N-400 December filers

[Stella08 0]

Congratulation Stella. You will get your oath letter very soon. My oath ceremony is tomorrow.

Thank you! And enjoy your oath ceremony tomorrow! Is it going to be in Fairfax? Finally you'll be all done!

[rilian 0]

Hey everyone, I just got back from my citizenship interview a little while ago and wanted to recap my experience for you. I'll try to be as detailed as possible, so that you have a better idea of what to expect:

My appointment was at 1:20 in the San Francisco office and arrive at about 1:00. I was to meet my boyfriend in front of the building so we could go in together, but my phone died. So we weren't able synchronize and thus missed each other. There was no line to get into the building, but I saw a pair of people outside studying for the civics test.

At 1:10, I went inside and went through the security screening process. Afterward, I went up to second floor reception area and waited in line; one or two people were in front of me. I checked in with the receptionist and was told to sit down in my assigned section of the waiting room. The reception/waiting area was much nicer and cleaner than I expected; not a run-down government type of room. The room had sections labeled by letters of the alphabet. A,B,C,D, etc. Each section had its own door to the interview rooms.

I waited about 20-30 minutes before being called in by my immigration officer. Her office was like a regular business office with a desk, a computer, and various knick knacks. For some reason, I imagined it would look more like an interrogation room: small, sparse, with a bright light from the ceiling.

The interview began with me standing and swearing in. After that, she asked for my passport. I only had a refugee travel document so she took that. She also asked for my Selective Service Notification card, which I gave to her.

Next, she went over each line of my application with me. I made a typo with my birthdate, which she corrected with a red pen. The only part of the application that was an issue was my country of origin which I listed as "Kampuchea". The country is now called "Cambodia", but on my green card it was printed as "Kampuchea", so that's what I used on my N400. The immigration officer wasn't sure what to do, so she left to consult with someone. Then she came back and asked me what I would prefer on my citizenship certificate. There was still a bit of confusion still, but in the end "Cambodia" will be printed on my certificate.

During the review, she also asked me about the organizations I belonged to in the past. I had listed a few organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Sierra Club, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She asked which ones I was still active in, and noted those on the app.

Next, she asked if I had a photocopy of my green card and two photos. My interview letter did not request those materials, so I didn't bring them. She said I can take care of those after the interview.

Next was the test. The questions were (I forgot the order):

1. What does the President's Cabinet do?

2. What did the Declaration of Independence do?

3. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

4. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

5. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

6. Name one branch or part of the government

Then, I was asked to read "What is the capital of the United States?" and then write "Washington is the capital"

I passed the tests, and then got instructions for my photos and photocopies (she gave me a fast pass to get back into building). She then gave me my Interview Results form which basically says I will be recommended for approval and that I passed my tests.

After the interview, I went to take my photos across the street. The photo place had a photocopier so I had them make a copy of my green card. Then I took my photos and photocopy back to the immigration office and dropped it off with the immigration officer.

The whole process from getting in the door and getting out took about an hour.

[Stella08 0]

rilian,

First of all congratulations on being approved!!!

Why did you have to get pictures taken? Didn't you send any in with your application?

[rilian 0]

rilian,

First of all congratulations on being approved!!!

Why did you have to get pictures taken? Didn't you send any in with your application?

Hey Stella, I didn't send any pictures with my application, I don't remember seeing that as a requirement on the N400 form I used. (Although, I do remember looking at older forms, and seeing pictures as a requirement). The interview letter also didn't ask for them. I had assumed that my picture would be taken at my biometrics appointment, but when I went to get my fingerprints done, they said it wasn't necessary.

[samsbs 0]

Mariya passed her interview today with no problem. We were in at 9:07 and out at 10:35 am Ours was about the same as rilian described, except for one thing the IO came out to the waiting room and asked me for my ID. She took it and made a copy then came out and said we passed. I have never heard of them taking the husbands ID to copy. Now the only thing left is another 8 hour trip to Oakland for the oath ceremony.

We are very happy and very tired. It was a long two days.

[alwayswin 0]

Thank you guys. I have called them and ordered by mail. The lady on the line told it will take 10 to 15 days. I was following the earlier post of Stelle ( Jan 24th) for the telephone number of IRS. Thank you!!!!

Where is that post of Jan. 24th?

[Stella08 0]

Mariya passed her interview today with no problem. We were in at 9:07 and out at 10:35 am Ours was about the same as rilian described, except for one thing the IO came out to the waiting room and asked me for my ID. She took it and made a copy then came out and said we passed. I have never heard of them taking the husbands ID to copy. Now the only thing left is another 8 hour trip to Oakland for the oath ceremony.

We are very happy and very tired. It was a long two days.

Congratulations.

I've heard before that they wanted to see the military ID of spouses, maybe to see if they were still active duty...

Don't they offer any oath ceremonies closer to where you live? I can't believe you have to take all these long trips.

Thank you guys. I have called them and ordered by mail. The lady on the line told it will take 10 to 15 days. I was following the earlier post of Stelle ( Jan 24th) for the telephone number of IRS. Thank you!!!!

Where is that post of Jan. 24th?

Here is the phone number:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=110571,00.html

[doxATL 0]

I saw this in the November thread, I thought it would be cool to do the same thing by color coding (those who are done with the process are in red).

Name..............SentDate....NOA1.......Biodate....Interview...Oath.... Center..LocalOffice.....CheckCashed

samsbs............12/01/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...03/20/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Francisco...12/24/08

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

farah2005.........12/01/08....12/12/08...xx/xx/xx...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....?????...........12/09/08

so2008............12/02/08....12/16/08...01/03/09...04/01/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Tampa...........12/15/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

sheepnfish........12/03/08....12/29/08...02/12/09...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....St_Albans.......????????

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Cargo.............12/06/08....12/22/08...01/20/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Jose........12/23/08

Poppinslp.........12/10/08....12/22/08...01/23/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Fort Lauderdale.12/23/08

blessings2us......12/10/08....12/22/08...01/21/09...03/12/09....03/16/09...NBC....Portland........12/22/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08

ChinaBabe.........12/12/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta,GA......12/24/08

Coquette..........12/12/08....12/30/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Norfolk, VA.....01/08/09

Nigerla...........12/13/08....12/23/08...01/07/09...04/07/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....NYC.............12/22/08

rilian............12/16/08....01/09/09...01/27/09...03/20/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Francisco...01/08/09

Jackjack..........12/17/08....12/27/08...01/14/09...03/12/09....03/17/09...VSC....Boston..........12/26/08

ptrober...........12/17/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...03/10/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Cincinnati......01/05/09

radacos...........12/17/08....12/30/08...02/23/09...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........12/31/08

alwayswin.........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/23/09...04/15/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Buffalo,NY......01/02/09

Debra&John........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...04/30/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........01/06/09

DoxATL............12/23/08....12/29/08...xx/xx/xx...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09

den_y2005.........12/24/08....01/05/09...xx/xx/xx...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....Santa_Ana.......01/05/09

edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09

jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09

Kunjal27..........12/29/08....01/02/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09

[Stella08 0]

doxATL,

I saw your name and I was hoping that you had received your interview letter. I think I should do another dance tonight.

The color coding is a great idea!

[broma25 2]

doxATL,

I saw your name and I was hoping that you had received your interview letter. I think I should do another dance tonight.

The color coding is a great idea!

dancing also for doxATL bring on the letter mr mailman

[doxATL 0]

doxATL,

I saw your name and I was hoping that you had received your interview letter. I think I should do another dance tonight.

The color coding is a great idea!

dancing also for doxATL bring on the letter mr mailman

Thanks you guys.... I m still waiting patiently.

Even though, I said to myself "forget about your application, the IL will come when it comes" , I can help but check the status every day

[jamieswith 0]

I know what you mean doxATL - we've all been there...

I'm starting to get nervous now... less than 2 weeks until my interview... just 1 week on monday....

doxATL,

I saw your name and I was hoping that you had received your interview letter. I think I should do another dance tonight.

The color coding is a great idea!

dancing also for doxATL bring on the letter mr mailman

Thanks you guys.... I m still waiting patiently.

Even though, I said to myself "forget about your application, the IL will come when it comes" , I can help but check the status every day

[ptrober 0]

Ok... so now I am wondering whether the IO at my interview has completely forgotten to finish my application. He said that I had met all the requirements but he could not approve my application until March 17 because that was my three year anniversary. He said he would keep the file on his desk and then approve it on the 17th. I am wondering if during the week he had to wait until the 17th whether my file got buried under other paperwork.

I was told they hold oath ceremonies monthly and I have the 2009 schedule (they take place in the building about 100 yards from where I work). There is a ceremony in less than two weeks and I have heard nadda! The ceremonies locally never fill the court room so I can't imagine the delay is because they have to schedule me several months out.

Any suggestions? Should I put in an InfoPass and ask what they heck they did with my file?

Edited March 25, 2009 by ptrober

[so2008 0]

Ok... so now I am wondering whether the IO at my interview has completely forgotten to finish my application. He said that I had met all the requirements but he could not approve my application until March 17 because that was my three year anniversary. He said he would keep the file on his desk and then approve it on the 17th. I am wondering if during the week he had to wait until the 17th whether my file got buried under other paperwork.

I was told they hold oath ceremonies monthly and I have the 2009 schedule (they take place in the building about 100 yards from where I work). There is a ceremony in less than two weeks and I have heard nadda! The ceremonies locally never fill the court room so I can't imagine the delay is because they have to schedule me several months out.

Any suggestions? Should I put in an InfoPass and ask what they heck they did with my file?

ptrober, I wish you receive your approval soon. I come across a thread for somebody who applied before the 3 years wedding anniversary, I hope this is not related.

http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.p...ear+anniversary

[Stella08 0]

Ok... so now I am wondering whether the IO at my interview has completely forgotten to finish my application. He said that I had met all the requirements but he could not approve my application until March 17 because that was my three year anniversary. He said he would keep the file on his desk and then approve it on the 17th. I am wondering if during the week he had to wait until the 17th whether my file got buried under other paperwork.

I was told they hold oath ceremonies monthly and I have the 2009 schedule (they take place in the building about 100 yards from where I work). There is a ceremony in less than two weeks and I have heard nadda! The ceremonies locally never fill the court room so I can't imagine the delay is because they have to schedule me several months out.

Any suggestions? Should I put in an InfoPass and ask what they heck they did with my file?

ptrober, I wish you receive your approval soon. I come across a thread for somebody who applied before the 3 years wedding anniversary, I hope this is not related.

http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.p...ear+anniversary

Hmm.... sometimes I'm not sure what's right. blessings2us took the oath a few days before the 3 year anniversary and didn't seem to have a problem. What are the regulations on this?

@ ptrober

Do you have a contact phone number or email address for your IO to contact him directly? If not, I would try to make an infopass appointment even though they might tell you that you have to wait 120 days before you can have one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get an oath letter soon. I know how frustrating it is to be almost at the end of the journey and to get stuck then.