End of my journey - Oath ceremony at Fairfax, VA

[H&V 5]

As of today, I am a US citizen! A huge thank you to everybody on VJ who has helped us along the way - answering questions, putting minds at rest and updating timelines. It is awesome to think we have managed to do it from Fiancee Visa through AOS and ROC to Citizenship all without having to pay a lawyer or anyone to help. This place is such a great resource - I hope we can find one similar when we go the other way back to the UK!

Quick Oath ceremony report for those at Fairfax, VA. Notes: based on 3-year marriage, VA resident, military filing but not under expedite.

Getting the appointment:

I was approved at interview on 12/14/12. At the time, I declined a same-day oath because I wouldn't have had time to get a passport for travel we had planned for the holidays (same-day passport place not being open on the weekend). So, I *assumed* (hah, never assume!) that they would just put me in the queue and I'd receive my letter in the mail, etc. At the end of January I hadn't heard anything, so I called the military helpline and was told that they couldn't help because the Fairfax office does the scheduling. Ok, we wait a few more weeks. Next time, got my husband to call, he gets a super helpful person who emails the Fairfax office for us, and we hear back that they thought I was still out of the country and were waiting for me to call them to schedule the oath :/ (no idea how I was supposed to contact them, as there is no phone number/email listed on the website or anywhere else). So, ok. That was last week. Yesterday, I get a voicemail from the officer who interviewed me wanting to schedule my oath - we were told they do ceremonies generally on Mondays or Tuesdays or, could I do tomorrow (i.e. today!). Short notice but figured we should do it because who knows otherwise. I received the appointment letter via email.

Actual ceremony:

Today went incredibly smoothly and quickly, the whole visit was about 40min, the actual ceremony about 10min. We went straight up to the waiting room, the same officer who did my interview checked my form (no problem having been abroad - just asked where and for how long) and took my green card. Then it was through to the ceremony room - there were only 5 of us! Given a pack of stuff (letter from President, copy of Constitution, etc) and waited about 15min. Then another officer came in, told us about what to do with the certificates, etc, and then we all took the Oath. Family could take photos while we did. That was it! No videos to watch or the National Anthem or anything. Plenty of time afterwards for happy photos with the flags, etc. A great day!

[GandD 5,966]

Congrats and welcome to citizenship.

[Ralph and Meghan 19]

Congratz.

[DC85 113]

congratulation

[Jess&Steven 0]

Congratulations!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Congrats!

[Barca 10]

congrats

[Gboree 67]

We all can tell how excited you are... congrats