How to get copy of my GC application?

L

Lightblue

Registered Users (C)
I applied for citizenship one month ago, now I am waiting for interview letter. For some reason, I don't have copy of GC application for my own records. I read somewhere that it is possible to get copy GC application. Is anyone knows how to get it and what should I do to get it.
Thanks.
 
Lightblue said:
I applied for citizenship one month ago, now I am waiting for interview letter. For some reason, I don't have copy of GC application for my own records. I read somewhere that it is possible to get copy GC application. Is anyone knows how to get it and what should I do to get it.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

You can file an FOIA request (http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/uscisfoiarequestguide(6).pdf). But it is said it take 1 or 2 year to get it unless you have an emergency situation you can not make it faster. Someone also get a bad feeling requsting FOIA during the N400 process may interfere with the process of having your A file sent to local DO for citizenship interview. So for your pending N400, it is not recommended.

But if you filed I485 thru a law firm, I advised you to contact that law firm assuming that law firm is still in business. They usually keep their clients's case file in
their storage for a long time. They may charge a fee to send you a copy but you can get it much fater than FIOA.
 
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Thank you.

Thank you for answer. I keep my records almost for everything, how I can lose a copy just beyond my understanding. I have nothing to hide, but it was just too long since year 2002 when I applied for my GC so I want to know what I put on my application. I just want everything to go as smoth as possible. I guess I should just let it go.
Once again Thank you for your great answer WBH!
WBH said:
You can file an FOIA request But it is said it take 1 or 2 year to get it unless you have an emergency situation you can not make it faster. Someone also get a bad feeling requsting FOIA during the N400 process may interfere with the process of having your A file sent to local DO for citizenship interview. So for your pending N400, it is not recommended.

But if you filed I485 thru a law firm, I advised you to contact that law firm assuming that law firm is still in business. They usually keep their clients's case file in
their storage for a long time. They may charge a fee to send you a copy but you can get it much fater than FIOA.
Click to expand...
 
Hello,

I'm in same situation. I filed my N400 yesterday. Do IO ask any questions related to your 485? application/details. Please advise.
 
Kat999 said:
Hello,

I'm in same situation. I filed my N400 yesterday. Do IO ask any questions related to your 485? application/details. Please advise.
Click to expand...

If you filed I485 via a immigration law firm, contact that law firm to get a copy. You still can file a FOIA request but most likely the invire will take place first before the FIOA request is completed, which take up to 1 to 2 years.

If you can not above, get a blank I485 form,preferably the old version from the year you filed your I485. Go over those questions and try to re-establish how you answered them
 
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WBH said:
If you filed I485 via a immigration law firm, contact that law firm to get a copy. You still can file a FOIA request but most likely the invire will take place first before the FIOA request is completed, which take up to 1 to 2 years.

If you can not above, get a blank I485 form,preferably the old version from the year you filed your I485. Go over those questions and try to re-establish how you answered them
Click to expand...

This is good advice as I did get some questions asked off my GC application. (They're just looking for ballpark answers not exact dates etc)
DO NOT make a FOIA request at this time. It'll just delay your N400 case.
 
Kat999 said:
Hello,

I'm in same situation. I filed my N400 yesterday. Do IO ask any questions related to your 485? application/details. Please advise.
Click to expand...

Based on my interview situation the IO did not ask anything about my I-485. He had the whole thick brown file in front of him but did not reference it. All he did was focus on the N-400 application paperwork that was on top of all the other sheets. He did comment though a few times that when proving my marriage was real/legit (I applied for USC based on marriage) he only wanted current details since the fact that I had LPR status shows that they already validated everything back then. Not sure if this is a general fact but certainly in my case the only things that mattered for the N-400 process was the time after the I-485 was approved.
 
tobias2801 said:
Not sure if this is a general fact but certainly in my case the only things that mattered for the N-400 process was the time after the I-485 was approved.
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I think there is no general fact. I believe they are supposed to spend some time on pre-GC immigration history. Some IOs may alreqady review
it before the interview. Some IOs take a glance during the interview, and some may review it after interview, or some may choose not to review it at all. It all dpeends. For exmaple, I believe IOs tend to review family based GC files more likely than employment-based GC file. Other factors are like
if you disclose arrest/citation/charge/convcition record dated before getting GC, IOS may be interested in knowing whether you disclosed
them on yoru GC or not (traffic violations are exception because they are excluded from requirement on I485).

Consistence between I485 and N400 on marriage/divorce history, affliation with political organization, etc, may als be be reviewed.
 
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Vorpal said:
Not anymore. Mine took 10 months to arrive, and they are being processed even quicker now. It'll probably take about 6 months now.
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Perhaps it depends upon what one request. If one only request a copy of one single file liek I485, it is faster. If one request all complete past files
(any interaction with USCIS, CBP, depart of state), it can take much longer time.
 
WBH said:
Perhaps it depends upon what one request. If one only request a copy of one single file liek I485, it is faster. If one request all complete past files
(any interaction with USCIS, CBP, depart of state), it can take much longer time.
Click to expand...

Even it take 6 months, it still most likkely is done after the N400 interview
 
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