N400 Interview Experience

[R&W 5]

My appointment was 9:50am. Me, my husband and our 2.5 years old boy were there at 9:30am. Purse, diaper bag, jackets were put under the scanner. Wallets, belts, keys were put in a basket under the scanner too. Then physical check. No patting .

Asked to go upstairs and wait and I was given a buzzer. Yes, just like the buzzers you get in some restaurants.

I saw some applicants go in the interview with relatives. I planned to ask if I could bring my family in but I didn't since my son got into the toys they have in the waiting area. So might as well leave him playing and happy there with my husband.

My buzzer buzzed and there waiting for me at the desk, my officer. He's a nice black guy. I brought the buzzer back and he led me to Door A. Inside the door is a long aisle with a lot of offices on each side. He led me to his office and before he asked me to sit, he asked me to raise my right hand and swear that I will say nothing but the truth.

He asked the information from the N-400 itself. Signed papers and asked for my confirmation if my Alien number is correct as shown and stuff like that.

Then for the civic test:

1.) Who is the father of our nation?

2.) Name a war that happened in 19 hundred?

3.) How many members are there in congress?

4.) How many years do we elect for congressman?

5.) What month do we vote for our president?

6.) What is the capital of Texas?

Writing Test: "We vote for our president in November"

Verbal Test: "George Washington is the Father of our Nation"

After all these, he gave a paper stating that I passed the test and that I am recommended for approval... but he continued and asked if I am interested of coming back by 1:30 for the oath taking. Of course I do!!!! Then he gave me a paper that should be signed just right before the oath taking. There's question there something like, "between your interview and oath taking, have you been arrested.. have you changed your mind to fight for the US.. if you have been ticketed on the road.. "..something like that.

I was out of the officer's office in maybe 20 minutes.

And as for the oath taking. It's nice. I actually had some tears when the "God Bless America" video was shown. Pretty neat.

All in all it was a wonderful experience. It's like everything from K3 application upto before the oath taking stress has been stripped away and been replaced with just sweet memories. It's a nice feeling. And I need to say, I'm proud to be an American

Edited December 15, 2010 by R&W

[Susan73 5]

CONGRATULATIONS

[Journey05 1]

R&W,

Congrat! I had this experience before but it was like 20+ years ago. Now, It's my wife's turn.

I know one less stress and paperwork we have to do.

[aleful 1,905]

congrats for exam and same day oath ceremony!!!

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations, your next step apply for your us passport,it was a long journey thank god it's over,

[JA Tam 7]

Congratulations!!!

[R&W 5]

Thank you, VJ fam.

Yes next is the passport.

Actually the Dallas office has a booth for passport application. They announced it after the ceremony. So there's a ton of people in the line. We wanted to, but my little boy is so tired already. Been up since morning.

After the ceremony, we went straight to SSA (at least our boy had a chance to nap in the car) and filed a status request. The lady accepted it even though the USCIS hasn't updated their file yet. She said she will submit it after 10 days and will call me if there's a problem and I will get a new card two weeks after that. Same number, just a new card.

[Susan73 5]

I think I am totally in the dark...by SSA did you mean Social Security?

Are you supposed to get a new card once you are a citizen???

I didnt even know this.....

I am using the same SS card I got when I got my Temp GC...was I supposed to go and get a new one when I got the 10 yr GC...someone pls tell me.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I think I am totally in the dark...by SSA did you mean Social Security?

Are you supposed to get a new card once you are a citizen???

I didnt even know this.....

I am using the same SS card I got when I got my Temp GC...was I supposed to go and get a new one when I got the 10 yr GC...someone pls tell me.

SSA stands for Social Security Administration.

You don't need a new card, you may get one or not, doesn't matter. Mine is from 1991. What matters is that you update your STATUS to US citizen with the SSA (you know what that means now, don't you?) because:

1) certain privileges are for US citizens only, and

2) the SSA shares its database with many Federal and State agencies.

So if one day SB-1070 in Arizona passes, for example, or your are stopped at an CBP checkpoint, they can confirm that you are a US citizen if they slide your driver license.

[canuck_girl 1]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing!

[R&W 5]

You're welcome.

As for the new card. Well I didn't ask for one. But they are giving me one, anyway. I was also confused about this. But she said that's how they do it. And I just need to shred my old one, when the new one comes. I know, kinda not needed. It's maybe $5 out of my tax money ;(.

[Susan73 5]

Got it...thanks Just Bob...aka Fountain of Knowledge

[OBX 51]

Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations.

[Casprd 167]

between your interview and oath taking, have you been arrested.. have you changed your mind to fight for the US.. if you have been ticketed on the road

good thing you were able to stay out of trouble between 9:30 and 1:30

Congratulations

[CVB 18]

Congratulations... the end of a long journey. Once you get your passport, the feeling of being an American is more real.

It's written in there: Nationality: United States of America. For me this was more important than the certificate. My certificate I put in a security box, probably to never be looked at again. Your passport on the other hand... I was surprised to see how much faster you get the same things done once you have an American passport.

Edited December 16, 2010 by CVB