Are you a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) planning to apply to naturalize? If you are also planning to change your home address in the United States after filing a citizenship application but before your interview, this can affect your application.
One of the five key eligibility requirements for citizenship is residing for three months in the state where you will apply for U.S. citizenship before you file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). You should talk to an experienced immigration lawyer about the naturalization process.
You can move during the course of the application process once you have filed Form N-400 but the situation is not as straightforward as moving after a successful interview but before your naturalization ceremony. It’s imperative that you inform U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of your change of address, whenever you move while you are an LPR.
Moving Before a Citizenship Interview is Scheduled.
An LPR must notify USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of their move. Failure to report a move may result in penalties. Fortunately, the address change notification process is very easy. You can notify USCIS online or by phone, using the receipt from your citizenship application.
In 2023, USCIS launched a new Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool that allows customers with pending applications, petitions, or requests to update their address with the agency.. Users must have a USCIS online account.
It’s vital to inform USCIS immediately about a change of address because the regional offices have jurisdiction over people seeking naturalization. More than 30 regional offices conduct citizenship applications in the United States and you do not want to be in the situation of traveling hundreds of miles for your interview if you did not inform USCIS of your change of address.
Once you have informed USCIS of your move, the agencyshould transfer your application to an office closer to your new home unless your move was within the same geographical area. USCIS is not legally required to schedule your interview in an office near your new location, but this is likely once you have recorded a change of address. You will get the notice for the interview at your new home.
If you have not yet moved, but you are planning to move before your interview is scheduled, you can request that USCIS schedule your interview at an office close to your new home.
What Happens if USCIS Fails to Cancel an Original Interview
If USCIS fails to cancel your original interview, you can still attend it. The old office will forward your file after the interview to an office closer to your new location. Typically, if you move after your citizenship interview has been scheduled, the office that arranged your initial interview will cancel it and forward your file to the USCIS office closer to your new address.
Talk to a Citizenship Lawyer About Your Options
Citizenship is an exciting but complicated process. A move can add a further hurdle. Given that the filing fee can be as much as $760, it’s important to avoid mistakes on your first application. Please call our award-winning immigration attorneys today at (757) 464-9224 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.