C. If You Move or Travel

• Library: Becoming a U.S. Citizen (Nolo) (2021 Ed.)

C. If You Move or Travel

If you're waiting for USCIS to act on your application, we advise you not to go anywhere for more than a few days! Missing an appointment notice can result in long delays in getting your application back on track. Worse yet, USCIS doesn't always pay attention to changes of address. To top it off, transferring a file from one USCIS office to another seems to put it at risk of disappearing forever.

Sample Interview Notice

That said, some people will have no choice but to move—or simply can't tolerate spending months, and even years, waiting for an appointment without taking a vacation, a business trip, or visiting family. If you do go on vacation, have a friend check your mail. Leave a number where you can be reached if your biometrics or interview notice arrives. If the scheduled date occurs while you're away, write to the office whose address is on the notice, requesting a new appointment. Do this before, not after, the scheduled appointment. If you've already missed one...