2010 April N-400 Tracker

Case update: Received email notification - Case transfered...

DO Newark, NJ
04/15/2010 : N-400 Sent to Dallas, TX
04/20/2010 : N-400 Received.
04/20/2010 : PD
04/26/2010 : ND
04/28/2010 : Check Cashed
04/30/2010 : NOA Rec.
05/07/2010 : Rec. FP letter;
05/18/2010 : FP Scheduled
05/18/2010 : FP done
06/28/2010 : YL Received
07/24/2010 : Case sent to local off.

xx/xx/2010 : Interview Letter
xx/xx/2010 : Interview Date
xx/xx/2010 : Oath Date
xx/xx/2010 : USC Date
xx/xx/2010 : Passport Application
xx/xx/2010 : Passport Received
 
Guys, if you miss the entry stamp in your passport. Does it create an issue at the interview. Anybody in the same boat?
 
It shouldn't matter! Your entries are recorded using your GC and not your passport. As you may or may not know, you do not need passport to re-enter in to the US! The IO's @ the POE
ask you for PP to make sure your name matched the passenger manifest.

Good luck
howdy_howdy
//
 
It shouldn't matter! Your entries are recorded using your GC and not your passport. As you may or may not know, you do not need passport to re-enter in to the US! The IO's @ the POE
ask you for PP to make sure your name matched the passenger manifest.

Good luck
howdy_howdy
//

Thanks for the response. The one entry missing on the passport is from when I entered the country using the I551 stamp on the passport. GC was issued to me later. In other words officer did not have the physical GC to scan.
 
Case update: Received interview letter.

DO Newark, NJ
04/15/2010 : N-400 Sent to Dallas, TX
04/20/2010 : N-400 Received.
04/20/2010 : PD
04/26/2010 : ND
04/28/2010 : Check Cashed
04/30/2010 : NOA Rec.
05/07/2010 : Rec. FP letter;
05/18/2010 : FP Scheduled
05/18/2010 : FP done
06/28/2010 : YL Received
07/24/2010 : Case sent to local off.
07/26/2010 : Interview Letter
08/30/2010 : Interview Date

xx/xx/2010 : Oath Date
xx/xx/2010 : USC Date
xx/xx/2010 : Passport Application
xx/xx/2010 : Passport Received
 
Did not receive oath letter as yet

Posting my question again with the info requested. My local office was in Dallas TX. Any replies to this question would be appreciated.

Finished my interview and passed on July 9th. Two days short of 5 years so could not take the oath then. Waiting for Oath Letter. Have noted the ID to OL timelines on the posts. Any idea on what is the upwards timeline beyond which I need to worry about a lost letter in the mail. Thanks guys.

Case Timeline:

Lewisville TX

4/9/10: Mailed to TSC
4/12/10: Receipt date (PD 4/12)
4/19/10: Check cashed
5/5/10: FP letter received
5/6/10: Walk in FP done (Originally scheduled for 5/24)
6/8/10: YL received
7/9/10: Interview date. Done.(Dallas Office) Passed. Oath deferred because two days short of 5 years.
00/00/00: OL Received
00/00/00: Oath Date
 
Yesterday, my wife and I had our interview (Santa Ana, California). We waited an hour and then we were called.
The Officer took me the oath, asked me 6 questions, reading and writing test and finally went through the application (very light). That's it.

My questions:

1. What is the name of the national anthem?
2. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
3. What is the “rule of law”?
4. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
5. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
6. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

I answered all 6 questions, so stopped asking further.
Next was the Reading Test. He asked me to “Who does live in the White House?”
After reading it loud, He asked me to write “The President lives in the White House.”

My wife questions:

1. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
2. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
3. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
4. What is one reason colonists came to America?
5. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
6. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

My wife answered all 6 questions, so stopped asking further.
Next was the Reading Test. She asked her to “What state has more population in US?”
After reading it loud, she asked her to write “ California has the most population.”

Thank you for all your support on this blog and good luck to every one.
Now waiting for Oath letter. Does the status change online after the oath letter is mailed?

04/14/2010 : N-400 Sent
04/16/2010 : N-400 Rec.
04/29/2010 : Checks Cashed
05/03/2010 : NOA Rec.
05/06/2010 : Online status -> RFE sent
05/10/2010 : Rec. FP letter;
05/26/2010 : FP Scheduled
05/26/2010 : FP done
06/05/2010 : Case sent to local off.
06/07/2010 : Interview Letter
07/26/2010 : Interview Date passed
xx/xx/2010 : Oath Date
xx/xx/2010 : USC Date
xx/xx/2010 : Passport Application
xx/xx/2010 : Passport Received
 
Yesterday we (wife and I) went through the interview @ Chicago office. The scheduled interview was at 10:30 AM. We were there by 10:00 AM. As usual they gave the pagers one for me and another for my wife on two different sides of the building.
Note: Why wouldn’t they combine my interview and my wife’s with the same officer?

As we were given pagers, one would think that they pager will/should indicate when I am supposed to go in. Right? Oh well wrong according to them. The Officers came out of the door and started calling/yelling names. Now in the waiting hall on the third floor there were at least 200+ people with kids contributing to the noise levels. How they heck any one can listen to the officer calling the name from one corner. Not to mention the pronunciation. I have no idea. On top of that they have a TV playing. I had a strong urge to break that dam TV. Couple of officers really got upset that people were not paying any attention to them. Even one want to pay attention, it is not easy.

So around 10:53 AM my pager went off. Around 10:55 AM I was called in. The officer was really nice and cool. She went through all my documentation. She asked me did I ever submit by Birth Certificate with the original app. I replied "No, But I have it with me". She took it and made a copy. After that she went through every thing else with express speed with high level of professionalism. Then she took my test. The entire test process happened in less than a minute including the written part. Then she asked me if I was ever arrested. I said No but I told her about couple of traffic tickets I got (I mentioned them in the N400). She asked me the reason. I told her speeding. She didn’t bother asking me by how much. But I gave her the court dispositions of the tickets. She filed them with my app. Then she asked me if I want to change my name. I said yes. She gave me the form to fill in. That's about it and she escorted me to the door. I was out by 11:05 AM. Yes. That was fast.
Note: She never told me about the oath letter. So I assumed I am going to get in mail.

My wife was called in around the same time I did. She apparently went through the same process. She also opted for name change citing that she wants to change to my last name. The Officer asked for marriage certificate, which she had with her. And after she was done, the officer told her to wait for the oath letter.
Note: I was never told to wait. But I had to wait any way for my wife's.

Now the real interesting story begins.
For every 15-20 minutes or so, a USCIS officer would come out and call our names with the Oath letter. After the third turn, around about 1:15 PM she called my name twice. I thought she is repeating. Nope. She had two oath letters with my name on them. One with my A# and one with my wife's A#. How could that be? I thought as we both opted for the name change, they gave the oath letters on my original name. I have the oath tomorrow. I have to see what more surprises I have it in store for me.

Apparently they need to combine my wife’s file along with my file to give us the oath letters. I have seen the officer walking across the building with files. Later my wife confirmed me that the lady officer dropped the file with the other officer who was interviewing my wife. I thought it would be more efficient to combine the two since they need both the files to process the oath letters.

That's about it folks. Let me know if you have any specific questions. And any input on the oath letter mess would be appreciated.
 
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Oath letter

Posting my question again with the info requested. My local office was in Dallas TX. Any replies to this question would be appreciated.

Finished my interview and passed on July 9th. Two days short of 5 years so could not take the oath then. Waiting for Oath Letter. Have noted the ID to OL timelines on the posts. Any idea on what is the upwards timeline beyond which I need to worry about a lost letter in the mail. Thanks guys.

Case Timeline:

Lewisville TX

4/9/10: Mailed to TSC
4/12/10: Receipt date (PD 4/12)
4/19/10: Check cashed
5/5/10: FP letter received
5/6/10: Walk in FP done (Originally scheduled for 5/24)
6/8/10: YL received
7/9/10: Interview date. Done.(Dallas Office) Passed. Oath deferred because two days short of 5 years.
00/00/00: OL Received
00/00/00: Oath Date


My information above.

I am worried that I have not received the oath letter as yet.

Any info would be appreciated.
 
Yesterday we (wife and I) went through the interview @ Chicago office. The scheduled interview was at 10:30 AM. I was there by 10:00 AM. As usual they gave the pagers one for me and another for my wife on two different sides of the building.
Note: Why wouldn’t they combine my interview and my wife’s with the same officer?

As we were given pagers, one would think that they pager will/should indicate when I am supposed to go in. Right? Oh well wrong according to them. The Officers came out of the door and started calling/yelling names. Now in the waiting hall on the third floor there were at least 200+ people with kids contributing to the noise levels. How they heck any one can listen to the officer calling the name from one corner. Not to mention the pronunciation. I have no idea. On top of that they have a TV playing. I had a strong urge to break that dam TV. Couple of officers really got upset that people were not paying any attention to them. Even one want to pay attention, it is not easy.

So around 10:53 AM my pager went off. Around 10:55 AM I was called in. The officer was really nice and cool. She went through all my documentation. He asked me did I ever submit by Birth Certificate with the original app. I replied "No, But I have it with me". She took it and made a copy. After that she went through every thing else with express speed with high level of professionalism. Then she took my test. The entire test process happened in less than a minute including the written part. Then she asked me if I was ever arrested. I said No but I told her about couple of traffic tickets I got (I mentioned them in the N400). She asked me the reason. I told her speeding. I didn’t bother asking me by how much. But I gave her the court dispositions of the tickets. She filed them with my app. Then she asked me if I want to change my name. I said yes. She gave me the form to fill in. That's about it and she escorted me to the door. I was out by 11:05 AM. Yes. That was fast.
Note: She never told me about the oath letter. So I assumed I am going to get in mail.

My wife was called in around the same time I did. She apparently went through the same process. She also opted for name change citing that she wants to change to my last name. The Officer asked for marriage certificate, which she had with her. And after she was done, the officer told her to wait for the oath letter.
Note: I was never told to wait. But I had to wait any way for my wife's.

Now the real interesting story begins.
For every 15-20 minutes or so, a USCIS officer would come out and call our names with the Oath letter. After the third turn, around about 1:15 PM she called my name twice. I thought she is repeating. Nope. She had two oath letters with my name on them. One with my A# and one with my wife's A#. How could that be? I thought as we both opted for the name change, they gave the oath letters on my original name. I have the oath tomorrow. I have to see what more surprises I have it in store for me.

Apparently they need to combine my wife’s file along with my file to give us the oath letters. I have seen the officer walking across the building with files. Later my wife confirmed me that the lady officer dropped the file with the other officer who was interviewing my wife. I thought it would be more efficient to combine the two since they need both the files to process the oath letters.

That's about it folks. Let me know if you have any specific questions. And any input on the oath letter mess would be appreciated.

congrats
 
Had my Interview. Was taken by a friendly lady. The first thing she did was to go through the questions and then the written part. After that she said that I passed. Then she went over the form. She asked if I had taken any trips outside USA since submitting the application. Since I had, she asked for the dates which I gave her. Finally she said that I was approved. I was given an option of taking the oath today but for some technical reason, I asked if that could be taken after August 1. She wrote that out and put it in top of the packet and said not to worry and I should hear about it soon. My wife also passed her interview but a decision could not be made in her case as she is oath eligible after the 18th. Hopefully both myself and my wife could get the same oath day but I dont know if that will happen.

@MKSHIRSA Hopefully your interview went smoothly...

Oath letter finally received. Oath on August 6.
 
I had my interview at Philadelphia today. Interview was at 9:40 AM . Went there by 9 AM. There are 15 persons in the hall waiting for naturalization interview. The hall is calm, well maintained and neat. It took an hour for my turn. A little elderly person called by name and greeted me. Asked me to follow him. He was very serious. Asked me to swear for truth and take a seat. Asked questions from the application while he is verifying them with a tick mark with red ink. He is also writing some notes on a different paper. Asked about arrests. I replied that I has traffic citations. He asked me if they are for speeding or anything else. I said one is for running on red light and 2nd is wrong passage on interstate shoulder. I handed him the court dispositions. He asked whether its for the record and if he can file them. I replied with yes . He has gone through them and kept in my file.

Then he took 3 papers out of the file.
From one paper he asked me to read a sentence. can't remember what I read :)
On second paper he asked to write " We pay Taxes"?
He took the 3rd paper which has 10 questions. Said I have to answer 6 correctly.
1) How many senators are there?
2) What ocean is in East Coast?
3) Name one US state that borders Canada?
4) When was constitution written?
5) When men has to register for selective services?
6) One problem that led to civil war?

Answered all correctly . he stopped asking further questions. Asked me sign on 2 of my photographs. Asked to make 2 signatures on application and print my name.

Later gave me a letter which says I passed the test . He asked that there is a oath ceremony on August 11th and if I want that to be scheduled. I answered yes. He gave me the oath letter and asked me read at home and bring it back for oath.

He was serious all through the interview. But It was quick and smooth.
Then told me


Local Office: Philadelphia, PA
05/18/2005 : Became Permanent Resident
04/08/2010 (0) : Sent N-400 Dallas Lock Box
04/12/2010 (4) : Receive Date / Priority Date
04/16/2010 (8 : Notice Date
04/22/2010 (14): NOA Rec.
05/06/2010 (28): Rec. FP letter
05/19/2010 (41): FP Scheduled
05/19/2010 (41): FP done
06/21/2010 (x) : Received YL
06/22/2010 (x): Case sent to local off.
6/24/2010 (x): Interview Letter
07/30/2010 (x): Interview Date
07/30/2010 (x): Oath Letter Received
08/11/2010 (x): Oath Date
xx/xx/2010 (x): USC Date
xx/xx/2010 (x): Passport Application
xx/xx/2010 (x): Passport Received
 
Oath yesterday (7/29)

Finally, after 11 years, I am a USC now. It was a fun ride and wishing everyone the best.

Now, moving on the 'Life after citizenship'/OCI forums.
 
I had my interview at Philadelphia today. Interview was at 9:40 AM . Went there by 9 AM. There are 15 persons in the hall waiting for naturalization interview. The hall is calm, well maintained and neat. It took an hour for my turn. A little elderly person called by name and greeted me. Asked me to follow him. He was very serious. Asked me to swear for truth and take a seat. Asked questions from the application while he is verifying them with a tick mark with red ink. He is also writing some notes on a different paper. Asked about arrests. I replied that I has traffic citations. He asked me if they are for speeding or anything else. I said one is for running on red light and 2nd is wrong passage on interstate shoulder. I handed him the court dispositions. He asked whether its for the record and if he can file them. I replied with yes . He has gone through them and kept in my file.

Then he took 3 papers out of the file.
From one paper he asked me to read a sentence. can't remember what I read :)
On second paper he asked to write " We pay Taxes"?
He took the 3rd paper which has 10 questions. Said I have to answer 6 correctly.
1) How many senators are there?
2) What ocean is in East Coast?
3) Name one US state that borders Canada?
4) When was constitution written?
5) When men has to register for selective services?
6) One problem that led to civil war?

Answered all correctly . he stopped asking further questions. Asked me sign on 2 of my photographs. Asked to make 2 signatures on application and print my name.

Later gave me a letter which says I passed the test . He asked that there is a oath ceremony on August 11th and if I want that to be scheduled. I answered yes. He gave me the oath letter and asked me read at home and bring it back for oath.

He was serious all through the interview. But It was quick and smooth.
Then told me


Local Office: Philadelphia, PA
05/18/2005 : Became Permanent Resident
04/08/2010 (0) : Sent N-400 Dallas Lock Box
04/12/2010 (4) : Receive Date / Priority Date
04/16/2010 (8 : Notice Date
04/22/2010 (14): NOA Rec.
05/06/2010 (28): Rec. FP letter
05/19/2010 (41): FP Scheduled
05/19/2010 (41): FP done
06/21/2010 (x) : Received YL
06/22/2010 (x): Case sent to local off.
6/24/2010 (x): Interview Letter
07/30/2010 (x): Interview Date
07/30/2010 (x): Oath Letter Received
08/11/2010 (x): Oath Date
xx/xx/2010 (x): USC Date
xx/xx/2010 (x): Passport Application
xx/xx/2010 (x): Passport Received

Thanks for sharing your experience. it is a great help. thanks agina nd congrats
 
Updated Timeline

04/19/2010 (DAY-0): N-400 Sent to Lewisville, TX (Dallas DO)
04/21/2010 (2) : N-400 Rec.
04/30/2010 (9): Check Cashed
05/01/2010 (10): NOA
06/01/2010 (41): Rec. FP letter
06/14/2010 (56): FP Scheduled
06/14/2010 (56): FP done
06/23/2010 (65): Case sent to local off
06/26/2010 (68): Interview Letter
07/30/2010 (102): Interview Date
07/30/2010 (102): Oath Date
07/30/2010 (102):USC Date
 
Hmmm.. Interesting to read that the Interview Officer was serious through the interview.

So far I have read about Officers being friendly and casual during interviews. Even in my case, the lady was initially seemed serious but became very friendly
during the interview and was very casual when dropping me off at the doorstep.

One of the questions she asked was "Who is the Speaker of the House?" and I initially answered "Nancy Pelosi"; for this she said "Correct!"; but I asked her "Or can
I say like this? Nancy "Botox" Pelosi"!". For this she laughed big time and she said she would take the first answer :)

Even in my wife's case, an elderly man conducted the interview and he seemed very courteous and casual & joking.

I guess, every once in a while you bump onto someone very serious like in your case which others need to take note of.

Good luck
howdy_howdy
//

I had my interview at Philadelphia today. Interview was at 9:40 AM . Went there by 9 AM. There are 15 persons in the hall waiting for naturalization interview. The hall is calm, well maintained and neat. It took an hour for my turn. A little elderly person called by name and greeted me. Asked me to follow him. He was very serious. Asked me to swear for truth and take a seat. Asked questions from the application while he is verifying them with a tick mark with red ink. He is also writing some notes on a different paper. Asked about arrests. I replied that I has traffic citations. He asked me if they are for speeding or anything else. I said one is for running on red light and 2nd is wrong passage on interstate shoulder. I handed him the court dispositions. He asked whether its for the record and if he can file them. I replied with yes . He has gone through them and kept in my file.

Then he took 3 papers out of the file.
From one paper he asked me to read a sentence. can't remember what I read :)
On second paper he asked to write " We pay Taxes"?
He took the 3rd paper which has 10 questions. Said I have to answer 6 correctly.
1) How many senators are there?
2) What ocean is in East Coast?
3) Name one US state that borders Canada?
4) When was constitution written?
5) When men has to register for selective services?
6) One problem that led to civil war?

Answered all correctly . he stopped asking further questions. Asked me sign on 2 of my photographs. Asked to make 2 signatures on application and print my name.

Later gave me a letter which says I passed the test . He asked that there is a oath ceremony on August 11th and if I want that to be scheduled. I answered yes. He gave me the oath letter and asked me read at home and bring it back for oath.

He was serious all through the interview. But It was quick and smooth.
Then told me


Local Office: Philadelphia, PA
05/18/2005 : Became Permanent Resident
04/08/2010 (0) : Sent N-400 Dallas Lock Box
04/12/2010 (4) : Receive Date / Priority Date
04/16/2010 (8 : Notice Date
04/22/2010 (14): NOA Rec.
05/06/2010 (28): Rec. FP letter
05/19/2010 (41): FP Scheduled
05/19/2010 (41): FP done
06/21/2010 (x) : Received YL
06/22/2010 (x): Case sent to local off.
6/24/2010 (x): Interview Letter
07/30/2010 (x): Interview Date
07/30/2010 (x): Oath Letter Received
08/11/2010 (x): Oath Date
xx/xx/2010 (x): USC Date
xx/xx/2010 (x): Passport Application
xx/xx/2010 (x): Passport Received
 
I had my naturalization interview today. The appointment was scheduled for 1:50 PM. I arrived at 1:30 PM but was not called until 2:45 PM. The waiting room was packed with a very diverse crowd. A middle aged lady called my name. We went into her office and she swore me in. She was very pleasant and put me at ease. She asked me to read 'Which state has most people?' She then asked me to write 'California has most people'. She then asked me the following questions:

1. There are 4 amendments on who can vote. Name one.
2. Why did colonists come to America?
3. Who is the head of the executive branch?
4. If the president cannot serve, who becomes president?
5. What is one right or freedom from the first ammendment?
6. During the cold war what was the main concern for the United States?

The immigration officer reviewed my application line by line. She asked me to print my new name on the 2 passport pictures. She asked me why I did not register for selective service and I explained that I did not know of the requirement. I had written an explanation letter when I mailed in my N400. She asked me what was my status between ages 18 and 26 and I informed her that I was out of status at that time. She asked me what my previous status before that and I informed her I was an F1 student. I was expecting more questioning but thankfully she moved on. She told me everything looked fine and she would get me into the next oath ceremony which happens to be 8/4/10. I was pleasantly surprised as my DO has an average waiting time of between 1 and 2 months for oath ceremony. She asked me to wait in the lounge and 20 minutes later I got an oath letter for 8/4/10. I had brought in a boatload of documents but she only asked to see my marriage certificate. All in all it was a good inverview and I can't wait to be a USC.
 
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