Going to Naturalization interview without country of citizenship passport?

[taimoor37]

I am a U.S. permanent resident and got Greencard via family immigration visa category F43.

I have my naturalization interview scheduled for Sep 3rd 2015. I am eligible for citizenship under the 4 yr 1 day rule. I have a straight forward case, no long trips outside the U.S. for the last 4 and a half year. The only long trip I have ended 5 years ago with me being out of the U.S for more than 6 months but less than 1 year. I have tax returns, employment record and all supporting documents to prove my residency and status in the U.S throughout this time. I don't expect any issues with regards to my N-400 application.

This is where I am running into a problem:
My wife (a U.S. permanent resident) and I are all set to visit Switzerland in the middle of Sept for tourism purposes. We recently applied for visas. Our passports are with the Swiss consulate for visa processing. I have just learned that the Swiss consulate will mail us our passports back by Sept 7th (which is after my interview date). I don't have any other (expired) passports aswell. I understand that there are other documents like my greencard and state drivers license to prove my identity and get into USCIS office for my interview but I see that county of citizenship passport is a required document and can be asked by the USCIS officer. However when I was submitting my passport to Swiss consulate, I feared that they can delay the visa processing and I might run into this problem, so I made color scanned copies of all 32 pages of my passport so I have those with me.

Now what do you guys suggest:
1) Should I just call USCIS and reschedule my interview? I hate this option because that'll cause unnecessary delays in my citizenship application and God knows how far out will I get my next interview date.
2) Should I just show up for the interview on Sept 3rd with all my documents and passports scanned copies and tell the I/O about my original passport being with the Swiss consulate?
3) Or is there any other recommendation that you guys have for me?

I value your feedback and would love to hear if someone has run into a similar situation in the past by going to naturalization interview without country of citizenship passport.

Thank you and looking for a prompt response.

[MaryH]

I can't ask why you would have applied for visa, knowing your passport wouldn't be able for your interview..... but I would suggest that you keep your appointment, for September 3rd, along with all the documents you stated. If you are asked to return, then at least you could know what's going on, instead of calling to cancel.
You never know you might just be lucky...

[taimoor37]

I can't ask why you would have applied for visa, knowing your passport wouldn't be able for your interview..... but I would suggest that you keep your appointment, for September 3rd, along with all the documents you stated. If you are asked to return, then at least you could know what's going on, instead of calling to cancel.
You never know you might just be lucky...

I know its poor judgement on my part but when I applied for visa at the Swiss Consulate my Naturalization appointment was 25 days out and it should only take 15 days max for a Schengen visa however after keeping my passport for a week they realized that they needed an additional document which caused my whole planning to fall apart.

As you suggested, i'll keep my naturalization appointment and if the officer asks I can tell him/her whats going on - hopefully I'll get lucky.

Thanks for the reply.

[taimoor37]

So I had my interview on Sept 3rd and I went in without the Original Country of Citizenship Passport however as my previous posts state that I had made color copies of each page in my Passport book. Furthermore, I got each page notarized by a Notary Public and obtained a letter from Swiss Embassy that my original Passport (number xxxxx) is with them with effect from data xxxx for Schengen visa processing etc. So I was ready but still I was hoping that the I/O wont ask for my Passport and I don't have to bring all of this up.

So after the initial questions, the first thing my I/O asked was 'I need to see your Permanent Resident Card, a State Issues Drivers License or ID and your Passport to verify your trips outside of the US'.
So I pull out my GC and DL and place it in front of her. As she is looking at me to take the passport out, I give her the document I obtained from Swiss Embassy stating that my Passport is with them, I told her the reason that why I don't have my passport while she is reading that document from Swiss embassy. She was looking a little hesitant at that point but then I said just to be on the safe side I had made copies of each page of my Passport book and each page is Notarized. She gladly accepted that and started looking at each Entry stamp to match it with the field in my Naturalization application where I had listed all trips taken outside the US in the last 5 yrs. She verified everything and was satisfied with it and handed me back my Passport copies and the Embassy letter. We moved on to other questions. After going through my entire application she asked me six questions from the Naturalization exam book, I got all of them right and she put an Approved stamp on my application, shook hands and told me that after her Supervisor reviews my application (routine procedure) my case will be advanced and I will receive an Oath ceremony notice.

That's it.

I hope my experience helps everyone who is going for a Naturalization interview without the Country of Citizenship passport.

Thanks

[MaryH]

Congratulations!!!

[sweetsade]

Great idea to make those color copies...