Do I leave my spouse at home for the citizenship interview

[bestofboth 1]

Hi all,

Thanks in no small part to this forum, I am finally in the home stretch of my dealings with USCIS.... I recently received a letter notifying me of my citizenship interview (March 19th in Los Angeles), and I saw no mention of bringing my spouse with me to the interview. Is this correct? Do I just bring myself then? There was something about bringing his birth certificate and proof of our relationship etc. so it strikes me as strange that they wouldn't want to check in to see that we're still legit

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bring your spouse. Even though he won't be invited for the interview, the IO expects to see him in the waiting room. People have been denied or delayed for not having the spouse present.

Edited March 4, 2013 by The Patriot

[bestofboth 1]

Oh wow... really? How can they deny you for something they don't even ask for? Glad I asked then!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There was one poster here that went alone, the IO wasn't sure, so he made her come back with her spouse, and interviewed him separately, almost like a mini-stokes interview. I think it worked out okay for them.

[TinyColombian 3]

I went with my wife on thursday and the IO did not let her in, but asked me later if she was my spouse and the wrote in the first page of the file "spouse on the lobby"

[NickD 203]

As long as I have been on this board, only one person reported her IO wanted to meet her spouse. Neither my wife's or stepdaughter's IO's would even return my hello. It does seem strange, in particular with the three year marriage privilege, just about every document my wife brought in, had my name on it.

Reminded me of Nazi Germany, just wanted to see my papers, and that's all they wanted to see.

Still glad I went along to clam my girls, they are still unaccustomed to walking into a place loaded with armed guards. We also practiced the civics test on that long drive over, both slept on that long drive home after we stopped for a good dinner. Those interviews can be exhausting.

[FlipgalRN 19]

You can bring your spouse and have them wait for you. That way if the IO wants to meet them you won't have any problems. Good luck with your interview!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi all,

Thanks in no small part to this forum, I am finally in the home stretch of my dealings with USCIS.... I recently received a letter notifying me of my citizenship interview (March 19th in Los Angeles), and I saw no mention of bringing my spouse with me to the interview. Is this correct? Do I just bring myself then? There was something about bringing his birth certificate and proof of our relationship etc. so it strikes me as strange that they wouldn't want to check in to see that we're still legit

Not required and I've read of some people have no issues with this, but as others stated, better to be safe than sorry.

My husband plans on being there for the interview (with a book!) as well as most likely biometrics and Oath ceremony. This is "our" process which is why he wants to be there and why I want him there. It'll be good to be together when we're told it's finally all over!

[w8inglongtime 29]

Bring your spouse. Even though he won't be invited for the interview, the IO expects to see him in the waiting room. People have been denied or delayed for not having the spouse present.

Are you sure about that? Being denied for not bringing a spouse when that wasn't required seem odd to me.

[av8or 34]

sigh.. no need to bring spouse as she is not being interviewed but you.. i went alone for my interview and had no problems.. to say you might be denied if your spouse is not there is crazy.. as long as you have all your paperwork in order.. again not required.. good luck op

[VanessaTony 3,567]

sigh.. no need to bring spouse as she is not being interviewed but you.. i went alone for my interview and had no problems.. to say you might be denied if your spouse is not there is crazy.. as long as you have all your paperwork in order.. again not required.. good luck op

It's not "crazy" because it depends on each individual file. People with red flags may have issues going alone. You're right, the spouse isn't needed, but better to have the spouse there and get it done than get the interview postponed while they schedule a new interview/stokes.

[av8or 34]

It's not "crazy" because it depends on each individual file. People with red flags may have issues going alone. You're right, the spouse isn't needed, but better to have the spouse there and get it done than get the interview postponed while they schedule a new interview/stokes.

you have a red flag because of your paperwork.. i highly doubt that the io will ask you " is your wife /husband here? ooooh, sorry i can't approve this.. " see how crazy that sounds.. also your wife/husband can't do anything anymore right there because the problem to begin with is your paperwork not her/his lack of presence.. having her/him there will not change anything if you paperwork is amiss.. you think the io will say" yeeeah, you paper work is not quite right but hey, since your husband/ wife is here, congratulations fellow citizen"..

Edited March 5, 2013 by av8or

[VanessaTony 3,567]

you have a red flag because of your paperwork.. i highly doubt that the io will ask you " is your wife /husband here? ooooh, sorry i can't approve this.. " see how crazy that sounds.. also your wife/husband can't do anything anymore right there because the problem to begin with is your paperwork not her/his lack of presence.. having her/him there will not change anything if you paperwork is amiss.. you think the io will say" yeeeah, you paper work is not quite right but hey, since your husband/ wife is here, congratulations fellow citizen"..

You are being ridiculous. The presence of the spouse permits a stokes interview if required due to that particular persons file... as previously stated above by another poster. The mere presence isn't enough of course, I'm talking if the spouse is require for interview.

[av8or 34]

You are being ridiculous. The presence of the spouse permits a stokes interview if required due to that particular persons file... as previously stated above by another poster. The mere presence isn't enough of course, I'm talking if the spouse is require for interview.

again, the wife/husband is not being interviewed but the person filing the n400.. you even stated the fact they are not needed.. if anything, they come for support NOTHING ELSE.. shoot you can bring your whole clan if you want to.. invite your friends as well.. make it a party if it helps ease your anxiety..

Edited March 6, 2013 by Kathryn41
provocative comment removed

[VanessaTony 3,567]

again, the wife/husband is not being interviewed but the person filing the n400.. you even stated the fact they are not needed.. if anything, they come for support NOTHING ELSE.. shoot you can bring your whole clan if you want to.. invite your friends as well.. make it a party if it helps ease your anxiety..

You do not know this for sure. It is better for people to err on the side of caution.

Edited March 6, 2013 by Kathryn41
provocative comment in quote and response removed