Oath taking at a field office

[OKflyboy 35]

I got an invitation for the naturalization ceremony the other day. It's going to take place not at the district court, but at the field office.

I have an idea of what happens at the court, but no clue about the office ceremony procedures.

I assume family is allowed. How about taking pictures? Normally you cannot bring a camera into the building, but Oath is different... Not that it's something vital, but would be cool to be able to do.

How long does it take? Do I have to show up much earlier than the notice says for any reason? I know that at the court you have to register first and then wait for the actual ceremony.

I'd appreciate any information.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I got an invitation for the naturalization ceremony the other day. It's going to take place not at the district court, but at the field office.

I have an idea of what happens at the court, but no clue about the office ceremony procedures.

I assume family is allowed. How about taking pictures? Normally you cannot bring a camera into the building, but Oath is different... Not that it's something vital, but would be cool to be able to do.

How long does it take? Do I have to show up much earlier than the notice says for any reason? I know that at the court you have to register first and then wait for the actual ceremony.

I'd appreciate any information.

Mine was at the field office in Fairfax VA - yes camera's were allowed, as were family members. The length of time depends on how many people are being sworn in. My ceremony was 75-ish people and it took about 45 mins to an hour-ish.

I dont't think you need to arrive earlier then they ask - you will wait and be called to hand over your GC and sign the certificate which USCIS will keep on file and once everyone has been procesded you will probably move on to the ceremony room. Family will be seated in one area, those taking the oath probably towards the front. This is how my ceremony was, I'm sure there are some slight differences

Enjoy

[OKflyboy 35]

Mine was at the field office in Fairfax VA - yes camera's were allowed, as were family members. The length of time depends on how many people are being sworn in. My ceremony was 75-ish people and it took about 45 mins to an hour-ish.

I dont't think you need to arrive earlier then they ask - you will wait and be called to hand over your GC and sign the certificate which USCIS will keep on file and once everyone has been procesded you will probably move on to the ceremony room. Family will be seated in one area, those taking the oath probably towards the front. This is how my ceremony was, I'm sure there are some slight differences

Enjoy

Good to hear about the cameras.

I don't think our office can fit 75 people even without the family members

Thanks!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

My oath ceremony was held in the Atlanta Field Office. They had a special room that was designed for holding Citizenship ceremonies. Cameras were allowed along with visitors - although there was very little room for visitors. The basic format was when we arrived my husband had to go and sit in a different waiting area with other friends and family. Those being sworn in collected in one area and the USCIS staff went from person to person verifying the information on the back of their oath ceremony sheet, collecting any special travel documents, updating records, etc. We then lined up to enter the ceremony room, handing over our green cards at a desk area and receiving our Citizenship certificates to review for any errors. We then handed the certificates back and went to our seats. After all of those taking the oath were seated - we basically filled the whole room - friends and family members were invited to sit and stand around the outside edges of the room.

The Director of the Atlanta USCIS office conducted the ceremony which included viewing several videos, recognizing several members of the armed services who were becoming citizens, acknowledging all of the countries represented that day and then the official swearing in, reciting the oath of allegiance and singing the national anthem. Friends and family were then asked to leave the room and we lined up to get our certificates on the way out the door. I don't remember the exact number now but we had a lot of new citizens sworn in so we were there for about 3 1/2 hours - from noon to 3:30 with the ceremony starting at 2.

It was a nice service and well done even though it wasn't in a Court.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

I thought they were usually held in field offices, actually!

I know in my locality, they are held in the waiting room of the Fort Smith field office. Less than 50 chairs, so I guess guest attendance will be limited...

[OKflyboy 35]

I thought they were usually held in field offices, actually!

I know in my locality, they are held in the waiting room of the Fort Smith field office. Less than 50 chairs, so I guess guest attendance will be limited...

Our office's waiting room is about the same size. Since it's gonna take the whole day, I have to bring the kids along. If the guest attendance is limited, my husband will have to wait outside with them, and that would plain suck... Oh well, the main goal is to become a citizen, not to have a perfect event

Although I'd like for the kids to be present, since two of them are (unofficially) becoming citizens at my ceremony.

Edited September 24, 2011 by OKflyboy

[David-and-Mae 15]

Anya, when I had my oath taking there was a woman there with 2 little kids (maybe 5 & 2) and the husband took care of them while she goes through the process. The little one cried and cried and threw fits coz he wanted to be with her. When we went to the courtroom for the oath, he was still crying and screaming and everyone was beginning to get annoyed. So, they had to ask the husband to take the kids outside. They didn't get to see her get sworn in. I think the husband could have seen the ceremony if they had another family member to watch the kids.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!!

[OKflyboy 35]

Anya, when I had my oath taking there was a woman there with 2 little kids (maybe 5 & 2) and the husband took care of them while she goes through the process. The little one cried and cried and threw fits coz he wanted to be with her. When we went to the courtroom for the oath, he was still crying and screaming and everyone was beginning to get annoyed. So, they had to ask the husband to take the kids outside. They didn't get to see her get sworn in. I think the husband could have seen the ceremony if they had another family member to watch the kids.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!!

My kids are too old to cry:) They're 14, 12 & 4, and the little one goes to school and is fine when I'm not there. The older ones are probably happy when I'm not there So I don't think this would be an issue. As I said, if they can't come in, I'm not gonna argue, I respect the rules. I still would love for them to be present, though.

Thanks again!

[Sil_Dan 0]

I had my oath ceremony last Monday in West Kendall Office, Miami. There's a ceremony room there. Cameras and visitors were allowed too.

When we arrived family and friends had to go to a waiting area and the applicants had to go to the ceremony room. We had to show the appointment letter (completed) and the green card at the entrance were a person secured both with a staple. Once inside we had to take a seat (from the back to the front). It was no necessary to arrive early. I did not arrive on time because of the traffic and that's the reason why I were in the front row!!! Another person picked our appointment letter up.

On every seat there was a little U.S. flag and an envelope (containing the letter from the president, citizen's almanac, passport application form, the Constitution, etc.)

Later family & friend were invited to sit (by the side of the room) and stand (at the back). The officer that conducted the ceremony said that pictures were allowed from the place that guests were, and that we could take pictures at the end.

We were 174 applicants from 29 countries. We saw videos, during "the call of the countries" each candidate stood up, then the Oath of Allegiance, the pledge of Allegiance and the message from the president. Finally we had to remain sitting and officers handed out the certificates. The officer said that we have to check that our information was correct (before leaving the building) and not forget to sign it.

The whole ceremony took more and less 40 minutes. It was a very emotional ceremony, and we took great pics and videos!!!

Hope this help you!!!! Enjoy your ceremony!!

Sil

[Sil_Dan 0]

I can't edit my post! Just to add that my appointment letter was for 7:30 AM but the ceremony started an hour later!

Sil

[NickD 203]

Ours was at the St. Paul office, actually located in Bloomington, MN at 2:00 PM, ceremony was at 3:00 PM, but had problems getting my girls out of the Mall of America, got there at 2:20PM. No problem, major bottle neck was for those armed guard inspections, about 50 people and guests were there, estimated about 75. We only had to wait about 15 minutes to be inspected. Cameras were permitted, even cell phones, but had to be turned off. Wouldn't even dare walk in with cell phone, but with my stepdaughter, would have to be surgically removed from her hand.

Then another line inside to collect your oat appointment with those 8 questions and green cards. Just glanced at hers. Didn't even know they had a basement with theater type seats, almost fell asleep. New female office manager started at 3:05 PM, gave a quick but not very accurate description of what you do after you get your certificate, DOS, SS, voters registration, and your DMV. Said she was not very photogenic, so no picture taking please. Did have the camera, but no big deal, not like you are going to half a poster size photo printed off and hang that in your living room. Had each country stand up, vast majority were from China, a handful from Africa, stepdaughter stood up alone from Latin America, or and a couple of Pakistan.

Had to watch Obama on a 27" inch TV set and a video of America the Beautiful that lasted about seven minutes. All stood up to lip sync the oath, just a formality, you already read and signed the oath at your interview. Tossed in the Pledge of Allegiance after that. Wife and I stood up for that, sat during the oath part. Then the certificates were passed out, was warned to read them first for accuracy, then told to walk out the door.

Major concern was winter storms with that 225 mile drive back, took me as long as ten hours to come home after St. Paul, but the Lord was with us. Still and exhausting day. But stepdaughter was able to get her US passport and apply for study in Liverpool. Maybe that wasn't good for me, her university supplied the airline ticket, but was from O'Hare instead of our local airline. Would have only costs 60 bucks more from our local airport, but to late to change it. So had to drive 600 miles last Thursday to drop her off in that made traffic. Kind of tired today.

Our immigration experience was a lot of driving, wonder if the USCIS is getting a kickback from the oil companies.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Our office's waiting room is about the same size. Since it's gonna take the whole day, I have to bring the kids along. If the guest attendance is limited, my husband will have to wait outside with them, and that would plain suck... Oh well, the main goal is to become a citizen, not to have a perfect event

Although I'd like for the kids to be present, since two of them are (unofficially) becoming citizens at my ceremony.

All I can say, and I am not trying to be rude, if your kids start to scream, have your husband take them out of the room even if he has to miss you receiving your certificate. During my ceremony I couldn't hear what was being said because there were several families who couldn't keep their kids quiet and honestly should have left them at home if they hadn't been taught how to behave. Not everyone is in love with a 2 yr old screaming.

I don't mean that negatively towards you as I am the mother of 3, it's just that it is an important event and everyone has to be sensitive to others.

Hope your ceremony goes smoothly

[OKflyboy 35]

I can't edit my post! Just to add that my appointment letter was for 7:30 AM but the ceremony started an hour later!

Sil

7.30 am? Ouch. I would have to leave home at 3 am. I'm glad mine is at 1 pm.

Thanks for the information!

[OKflyboy 35]

Our immigration experience was a lot of driving, wonder if the USCIS is getting a kickback from the oil companies.

Same here. Seven years of filing and driving.

Unfortunately, it's not going to be over just yet

[OKflyboy 35]

All I can say, and I am not trying to be rude, if your kids start to scream, have your husband take them out of the room even if he has to miss you receiving your certificate. During my ceremony I couldn't hear what was being said because there were several families who couldn't keep their kids quiet and honestly should have left them at home if they hadn't been taught how to behave. Not everyone is in love with a 2 yr old screaming.

I don't mean that negatively towards you as I am the mother of 3, it's just that it is an important event and everyone has to be sensitive to others.

Hope your ceremony goes smoothly

No, no screaming from mine

They've been there several times and sat in the dead quiet waiting room for a couple of hours a couple of times. Never had a problem.