britchicknyc

So I thought I would let you know how it all went....

I get there half an hour before my appointment time, and hand in my letter. They give me a note saying they are interviewing more people per day now, so to expect extensive delays. My heart sinks! The man next to me says he has been there for over two hours already.

So imagine my suprise when five minutes after my appointment time, they call my name. I am seven and a half months pregnant, so I don't know if that helped me, or why I got called so soon, but I was happy either way.

The man interviewing me was nice. Seemed irritated by his computer, and realised the writing and reading of the sentence was a bit ridiculous for me! He actually took the paper away from me while I was reading the sentence and told me it wasn't necessary to read any more!

They asked me 6 questions from the civics books.

Then the next bit didn't go as I expected....

Despite the fact the sheet the sent me, said I could bring an IRS transcript or copies of my tax returns, the man said NYC was demanding the IRS transcripts. He said he also needed 3 bank/mortgage/insurance/utility statements for each of the last three years. I didn't know this.

So he gave me a date about 7 weeks from yesterday to come back with all this. I said, since I was pregnant, that wasn't really going to be very practical. I pointed out, I could easily have brought an IRS transcript had I known I NEEDED one. So I asked if I could just mail it all to him, instead of coming down to the office a week prior to my due date.

He said yes, no problem and gave me his name etc so I can mail it all directly to him. He said everything else was fine with my application, and it would be approved once he received these documents.

So I was a little frustrated that this isn't all over, but relieved that I didn't have to wait for hours, and that I can just mail it all, as soon as I get the IRS transcripts.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Amadeus

Hi, Britchick:

Yes, as I posted earlier, I was asked for utility bills/bank statements. While I had sent IRS transcripts for 04-06 along with my N400, a copy of our tax return for 07 sufficed. I had to write a request to be approved/explanation of why I had so little to show. It did the trick and today I've become a citizen of the US.

Were you by chance interviewed by J. Jaimangal?

britchicknyc

Hi, no it was someone else.

I'm not too worried as I can easily provide what they need. Just slightly irritated me when the letter they sent me said an IRS transcript OR copies of the returns. If I knew I HAD to have the transcript, I would have got one. Bit naughty of them in my opinion, but I guess they can ask for whatever they want, and I understand that too.

I am pleased that I can mail all this in though, it saves a lot of time and hasstle for me.

Congratulations btw!

g1ant

I don't understand this. In the Guide to Naturalization it says that if you are required to bring any documentation other than originals of the things you supplied with your N-400 application, then they will be listed on your appointment letter.

Was this the case with you? I think some of the interviewing officers are making things up as they go along !!!

alex.

Rete

Congratulations, Chick.

Sounds like there are new guidelines in place at 26 Fed Plaza for naturalization evidence of continuing marriage to USC. This was not required back in 2003 when Jim did his interview there. But then again we had transcripts and my binder shows that we submitted bank statements as well.

Glad you were able to get his name so that the evidence could be sent by mail. Crossing fingers and giving karma for a speedy response from the DOA.

Rete

True but one more reason why it might be wise to have your spouse waiting in the reception area so that the DOA can come out to meet her and assure themself that you are indeed still married.

In your case you have little of the evidence that Chick mentioned so it would behoove you to gather as much as you can (anything that shows her address and yours), letters from employers showing emergency contact information, beneficiary of company plans, etc.

One thought is that we could not list Jim under my Verizon landline account so we used the mobile phone bill which showed both our names and our two cell numbers.

britchicknyc

Yep they wanted at least three documents in both our names. AND three copies of each for 2005, 2006 and 2007 plus the IRS transcript.

Nowhere did it say that.

I can provide that, so I'll just get one with it, but I definately feel like not telling me this was a little unfair.

I also think that requirements shouldn't vary from office to office. He actually told me that most offices would have accepted what I brought with me, but NYC wants more.

Still, he says jump, and I say how high!!

AlanR

I'm a little confused. 3 copies of each what?

britchicknyc

For example: mortgages, credit cards, bank accounts, car insurance etc

Rete

In order words, a mortgage statement, credit card statement, bank account statement from each of those years.

Or can it be any three documents with both names for each of those years.

Seems rather extensive and not always available since many people (and yes, we are one of those) who do not comingle all our finances. Con Ed would not put his name on my utility bill and Verizon would only do it if I changed phone numbers, etc. So we used mobile phone bill, car insurance, work letters stating beneficiaries, and bowling league sheets showing us both as members.

britchicknyc

It is. The man just said that NYC had really tightened up its requirements.

AlanR

Just for clarification - so we're saying 9 documents in total? For example, credit card statements (with both names on) from 2005, 2006 and 2007?

Rete

To reinterate, yes.

Not many have wondered through NYC 26 Fed lately so this might just be an issue with that particular DOA.

As we use to do years ago, once again bring everything but the kitchen sink with you. You never know just what you are going to need.

britchicknyc

yes, but more is welcome!

britchicknyc

OK, so here is an update and I need advise:

I mailed everything off to the man I interviewed with.

Last week in the mail I received a letter saying my application for citizenship has been denied as I didn't provide the proof they ask for. The obviously never processed the extra information I sent them. They say I can appeal this decision by filling in a form they provided and a $600+ fee!!!! I am not paying that kind of money when they messed up!

What do I do now?

I have the name of the man I interviewed with, (as I sent him the info he asked for,) should I write him a letter, or just forget all about it?