Newark, NJ - N-400 Timeline

Newark IL

gvjagan said:
I stand corrected. My IL also says "Initial Interview". I looked at the address which says Interview and Oath Ceremony Site and mistook that both are on same day.
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gvjagan and others
Thanks for the clarification. Let's hope the oath will be on the same day of the interview. I will update the forum as soon as I finish the interview. Thanks to everyone.
 
Mine too said, "Initial Interview". I had oath on same same day (phew!). I know one person who was sitting besides me, she said, she passed the test, but they won't let her take the oath on the same day, because they found a second file on her. The two files have to be merged into one.

But at least she is done with interview and civic test.
 
N-400 timeline

gvjagan said:
I stand corrected. My IL also says "Initial Interview". I looked at the address which says Interview and Oath Ceremony Site and mistook that both are on same day.
Click to expand...

After looking at these post, I am puzzled how long in average its taking for N-400 cases for Newark DO?. I have noticed that you guys are getting citizenship within 5-6 months? I am just wondering, as on USCIS website it shows avarage time of 14 months.

Thanks!
 
Fully Certified US Citizen

Thanks to everyone in this forum, every bits and pieces of information that you guys shared helped me to keep my sanity anf to go through this process with a peace of mind.

I was interviewed Monday at Newark and got my US Passport from New York Passport Office yesterday since I will be travelling to Dominican Republic this Friday May 23, 2008.

Again, thank you very much and i hope all August filers will have their own turns too in these coming days

My timeline:
N-400 VSC
D.O- Newark
Received Date: August 24, 2007
Fingerprinted: December 26, 2007
Case cleared: jan. 22,08
Date Interviewed : May 19, 2008
Passport Obtained: may 20, 2003

Interview process:
a. letter dropped in the box at 1:45 p.m. ( appointment was 2:00)
b. i was called by 3:30 by the Interviewing officer
c. after i was sworn, he went over the items in the application form
d. i was asked 10 questions and i got all of them correct, the most challenging ones were:
1. name 4 amendments to the constitution pertaining to voting rights
2. specific dates of independence day and constitution was made
3. benefits of being a us citizen
e. he was impressed the way i packaged my application with a cover letter and the letter breaking the items and documentations in order like:
Application based on 3 year marriage with a u.s, citizen
- documentations: marriage contract, spouse us passport and naturalization certificate
- proof that we are living together: car and health insurance, credit cards, mortgage
- copy of my gc
Good Moral Character
- 2 paid tickets for moving violation
- no record history from New Jersey DMV
- copy of charges ( Domestic violence ) ex- wife
- copy of order of protection
- copy of good moral conduct from new york police and new jersey
police
- copy of child support order and updated statement from ACS that my child support has no arrears or balance
I was a little bit amazed how come he had an advanced copy of my 3 year income tax????

He was very straighforward and asked me to write" the car is red" afterwhich he congratulated me and told that i passed and just wait my name to be called outside for them, to direct me on waht time that i will proceed to the Oath Taking Room.

The following early in the morning, 7:30 i was third in the line for Us passport ( i called a week in advance for an appointment and brought the E tickets for my trip with the application form and photos) and came out of the building as a FULLY CERTIFIED US CITIZEN

Again, thanks to all and God Bless,
 
sap283 said:
After looking at these post, I am puzzled how long in average its taking for N-400 cases for Newark DO?. I have noticed that you guys are getting citizenship within 5-6 months? I am just wondering, as on USCIS website it shows avarage time of 14 months.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

One theory: Recent applications are being filed quicker due to "low hanging fruit" syndrome which causes USCIS to file recent applications first while older ones from last summer get backlogged.
 
I do not agree. Those "fast" cases may have some specifics and should not be good indication of the average timeline. I believe the majority N400 filers with similar PD and FD in Newark, NJ DO have not received their ILs ( My wife is one of them, see timeline below).
 
compaqdb said:
I do not agree. Those "fast" cases may have some specifics and should not be good indication of the average timeline. I believe the majority N400 filers with similar PD and FD in Newark, NJ DO have not received their ILs ( My wife is one of them, see timeline below).
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Citizenship in 5-6 months processing would mean your particular interview will be scheduled for july-august and you would receive IL in June.These "fast" cases have been seen in other DOs as well, not just Newark. Several Newark posters from Dec-Feb have received their interviews for June, so the 5-6 month timeframe is not that far off.

gvjagan pd 2/15, interview 6/25
njcitizen pd jan 08, interview 6/17
kilubilu81 pd 2/8, interview 6/24
cdutta pd 12/21, interview 6/12
 
Let me add to this forum my Newark, NJ time line so far:
- 04/01: Mailed Application
- 04/18: Check cashed
- 05/14: Fingerprinted
 
realexm said:
Let me add to this forum my Newark, NJ time line so far:
- 04/01: Mailed Application
- 04/18: Check cashed
- 05/14: Fingerprinted
Click to expand...

You can add your time line in your signature. (Once you log in or you already logged in, click "User CP" tab on the top of the page, then click "Edit signature" on the Control Panel Secton on the left side of the page to add your timeline there.)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Interview was a smooth affair:

Applied: Early Nov, 2007
Fingerprints: Early Feb 2008
Interview: 27 May 2008
Cell Phones: Permitted, can be used in the hallway but not in the waiting area. You need to mute the ringer in the waiting area and need to turn off during oath.
Parking: Central Parking accross from 970 Broad Street - $10 full day parking.

Got to the window and handed over the interview letter. Name was called within 45 minutes of appointed time and the officer takes you to his office cube. Your entire file from the day you came to this country is with the officer who has obviously studied the file to some extent. First he will ask you to raise your right hand and ask you whether you intend to speak the truth. After saying "yes" the officer went through the N400 and asked for any changes to the form & asked some basic information from the form for e.g. marital status, where I work, what I do, children information etc. I was asked about nature of traffic tickets and proof of payment which I was able to provide. (They are probably concerned only about bigger offences which result in arrests). I was asked to sign the N400 in a few places, sign on the 2 photographs.

I was then quizzed about US history -got 6 out of 6 questions correct and the quiz stopped. The quiz is system generated random questions so I wont bother to describe the questions.

I was then asked to write a sentence in English on the same quiz printed sheet and asked to sign the sheet. (Signature can be cursive or you can write your name in bold letter on the forms, pictures and certificate, however it has to be a legible signature with your full name)

At the end of the interview they give you 2 forms (a) proof that you passed the test (b) letter scheduling you for oath which you need to sign at the back and check off all the "No" boxes since the oath is immediately after the interview and none of the information that you provided on your N400 form since your interview changed between the interview and the oath. The officer will walk you through this form and make sure you enter it correctly and will then escort you back to the waiting room.


Basically at Newark there are 2 interview offices 13th floor and 15th floor.

Persons interviewing on the 13th floor (me) after successful completion are asked to wait at the 13th floor waiting room/reception and after sometime are called again to the window and then informed to proceed to the interview room on the 15th floor to sign our naturalization certificates and then wait for the oath.

Once you are done with the interview (on the 15th floor or arrive from the 13th floor) you need to wait for them to call you back to the window on 15th floor to sign the Naturalization Certificate. They will take the oath scheduling letter and green card once you sign the certificate and hand you a Red Book which has interesting snippets of US history. They keep the certificate with them at that time.

They keep you waiting in the same room until there is a sufficient mass and the lady then announced "All those with Red Books please join us for the oath". They walk you to the auditorium down the hall accross on the 15th floor where an officer first informs you about applying for a passport, voting (forms provided) by them. Thereafter it is the oath and the pledge of alleigance followed by a video from President Bush. On completion they hand you the certificates in the auditorium and you are free to go.

The officer told us that the Naturalization certificate can be copied although it states on the certificate it cannot be copied. She also mentioned that it costs $400 approximately to replace one if we ever lost it. Note for your US Passport you need to hand-off the original certificate which they will mail back to you with the passport.

On other item to note: The waiting area on the 15th floor is very very busy. People waiting to be interviewed, people waiting to sign their certificates and others who have signed the certificate and waiting for oath. Besides all these there are people who come for inquiries and spouses who completed their oath and waiting for the other spouse to complete their interviews,sign-offs and oath.

BE PATIENT AS THIS CAN TAKE THE ENTIRE MORNING OR AFTERNOON. (If you have kids going to school and day care please make sure you have made alternative arrangements as you may be delayed).

Hope you find this information useful. Good luck and best wishes.

"Alldone"
 
USGC485 said:
You can add your time line in your signature. (Once you log in or you already logged in, click "User CP" tab on the top of the page, then click "Edit signature" on the Control Panel Secton on the left side of the page to add your timeline there.)
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Done :)

alldone: excellent post. Thanks and congrats!
 
Civics & English Test

Whoever had recent interview, can you please tell me ; whether you were asked which test you want to take i.e. older version or redesigned one? and what was you choices?
 
sap283 said:
Whoever had recent interview, can you please tell me ; whether you were asked which test you want to take i.e. older version or redesigned one? and what was you choices?
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You're currently not given choice as the new test has not been implimented yet. Only after October 1st 2008 will you be given a choice.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d1fc9f9934741110VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d1fc9f9934741110VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD
 
I got my IL today!

Here's my update:

VSC/ Newark, NJ (DO)

Sent N-400 via Fedex- April 7, 2008
N-400 Received on - April 8, 2008
Check cashed- April 12, 2008
NOA received- April 21, 2008
PD- April 8, 2008
FP Notice received- April 25, 2008
FP- May 6, 2008 Done
June 2, 2008- My file disappeared online
June 7, 2008- received IL:)
Interview date- July 30, 2008 at 7:40 am (13th flr.)
Oath date- July 30, 2008
 
vueNJ said:
Here's my update:

VSC/ Newark, NJ (DO)

Sent N-400 via Fedex- April 7, 2008
N-400 Received on - April 8, 2008
Check cashed- April 12, 2008
NOA received- April 21, 2008
PD- April 8, 2008
FP Notice received- April 25, 2008
FP- May 6, 2008 Done
June 2, 2008- My file disappeared online
June 7, 2008- received IL:)
Interview date- July 30, 2008 at 7:40 am (13th flr.)
Oath date- July 30, 2008
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Thanks Bobsmyth

I think file usually disappears, as soon as they are transferred to local office. BTW after how many days you were able to track it online. Also, does it start with EAC and then *?
 
sap283 said:
Thanks Bobsmyth

I think file usually disappears, as soon as they are transferred to local office. BTW after how many days you were able to track it online. Also, does it start with EAC and then *?
Click to expand...

Mine appeared online right after they cashed the check; my ESC
# was written on my check and that's how I was able to check it online (then the NOA follows in the mail); and later on by exactly one month after I did my fingerprinting, my file disappeared online. And then comes the IL with a notice date of June 2, with a posting mark of June 5. I would assume each case is different.

-------------Here's my update:

VSC/ Newark, NJ (DO)

Sent N-400 via Fedex- April 7, 2008
N-400 Received on - April 8, 2008
Check cashed- April 12, 2008
NOA received- April 21, 2008
PD- April 8, 2008
FP Notice received- April 25, 2008
FP- May 6, 2008 Done
June 2, 2008- My file disappeared online
June 7, 2008- received IL
Interview date- July 30, 2008 at 7:40 am (13th flr.)
Oath date- July 30, 2008
 
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