Worried about no notification

D

DarkMochaSoul

Registered Users (C)
I know it is a little too early to be worried, but after sending in all my original documents last year (green card, birth certificate, mother's naturalization certificate...etc..), and the passport office losing those, I am a very frantic and worried person. I originally received my citizenship when my mother received hers because I was under 18. Then I sent in all those documents and they lost them. Now I put in my own N-400, been a little over 30 days, and I only received a receipt number. I read posts on this board and other friends and families received notice for their FP within 30 days. Should I really be worried, or is this normal?

Sent: October 31, 2006
Received: November 2, 2006
PD: November 3, 2006
Receipt # rec'ved: November 16, 2006



Thanks in advance for any form of guidance.
 
Hello,

What you say doesn't make sense. If you have citizenship through your mother becoming citizen when you were under 18, you should never have sent a N-400. Did you mean a N-600 to obtain a certificate of citizenship? Anyway, if you sent a N-400 and you're a citizen as you claim I am afraid you just wasted 400 dollars.

On the other hand, it is my impression that at this time of the year they stop sending Finger Print notices. I guess to avoid the Christmas season, and then resume in January. Anyway, it would be a moot point for you, as if you're a citizen already the N-400 application is not needed, and at most you would be interested in a N-600 to obtain a certificate of citizenship as further proof of your citizenship status.

This is my opinion. I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice.

My 2 cents.
 
DarkMochaSoul said:
I originally received my citizenship when my mother received hers because I was under 18.
Click to expand...

If you are already a citizen, why are you using the N-400 form? Shouldn't you be using N-600 instead?
 
I filed the N-400 because the passport office lost all my original documents I sent in to get a US passport through my mother. Now I have no proof (besides a xerox copy of my greencard) to show I am legal in the US. They even lost my mother's Naturalization Certificate. I did not know about a N-600 form as my mother's lawyer said I just have to file independently for the citizenship. I feel so confused now... :(
 
DarkMochaSoul said:
I filed the N-400 because the passport office lost all my original documents I sent in to get a US passport through my mother. Now I have no proof (besides a xerox copy of my greencard) to show I am legal in the US. They even lost my mother's Naturalization Certificate. I did not know about a N-600 form as my mother's lawyer said I just have to file independently for the citizenship. I feel so confused now... :
(
Click to expand...

The right approach is to replace your mother's naturalization certificate and your green card -- there are forms for that (N-565 and I-90). File these first. Once you get these then file the N-600. Although you probably qualify to file a N-400 also, I suspect that the IO will tell you to file N-400 at the interview (thus, wasting 400$), since you are already a citizen.

Dont blame yourself for what happened with the passport application -- next time, keep xerox copies of all the material that you file.
 
If you are a citizen you are a citizen, you shouldn't have sent the N-400, and I am not even sure if you should apply for a Green Card replacement as you are already a citizen. Your mother should send a N-565 to obtain a replacement for her lost citizenship certificate. You should check form N-600 and what are the requirements. Perhaps there is a way to apply even if the green card has been lost. I would think they have a record of your permanent residency at USCIS and you have a photocopy of your Green Card. Somewhat with that information you should be able to obtain your certificate of citizenship.

If USCIS advises you to apply for a replacement card I would be glad to hear it. It would be good if you come back later and tell us your solution. Somewhat a lot of people here ask questions but never come back to tell how they solved their problems. Sharing is the only way to make this forum more valuable.

If the lawyer recommended you to file a N-400 it could be because he thinks you don't have U.S. citizenship. Ask that lawyer again what is the rationale to have asked you to send N-400.

Check the N-600 requirements:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

You should also check the child citizenship act requirements to make sure you acquired citizenship that way:
You can search for it on the internet, or here is a link:
http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_457.html

Again, this is not legal advice.

My 2 cents.
 
Thank You very much for these advices. I will definitely help those who help me or even others that need the same. I will call and hear what someone from USCIS has to say. Or ask the lawyer. I need to know too if this matters because I am now 21.
Thank you.
 
Again, this is not legal advice and you can read the child citizenship act by yourself to see if it fits your case. If you were under 18 when your mother naturalized and you were under her legal and physical custody and you were a permanent resident at the time you should already be a citizen since that time. It doesn't matter that you are now 21, as the law took effect on February 27, 2001, and you should have turned 18 somewhere on 2003. You don't mention your father, it doesn't matter unless you were under your father's physical and legal custody instead of your mother.

PS: If you were not a permanent resident at the time your mother naturalized, but became a permanent resident before you turned 18 and you were on the physical and legal custody of your mother then you are a citizen too.

Anyway, please read the link I provided or any other link you find on the child citizenship act and if you still have doubts about you being a citizen or not you should provide more details why you think you are not. With the information you provided it seems you are very likely a citizen already.

My 2 cents.
 
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