the application to the address below, since we are located in NJ?

USCIS
P.O. Box 660060
Dallas, TX 75266

3. I see some people mention they sent their N400 application to lockbox facility. I'm not sure I understand what that is, even though I researched it. What is the purpose of the Lockbox facility, is there any advantage of mailing the forms to Lockbox facility instead of the one above in TX?

4. I printed the form from this website - https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/...form/n-400.pdf
and filled it out. But I do not see any barcode on the form, but some people are referring to a barcode on their form. I'm very confused about this.

5. I have everything ready.
Filled out N-400
2 PP size pics
Copies of Front and back of GC
Check

6. My parents did not file taxes here (they are my dependents, who I claimed as dependents when I filed taxes), they do not have any supporting docs as they did not work in the US at all. Are there any other supporting docs that they are expected to send at all, since they did not file taxes ever?

Please, is there anything else I'm missing? Feeling a little nervous. Can you please help by answering these questions?



Thanks!

[Jot18]

Hello all,

My parents are applying from NJ and we have a couple of quick questions, as we want to send the application today.

1. Can both applications be sent in the same envelope with separate check for each applicant?

2. As per this website - https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
should we be mailing the application to the address below, since we are located in NJ?

USCIS
P.O. Box 660060
Dallas, TX 75266

3. I see some people mention they sent their N400 application to lockbox facility. I'm not sure I understand what that is, even though I researched it. What is the purpose of the Lockbox facility, is there any advantage of mailing the forms to Lockbox facility instead of the one above in TX?

4. I printed the form from this website - https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/...form/n-400.pdf
and filled it out. But I do not see any barcode on the form, but some people are referring to a barcode on their form. I'm very confused about this.

5. I have everything ready.
Filled out N-400
2 PP size pics
Copies of Front and back of GC
Check

6. My parents did not file taxes here (they are my dependents, who I claimed as dependents when I filed taxes), they do not have any supporting docs as they did not work in the US at all. Are there any other supporting docs that they are expected to send at all, since they did not file taxes ever?

Please, is there anything else I'm missing? Feeling a little nervous. Can you please help by answering these questions?



Thanks!

1. I would recommend sending them separate just to avoid any mix ups.
2. Yes, if you are sending by USPS.
3. I don't know what you are talking about here.
4. You will only get barcode if you are IE. I tried with chrome and didn't work.
5. Try to send copy of there state ID/License also.
6. No.

Everything else seems to be correct but if you are claiming them as dependent, you can try to fill out the fee waiver and in section 6 line 12 basically they can write that my son/daughter are taking care of all my expenses. They pay the rent, commute expenses etc. Also if they get free health care card from the state you can use that to waive the fees also. In my state we call them Medical Card IDK what they are called in NJ. If the fee waiver is declined you application will be delayed but its worth trying to save over 1200$.

[jenim]

1. I would recommend sending them separate just to avoid any mix ups.
2. Yes, if you are sending by USPS.
3. I don't know what you are talking about here.
4. You will only get barcode if you are IE. I tried with chrome and didn't work.
5. Try to send copy of there state ID/License also.
6. No.

Everything else seems to be correct but if you are claiming them as dependent, you can try to fill out the fee waiver and in section 6 line 12 basically they can write that my son/daughter are taking care of all my expenses. They pay the rent, commute expenses etc. Also if they get free health care card from the state you can use that to waive the fees also. In my state we call them Medical Card IDK what they are called in NJ. If the fee waiver is declined you application will be delayed but its worth trying to save over 1200$.

Jot18,
You've been an amazing help answering all my questions. Thank you!
I didn't even know there was such a thing as fee waiver until you mentioned it. Just sent the application by mail today. Keeping my fingers crossed about the fee waiver. I will update this thread with the outcome, when I hear about it.

[jenim]

No Notice of acknowledgement 3 weeks after mailing N400

I sent my parents application in separate envelopes on 3/15 and 3 weeks later, there is NO notice of acknowledgment yet. USPS website shows mail delivered on 3/19. I see most people's timeframe shows that they received the NOA within 2 weeks of mailing at most.
Should I be concerned to call the USCIS about this already? I read somewhere that even though someone's application was delivered, USCIS said that they did not receive the application!
I sent the fee waiver request along with the N400. Is it possible that it is delaying them sending us the Notice of Acknowledgement? If so, how long is considered a normal wait?

[Jot18]

I sent my parents application in separate envelopes on 3/15 and 3 weeks later, there is NO notice of acknowledgment yet. USPS website shows mail delivered on 3/19. I see most people's timeframe shows that they received the NOA within 2 weeks of mailing at most.
Should I be concerned to call the USCIS about this already? I read somewhere that even though someone's application was delivered, USCIS said that they did not receive the application!
I sent the fee waiver request along with the N400. Is it possible that it is delaying them sending us the Notice of Acknowledgement? If so, how long is considered a normal wait?

Wait at least like 30 days then try calling the customer service. If they can't help tell them to connect you to a immigration officer so they can exactly give you the details. Normally it takes 10 days to get the notice but I also didn't get the notice for little over 10 days then I called them and the IO told me the details that this is my case number and my biometrics are on this date....same went for my friend...we sent our applications together and he didn't get the notice for over a month. Its normal sometimes it takes longer because of the number of applications they get. Also I would recommend you to use UPS in the future for Immigration related paperwork. This has happened with me for past couple of things I received from USPS, the tracking said that item was delivered on Fri and I didn't get the item until Mon. USPS tracking isn't accurate sometimes.

[jenim]

Wait at least like 30 days then try calling the customer service. If they can't help tell them to connect you to a immigration officer so they can exactly give you the details. Normally it takes 10 days to get the notice but I also didn't get the notice for little over 10 days then I called them and the IO told me the details that this is my case number and my biometrics are on this date....same went for my friend...we sent our applications together and he didn't get the notice for over a month. Its normal sometimes it takes longer because of the number of applications they get. Also I would recommend you to use UPS in the future for Immigration related paperwork. This has happened with me for past couple of things I received from USPS, the tracking said that item was delivered on Fri and I didn't get the item until Mon. USPS tracking isn't accurate sometimes.

Jot, thanks again! I called Customer Service today and the first person I spoke to wasn't that helpful and kept repeating that it's not 30 days yet since you sent the application, so call back after 30 days has passed. But based on your advice, I insisted on speaking to an officer (they said they can only transfer to a customer service officer, not an Immigration officer) and it was transferred to an automated line where I was asked to leave my phone number for a call back. Later, I received a call from a very nice gentleman who introduced himself as a Customer Service officer and he promptly gave the Receipt Numbers for both applications and said the Fee waivers have been approved (Yay!!) and the NOAs were mailed on 4/1. We hope to receive them sometime this week then. Since I got the Receipt # I was able to add these to the case status look up. The current status is:
"We mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 1, 2016, please call Customer Service ...."
I wonder what instructions are in the notice of Action (Form I-797) for us to follow? Can someone please chime in? I've missed a few postal mails recently due to some issues at my post office and I'm praying that they don't mess up delivery of these letters from USCIS. So I want to know what is usually stated on that form.

[Jot18]

Jot, thanks again! I called Customer Service today and the first person I spoke to wasn't that helpful and kept repeating that it's not 30 days yet since you sent the application, so call back after 30 days has passed. But based on your advice, I insisted on speaking to an officer (they said they can only transfer to a customer service officer, not an Immigration officer) and it was transferred to an automated line where I was asked to leave my phone number for a call back. Later, I received a call from a very nice gentleman who introduced himself as a Customer Service officer and he promptly gave the Receipt Numbers for both applications and said the Fee waivers have been approved (Yay!!) and the NOAs were mailed on 4/1. We hope to receive them sometime this week then. Since I got the Receipt # I was able to add these to the case status look up. The current status is:
"We mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 1, 2016, please call Customer Service ...."
I wonder what instructions are in the notice of Action (Form I-797) for us to follow? Can someone please chime in? I've missed a few postal mails recently due to some issues at my post office and I'm praying that they don't mess up delivery of these letters from USCIS. So I want to know what is usually stated on that form.

there are no instructions to follow on the first letter. Congrats for getting fee waiver approved! $680*2=$1360 saved!!! It would been perfect if he had given you the biometrics date but maybe its not scheduled yet. It can take up to 5-7 days to get the letter after they mail it. And remember online status sometimes doesn't get updated. I had already became a citizen and online status said we mailed you biometrics letter...

[jenim]

Oh wow..Jot. I hope they update the case status appropriately for us on the website.
We got the I-797C by mail today. Waiting for the biometrics schedule next.
Does anyone know if they ask to see a State Id at the biometrics site? Also am I allowed to go with my parents to help them fill out forms at the biometrics site?

[Jot18]

Oh wow..Jot. I hope they update the case status appropriately for us on the website.
We got the I-797C by mail today. Waiting for the biometrics schedule next.
Does anyone know if they ask to see a State Id at the biometrics site? Also am I allowed to go with my parents to help them fill out forms at the biometrics site?

I don't think they ask for state ID but I don't really remember from my experience. It would be a plus point if they have it. It should say on the letter what they need to bring. And at my location anyone can go with the applicant...It also says on the biometrics letter please only bring person that are assisting you in transportation due to limited seating.

[jenim]

I don't think they ask for state ID but I don't really remember from my experience. It would be a plus point if they have it. It should say on the letter what they need to bring. And at my location anyone can go with the applicant...It also says on the biometrics letter please only bring person that are assisting you in transportation due to limited seating.

Thanks, Jot. Got the biometric notice today. It asks to bring the notice and a photo Id to the appt. For naturalization applicants the photo Id can be the Green card, but I'm probably going to get the Non-drivers license for them before we go to the appt.

[jenim]

Got Biometrics done today at Elizabeth, NJ. Only the biometric appointment letter and Green card was even looked at by the staff there, they didn't specifically ask for Drivers' license or State Id.

There was a long line for the 8 AM appointment outside the door, even before they opened. Parking meters on the street were already taken, so I parked at a side street, about 3 mins walk from the appt center. We were there 20 mins before the appt and joined the line. This center was staffed adequately in the morning. At the first desk they check your appt letter just for the date/time of your appt, and that your cell phone is turned off. Then they give you a form to fill out your name, DOB, A # or SSN, N-400 Application number, color of your hair, eyes, height, weight, any previous names etc. Once you fill it out, then you join another line where they check that the appt letter matches the name on your green card or passport and confirm it's you and quickly check your hands. They staple a token number to the form you filled out, give it back to you and ask you to proceed to another room with glass windows where you wait until your token number is called. Anyone accompanying the applicant to help are able to fill out the form, but are asked to wait in the sitting area outside the biometric waiting room. I went with my parents to help, but through the glass windows I was able to see when they were being called for their biometric.

When your number shows on the digital display, the technician also comes out to the area to take you to the biometric booth. It takes about 5-7 mins to take your FP and photo, they stamp, date and initial your appt letter and give it back to you along with the short form you filled out. They also give you a handout with the interview Q&A for interview prep. The techs were quick and efficient and there were at least 5 or 6 of them at that time. It took us about 45 minutes (not including the wait outside the door).

[bigbull99]

N-400

I live in Boston, I applied N400 for my dad. The receipt number starts with IOE . what does it mean.

[jenim]

I live in Boston, I applied N400 for my dad. The receipt number starts with IOE . what does it mean.

IOE – ELIS (efile)

[bigbull99]

Jenim

IOE – ELIS (efile)

What does that mean? I sent the application in the mail. I did not e-file.

[jenim]

How long from this?

Case status online has been updated to:

"Case Is In Line For An Interview:

On May 3, 2016, we started the interview scheduling process for your Form N-400. We will send you an interview notice."

How long does it take approximately from this date to get the interview letter?