Oath Ceremony was Yesterday!!!

[tammiandtom 0]

Well yesterday morning we drove to downtown Cleveland's federal courthouse and my husband Tom became a US citizen. I was surprised at how moved I was and almost to tears. The judge was OK, joking a little. About 50 people became citizens and he asked how many were in each age group. Mostly 20s and 30s. There was one man who was 75 and one who was 84. Most were from Europe also. We basically got there a little before 8 and then they would call people up in groups of 10 to sign their certificate and turn over their PR card. Then the judge came in at 9 and began the actual ceremony. He spoke, and then administered the oath and then called people up to get their certificate. Pictures were allowed with the judge, although when my husband was called up no one was doing that yet, so I only have a blurry picture of Tom about to be handed his certificate. The people that were called toward the end were the ones posing with the judge. Oh well. So then you leave and it's kind of an anti-climax since you can leave before the ceremony was even finished.

I will post pictures later on.

I hope that the flag was flown yesterday in Tom's honor, but I don't know if I got the date I requested. We'll see.

We had a party for him last night. I got many things on sale left over from the fourth of july (decorations, serving pieces etc.). My sister in law made an American Flag cake. All very cute. I framed his certificate just for the party so people could see it and not ruin it.

[Yiyi and Chris 0]

[NickD 202]

I normally don't cry at such occasions, but has to be a great feeling that, that chain shackled around our necks for the last five years has finally been released.

You always have been a month ahead of us, but have the bad feeling we are not keeping pace. Was Tom's certificate typed or hand printed for the identification information? And did the judge hand sign each certificate?

Recall vividly your concerns about that I-751, that's all history for you and Tom now, and now you can lead a normal life, you both must really have the feeling of relief, and thank God, it's all over for you.

Awaiting that day when I can put that certificate in my scanner and will probably make a hundred copies of it, ha, may decorate a wall.

[tammiandtom 0]

It's funny that it says no photos may be taken of it, but everyone was holding theirs with the judge and taking photos.

It is typed, and not hand signed.

And is a huge relief Best of luck to you.

[tammiandtom 0]

[moonhunt 1]

Conguratulations!

So no Drew Carry showed up for celebration? ^^

Actually that's all I remember from Cleveland, Ohio!

Cleveland Rock!

Any way, I think Tom's case was moving so fast.

I hope all USCIS case was processed at that speed including NickD's case.

[NickD 202]

It's funny that it says no photos may be taken of it, but everyone was holding theirs with the judge and taking photos.

It is typed, and not hand signed.

And is a huge relief Best of luck to you.

Kind of crazy about not making copies of personalized legal documents, that is on our marriage certificate as well, but can send off a check for $12.00 and receive three originals of it in the mail with about a two day wait. US passport highly recommends you make copies of it and leave it with friends or relatives just in case you lose it so they can fax or e-mail it so you can come back home. USCIS want copies of your green cards.

Our register of deeds use to make certified copies of important documents that were accepted just like the original, but they don't do that anymore. It's not like you are trying to make a copy of a hundred dollar bill and pass it or you want to manipulate it for forgery for another person. It's just that it is a very expensive document to replace and you should have some kind of record of it.

Think it's about time I address this issue to my congressman and senator, some of these new laws just don't make sense.

[ShallowShrek 0]

thats great.

[Angel7422 0]

Congratulations to the newest U.S.Citizen!!!!

Will your husband vote in the upcoming election?

[Oasis 0]

Hi Tammi:

Congrats congrats congrats .. thats awesome that your long journey on becoming a citizen is now over

I guess I am next in 4 weeks

Hope everyone is having a great day

Anja

[tammiandtom 0]

Congratulations to the newest U.S.Citizen!!!!

Will your husband vote in the upcoming election?

Yep!

Does this mean I can get rid of all of our various old immigration applications etc etc!?

[RICHIE07 0]

Congratulations Tammi ...

[NickD 202]

"Does this mean I can get rid of all of our various old immigration applications etc etc!?"

Probably not, was going to pitch all of my military records, good thing I didn't, fire in St. Louis destroyed all my records and needed those for the VA years later. Was so bitter after my divorce, actually put that huge file in my trash can, but cooled down and retrieved that, needed that for immigration.

Since I have made duplicate copies of everything we sent to the USCIS, the initial, I-751, and the N-400 and have all the documentation received from the USCIS, could really thin those down by getting rid of duplicate evidence, but that would be a major job, think I will just leave them.

Did write my senator and congressman yesterday in regards to the extreme high cost of replacement documents from the USCIS and excessive wait times asking why we don't have a means anymore of sending certified copies anymore. As a USC, Tom could do the same, the letters have to be crafted with proof to be effective, not just rambling on. If more people took an interest in OUR government, it would be different.

[abeba 0]

Congrats.

[happyinlove012408 0]

Congratulations.