Citizenship

I was interviewed on September 27,2019 in Irving TX for naturalization on the basis of my 5 years stay in USA. The IO was a Korean and was rude and rough from the beginning. I replied to all the questions correctly and politely. I had a long travel history and had extended stay for 10 months in India at a stretch from June 8, 2017 to April 4, 2018 due to Husband"s and self sickness.submitted medical papers from doctors for self and husband. After the interview the officer handed over Form N-652 which checked
1 You passed the English test and the US history and government test
2 A decision cannot be made yet about your application.
Same day when I checked my online account with USCIS , a message flashed" We cancelled our request for more information..You need not yo do anything at this time. We will let you know if we need anything from you as we continue to review your application.
When I checked case status on home site of USCIS the message read as " Cancellation Notice for Request for Additional Evidence
On Sep.27, 2019, we cancelled the request for additional evidence for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization ,Receipt No.------. We will send you a notice if we need additional evidences. Please follow the instructions in the notice. On 1st October, I received NOTICE OF INTENT TO DENY in regular mail. This is a detailed letter about my extended stay in India saying that I have disrupted my continuous stay in the US. and given me 30 days to respond with evidence. Baffled and confused that on one side they say say On Sep. 27,2019 we cancelled our notice for additional evidence but the same notice has been receive in mail. After trying all alternatives on internet, I luckily gort your site on google and thought better to consult this forum. On October 3rd yesterday I contacted Customer Care representative of USCIS on phone and gave all details.She replied that on the computer the said notice is not showing which means they might have withdrawn the notice but had already posted in mail. The system shows that the notice is cancelled. She advised me to wait for at least 90 days to enable them to decide my case. I am still confused what to do .
My husband also appeared for interview on the the same date with same medical papers for extended stay for 10 months as all our documents and evidences are same. His case was immediately approved and he has been invited for oath ceremony on 16th October,2019.
I could not understand why and how two different yardsticks can be applied to two similarly placed cases .
Shall appreciate if you could guide me as I am highly stressed.
Thanks

Interview date: Sep 17th 2019
Result: Approved in office

I was asked if I wanted to change my name and I said yes ( I swapped my middle for first name), officer did not inform me of the extra time a name change adds. She only mentioned it afterwards and that was because something just told me to ask if it changes anything,so i asked her, I would have said no. Its added an additional 3 months as completion time as opposed to initial october completion time. I also requested the officer to kindly withdraw the name change request,she said no that she already put it in the computer.

Problem is , I have a pending federal employment offer, that is contingent on me taking oath and becoming naturalized. They have waited a month due to USCIS de scheduling my initial interview last minute. I am not too sure they would wait another 3 month, they already hinted that and I really do not want to lose this offer as its really hard to get in and rarely available.
Any tips that can help?

Steps I have taken

1)Info pass request: denied, not qualified,because i have a current status which says waiting in line for oath

2)I wrote 3 notarized letters addressed to IO, Director and USCIS, as an official request to withdraw name change request. They received it 3 days after my interview, i tracked it and made sure it was signed for.

3)As of now, I still do not have a response from them. Can I write to the two courts that administers the judicial oath in my state to withdraw the name change? Is that where my file will be for the name change?

 I wish i could just go back to the time she asked me if i wanted a name change! Any info will help, Id really appreciate it. Thanks everyone

I have my interview coming up in a couple of weeks and wondering if there were any other SF fliers out there with recent experience in the SF office. I applied October 31, 2018

Hi. I'd like to share my timeline for those who are interested. I was once in your shoes and I understand you are nervous for the next steps. I was nervous too.

I applied online through the USCIS Website.

N-400 Naturalization Process Timeline

December 23, 2018 (Day 00): N-400 Submitted Online
December 23, 2018 (Day 00): Notice of Action Letter Received Online
December 28, 2019 (Day 06): Bio-metric Appointment Notice
January 17, 2019 (Day 26): Bio-metric Appointment Date
August 8, 2019 (Day 229): Interview Scheduled Notice Online (no date)
August 9, 2019 (Day 230): Interview Scheduled PDF Posted Online (with date)
August 12, 2019 (Day 233): Interview Scheduled Received in Mailbox (with date)
September 12, 2019 (Day 264): Naturalization Interview Date
September 17, 2019 (Day 269): Notice of Approval for Citizenship
September 17, 2019 (Day 269): Notice to Attend Oath Ceremony PDF Posted Online
September 23, 2019 (Day 274): Notice to Attend Oath Ceremony Received in Mailbox
September 27, 2019 (Day 278): Oath Ceremony Date. HOORAY!!!

Interview Date Experience:
I went with my husband but the office asked for me to go into the interview by myself. My report time was 7:45AM. We got there at 7:15AM. We waited and got called into the interview around 8:35AM. The questions was straightforward. The interviewer asked me 5 questions at most from the Naturalization book, asked for me to READ one line from the tablet and WRITE the answer to the line I just read from the tablet. The interviewer will tell you exactly what to write. Then they go over everything on your application. I'd say make sure you study your application. The interviewer asked me to state the phone number I put down on my app, what was the last country I visited, what type of organizations I've been involved with. If you have other things to add/fix on your application, the interviewer will adjust it right then and there. Also, remember all the Y or N questions at the end of the application. The interviewer asked me to answer ALL of them, line by line. The interviewer also asked me what some of the words on the application means. Words like "defendant", etc. He asked to make sure YOU understand the questions and the answer you gave. Prep yourself well. Look up the terms to make sure you know the meaning. The interview was over in 30 mins. They no longer do SAME day naturalization in Baltimore. I received a letter indicated that I passed the test but they still need to check if all my paperwork is good to go. I went home right after.

...oh the wait...nothing is more nerve wracking then waiting to hear back from the officer between your interview and results. It was the longest week. I'm pretty sure I check my online account like every hour. It soon updated that my application got approved. The best day.

Naturalization Ceremony
We got there early. It was a happy day. We supposed to report 30 mins before indicated time, which was 8:30AM. The office will seat you in one section of the waiting room. Your guest can go ahead and find their seats in the ceremony room. The check-in time took awhile. There were 70 people to be naturalized in this session. The room was packed with happy faces. It took them from 8:30AM to 9:30AM to check us in. There's nothing to complain here. We waited this long to be sitting in this seat, one hour is fine. The ceremony only took 30 mins. We sang the Star Spangled banner, stated the Oath, listen to the President congrats, stated the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received our Certification in a graduation manner. They call our name one by one and we just walk to the front of the room to get our certificate. I'm impressed by the level of detail and organization at this facility. After that, HOORAY!! I'm now a naturalized citizen. I went home and signed the form right away. I also scanned them in high res and made 30 copies of it. I'm applying for my Passport this weekend. I'm sad that I have to part ways from the Original for a few weeks. They'll soon will return it to you though.

does any one know the oath ceremony schedule for Houston in nov ....

Application Submitted Date: 12/20/2018
Biometric Schedule Notification: 12/21/2018
Biometric Reviewed: 1/11/2019
Interview Scheduled: 10/1/2019
Naturalization Ceremony Notice: 10/2/2019
Ceremony Date: To be Scheduled
Current Estimated case completion time: December 2019 (2 months)

I attended my N400 interview in chicago today and i was recommended for approval by the officer but was approved 2 hrs later when i i checked the online status. Interview was easy and straightforward. i got all first civic questions correctly and the officer basically asked questions on my application form and we were done in 25mins.
below is my timeline for chicago filers to have an idea of how how long it takes.

Service Center.............Chicago
Application Filed...........02 Apr 2019
Priority Date:................02 Apr 2019
Check Cashed:.............02 Apr 2019
Fingerprint Notice Received:........05 Apr 2019
Fingerprints Done:........................25 Apr 2019
Interview Scheduled.......................27 Aug 2019
interview Date.................................02 oct 2019

Hi all,
This site has been quite insightful and now that the end of my journey is near I am adding my timeline and experience to help others who are still in the process.

I received my conditional green on March 23rd, 2016 through marriage.

On December 24th, 2017 application to remove conditions is mailed with lots of evidence. (3 months ahead of expiration)

On January 16th, 2018 receipt received (my conditional residence is valid for an additional year)

Biometrics Appt. Notification, January 22nd, 2018

Biometrics Appt. January 30th, 2018

On April 12, 2018, I received a letter for USCIS informing me that due to delays my conditional status is extended to 18 months.

On December 24th, 2018 I apply for Naturalization/N400 online and uploaded the following with my application: joint tax returns of the last 3 years, joint bank statements of the last 3 years, itineraries of 4 vacations my wife and I have taken throughout our marriage, joint life insurance policies, joint lease, all household utilities in both our names etc)

On December 29th, 2018, Biometrics Scheduled

On December 31st, 2018, Application for N400 and Biometrics Received.

On January 14th, 2019 Biometrics done.

On July 30th, 2019 N400 Scheduled for interview.

On August 2ND, 2019 my I751 to remove conditions is transferred from Vermont to my local field office, Federal Plaza, NY.

On August 7th, 2019 N400 appointment receipt arrives in the mail, interview date September 10th, 2019.

On September 10th, 2019, my wife and I arrived 30 minutes prior to my appointment with a mountain of well organized evidence. The interview was scheduled for 10:00AM and the officer called me at 10:05AM without my wife. The officer informed me that ahead of interviewing me for my N400 she would first have to review my I751 application, make any necessary updates and adjudicate my case. After a quick review of the I751, I was sworn in by the officer and she proceeded to my N400 Application. The officer asked me about my job, verified my address again, my last vacation and then proceeded to ask me 5 questions from the Naturalization study book. Why does the flag 13 stripes? Why does the flag have 50 stars? When is the last date one can file a tax return? Who is the governor on New York? When are presidential elections held? She then had me read a sentence and had me write it on a tablet. The officer then asked me a list of questions, all listed on the application, all of which the answers are NO except for the ones where she asked if I was willing to give up loyalty other all other countries and vow to follow the laws of the USA to which I said YES. There are many questions, as you should, say NO to all things BAD.
I requested a name change in my application, so the officer informed me I would have to present two passport photos, which I had with me. She made me sign my new name on both photos then had me sign on a tablet. She took my finger prints and a photo. The officer then handed me a paper that showed I had passed my N400 interview, she then had me sign another document and informed me that my 1751 had been adjudicated and that I would receive an appointment for my oath ceremony within 2-3 weeks. That brought my interview to an end - the interview was 35 minutes long.

NOTE*** Because my I751 case was outside the normal processing time, I went from a conditional resident straight to citizenship.***

On September 27th I received my oath ceremony appointment letter, scheduled for October 23RD, 2019.

Thankful to God then process is coming to an end. My entire N400 journey took 10 months. God willing I will be an American Citizen is a few weeks, Thank God! I am beyond blessed and excited.

To everyone going through the process I wish everyone well and congratulations to all who have been successful. I know the wait can sometimes can be a lot on the nerves but your appointment is going to come. In the meantime be sure you have all the evidence/necessary documents while you wait - that will make this process lot easier.

Hi all,
This site has been quite insightful and now that the end of my journey is near I am adding my timeline and experience to help other who are still in the process.

I received my conditional green on March 23rd, 2016 through marriage.

 On December 24th, 2017 application to remove conditions is mailed. (3 months ahead of expiration)
On January 16th, 2018 receipt received (my conditional residence is valid for an additional year)

Biometrics Appt. Notification, January 22nd, 2018

Biometrics Appt. January 30th, 2018

On April 12, 2018, I received a letter for USCIS informing me that due to delays my conditional status is extended to 18 months.

On December 24th, 2018 I apply for Naturalization/N400 online and uploaded the following with my application: joint tax returns of the last 3 years, joint bank statements of the last 3 years, itineraries of 4 vacations my wife and I have taken throughout our marriage, joint life insurance policies, joint lease, all household utilities in both our names etc)

On December 29th, 2018, Biometrics Scheduled

On December 31st, 2018, Application for N400 and Biometrics Received.

On January 14th, 2019 Biometrics done.

On July 30th, 2019 N400 Scheduled for interview.

On August 2ND, 2019 my I751 to remove conditions is transferred from Vermont to my local field office, Federal Plaza, NY.

On August 7th, 2019 N400 appointment receipt arrives in the mail, appointment date September 10th, 2019.

On September 10th, 2019, my wife and I arrived 30 minutes prior to my appointment with a mountain of well organized evidence. The interview was scheduled for 10:00AM and the officer called me at 10:05AM without my wife. The officer informed me that ahead off interviewing me for my N400 she would first have to review my I751 application, make any necessary updates and adjudicate my case. After a quick review of the I751, I was sworn in by the officer and she proceeded to my N400 Application. The officer asked me about my job, verified my address again, my last vacation and then proceeded to ask me 5 questions from the Naturalization study book. Why does the flag 13 stripes? Why does the flag have 50 stars? When is the last date one can file a tax return? Who is the governor on New York? When are presidential elections held? She then had me read a sentence and had me write it on a tablet. The officer then asked me a list of questions, all listed on the application, all of which are NO except for the ones where she asked if I was willing to give up loyalty other all other countries and vow to follow the laws of the USA to which I said YES. There are many questions, as you should, say NO to all things BAD.
I requested a name change in my application, so the officer informed me I would have to present to passport photos, which I had with me. She made me sign my new name on both photos then had me sign on a tablet. She took my finger prints and a photo. The officer then handed me a paper that showed I had passed my N400, she had me sign another document and informed me that my 1751 had been adjudicated and that I would receive an appointment for my oath ceremony within 2-3 weeks. That brought my interview to an end - the interview was 35 minutes long.

On September 27th I received my oath ceremony appointment letter, scheduled for October 23RD, 2019.

Thankful to God then process is coming to an end. My entire N400 journey took 10 months.

Time to take a deep breath and be thankful to see this long process finally done.
Oackland Park Fl.
Applied on January 2nd 2019, i751 was still pending, approved 10 days after the biometrics, on January 26.
Aug 21st we schedule your interview for October 1 at 8:40.
i was called at 8:50, IO was professional and not talkative, didn’t try to be nice even though he saw I was so nervous 😥
asked me if I have any corrections to what I submitted and I said yes; I made 2 mistakes in my 19 trips out of the US( total of 280 days), then he asked me why I’m averaging 3 trips a year to my country and I answered him to visit my elderly parents and take care of them.
.After that he asked me if I’m available to go to the oath ceremony at 7 this Friday (10/4), the same happened to my friend last Wednesday and had her interview on Friday at 1:30pm.
best of luck to everyone and I hope you all get these chills soon