Security Checks:
IBIS - done by USCIS - they will not disclose any information even under FOI act.
Finger Print - done by FBI - FBI Fingerprint Status (304) 625-2000 will be picked up by a person and will direct to customer service - choose option 3 a lady will ask for your A# and after confirming your identity will in 99.99% of cases confirm that report sent back in 24 hours.
FBI name check - done by FBI - 68% clear in first time remaining can remain stuck in the quagmire for anywhere from 3 months to 4 or more years. In some cases people stuck had no contact with police or even a speeding fine. So this is a totally unknown hoop in the naturalization process and as per USCIS Ombudsman a waste of FBI resources with no increase in national security. After July 31st there will be additions to the 20 FBI analysts and the FBI will get $9 per name check against the current $2. FBI is also keen to change the criterion. Earlier they used to do only "main file" checks, but USCIS now requires reference file checks as welll (that is some one known to a terrorist or some one whose name is similar to a contact of a known terrorist) would also get caught in the reference file check which is a manual file look up from over 240 FBI field offices. FBI used to give information about name check status but have now stopped and only provide status to congressional inquiry of USCIS not applicant.
Their phone number for FBI Name Check Status was (Main Line) (202) 324-3625
CIA check - done sometimes for those who may have done adjustment of status (rather than consular processing).
Bottom line - call FBI for finger print status and do an Info pass and find out if you are stuck in name check. Not all people who sit on the counter know how to go to the screen where name check results are available. Ask specifically what date was name check ordered, what date the results came back.
And... do post your experience here for the benefit of all!
