Fairfax VA oath ceremony info

[Flames9_RN 358]

Good day, just back from my oath ceremony and thought I would jot down a few things to assist anyone going to the Fairfax VA office. I had my interview back on Oct 15th at Fairfax, but there was an "extra" file on my case which they had to get from their central holding area in Nebraska. Normally they try to do the interview/oath the very same day at this office. But I had to wait to see what that "extra file" was, and I will never know,lol.

- I received my oath ceremony letter in the mail approx 1.5 weeks prior to the oath ceremony, so plenty of notice. My timer was for 0900. I arrived at 0830, security only took a few minutes

- Again one goes through security, your allowed phones and cameras

-Once past security, you stay on the MAIN level and wait in the waiting room, which is just to the left, and you do not require a 'ticket" (even thought it states a room on the 2nd floor in your letter) Around 0900 things start to happen. lady will direct you into three lines--these lines are designated by the LAST THREE #'s of your A # Ensure you have the questions on the back of your oath invitation filled out, very basic yes/no questions based on any changes since your interview!! Most likely your responses will be "no"

-When you get to the counter hand in your completed form and your green card!!! Say good bye to it, as you ain't getting it back! As well you have to sign a piece of paper!! As well they give you a white envelope and 2 books for reading. On the flap of the white envelope is a hand written #, that number is your seat # when u get to the 2nd floor

- Then you wait along side the wall and eventually they will take you up to the 2nd floor via the elevator.

- Once on 2nd floor take your seat according to your #. Get comfy as your going to be seated for awhile do nothing. So bring some reading material!! I think i was seated around 0915

- The actual ceremony didn't start till around 1005. lady gave a brief on the certificate, on the process, how it affects kids under the age of 18, explaining only to make black and white copies, you can't travel with this document, how to get a passport, etc! Then we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and the very last thing was getting your certificate! Your loved ones are encouraged to come up and take pictures. One can even stick around later and take pics with the flags, etc etc! The lady stated throughout this process they have made us wait, so its your turn to make them wait,lol and its your day, so enjoy it. Staff was very friendly/professional

- Once you have your certificate, your free to go!!! I walked out around 1038. They call people up based on their # (# on the envelope)

Other tidbits of info: When your on the main floor getting into 1 of the 3 lines, family members don't have to get into line with you. They take family members up first to get seated.

It is a very relaxed, SLOW paced evolution,lol So bring something to read. $5 to park, which is right beside the building. There are bathroom on the main level, as well on the 2nd. Best of luck

[Flames9_RN 358]

I should mention as well, that when I arrived around 0830, there was approx 10 people in front of me (to go through security) When I departed shortly after 1030, I noticed the line was outside the building, probably 20-30 people waiting to go through security.

[Kanyiri 0]

Thank you for all this information!!

[Stella08 0]

I just received my interview letter for the Fairfax office. Unfortunately my interview is in the afternoon at 2:20. Do you think I have a chance to take the oath the same day? Or is my interview scheduled too late for that? Any experiences?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Mine was in the morning. Hard to say,but I would bet a no! Your interview may be for 2:20, but its highly unlikely you will actually be interviewed then. My appt was for 10 am I think, and I didn't get called till 1115. But ya never know. I didnt ask what time was the last ceremony of the day. Best of luck

here is my interview experience: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=156690&hl=

Edited February 10, 2009 by flames9

[thea 1]

There is an oath ceremony at 4pm. Not sure if there is one after that - when I asked I was told that they try to have one every 2 hours.

[Stella08 0]

I read in another forum that Fairfax stopped doing same or next day oath ceremonies. Does anybody here know if this is true? If so, about how long does it usually take to get an oath letter? And about how long after that is the actual oath ceremony?

[Lappa 0]

Do I really have to take my hubby to interview since he can not take a day off from work. I don't know what can I do.

[thea 1]

I don't think you have to take your hubby. They didn't ask to see my hubby either which was good because he had to go on an unexpected business trip that day. I would have liked to have him there for calm my nerves though

@Stella: where did you hear that? It seemed like a well oiled machine there at the Fairfax office and that they were happy to get people through as quickly as possible.

[Stella08 0]

I read that in another forum. Somebody had an interview last week (I think) and they told his wife that they stopped same day oaths. Now he and his wife are waiting for an oath letter.

I think somebody here had his interview yesterday, maybe he'll post his experience today.

[Flames9_RN 358]

My wife came to the interview, BUT she didnt come into the actual interview with me, just sat out in the waiting area. I witnessed numerous occasions, were the persons name was called and both stood and went towards the interviewer, but when they reached that person, the USA citizen was not allowed, so they just returned to their seat and waited.

No clue if they canceled the same day oath ceremonies. I chatted with my interviewer, and he said they had hired on many new staff to quicken the time frame.

At my interview--I passed, BUT they had to look at an "extra" file on my case, which they had to get from Nebraska. So that took a bit! 1 month after that I received my oath ceremony date. Interview was Oct 15, oath ceremony Dec 15. But min e was a bit whacky,lol

[Stella08 0]

TridentMoss just confirmed in the November thread that there are no more same or next day oath ceremonies in Fairfax.

[Flames9_RN 358]

disregard!!

Edited February 19, 2009 by flames9

[britbird 4]

TridentMoss just confirmed in the November thread that there are no more same or next day oath ceremonies in Fairfax.

Not true...I had one today at the Fairfax office.

[Lappa 0]

Please tell us about your experience since Me and Stella will go to the same office for interview, your experience will help us to prepare.