Question about interview for N-400

[daisylynn 0]

My husband has his interview coming up. I know that I am not required to go with him, but would like to. My question is, can we take all 3 of our kids (ages 4, 5, 6) in with us? I know that we won't be going back to the interview with him and would have to wait. Have other people taken their spouse and kids with them? Or is it best if we just not go? We will still make the trip with him (it's about 3 hours from us) but if it's better that we not go in, I can always find something to do with the kids.

Thanks for any input!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I have seen whole families going with the interviewee, but of course, everybody not being interviewed had to wait in the waiting area. I suppose it depends on the local office whether or not they have enough room to accommodate everybody.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I've been waiting to be called in for the interview for about 2-1/2 hours. Some candidates had their wife and their children with them. It was torture for the children and for all of us who had to listen to the parents trying to keep their tortured children under control. But, admittedly, I had to wait for a long time, so perhaps your husband gets lucky and is being called in rather quickly. Just make sure that there's no reason that your husband is being guided out of the interview room in handcuffs; that would really be awkward for the kids.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

As a parent with 3 kids (who are now grown) not everyone is interested in having your children there waiting.

If you read many folks comments, sometimes there is a lot of waiting involved, if the oath is the same day later on - you will have some pretty cranky, tired kids if they've been waiting all day. Just saying - as I am a parent, I have totally been there. Murphy's law is that it will be teh day when everyone acts the worse, pukes etc....

It might be nice to bring them later for the oath ceremony if it's not too long though.

[NickD 203]

Could see an advantage of this, if those three kids are from your marriage to your husband, if your IO is willing just to hear you say, these three kids are from our marriage. What better proof can there be if you are applying for that three year marriage privilege? But won't make any difference if applying for the five year.

Need a crystal ball for that wait, if you are one second late for your appointment, can reject you, our shortest wait was 8 minutes, longest was 3 1/2 hours. Afraid to use the restroom, because they can call you just during that minute you are gone. Never tell you how long the wait, and don't dare to ask.

We were forced to go to two different offices as we live on the line, both had very uncomfortable folding chairs to sit on. But apparently they must be concerned you will steal those with all those armed guards. Know my grandkids at that age love to play with these portable video games with earphones, but not sure if the guards would let you bring those in. If a sunny day, can always leave and walk around. I feel its good you want to take your kids with you, shows you are a family. But have my apprehensions if the USCIS has even heard about the word, "family", with experience, that word is not even in their vocabulary.

[daisylynn 0]

Thanks for the replies! We still haven't decided yet. I'm so torn on this!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Thanks for the replies! We still haven't decided yet. I'm so torn on this!

There was a post here a while ago where the application was set aside for further review, and a possible Stokes interview because she went alone, and got nervous answering a few questions. Just food for thought.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You won't be allowed in, but your interviewer will see you with your husband and kids when he calls your husband's name and it certainly won't 'hurt'. If you do bring the kids bring along some games or toys or books for them to play with while they wait. At my interview there were a number of children waiting for one parent was being interviewed. One parent was prepared and her kids were playing quietly on the floor by where they were seated. Another parent wasn't prepared and she was asked a number of times by the guards to keep her children under control because they were bored and fussing and arguing with nothing to do. It didn't help that her baby was screaming most of the time either and she was obviously overwhelmed by it all. The interview itself will probably only be 20 minutes but it is a good idea to plan on a minimum of an hour's wait and very likely more.

[OKflyboy 35]

My husband and my youngest one (then 7 months old) were with me at my AOS interview, and the whole family was there for our two older ones' AOS, we actually all went in the back and the IO did know the word "family", probably because he came from a family of seven kids. But the wait was bad. It was 1 1/2 hours, and the 3-year-old was not happy. Neither were the teenagers, but at least you can reason with them. Fortunately there was only one other family (a couple) in the waiting room so we were not bothering a lot of people.

I think it's even on the invitation, they ask you not to bring children unless they're part of the case. So I'd prepare pretty well in case the wait is long. Not easy with a 4, 5 and 6-year-old...

[w8inglongtime 29]

Thanks for the replies! We still haven't decided yet. I'm so torn on this!

Why won't you skip the interview and go with them to the oatrh ceremony instead. Nothing exciting happens at the interview anyway and that's the one time your husbands interview will drag on. 4,5 and 6 will be bored waiting with nothing to do. Remember you can't take video games in with you.

[Autumnal 25]

I would like to second encouraging you to take your children to the oath ceremony and not the interview. Being there for your spouse at the interview is fine, though the children may be an unnecessary and possibly intrusive addition depending upon their behaviour. For one, it isn't easy to predict how long the wait and song-and-dance of the interview may be, especially if complications arise, or your spouse has to wait an extended period of time for his turn. The oath ceremony ends up being much more predictable, and it's a wonderful time for families to celebrate the citizenship achievement of a loved one.

Please note a lot of people stuck in the waiting room for USCIS offices are under immense stress, often come from out of city (and sometimes out of state), and end up trapped on their very best behaviour while waiting for some of the stiffest scrutiny of their lives. It is not a relaxed atmosphere even when a case should sail through with flying colours. Now imagine a few cranky young children, tired from being dragged around or waiting so long, and what that might do to the already tense atmosphere... I don't think it's a good mix for most people. I understand bringing the children if they are applying and must be present at the interview, or it's impossible to leave them behind, but this is one place where it might be best to arrange for a sitter as a favour to all and to spare yourself some stress too! I speak from the position of someone who has been stuck in government offices with fighting, squabbling kids and trying to make the best of it.