how to follow up citizenship application

[Arjav Parikh]

A friend of mine applied for citizenship in January of 1998. She didn\'t receive an interview letter/fp notice and then she never followed up on the status.

She doesn\'t have a receipt of the application. Is there a way to find out about the application status?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,
arjav

 

[IMMIG2002]

Hmm...

That\'s very interesting how someone applies and not follow up for 3 long years. The only ways I would see it are as follows:

*- If she paid by personal check/money order, check and verify that the INS had cashed the check. If they didn\'t, then she might be scerwed. The application might have been lost or something and she would have to apply again.

*- Call the Service Center (the line is ususally busy but keep calling until you get a hold of them). Explain the setuation and get an answer. Make sure that they first received the application and that they have her correct mailing address.

*- Go personally to the Local Service Center and get an answer from them.

Good luck!

 

[karl]

follow up

like immi ask: why is she waiting for 3 years??
the best thing is to visit the local ins office in person. take the org. paper work and the money receipt.

 

[JohnR]

she should definitely check up on her application

she should call the INS Customer Service Center, 1-800-375-5283.
She could also contact her local district office. bring a letter in writing requesting information to be place in her file.
If your friend moved after filing her application, she should send a change of address notification. She should bring this with her if she goes to the district office.

Considering the application was filed 3 years ago WITHOUT receiving a Notice of Receipt, she should verify that her check/moneyorder was actually cashed. If the money order/check was NOT cashed, the INS probably never received the application.
If it was cashed, she can use it as evidence of filing, when she contacts the INS: send copies of her evidence of cashing, not original documentation.

However, If she changed her address soon after filing, she may find that the INS has already denied the application for abandonment. she can then request INS reopen the application based on her not receiving notification from the INS (might work & costs nothing), she could then file Motion to Reopen (with fee) or file a new application (with fee).