Newark, NJ - N-400 Timeline
- Thread starter desikuda
- Start date
HI Split, Any uodates yet?
I haven't got my IL or status change email yet? Let's keep in touch.
Thanks
BK
I haven't got my IL or status change email yet? Let's keep in touch.
Thanks
BK
Finally got a chance to login and post my experience on 01/06/2010.
Got to the building at 7.15am for my 7.40 am appointment, parked in the parking lot behind the building for $14 all day. Had to wait in a line until 7.35 in freezing cold, until they let us in. My suggestion, if you have a 7.40 or 8am appointment, do not show up before 7.30. Because, you really don't have any advantage of showing up early to line up.
Went up to 15th floor, gave my appointment letter in window 1. They started calling names, and I saw people who came in after me being called before - there is no order they follow.
I was finally called in at 8.35 am, by a male officer. He was quite gruff and did not smile or say hello, good morning anything. I asked "How are you", he just said OK and nothing more.
He asked me raise my right hand and said do you swear to tell the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth, I said yes.
Then he was looking into his computer and reviewing my application, asked random questions from the application about my address, how many times married, paid taxes etc, all those yes or no questions.
Then he proceeded to give the reading and writing test. I was asked to read "Who elects the congress" and write "the people elect the congress".
Then he asked "Are you ready for the interview?", I said "Yes"
He asked the following questions.
1. Who were the people brought to America and sold as slaves? Africans.
2. How many amendments to the constitution? 27
3. What is the highest court in United States? The Supreme Court
4. Why did the colonists fight the British? Because of high taxes, British stayed in their houses
5. Who makes federal laws? Congress
6. Who is the vice president? Joe Biden (at that point, i was so tired that I am not even sure if this is the question he asked or I am saying this from all the studying ;-)
Got all 6 right and then he said "you passed the interview" ,no congratulations or anything.
On my application, I had opted to change my name and I had a further change to that. Also, gave an updated photograph for the Naturalization certificate. He did both and made me review the changes. I signed the name change form. He escorted me out.
All this was done in 10 minutes of time.
Then waited until 10.45 for my name to be called and checked the Naturalization certificate and signed it, got the redbook.
We were called for Oath ceremony around 11.20am. Watched a video, were asked to sing a song along, got the certificate and out of there by 12 noon.
Went to the post office @ 2.45pm to apply for passport. Now waiting for passport to arrive (need that or my nat. certificate original) to apply for name change on DL, and all other official docs.
Thanks for all the friends who were informative and supportive.
Got to the building at 7.15am for my 7.40 am appointment, parked in the parking lot behind the building for $14 all day. Had to wait in a line until 7.35 in freezing cold, until they let us in. My suggestion, if you have a 7.40 or 8am appointment, do not show up before 7.30. Because, you really don't have any advantage of showing up early to line up.
Went up to 15th floor, gave my appointment letter in window 1. They started calling names, and I saw people who came in after me being called before - there is no order they follow.
I was finally called in at 8.35 am, by a male officer. He was quite gruff and did not smile or say hello, good morning anything. I asked "How are you", he just said OK and nothing more.
He asked me raise my right hand and said do you swear to tell the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth, I said yes.
Then he was looking into his computer and reviewing my application, asked random questions from the application about my address, how many times married, paid taxes etc, all those yes or no questions.
Then he proceeded to give the reading and writing test. I was asked to read "Who elects the congress" and write "the people elect the congress".
Then he asked "Are you ready for the interview?", I said "Yes"
He asked the following questions.
1. Who were the people brought to America and sold as slaves? Africans.
2. How many amendments to the constitution? 27
3. What is the highest court in United States? The Supreme Court
4. Why did the colonists fight the British? Because of high taxes, British stayed in their houses
5. Who makes federal laws? Congress
6. Who is the vice president? Joe Biden (at that point, i was so tired that I am not even sure if this is the question he asked or I am saying this from all the studying ;-)
Got all 6 right and then he said "you passed the interview" ,no congratulations or anything.
On my application, I had opted to change my name and I had a further change to that. Also, gave an updated photograph for the Naturalization certificate. He did both and made me review the changes. I signed the name change form. He escorted me out.
All this was done in 10 minutes of time.
Then waited until 10.45 for my name to be called and checked the Naturalization certificate and signed it, got the redbook.
We were called for Oath ceremony around 11.20am. Watched a video, were asked to sing a song along, got the certificate and out of there by 12 noon.
Went to the post office @ 2.45pm to apply for passport. Now waiting for passport to arrive (need that or my nat. certificate original) to apply for name change on DL, and all other official docs.
Thanks for all the friends who were informative and supportive.
Friends,
My wife and I are almost US citizens.
Further to everyone's advice yesterday, our interview was scheduled @ 7:40 AM.
Went there (970 Broad St.) @ 7:15 AM. Doors opened at 7:30 AM.
Went to floor 15. Guard asked to show ID and interview letter and directed us to Window # 1.
At window 1, they took our interview letters and asked us to wait.
10 mins later, my wife's name was called and she went in. Came out 20 mins. afterwards. Said she was recommended for citizenship. They asked her 6 questions and asked to show GC and ppt. No other documents were asked. She mentioned the IO just went thru the application.
I had to wait a further 40 mins after which my name was called.
Went in. Gentleman was nice but to the point. Asked to raise right hand and swear to tell the truth.
Asked to show my ppt, C and DL. Went thru the form. Asked whether I had trips more than 6 months. Looked at my speeding ticket info. Didn't ask for disposition which I had. My wife had 4 tickets but no dispositions asked for.
I guess we were lucky. There's always a chance they'll ask this kind of info.
Asked 6 questions afterwards.. got them all right.
1) 3 branches of govt (I thought they were supposed to only ask for one branch
2) What does the president's cabinet do
3) How many justices (9)
4) If president /vp can no longer serve, who becomes president
5) Why did the colonists come to US
6) What does the judicial branch do
At the end of it, made me sign all over, on photos. Asked will you take oath to which I replied due to family emergency, have to travel to India and will do so after I come back. He said by when would I be back.. I said after Feb. 10th. He made a note on a yellow sticky and wrote that due to emergency, has to travel therefore postpone oath. Wife was told the same thing during the interview. They wouldn't let us choose the date. The date will be according to their choosing. They mentioned it would be sometime in March. We said fine.
All in all, very pleasant experience for both of us. Surprisingly, not much was
asked in terms of documents. I had sweated over this quite a bit and took
all sorts of paperwork. I guess better to be safe than sorry.
So the citizenship journey is almost over... just waiting for the oath now.
It has been an almost 10 year journey. Ours was based upon 5 years on GC.
Thanks to everyone in this forum for their invaluable help.
Will advise after taking oath.
Cheers !!!
-PunetoNJ.
My wife and I are almost US citizens.
Further to everyone's advice yesterday, our interview was scheduled @ 7:40 AM.
Went there (970 Broad St.) @ 7:15 AM. Doors opened at 7:30 AM.
Went to floor 15. Guard asked to show ID and interview letter and directed us to Window # 1.
At window 1, they took our interview letters and asked us to wait.
10 mins later, my wife's name was called and she went in. Came out 20 mins. afterwards. Said she was recommended for citizenship. They asked her 6 questions and asked to show GC and ppt. No other documents were asked. She mentioned the IO just went thru the application.
I had to wait a further 40 mins after which my name was called.
Went in. Gentleman was nice but to the point. Asked to raise right hand and swear to tell the truth.
Asked to show my ppt, C and DL. Went thru the form. Asked whether I had trips more than 6 months. Looked at my speeding ticket info. Didn't ask for disposition which I had. My wife had 4 tickets but no dispositions asked for.
I guess we were lucky. There's always a chance they'll ask this kind of info.
Asked 6 questions afterwards.. got them all right.
1) 3 branches of govt (I thought they were supposed to only ask for one branch
2) What does the president's cabinet do
3) How many justices (9)
4) If president /vp can no longer serve, who becomes president
5) Why did the colonists come to US
6) What does the judicial branch do
At the end of it, made me sign all over, on photos. Asked will you take oath to which I replied due to family emergency, have to travel to India and will do so after I come back. He said by when would I be back.. I said after Feb. 10th. He made a note on a yellow sticky and wrote that due to emergency, has to travel therefore postpone oath. Wife was told the same thing during the interview. They wouldn't let us choose the date. The date will be according to their choosing. They mentioned it would be sometime in March. We said fine.
All in all, very pleasant experience for both of us. Surprisingly, not much was
asked in terms of documents. I had sweated over this quite a bit and took
all sorts of paperwork. I guess better to be safe than sorry.
So the citizenship journey is almost over... just waiting for the oath now.
It has been an almost 10 year journey. Ours was based upon 5 years on GC.
Thanks to everyone in this forum for their invaluable help.
Will advise after taking oath.
Cheers !!!
-PunetoNJ.
newjersey_dude
Registered Users (C)
Just thought of re-posting this with few updates about Newark DO....here are my observations...idea is just to calm down those who always wanted to know about it but couldnt find time.
1. It is taking about 7-8 weeks to recieve YL/IL from the date of FP completion
2. Early walk-in for FP doesnt expedite receiving YL/IL
3. The date of interview is approx 4-5 weeks from the date of receiving letter
4. Not all get YL before IL
5. Time between FP and YL/IL is higher than the same for other DO, hence NJ folks are getting furious and calling FBI and USCIS. (i am not saying right or wrong, just stating observation). This doesnt however help them expediting case (unless person's FP are lost which would be a special case)
6. Before getting YL/IL, status on website may or maynot change. In most cases it seems to be changing while YL/IL is in the mail enroute to your mailbox.
7. Many observed that between the time of FP and receiving IL, if they login to uscis case status portfolio website, they would see the dates for older cases such as I485, EAD getting updated (but it wont send them email, they would need to login to website to know it).
1. It is taking about 7-8 weeks to recieve YL/IL from the date of FP completion
2. Early walk-in for FP doesnt expedite receiving YL/IL
3. The date of interview is approx 4-5 weeks from the date of receiving letter
4. Not all get YL before IL
5. Time between FP and YL/IL is higher than the same for other DO, hence NJ folks are getting furious and calling FBI and USCIS. (i am not saying right or wrong, just stating observation). This doesnt however help them expediting case (unless person's FP are lost which would be a special case)
6. Before getting YL/IL, status on website may or maynot change. In most cases it seems to be changing while YL/IL is in the mail enroute to your mailbox.
7. Many observed that between the time of FP and receiving IL, if they login to uscis case status portfolio website, they would see the dates for older cases such as I485, EAD getting updated (but it wont send them email, they would need to login to website to know it).
PunetoNJ / all,
After clearing the interview and getting a recommendation for citizenship how far can you push the Oath taking.
Am asking this because once you become US citizen you will need a Visa / other doc to visit your native (birth) country.
Delaying the oath will give some flexibility if you are planning to travel out of US.
After clearing the interview and getting a recommendation for citizenship how far can you push the Oath taking.
Am asking this because once you become US citizen you will need a Visa / other doc to visit your native (birth) country.
Delaying the oath will give some flexibility if you are planning to travel out of US.
gc_come_to_papa
Registered Users (C)
Posting My Details
Wow Can't beleive i am back on this portal after 4 years 10 months.
Here are my details
N400 Mailed: 01/04
N400 Received: 01/05
Check Cashed : 01/07
Priority Date: 01/07
NOA Received: 01/11
FP Notice Date: XXXX
Wow Can't beleive i am back on this portal after 4 years 10 months.
Here are my details
N400 Mailed: 01/04
N400 Received: 01/05
Check Cashed : 01/07
Priority Date: 01/07
NOA Received: 01/11
FP Notice Date: XXXX
Interview experience; 1/12 - Newark
Hi all,
just want to share my interview experience on 1/12. My appointment was at 10:20 and made it there at 9:30. 5 minutes wait outside the building wasn’t fun, it was very cold and reached 15th floor and gave the letter at window no 1 around 9:45 or so.
Thanks to this forum, I did get a good idea of what to expect for the day and I could plan accordingly. I knew it is going to be a long day so checked emails and news on my iphone and started reading the book I had with me. Finally around 11:20 I was called by a very friendly IO and while I was walking to the door I waved at him to show I am the person he waved me back and pointed to the door. I greeted him and he did the same and pointed to his office and told me “make yourself at home” he told me “your case is very easy and you can be out from here in a moment”
I had couple of concerns on my case (1) when my 485 was approved (Dec 20, 2004) I was outside the country and I got back only on Jan 15, 2005. So I didn’t know whether my 5 year start from Dec 20 2004 or from Jan 15 2005 when I got back ( 2) I left the employer who sponsored my GC 4 month after 485 approval ( 3) I did change my name after I got the GC and did file the necessary paperwork (4) couple of traffic tickets.
Anyway I was sworn in and he asked me about the name I wanted, I mentioned my changed name and he said “OK I need to fix this, because on the system it came with what was on the birth certificate” meanwhile I did pull out my latest passport and the green card, he didn’t want to see any of those he want to make sure the file has copy of the green card and he checked and said ok and he said I can put the passports away. He printed a bunch of papers with my correct name and asked to sign and apologies for the long wait outside. I have asked him whether the certificates are pre-printed and/or this will delay my oath ; he said no as soon he finish the certificates will be printed and I will be called back to the window to sign it. I asked will be able to make the 2:30 oath he said “absolutely, that’s why I want to get this done quickly you already missed the 11 o clock one” He s thanked me for being a professional and gentleman and said it is much easier when you are not nervous and my case was the easiest today. He said lot of people get unnecessarily nervous and it is difficult to deal with nervous people. After that he asked me about my signature and asked sign all the forms as I would sign a check. Then he told that he needs to give me the test and asked those 6 questions and went quickly over the application and stopped at the traffic tickets and wrote “no arrest” he said tickets are not a problem and also mentioned even if you are arrested there is difference between arrest and conviction and he want to make sure my files are in proper order. While he was working on the computer he asked about where I live, kids , weather etc and some general comments about various things and he walked me out the door, congratulated and third time he thanked for being a professional.
The whole thing took about 3 to 4 minutes, didn’t asked for any documents at all asked me to write something but there wasn’t any reading test.
Went for lunch and came back close to 1. Around 1:45 they called me to sign the certificate and completed the 2:30 oath ceremony around 3pm. I knew the passport office across the road is closed by then so went to the social security office, I had already had a filled SSN form and PP form when I went for the interview. Updated the SSN and when I checked online I could find a post office that is open till 4 pm for pp application that is on my way back home so went straight there around 4:02 and the lady was nice enough to take the application, it took an other couple of minutes as I already had a printed PP application for she also gave me a copy of the certificate and went home
The only advise I have is, If you have nothing to hide, JUST RELAX and a smile on your face goes a long way and it is easy for you and them. Like everywhere, people like to see and deal with ‘happy faces’
Sorry for the ling post and Good Luck All….
09/24/09: N400 Mailed Lewisville,TX(USPS)
09/28/09: N-400 Received
09/29/09: NOA date and PD
09/29/09: Check cashed
10/09/09: RFE ( checked online..)
10/07/09: FP notice date
10/10/09: FP notice received
10/24/09: FP appointment – DONE!
12/09/09: Status Update (email) case has been sent for a standard interview (NO YL yet)
12/12/09: IL received
01/12/10: ID – DONE
Hi all,
just want to share my interview experience on 1/12. My appointment was at 10:20 and made it there at 9:30. 5 minutes wait outside the building wasn’t fun, it was very cold and reached 15th floor and gave the letter at window no 1 around 9:45 or so.
Thanks to this forum, I did get a good idea of what to expect for the day and I could plan accordingly. I knew it is going to be a long day so checked emails and news on my iphone and started reading the book I had with me. Finally around 11:20 I was called by a very friendly IO and while I was walking to the door I waved at him to show I am the person he waved me back and pointed to the door. I greeted him and he did the same and pointed to his office and told me “make yourself at home” he told me “your case is very easy and you can be out from here in a moment”
I had couple of concerns on my case (1) when my 485 was approved (Dec 20, 2004) I was outside the country and I got back only on Jan 15, 2005. So I didn’t know whether my 5 year start from Dec 20 2004 or from Jan 15 2005 when I got back ( 2) I left the employer who sponsored my GC 4 month after 485 approval ( 3) I did change my name after I got the GC and did file the necessary paperwork (4) couple of traffic tickets.
Anyway I was sworn in and he asked me about the name I wanted, I mentioned my changed name and he said “OK I need to fix this, because on the system it came with what was on the birth certificate” meanwhile I did pull out my latest passport and the green card, he didn’t want to see any of those he want to make sure the file has copy of the green card and he checked and said ok and he said I can put the passports away. He printed a bunch of papers with my correct name and asked to sign and apologies for the long wait outside. I have asked him whether the certificates are pre-printed and/or this will delay my oath ; he said no as soon he finish the certificates will be printed and I will be called back to the window to sign it. I asked will be able to make the 2:30 oath he said “absolutely, that’s why I want to get this done quickly you already missed the 11 o clock one” He s thanked me for being a professional and gentleman and said it is much easier when you are not nervous and my case was the easiest today. He said lot of people get unnecessarily nervous and it is difficult to deal with nervous people. After that he asked me about my signature and asked sign all the forms as I would sign a check. Then he told that he needs to give me the test and asked those 6 questions and went quickly over the application and stopped at the traffic tickets and wrote “no arrest” he said tickets are not a problem and also mentioned even if you are arrested there is difference between arrest and conviction and he want to make sure my files are in proper order. While he was working on the computer he asked about where I live, kids , weather etc and some general comments about various things and he walked me out the door, congratulated and third time he thanked for being a professional.
The whole thing took about 3 to 4 minutes, didn’t asked for any documents at all asked me to write something but there wasn’t any reading test.
Went for lunch and came back close to 1. Around 1:45 they called me to sign the certificate and completed the 2:30 oath ceremony around 3pm. I knew the passport office across the road is closed by then so went to the social security office, I had already had a filled SSN form and PP form when I went for the interview. Updated the SSN and when I checked online I could find a post office that is open till 4 pm for pp application that is on my way back home so went straight there around 4:02 and the lady was nice enough to take the application, it took an other couple of minutes as I already had a printed PP application for she also gave me a copy of the certificate and went home
The only advise I have is, If you have nothing to hide, JUST RELAX and a smile on your face goes a long way and it is easy for you and them. Like everywhere, people like to see and deal with ‘happy faces’
Sorry for the ling post and Good Luck All….
09/24/09: N400 Mailed Lewisville,TX(USPS)
09/28/09: N-400 Received
09/29/09: NOA date and PD
09/29/09: Check cashed
10/09/09: RFE ( checked online..)
10/07/09: FP notice date
10/10/09: FP notice received
10/24/09: FP appointment – DONE!
12/09/09: Status Update (email) case has been sent for a standard interview (NO YL yet)
12/12/09: IL received
01/12/10: ID – DONE
Last edited by a moderator:
My wife and I passed the interview and took oath yesterday. We were scheduled at 8:40AM and 9:00AM. We parked at the rear of the building for $14 a day and entered through the back entrance which had the shortest line. This parking lot has the shortest walking distance and is a self park. Went to 15th floor at 8:10AM and gave our interview letters. I wore a suit for the interview. I was called after 20 minutes from my scheduled time and my wife was called after about 90 minutes from her scheduled time. My officer was very nice and made me feel very comfortable. Asked for GC, passport and the DL. We were sitting on the first row and from what we observed all the officers there are very polite and courteous. Both of us were asked the same questions and read and wrote the same sentences. I could have had the 11:15AM oath but I delayed it until 2:15PM oath as we both wanted to take oath at the same time. Oath started at 2:30PM and was done in about 20 minutes. We took photographs after the ceremony and left the building at around 3:00PM. Take a camera with you. There is a portrait of President and the first lady and you can take photographs with them. Went to the library at 7:30PM and gave the passport book and card application along with the original naturalization certificate. We both felt bad when he stapled the naturalization document into the passport application but they said that is how they always do it. Requested expedited service and overnight delivery. Wrote a check for $169.96 to department of state for each and $64.96 for the facility for both of us. Waiting for the passport and the card. Overall, very comfortable and pleasant experience. If you are going to Newark DO, do not be nervous at all. All the people working there are pleasant and polite. Some may be more efficient than others but they are all very fine people and will treat you nice and fair. Good luck to those who are waiting.
Asked to read “Who lives in the white house”
Asked to write “The president lives in the white house”
1) What does the constitution do?
2) Who was the first president?
3) What is one promise you make when you become a US citizen?
4) Who is the governor of NJ?
5) Where is the statue of Liberty?
6) Name two US holidays
Asked to read “Who lives in the white house”
Asked to write “The president lives in the white house”
1) What does the constitution do?
2) Who was the first president?
3) What is one promise you make when you become a US citizen?
4) Who is the governor of NJ?
5) Where is the statue of Liberty?
6) Name two US holidays
Last edited by a moderator:
newjersey_dude
Registered Users (C)
I wish you luck Jack76, take a deep breath before entering the room..you will do good.