Thanks neptex, hajambhayena and indiragandhi for responding. btw, did you send your application to the Vermont center also? I guess the bank check would have been a good idea, but I sent a bank draft instead (dont ask me why!). Have any of you tried calling the hotline (1-800-375-5283)? The website says that case info may not be obtained by calling the hotline, so I am wondering what other options I may have. From what I hear, the processing is taking a bit longer this year. Hopefully things will speed up next year as the election approaches.