All Finished

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I had my interview on Monday in ATL. It was scheduled for 1:05 pm. I drove over from Alabama and got there about 12 30 pm. The directions on the uscis site were spot on.

I proceeded through security. That was easy, empty all your pockets, etc, just like you are at the airport. They do not allow you to take cameras in until 1:30 pm. So I left all that in my car. The guard wanted a pic id and the appointment letter. The line was a bit long, but that was due to persons arriving at 1 pm for the oath ceremony. The guard directed me to the 2nd floor. I checked in at the reception window area, where I was told to wait on that floor. Some persons were sent to another floor. I clocked in at 12:38 pm..Now the longgggggggggg wait begins, so I kept observing what was happening.

Persons from last week's session were arriving at 1 pm for the oath ceremony which did not start until 2:30 pm. Others that were approved that morning were told to come back at 2pm. They all gathered up front for the oath ceremony while all others who were waiting on interviews and their loved ones waited to the back.

Ok my name is called at 1:50 pm. The officer swore me in. Asked me basically the same thing on the N400 application. Then we took the test. I opted for the old one. She asked me just 6 questions, mostly about the consitution. I mean realllll EASY stuff, straight from the book. She also had me read a sentence and write one. She also asked me a few other questions on serving the US..alll of which I said yes to. Afterwards she asked me to sign the form and sign my pics. It's now about 1:57, she said it's too late for me to get in on the 2:30 oath cerememony (I was told there's only 1 per day).

I told her I was from out of town and I had no plans to overnight. She asked me to wait in the room and someone will let me know. She said they may be able to have a separate ceremony. I was out of her office at 2 pm. Then the long wait begins again.

I witnessed all the other folks going into the room for their oath ceremony. I saw folks and their loved ones all happy, smiling and taking pics.

That was over in say 20 minutes..Everyone looked relieved that it was over. All this time I'm wondering what will happen. For about 40 minutes, me and 2 other guys from out of town sat there wondering what will happen, because the ceremony was over.

Then someone called my name, and he came up to me..naturalization certifcate in hand, asking me to check my stuff.. I WAS SOOOOOOOOO HAPPY, cause I knew I was leaving ATL as a US Citizen.

We continued to wait for another hour. Finally the time came and we were sworn in during a separate ceremony, just 3 of us. Finally I was out of there by 4pm. We were the last ones out.

Overall it was a very easy expereince except for the long waits. The place was packed, really packed. The officers and staff were courteous.

I was elated to that the entire USCIS experience was over, and I shed a couple of tears while taking my oath, tears of relief.

By the way I was not asked to show any evidence, and my USC spouse was not present. Just asked to see my passport, which she did not even go through.

Hope this helps, please feel free to contact me if you have questions