San Jose, CA - N-400 Timeline

My passport is expiring just a few days before my interview. Does it make sense to apply for and get a fresh passport just for the interview ? I understand that the passport is one of the items that is required to be taken for the interview. Anyone gone thru a similar experience, or know anyone who has attended the interview with an expired passport ? Thanks.
====
 
San Jose Interview experience

I had my citizenship interview yesterday (9th Jan).

The time mentioned on the notice was 10:20 AM. However, I reached the place a bit early, around 9:15 AM !!
I was allowed inside, went up to room 219, placed my notice in the box under window 1 and waited. There were around 35 folks in the room. However, quite a few applicants had brought someone with them. Hence, it did not mean that there were 35 interviewees. So, anyway, I was killing time by making all such mundane observations and at 9:50 AM my name was called! The officer was a very friendly and courteous lady, who actually thanked me for coming in early!
The interview was very brief and smooth. I was told take the oath. She then made me sign my name on a piece of paper (I think it was on the backside of the interview letter) and then made me do the same on 2 pictures (she did not ask me for pictures - she had the 2 that I had sent with the N400).
I was then asked to keep my green card on the table. She looked at it briefly to verify the A number.
She then went through the N400 with me e.g. is your name still the same? Are you still working with so and so? etc.
I have made quite a few trips abroad and as a result I had to use additional sheet (with my N400) to list them all. She just commented that I travel a lot. She did not ask me for my passport.
We went through the entire application i.e. she confirmed each piece of information which I had entered in N400. I had couple of speeding tickets (and I had mentioned about it in my N4000, but she did not ask for any proof. She just verified (by asking me :)) that I was not arrested nor I had any outstanding balances to be paid to the court.

After going through my N400 application, she made me write a sentence and read out a sentence. Then she asked me 6 questions, which I answered correctly. That was it. She printed out the N652 (Naturalization Interview Results form) and gave it me. I asked about the Oath ceremony and she said I had a good chance to make it to the Feb ceremony. She then escorted me out.
The whole interview lasted 10-12 minutes. I was actually out of the building before 10:20 AM i.e. before my scheduled time.

Good luck to everyone else who have upcoming interviews.
 
sho1997 said:
My passport is expiring just a few days before my interview. Does it make sense to apply for and get a fresh passport just for the interview ? I understand that the passport is one of the items that is required to be taken for the interview. Anyone gone thru a similar experience, or know anyone who has attended the interview with an expired passport ? Thanks.
====
Click to expand...

That's an interesting question, and I am sure it has been asked before, but I don't remember the answer. If it were me I wouldn't spend the money and time unless you'd like to have a new passport. I would take my expired passport to the interview and if the IO would say something about it I would be cheeky and say that if they had scheduled the interview earlier the passport would have not expired ;) Honestly, I think they just care to check if you have not entered some trips and to make sure the dates match. In my case I had a bunch of stamps missing because they hadn't stamped my passport during those trips (land crossings and air travel).
 
Don't worry. N-600 is an application for certificate of citizenship. Most people in this forum use it to apply for a certificate for a foreign born child who became a citizen under the child citizenship act or any other law when the parent/s naturalized.
 
Hi fabolous,

Yes, I filled the passport application online and then took the printout to USPS. Passport Agency is overkill unless you have to leave the country within a few days of becoming a citizen. You should be able to get the passport within three or four weeks, even with regular processing.

Good luck.
 
US PP regular processing should take about 3 weeks

Even though I said regular processing they charged $84 per passport +$30 later I realised that it was overnight shipping that costed me more. When I said regular everything should be regular not sure why she charged me for overnight. I was quite busy and thought that might the current pp fee. Even though I mentioned it that it should cost around $55 there was no response from them which I ignored it.

Anyway as per the current timelines it looks like 3 weeks for regular processing and I wouldn't spend extra without travel plan in next 5 weeks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I just received the NOA from USCIS today. Here are my details so far...is the spreadsheet current - should I plug these dates in there?

12/28/2007 : Mailed to CSC
12/31/2007 : PD (and Receive date)
01/04/2008 : Check cashed
01/07/2008 : Notice date (Received in the mail on 01/10/2008)
 
Citizenship interview passed today

I had my citizenship interview today and passed :). Was interviewed by a lady. She was very nice and courteous. She asked me 10 questions and cross checked my N400. Also saw my Green card and driving License. Everything was done in 10 minutes! She mentioned that I would be called for Oath in March (3rd Wed) as Feb is all full.

Timeline:
DO office - SJC
04/12/07 - PD date
06/13/07 - FP Appnt Date
11/23/07 - IL recv'd
01/11/08 - Passed Interview
 
takadigi said:
No, name check and finger printing validation are two totally different things. Name check is performed based on different permutation and combination of different possible variation of your name while finger printing is just merely based on your finger prints. One does not have to wait for the other to finish.

I have known of a case wherein the name check was completed but finger printing got rejected after 3 times and the applicant had to get the police verification.

BTW, getting stuck in name check stage is much more serious problem while finger printing clarity is relatively minor.
Click to expand...
Thanks takadigi ! As of today, I still haven't got my IL. I went through Infopass twice. Each time they gave me different answers. Once they said the name check is clear and will schedule for interview soon (in Sept). Then, today, they said they are still waiting for the feedback from FBI. What should I do now? Really feel frustrated.
 
desihai said:
The Oath letter instruction says fill it and bring it when you come to te oath. So it is clear, I think.

When we apply for passport ORIGINAL certificate is required. I heard in other forums it says on the naturalization certificate making photocopies is illegal. Once I get certificate i will confirm.
Click to expand...


Thanks desihai.
 
Congratulations to all who passed interview lately (including myself haha...).
Here is the story; pretty much the same as everyone else has mentioned.

My schedule was at 9:05am.
I got there about 5/10 minutes late (still can't believe I did that).
Left my cell phone in the car and ran to the entrance.
The security guy checked my letter and ID. Then I was asked to take off my belt (but not shoes) before going through the metal (or whatever) detector.
Everything went fine.
I followed the sign and walked all the way to the other side to take the stairs to go to room 219.
I put down my letter at window 1 and sat down.
It was already 9:20am.

Twenty-five minutes later I was called by a officer.
Very nice guy. We talked about the weather while we walked to his room.
After I was seated, he asked for my passports, green card, and ID.
Then he asked me to take an oath to tell truth.
After that, he went through my N400 form. Basically he checked my personal information, updated my employment history, asked those "have you ever ..." questions that we have already answered on the form.
Also he looked at my current passport and checked the stamp that I got when I returned from my previous travel.
I was out for only one time after I got my green card, so there is only one entry in the form.
He didn't even bother checking my expired passport.
And then he asked me to write my name in cursive form for the signature section at the end of the form and also on the two photos that I sent.

For the history test, he gave me a piece of paper with about 8 to 10 questions and I had to read and answer the questions aloud.
Questions are all from the booklet and pretty easy (at least not those that require more memorizing such as 15th, 19th, 24th, 26th amendments for voting right or the name of the first 13 states).
One funny thing is that I didn't memorize the names of all the first 13 states 'cos I don't think they will ask that question, but after I went through the first few questions the next one read "What were the 13 original states of the United States ... " I was like "damn, how could they actually ask this question", but 0.1 seconds later, I was relieved after I read through the whole question -- "called before they were states."
After I answered them all, he put the question sheet into my folder.
And then he handed me a receipt with "recommended for approval" ticked.
He was filling that out while I was answering the question.
I didn't see him writing anything after I finished the last question so apparently he ticked the "recommended for approval" box before I was done.

Finally, he said I may be scheduled for oath between Feb and Apr, and then we left his office and he walked me out to the waiting area.
The whole process took less than 15 minutes. The only required documents are passport (he only looked at the current one), green card, and ID.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Now the wait for the oath begins.........

Did you bother about name change you were thinking about?
 
Congratulations to ahsieh and all other people who are getting interviews done and things moving in general. I hope USCIS can get a good handle of things this 2008 that is just starting.
 
San Jose N-400 Interview experience

My wife and I had our interview appointment on 01/11/08. We were at the USCIS office 1:30 PM and went through the security and dropped off the letters at Window #1 on 2nd floor.

My interview was scheduled at 1:45 PM and was not called until 2:00 PM. My interview officer was officer H. We wished each other and went to his office. I took to oath to speak the truth. Since we had applied for name change, officer H informed that I had two options - one is to go ahead with name change which will delay the process. This will require me to change my name first applying at the court and come back for citizenship. Second option was to go ahead without name change. Well, I went with option two. He mentioned that the courts are not happy with the name changes at USCIS as they tend to lose the revenue. Also, this will require a judge at the oath ceremony to do the name change.

Rest of the interview was standard - went through the N-400 application, checked my passports and travel dates, etc,. I was asked to write out an sentence in English. The 10 questions were easy and from the book. Had to sign full name in cursive and also on the photographs. Then officer H mumbled that I had come originally on work visa and now applying for citizenship. He then gave me the 'Congratulations, your application has been recommended for approval...' letter and told that I should expect the oath letter anytime within 3 months. And that I should call the USCIS if I did not receive in 3 months. I tried to ask him what the current status of the oath was and when can I expect the letter. He mentioned that he was not sure.

Bottom-line, he was courteous but not friendly.

My wife had better interview experience. Her interview was with officer Djio and he was very friendly and helpful. After the usual interview steps, he asked her if we are planning on travel anytime soon. She mentioned that our son is scheduled to go to Japan with his school Band in April. Officer D mentioned that it will be easier if my son traveled with US passport and no visa will be required. He told my wife that he will schedule her oath in February and also see that my application is also scheduled for Feb oath. He took down our email address and promised to confirm. That was really good of officer D.

Only documents that we both needed were Passport, Drivers License and Green Card. We also took our SSN cards too.

Great forum here and it helped us prepare for the interview. Thanks to all who contribute. Wishing you all the best!!
 
Can I travel after N400 related fingerprinting?

I need to be in India for 1-4 months. Looking at the timeline, it looks like my interview will not come up any sooner. Is it okay to go to India for 1-4 months?
 
Congratulations! :) I hope you get your oath letter soon and can get your son's passport in time for the trip to Japan. It's always good when you get a good IO. I was lucky with my IO. My wife was not so lucky, but still managed to get oath letter and date at the same time as I. It was just that she got somewhat tougher interview for no good reason.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top