Hi. Thanks for helping all of us. I just had an address change for N-400( about two weeks ago ) and I called the INS number to notify them of the change. Is there anything else I should do or just wait. Is there any way check to see the address change actually took place or atleast a proof that I notified INS for an address change. INS does NOT give any reference number for the call and what if they say that I never called them to notify? Can an address change delay the process? I have heard a lot of bad things about address change incidents. Thank you.

Sincerely.

Dear Anonymous:

Unfortunately, you are right. Address changes often cause a lot of problems with immigration cases. They can lead to delays, and missed appointments.

That is why we suggest that all address changes be done in writing, and sent by certified mail, to protect yourself in case an interview notice is sent to your old address.

We really don't know why INS cannot send a receipt notifying the person when an address change takes place, so that you can be sure that the change was properly entered in their system.

In your case, when you send the certified letter, make sure you put in the letter that you already notified them of the change by phoning the 800 number. Good luck.

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This is my personal experince with address changing when applying for citizenship:


I have applied in AZ in sept 99. it took me 14 months from start to finish to get my citizenship, including the address screwup and the rescheduling of my oath cerim. I can appreciate what you are going through. I did a change of address during the interview (citizenship interview), and they missed my apt # and never recived my oath date. Here are a few tips:

1. DO NOT call the 1 800 number to change your address. This number is deciving in the sense that you will do the change on the phone, recive a confirmation from INS by mail re. your new address, then it turns out that this was done on the Customer Relations computer system, and needs anywhere from 3 to 12 months to update on the INS systems.

2. Call the non-toll free number shown on the very first letter u recived from INS which confirms your old address, name, etc.... the line will be busy, and you have to be patient. eventually, you will get through and be able to TALK to an INS Officer. You will be calling the office responsible for your area (there are 4 or 5 major INS Centers in the US).

3. If this fails, go to your local INS office and: a) verify and correct your address while there; b) inquire about your application.

I also wrote a letter to INS informing them about my change of address. I do not know to date if the letter was ever recieved by INS as my apt number was still missing when I checked my address with INS calif Processing Center.

my advise to anyone: dont ever change your address during the filing time....if u need and know u will change residance withing 2 yrs...put the mailing address of a friend that u know will not be moving for atleast 3 or 5 yrs. Notice how INS asks you on the N400 to write your MAILING address, and then on page 2, asks you to list your residnace within past 5 yrs (this will include your Physical address).

good luck

Could you please give the address to where the Change of Address form is sent for N-400. I live in Houston, Tx and finger prints were taken on Dec 13th. Can I fax it? Thank you very much.

Dear Anonymous:

You would send your change of address information to the address listed on the bottom of your N-400 receipt notice. You should send it by certified mail, return receipt requested. Immigration will not accept it by fax. Make sure you keep a copy for your records. Good luck.

The change of address has cost me time. I applied for N-400 application in Nov 1999. In December 2000 I had finger prints taken. What INS decided to punish me for is a little change of address that I had already notified them of. On January 10th, I moved to another apartment, and called INS the same day to notify them of address change. Just to confirm (knowing how INS works)hagain I called in a about a month again They change had not taken place in the database. So, I requested another one. Few days later I recieved two confirmation letters( Notice of Action) from INS confirming the new address. So I was relaxed that the address change had already taken place and that I just have to wait. I got a letter today from INS stating that I failed to appear for the interview and that I have 30 days to "explain why". What can I say, after all I am not a U.S citizen yet.

Could you please guide me as to what should I do. I called INS and talked to an immigration officer who said to write ( first) then to go to the office. She said that they will re-schedule with no problem because I have a legit reason. Go with green card and INS change of address notices.

Whats your advice please. What is the best way to approach this. Should I consult an attorney since I have all the proof that INS messed up. I am in Houston, how much longer may this take? Is the INS officer right when she said that they will re-schedule it? She said to be reffered to the citizenship department and ask for a supervisor.What do you make of this?

Thanks.

Dear Anonymous:

Your type of situation, unfortunately, happens quite often. That is why we always recommend that a person submitting a change of address try, if they can, to have someone at their old address notify them of any mail, just in case INS makes a mistake and sends the notice to the old address.

The information you received from INS in Houston is correct. You should send a certified letter, return receipt requested, to the INS office that sent you the last letter, explaining everything and enclosing copies of all pertinent documents. You should also go in person to your local INS office as soon as possible, since the file is returned to the Service Center after about 30 days.

Your case should be rescheduled promptly as the error was clearly that of the INS. Good luck.

I went to INS to re-schedule my interview. They took the interview the same day but asked me to bring some arrest records from police. In the meantime I have just gotten anther interview letter from INS. But interview has already been taken. Co-incidenty or not, the interview letter was sent out the same day I was interview 9 dated on the interview letter). What should I do? Should I go to this interview? and if so, why? I have sent all records to INS in the mail and they are clear.

Thanks,

Dear Anonymous:

It is probably a duplicate letter, but just to be sure, we would suggest that you go to INS, either on the date of the interview, or before, to make sure that they are not requesting another interview. You should also take everything you sent to INS, just in case it never got into your file. Good luck.

i applied for my naturalization in texas a month ago.im from atlanta .and i want to move to LA. should i request my papers to be transfered to LA or should i go ahead and reapply. i heard LA has the fastest processing time for citizebship. pls advise. i really need my family to come here the soonest.thank you

Dear Anonymous:

You can either have your case transferred, or file a new petition. It is hard to give you a definitive answer as to which will be faster, because there are many factors involved, primarily depending on the location of your original immigration file.

If you do decide to file a new petition, you should notify the TSC that you want to withdraw that application so that they will not request your file in Texas, which will delay the processing of your other application. Good luck.

i want to move for a job offer to another state. i submitted my application for naturalization August this year and got the approval notice. im waiting now for fingerprint.Can i still keep my old address since it will forwarded to a friends home address. Im willing also to be fingerprinted and interviewed on my old state of residence so there will be no delay in processing . Is this allowed. will there be no problem if i will not inform them at all of my change of address. thanks

pls. reply the message above. thanks.

Dear Anonymous:

The INS regulations require that the application for naturalization be filed in the jurisdiction where you reside. If you move to a new jurisdiction, you must ask INS to transfer the application to your new address.

If you go to the interview, you must advise INS of your current address. If you have moved, the application will be transferred. Therefore, you should advise INS as soon as possible so that you don't lose a lot of time.

The fastest way to change your address is to call the National Customer Service Center at: 800 375-5283. Good luck.

I heard that california has the shortest processing time for naturalization. is it the right move now to move over there. what about texas. i need your input pls. or should i just stay to where my application is in atlanta. just want my family to be here the soonest. got a receipt from my application now which says i have to wait 450 days from the date of notice that was oct.is moving to another state the right move? thanks

Dear Anonymous:

You can only file for naturalization in the area where you reside. Plus, once you move, you must reside in that INS district for 3 months before you can file a new application, or have your old application transferred.

We do not advise filing in a different district unless you truly intend to move and live in that area. Good luck.

Hi,
I moved to state X where I bought a house and worked for 3 years. Then I moved to state Y where I have been employed for 8 months. I moved to state X 8 months after I applied for US citizenship. I didn’t change my permanent address with INS, because I was in a trial period with my new employer for 6 months. During this period I could have been fired without an explanation. My permanent address with INS is a house in state X which I still own. At the last day of my trial period I received the notice from INS to go to an interview in state X. The interview is in three weeks. Do I change my address and postpone my interview or do I go to the interview? If I keep my interview appointment in state X will I need to file taxes in the same state and claim residency there?
Thank you,

Dear Anonymous:

Your intent has a lot to do with your permanent place of residence. While you may have had an intent to continue to reside in state X when you first moved, you have now lived in state Y for over 8 months. Therefore, it appears to be clear that your current domicile is in state Y.

However, we would suggest that you go to your scheduled interview and provide truthful information. It is possible that your application could still be approved but, even if it is not, at least the file will be in the officer's hands so that it can be immediately transferred to your current INS office. Good luck.

Dear Sir/Ms.
Thank you for the prompt response. Reading your answer and my posting (By Anonymous on Monday, April 1, 2002 - 11:22 pm) I realized that I've left out some important information regarding my case. The reason my wife and I moved to state Y is for my wife to complete her PhD at the state university where she was accepted. Our intent is to return to state X and back to my old job by the end of the summer. This is why I have kept my house in state X. Unfortunately I couldn't just get a leave of absence for more than 6 months from my old employer.
If I transfer my case to state Y and my new appointment is scheduled after 4-5 months then I will have to transfer my case for a third time back to state X. By then I will be employed by my old employer.
I realize that this is too detailed and that is why I left it out on my first posting.
Thank you again for your response.

Dear Anonymous:

Based on the new information you have provided, it does not appear that you have ever abandoned your residence in state X. A person moving to another state to attend school, (including the spouse of said person), is still considered as maintaining a residence in the state where they normally live.

Therefore, in your case, you should continue to process the case in state X. Good luck.

Dear Sir/Ms.
Thank you again for the information regarding my residency status (posting by Anonymous on Monday, April 1, 2002 - 11:22 pm and April 3, 2002 - 09:01 pm). I’m trying to gather as much information possible prior to my naturalization interview, in order to be prepared for any arising issues. Could you please inform me as to whether there is a law that would state that we can still maintain our residency status in state X if we own a house in that state, even though my wife and I are temporary residing in state Y, in order for my wife to complete her university degree? Would this be handled by the state? If so, what office should I contact regarding this matter?

Thank you

Dear Anonymous:

There is case law on that issue. You can also refer to 8 CFR 316.5.

If you wish, you can contact an immigration law attorney who is knowledgeable with naturalization issues, who will be able to research this matter in more detail for you. Good luck.

I have a two-part question concerning my wife. We were married in Colombia (she is a Colombian national and I am a US citizen – she entered the country with a temporary immigrant visa) and she recently arrived (6 months ago) to the US. When filling all her papers we used my parent’s address as our address (it’s what I consider my permanent address and I use it all the time since I move often). Just a few days ago I heard a report on CNN of a young man that has a green card and is being deported because he failed to file his change of address within the 10 days allotted – I am concern because four months ago we moved out of my parents house into an apartment. I use my parents address all the time but, I worry with the state of the nation and the way the government has shifted their opinion on immigration that my wife should submit a change in address form to the INS. What is your opinion? My other concern is since we really haven’t sent any forms or other paperwork in to the INS since my wife’s arrival we might start a windfall of problems. Should my wife or I have sent in or filed any documentation with the INS since she arrived with her temporary immigrant visa. We were told to wait till she has been in the country two years before filling a change of status but, again, with the way thing have (and are) changed should we contact the INS? Any help is very much appreciated. Thank you

Dear Frank:

We believe that this new "enforcement" of the address reporting provisions is nothing more than a way to "get" otherwise law-abiding residents of the US. The whole program is ill-conceived and will only lead to many problems in the future.

Our suggestion is that your wife file her correct address with INS at this time. She was not required to file any other forms following her entry to the US. After two years, you and she should jointly file form I-751 to remove the conditions on her residence. Good luck.

To Whom It May Concern,
I did filed an immigrant petition for my husband, He is still in another contry, but right now we didn't get a long well (he see another woman in his country,). Please help me, because I would like to withdraw my petition, what form I need to filled out and what department that I need to contract, or what I have to do? because I don't want to have any relationship with this person.

I'm about filling a new petition to an already grandfathered I-130.I now reside in a different State and under a new jurisdiction. How do I go about requesting for my file to be moved to the new jurisdiction for them to have record of my previous proceedings. This in order to help process my applications smoothly and within set regulated time.

Hello,

I'm a US citizen, born in England, and I've been a citizen for about 15 years. I'm am completing form I-130 to petition for my alien relative (mother) to reside permanently in the US. The form requires that I show two documents proving I am a citizen: 1) a valid passport, and 2) either a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.

I have my passport, but have no idea whether I'm supposed to have the naturalization certificate of certificate of citizenship. It's been so many years I don't have either. My father doesn't know which one I originally had because I was turning 18 around the time of naturalization and he does not know if it was through him or not.

Do I have to apply to get this certificate? If so, how do I find out which one? Isn't there any other form of proof I could submit with my passport? Just for the privilege of getting the certificate it costs over $200 so if there is any way around this I'd greatly appreciate someone telling me how.

Thank you very much in advance.

I am going to my interview for employment authorization card, I was just wondering if anyone knew what I should expect. What kind of things will they ask me? Just curious. Thanks.

Hello,
I applied for asylum last year, and when I showed up for the interview,it was canceled due to the weather.I was given a number to call and reschedule. When I called the number, they told me that I had to write a letter to the INS and reschedule, which I did.I wrote to the INS to reschedule and I never got any response. I then applied for an employment authorisation,as it has been more than 3 months with no news from the INS and I just got a response, telling me that my application was denied, as I failed to report to an interview this year. I never got a letter telling me that I had to go to my asylum interview in May. What should I do?

I was reading some information about green card holders on the USCIS web site and they say that permanent residents have to notify them of any change of address, within 10 days of that change.

Well, I've moved several times since I got my green card 03 years ago and I never notified them. However, before my first moving, I called INS and asked them if it was necessary to notify them every time I moved. The lady told that it was not necessary unless I had something pending.

Now, I am nervous and eating my nails because I don't know which information is correct.

Is it going to be a problem for me when I apply for my citizenship? Will they give me a hard time for it?
Thanks a lot for your input.

I have no choice but to leave the US and go back to my home country for a family emergency situation. Can I get my case transferred to my home country? My fingerprints have been completed and I am just waiting for my interview for my green card.

Application Type: I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

any assitance will be greatly appreciated

Hello

What should I do if I have changed my address from one district to the other in New York and have filed my application and gone to interviews at one location.
Should I continue to go to that original service centre or should I change location to the one where I now reside?
If I do change, would this affect the status of my pending application and if so , how?

Hi,
I missed my citizenship interview, because of an address ••••• up or otherwise and I have asked the local INS office to reschedule the inetrview. The original interview was scheduled for 16th of august 2004. My application is with the Cherry Hill New Jersey office. Would anyone have an idea as to how long does a rescheduling of interview take? I have heard that Cherry Hill NJ office is one of the worst offices out there. Any opinions on the same. Can I expect the interview to be rescheduled within the next few months, or does this set my application back by a few months?