What are the advantages and disadvantages of applying for N400 online?

[hopefulandhappy]

Hi,

I will be submitting my application for N400 soon and was wondering if it’s better to submit it online or the traditional way?

I just feel like having hard copies of the evidence to go with the application is better because I’m worried that the officer who will be designated to review my case could miss the evidence/files if I submit online.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of submitting N400 application online? I get that you’ll be able to receive the notification letters via email (if I understand correctly) and I guess this is better than waiting for the notification letters from USCIS via snail mail which could go missing while in transit? If we submit the traditional way, do we have the option to receive the USCIS notification letters via email?

Would you recommend submitting online or snail mail/traditional way?

Would love to know yours thoughts! Thank you

[okccanary]

Can only tell you what I did. I submitted Online and it was super easy and quick to. I filed August 31st and had my Oath on Feb 14th. It basically walks you through the application and won't let you submit unless you have entered all the information that is required. (so like a safety check unlike doing it the traditional way). As you have stated as everything is online you can check on the status of your account way easier. All my updates I found by logging onto my account compared to receiving an email or letter saying my case is updated. Likewise if you somehow lose your interview letter you will be able to print off a copy easy from your online account.

The only downside I have seen from filing online is that there is a glitch in the system that sometimes (happened to me to) show you having filed a day earlier than when you really did. This glitch only effects people who file on the very first day they are able to. I have seen other people on other forums actually getting denied as it shows them filing before eligible. The really simple solution to this is not file on the very first day you are eligible but wait a couple of days. This is what I did and had no issues.

My thinking is the exact opposite of yours where I believe everything is going online and therefore Officers are more likely to see your evidence compared to the old way. The officer will have access to everything you submitted from his computer anywhere and at any time. Compare this to the old fashion way where they have to did out your file and do it. This means the chances of something getting misplaced or lost are higher I misplace stuff on my work desk all the time by it getting buried under other stuff. Likewise if I was an officer and had a choice between starting my next case where everything is online and easily available compared to going to the storage area and digging out a file I would definitely take the easier route. Likewise there appears to be massive understaffing and if we lock down and officers have to work from home they will only be able to access materials that are online.

Obviously this is just my opinion and reality may be vastly different!! But I would definitely push you towards the online route!

[Donald_Trump]

No disadvantages at all. Year is 2022 and most stuff now happens over the internet. What makes you fear online application? All members in my family are citizen after online application without any issues!

[hopefulandhappy]

Thanks all!

I am now strongly considering to submit my application online. Was just really worried that the officer might miss downloading files/evidence submitted online and I have a lottttt lol. Pages and pages of documents.

Also, to clarify, all notifications will be sent to me via email and I’ll just have to print them out, right? Will they also send hard copies of the notifications via snail mail?

[okccanary]

Thanks all!
I am now strongly considering to submit my application online. Was just really worried that the officer might miss downloading files/evidence submitted online and I have a lottttt lol. Pages and pages of documents.
Also, to clarify, all notifications will be sent to me via email and I’ll just have to print them out, right? Will they also send hard copies of the notifications via snail mail?

Honestly I don't know. I barely received any emails apart from the first one saying they received it. Like I said I found all my updates from logging onto my account online. I'm also not 100% certain that you can access the files online without an account and I'm not sure how to create one if you submitted it via the post. I had to create my account in order to file online. You might only ever receive your notices via the mail only. Although I am not 100% sure about this.

Just intrigued about your pages and pages of evidence. Are you sending everything from the start of your relationship or everything from the previous GC application to the present along with the big ones like joint bank, will, POA and car/house/rent deeds?

[hopefulandhappy]

Honestly I don't know. I barely received any emails apart from the first one saying they received it. Like I said I found all my updates from logging onto my account online. I'm also not 100% certain that you can access the files online without an account and I'm not sure how to create one if you submitted it via the post. I had to create my account in order to file online. You might only ever receive your notices via the mail only. Although I am not 100% sure about this.

Just intrigued about your pages and pages of evidence. Are you sending everything from the start of your relationship or everything from the previous GC application to the present along with the big ones like joint bank, will, POA and car/house/rent deeds?

Noted.

It will be an updated “portfolio” of what I submitted for the conditional GC application. Just from the start of marriage.