I just got back from my InfoPass appointment at 26 Federal Plaza. The purpose of this appointment was to find out if my name check has been cleared. After waiting an hour and a half, I was finally given the answer that I so desperately wanted to find out. My name check has been cleared, and I am currently in queue for an interview. According to the IO, I should be receiving an IL in about 1-2 months (standard answer?). As some of the regulars on this forum already know, I am Russian, and Russians are known to get stuck in name check rather frequently. To provide some additional info that MartinAub pointed out in a recent post, I'm 29 years old, entered the U.S. with my parents (as refugees) in 1989, have been a permanent resident since 1990, and have only been out of the country once (5 day trip to Bahamas in May 2006) since my initial arrival. Anyway...a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Now for some information related to the actual InfoPass process. My appointment was scheduled for 7:30 A.M., so as not to take time off work. Upon arrival, I checked in at a DMV-style service counter, where I was issued a number and instructed to go to the 3rd Floor (Room 3-120). The room was already packed, and I waited about an hour to be called. When I explained to the IO that I'd like to get my name check status, she redirected me to the 7th Floor, which is where the citizenship unit is located. She also rerouted my service number there. After waiting for about 10 minutes, my number was called. My suggestion is to bring a book or some reading materials, as you should expect to wait about an hour or so. Cell phones are allowed to be brought into the building, although they must be turned off. In fact, a security guard will make you take your phone out and make you turn it off. That's about it.
Now for some information related to the actual InfoPass process. My appointment was scheduled for 7:30 A.M., so as not to take time off work. Upon arrival, I checked in at a DMV-style service counter, where I was issued a number and instructed to go to the 3rd Floor (Room 3-120). The room was already packed, and I waited about an hour to be called. When I explained to the IO that I'd like to get my name check status, she redirected me to the 7th Floor, which is where the citizenship unit is located. She also rerouted my service number there. After waiting for about 10 minutes, my number was called. My suggestion is to bring a book or some reading materials, as you should expect to wait about an hour or so. Cell phones are allowed to be brought into the building, although they must be turned off. In fact, a security guard will make you take your phone out and make you turn it off. That's about it.