Also confused about the oath.

[NickD 202]

From the N-400 form:

If your application is approved, you will be scheduled for a public oath ceremony at which time you will be required to take the following

oath of allegiance immediately prior to becoming a naturalized citizen. By signing, you acknowledge your willingness and ability to take

this oath:

Wife said even before she got to this section at the end of her interview, she was approved, but concerned about that as well as another board member was approve but then wasn't required to submit more evidence.

Wife said the IO had her read the oath before signing it, but apparently acknowledging it with the willingness and ability to take this oath is not really taking the oath. Some have reported taking the oath directly at the field office where others went to the department of justice to say that oath. In one instance does an office at the field office hear that oath, and in the other, a district judge? Is one better than the other? And if a person is asked to read aloud the oath during the interview then sign that, isn't that an official act?

Now we are hearing about delays in the justice department in saying this oath resulting in two concerns, was her application really approved and will we ever hear about the oath. We promised each other that we would not let this get to us. We sat on pins and needles for 13 months for that first green card, then another 14 months for that ten year card, hey we are good for another ten years, shouldn't that be a sigh of relief?

Did read that one response where the member is not going to let the USCIS dictate her vacation plans, but also the consequences of not showing up, guess my wife and I are brainwashed.

At least this oath is taking freely, often wondered how legal that oath was that I took to serve this country, if I didn't show up for the draft, would have been jailed and also in deep trouble if I refused to say the oath. Always tomorrow for checking the mail box with hopes it will be there, but have a very poor history to rely upon. The day after leads into months or even years.

Reads the oath aloud, and signs it before an IO, but not official, can that be a bit confusing? Can really appreciate the happiness of those that completed this journey, like a big load taken off of your back you had to carry for years. LOL, maybe tomorrow for us.

[Waiting4GC 0]

Hmm, not sure what you said in the post but I was told to read the oath in front of the officer (I speed read so I just read the beginning, middle and end) but not out loud and then sign it. Then during the ceremony, the judge read the oath and all we said was "I DO" and signed the Certificate of Citizenship.

[moonhunt 1]

From the N-400 form:

If your application is approved, you will be scheduled for a public oath ceremony at which time you will be required to take the following

oath of allegiance immediately prior to becoming a naturalized citizen. By signing, you acknowledge your willingness and ability to take

this oath:

Wife said even before she got to this section at the end of her interview, she was approved, but concerned about that as well as another board member was approve but then wasn't required to submit more evidence.

Wife said the IO had her read the oath before signing it, but apparently acknowledging it with the willingness and ability to take this oath is not really taking the oath. Some have reported taking the oath directly at the field office where others went to the department of justice to say that oath. In one instance does an office at the field office hear that oath, and in the other, a district judge? Is one better than the other? And if a person is asked to read aloud the oath during the interview then sign that, isn't that an official act?

Now we are hearing about delays in the justice department in saying this oath resulting in two concerns, was her application really approved and will we ever hear about the oath. We promised each other that we would not let this get to us. We sat on pins and needles for 13 months for that first green card, then another 14 months for that ten year card, hey we are good for another ten years, shouldn't that be a sigh of relief?

Did read that one response where the member is not going to let the USCIS dictate her vacation plans, but also the consequences of not showing up, guess my wife and I are brainwashed.

At least this oath is taking freely, often wondered how legal that oath was that I took to serve this country, if I didn't show up for the draft, would have been jailed and also in deep trouble if I refused to say the oath. Always tomorrow for checking the mail box with hopes it will be there, but have a very poor history to rely upon. The day after leads into months or even years.

Reads the oath aloud, and signs it before an IO, but not official, can that be a bit confusing? Can really appreciate the happiness of those that completed this journey, like a big load taken off of your back you had to carry for years. LOL, maybe tomorrow for us.

I believe only Judge has authrity to perform naturalization oath ceremony and give the citizenship.

Your wife can practice to speak oath in front of you, and you can try to correct the pronunciation, but that doesn't mean that your wife completed the oath and you can give citizenship to your wife. ^^

Edited August 2, 2008 by moonhunt

[jtee 0]

Yes, only a Judge has authrity to administer naturalization oath, and one needs to wait for the ceremony no matter how frustrating the wait may be. The entire process of immigration process limits one's ability to schedule business travel and vacations. There is always the fear of missing an appointment or a missed communication from USCIS. I could not plan a vacation this summer until this afternoon when I heaved a sigh of relief and quickly made plans for the next 2 months - I received my IL. Now I am worried as to when my oath will be scheduled, and if I'll make it to my home country for Christmas visit on a US passport.

Bottomline - immigration and naturalization are benefits, and we need to put up with the hassels and inefficiencies - real and perceived - along the road. I have learnt many lessons in patience in the last 10 years!

[NickD 202]

Yes, only a Judge has authority to administer naturalization oath

And has to be a U.S. district court judge? Was trying to find the USCIC policy on that, but so far, unsuccessful. Was a judge present for those that were lucky enough to say the oath right after their interview?

And why is my wife practicing reciting the oath when all she has to say, I do?

[Staashi 371]

Yes, only a Judge has authority to administer naturalization oath

And has to be a U.S. district court judge? Was trying to find the USCIC policy on that, but so far, unsuccessful. Was a judge present for those that were lucky enough to say the oath right after their interview?

And why is my wife practicing reciting the oath when all she has to say, I do?

Actually, she will recite it along with the others who are taking the oath with her.

[NickD 202]

Actually, she will recite it along with the others who are taking the oath with her.

I am sure Waiting4GC is also correct with her "I do", and from all the comments about the interview procedure, perhaps we can say, there is no set procedure. Just have to wait and see what happens, but be prepared for everything.

[Waiting4GC 0]

You are free to recite it if you want but we were told that all we needed to say was "I Do". I noticed some people reciting it but just to themselves not outloud.

Maybe you are right about not having an oficial procedure in place. I feel that even if was asked to say the oath, how would they know if I am saying the oath or just mumbling something? Nobody is right next to you making sure you are saying the oath word by word. IMO, there is no need to memorize it just make sure you understand the content.

Ah, one more thing when I read the oath to myself during the interview, all the officer asked was if I understood the implications of what I just read. I said yes, what would happen if you answer that question with a "No, I don't know what it means" Will you be denied your citizenship?

[NickD 202]

How does one explain dual citizenship with this statement? Ironically, as a permanent resident, you are forced to maintain dual allegiance, if you want a passport at least to see your family once in awhile. Commented to my wife, we no longer have to suck butt at her former country's consulate office.

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate,

state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;"

Could this lead into a bar fight or even a murder charge if someone says something negative about the laws of this country?

"that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;

that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;"

A middle age woman with kids or an old or disabled person? But really not that hard to shoot back if someone is shooting at you or your family provided you are not arrested for defending yourself. You can even get sued by a burglar if your dog bites him when breaking into your home. And how do we know this guy is not a terrorist with constant fears on the news daily about these guys? But if we lived in Milwaukee or Chicago, we are not allowed to bear arms, may lead to yet another court battle.

""that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;"

For the next two, why not for a great government job with early retirement and plenty of holiday and vacation days off.

"that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;

that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law;"

You have already done this by applying for US citizenship, filled out all the forms, gathered tons of evidence, and sent a big fat check.

"and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

So, it may be concluded that the oath is just a formality with yet another unknown long wait, another long trip, another lost day at work, and also redundant, if called into battle, you have to say yet another oath, also have to take an oath for any government job, an oath before testifying in a court of law, even an oath of sorts before trying to buy a firearm, and is an oath really necessary to obey the laws of this country? If you don't, will end up in jail.

Ha, just want to get this over with, did get a bunch of #10 envelops in the mail today, no oath letter, but a couple of letters looked good for proof we are still married, so I filed those. Think I need professional help, I am brainwashed.

[zyggy 9]

Yes, only a Judge has authority to administer naturalization oath

And has to be a U.S. district court judge? Was trying to find the USCIC policy on that, but so far, unsuccessful. Was a judge present for those that were lucky enough to say the oath right after their interview?

And why is my wife practicing reciting the oath when all she has to say, I do?

The law gives the US Court system the authority to naturalize citizens and administer oaths, but allows the Court to delegate this authority to others. In some districts, the court has given the District Director of USCIS the authority to administer the oath. In other districts, some state judges have been given the authority (usually when a name change is involved).

[NickD 202]

Yes, only a Judge has authority to administer naturalization oath

And has to be a U.S. district court judge? Was trying to find the USCIC policy on that, but so far, unsuccessful. Was a judge present for those that were lucky enough to say the oath right after their interview?

And why is my wife practicing reciting the oath when all she has to say, I do?

The law gives the US Court system the authority to naturalize citizens and administer oaths, but allows the Court to delegate this authority to others. In some districts, the court has given the District Director of USCIS the authority to administer the oath. In other districts, some state judges have been given the authority (usually when a name change is involved).

Thank you for the reply, while there are Department of Justice delays in St. Paul, we are in Wisconsin, so I gather someone in the USCIS has to contact someone in the DOJ to make the appointment for the oath. Wife always preferred her middle name over her first name, said, you can switched those around, she said no, would cause more delays. But sounds like just the opposite is true, the state isn't as busy as the feds.