During the naturalization process of becoming a U.S. citizen, you may need to attend a biometric services appointment. If so, you will receive a Notice of Action in the mail instructing you to present to a local Application Support Center in Kentucky at a designated date and time.
Biometrics may be an unfamiliar term that sounds intimidating to you. However, it is not as scary as it sounds. The U.S. government needs to collect your photograph, fingerprints and/or signature to conduct a background check on you. Your biometric services appointment is an opportunity to collect the necessary data.
According to U.S. Customs and Immigration Services, there are two important materials that you need to bring with you to your biometrics appointment. The first is a passport, driver’s license, green card or another valid form of photo identification. The second is the Notice of Action that you received in the mail advising you of your appointment. If you need to bring anything else, the notice will inform you.
At your appointment, you will have to reaffirm that all the information in your request, application or petition was accurate at the time that you submitted it. It is, therefore, a good idea to review a copy of the petition, application or request ahead of time to make sure it is correct. You cannot change your name or any of your personal information at your appointment.
In addition to taking your photograph and collecting your fingerprints, the government may also require a digital signature from you at your appointment. This affirms the accuracy and correctness of your application, request or petition. The staff at the ASC use special machines to collect all the necessary biometric data, including your digital signature.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.