[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 178 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53034-53036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21083]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2457-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0036]
RIN 1615-ZA74
Revision to Direct Mail Program for Submitting Form N-400,
Application for Naturalization
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising
its Direct Mail Program so that certain filings of Form N-400,
Application for Naturalization, will now be filed at a designated
lockbox facility instead of a USCIS Service Center. However, if you are
the spouse of an active member of the Armed Forces, this notice
instructs you now to file your Form N-400 at the Nebraska Service
Center (NSC), whether you are filing from within the U.S. or abroad.
This
[[Page 53035]]
notice does not change the filing location for Forms N-400 filed by
active members or certain veterans of the Armed Forces who are eligible
to apply for naturalization under sections 328 or 329 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act).
DATES: This notice becomes effective October 14, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Stanley, Chief, Lockbox
Operations Division, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security,
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20529,
Telephone (202) 233-2385.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
What Is the Direct Mail Program?
The Direct Mail Program allows USCIS to standardize and more
efficiently process applications by eliminating duplicative work,
maximizing staff productivity, and introducing better information
management tools. The purpose and strategy of the Direct Mail Program
has been discussed in detail in previous rulemaking and notices. (See
59 FR 33903, 59 FR 33985, 60 FR 22408, 61 FR 2266, 61 FR 56060, 62 FR
16607, 63 FR 891, 63 FR 892, 63 FR 13434, 63 FR 13878, 63 FR 16828, 63
FR 50584, 63 FR 8688, 63 FR 8689, 64 FR 67323, 69 FR 3380, 69 FR 4210,
70 FR 30768, 72 FR 3402, and 73 FR 50336.)
Explanation of Changes
Will this notice change my eligibility for naturalization?
No. This notice only affects the filing instructions where certain
Form N-400s must be mailed. Some Form N-400s that were previously filed
at USCIS Service Centers must now be sent to a designated lockbox
facility. Please note that active members and certain veterans of the
Armed Forces, as well as spouses of active members of the Armed Forces,
have separate filing instructions. Filing changes will be discussed in
detail in the following charts.
Where should I send my Form N-400 and all supporting documentation?
Please refer to the following charts as to where to file your Form
N-400:
Armed Forces Applicants (Veterans & Active Members) & Spouses of Active
Members of the Armed Forces
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If . . . Then mail to . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are a veteran or an active member of Nebraska Service Center, P.O.
the Armed Forces and are eligible to Box 87426, Lincoln, NE 68501-
apply for naturalization under section 7426.
328 or 329 of the Act; or
You are the spouse of an active member Private Courier (non-USPS)
of the Armed Forces Deliveries: Nebraska Service
Center, 850 S Street,
Lincoln, NE 68508.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Armed Forces Applicants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If . . . Then mail to . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You reside in:
Alaska, Arizona, California, USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, P.O. Box 21251, Phoenix, AZ
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, 85036.
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Private Courier (non-USPS)
Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Deliveries: USCIS, Attn:
Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, N400, 1820 E Skyharbor Circle
Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, S. Floor 1, Phoenix, AZ
Territory of Guam, Northern Mariana 85036.
Islands.
You reside in:
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, USCIS Lockbox Facility, USCIS,
Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, P.O. Box 299026, Lewisville,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, TX 75029.
Maryland, Massachusetts, Private Courier (non-USPS)
Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Deliveries: USCIS, Attn:
Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North N400, 2501 S. State Hwy 121,
Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Bldg. 4, Lewisville,
Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South TX 75067.
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia,
U.S. Virgin Islands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What happens if I file a Form N-400 covered by this notice at the wrong
location?
For the first 30 days after this notice takes effect, USCIS will
forward any improperly addressed Form N-400s covered by this notice to
the proper lockbox address. Any applications forwarded within this time
period will be considered properly filed when receipted at the Lockbox.
After this 30-day transition period, any Form N-400 covered by this
notice that is received at a location other than the appropriate
lockbox address will be returned to you with an explanation directing
you to mail it to the appropriate lockbox address.
Is USCIS amending the Form N-400 Instructions?
USCIS is currently amending instructions and information listed on
our Web site (http://www.uscis.gov) to reflect the new filing addresses
and process change information. For example, inserting the requirement
for passport style photos and providing clarification of the grounds
for rejection of an application.
Where may I find information related to eligibility requirements for
naturalization?
You may find general eligibility requirements for naturalization at
our Web site: http://www.uscis.gov. You may also download ``A Guide to
Naturalization (Form M-476),'' which provides information on the
benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, an overview of the
naturalization process, and eligibility requirements.
Paperwork Reduction Act
USCIS is amending the instructions to the Form N-400. Accordingly,
USCIS has submitted an information collection request to Office of
Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The instruction changes will not impose any new reporting or record-
keeping requirements. The OMB control number for this collection is
contained in 8 CFR 299.5, Display of control numbers.
[[Page 53036]]
Dated: August 28, 2008.
Jonathan R. Scharfen,
Acting Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
[FR Doc. E8-21083 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-97-P