Chicago, IL - N-400 - Naturalization Experiences

[NINA80 9]

Congratulations everyone! Wish me good luck as my interview is September 30th at 1:45. i hate driving in the traffic so i will be taking the blue line.

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

Congratulations everyone! Wish me good luck as my interview is September 30th at 1:45. i hate driving in the traffic so i will be taking the blue line.

Wish you luck. You will be good... Traffic in bigger cities are unimaginable, it's horrible. Taking a train is a wise thing to do.

Thanks!

[irma24 3]

On Sept. 19 I pass the Citizenship exam but I only received recommendation for approval.

Today in email from USCIS about my Case Status Information I got notice:

"Your Case Status: Oath Ceremony

On September 23, 2013, we placed your application in the oath scheduling que. We will send a notice when the ceremony is scheduled...

Naturalization Applicants: you will receive your certificate at your oath ceremony. You can expect to be scheduled for an oath ceremony within 45 days of receiving your recommended approval."

I am so glad this journey is finally almost over!

Thank you very much for your support.

[irma24 3]

Citizenship my Timeline

Event Date

Service Center : Phoenix AZ Lockbox

CIS Office : Chicago IL

Date Filed : 2013-06-15

NOA Date : 2013-06-19

Bio. Appt. : 2013-07-12

Interview Date : 2013-09-19

Approved : Yes

Oath Ceremony : xxxx-xx-xx

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

On Sept. 19 I pass the Citizenship exam but I only received recommendation for approval.

Today in email from USCIS about my Case Status Information I got notice:

"Your Case Status: Oath Ceremony

On September 23, 2013, we placed your application in the oath scheduling que. We will send a notice when the ceremony is scheduled...

Naturalization Applicants: you will receive your certificate at your oath ceremony. You can expect to be scheduled for an oath ceremony within 45 days of receiving your recommended approval."

I am so glad this journey is finally almost over!

Thank you very much for your support.

We are getting there! My oath is scheduled this Friday, Sept 27. I could not be more excited... hope you get scheduled for the oath very soon!

[irma24 3]

Finally, I have just received Oath Letter with information that my Oath Ceremony will be Wednesday October 2, 2013 at 1pm in Downtown Chicago.

I’m so happy that the end is near!

Jay2Pnoy, how was your Oath Ceremony? Please share your experience.

[NINA80 9]

We are getting there! My oath is scheduled this Friday, Sept 27. I could not be more excited... hope you get scheduled for the oath very soon!

Congratulation. Please tell us your experience. I am changing my first name so I think I will take time to get the oath if I passe my interview on Monday!

Finally, I have just received Oath Letter with information that my Oath Ceremony will be Wednesday October 2, 2013 at 1pm in Downtown Chicago.

Im so happy that the end is near!

Jay2Pnoy, how was your Oath Ceremony? Please share your experience.

Congratulation! That was fast

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

Irma24 - That's great news! Oct 2nd isnt too far anymore. You are almost there!

Here’s my experience today:

Got to the Chicago USCIS District Office at 8am for 9am oath ceremony. We went straight to the 3rd floor reception desk, the guard told us to sit in the middle row seats and wait, asked the guard if we needed to check-in said not needed. While we waited, sister and I signed and filled out the back of the form N-445, Yes or No questions including the rest of the questionnaire.

At about 9:10am, lady officers were making announcements but since sister and I sat towards the end row we barely heard what their announcements were about… anyways, there were a couple of other officers checking between rows to ensure the back of our N-445 were completely filled out and signed. They asked family members, relatives and friends to move out to sit on different rows and only those taking oath need to be seated in the middle rows.

Then the officers called out those applicants who needed special accommodations, those in wheelchairs, using cane, etc. and those that needed interpreters have to fall in line at the front, after which they were asked to proceed to the auditorium. They were calling us by the row, officer at the front was checking appointment letters before we could proceed to the auditorium where the oath will be held.

Upon entering the auditorium, there’s another guy officer re-checking appointment letters and at this time we surrendered our green cards. We were handed numbered tags, sister was given #107, I had #108, asked us to proceed in to the auditorium, another guy was assisting us to be seated by the number on the right side rows. Each chair had a manila envelop marked M-771, inside the envelop you could find a letter from The President from the White House, pamphlet about the Declaration of Independence, Oath of Allegiance, Pledge of Allegiance and The Star-Spangled Banner. In there, there was also a little book called “Citizen Almanac“, info for new citizens, Voter’s Guide for Federal Elections, Application for US Passport and an empty flip card board for the naturalization certificate. Then, our guests followed, were seated on the left side rows.

We were asked to use the bathrooms prior to starting the ceremony, the actual ceremony started at about 9:50a. The supervisor for the District Office spoke first, welcomed us as new citizens, watched videos about the history, messages from those distinguished naturalized citizens, one of the videos featured President Obama. We then took Oath of Allegiance, recited after the supervisor, sung Star-Spangled Banner, and then the Pledge of Allegiance. It has been a tradition of Chicago CIS office to do a roll call of countries we had to stand up as they call our country of origin. We were asked to go to fall in line by the number in the middle of the stage as they call out our names to get our certificates. Then the last congratulatory announcement from the officers, told us to check our certificates and if we find errors to report to one of the officers for correction. Unfortunately, they did not use up the photos I sent with application instead my cert had the picture taken from my biometrics appointment… I politely asked if they could change it to the one I sent with my application, was told not. Oh well, picture was not too bad, anyways. After the ceremony, everybody’s taking pictures with the officers and the district supervisor.

Upon exit from the auditorium, there are a bunch of representatives from the Board of Elections handing out forms to register to vote. Some of us registered, but I personally did not since I did not get enough sleep last night and very tired so took the form home instead.

I thought could also apply for a passport in the premises so I brought another set of 2x2 pictures with me for the passport application but unfortunately you have to go to US Passport Agency located at 230 South Dearborn in order to apply which is a couple of blocks from their building. I will just apply later.

I am glad and finally this journey’s all over! I appreciate and thank you for all your support.

For those who have been granted citizenship, Congratulations! Those who are still in the process, good luck to all of you, a brighter day is ahead!

Edited September 28, 2013 by Jay2Pnoy

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

Congratulation. Please tell us your experience. I am changing my first name so I think I will take time to get the oath if I passe my interview on Monday!

Congratulation! That was fast

Oh, true - it might be a while if you are changing name, I was going to do that but I rescind that during the interview.

Hope for the best for you!

Thank you!

[NINA80 9]

Irma24 - That's great news! Oct 2nd isnt too far anymore. You are almost there!

Heres my experience today:

Got to the Chicago USCIS District Office at 8am for 9am oath ceremony. We went straight to the 3rd floor reception desk, the guard told us to sit in the middle row seats and wait, asked the guard if we needed to check-in said not needed. While we waited, sister and I signed and filled out the back of the form N-445, Yes or No questions including the rest of the questionnaire.

At about 9:10am, lady officers were making announcements but since sister and I sat towards the end row we barely heard what their announcements were about anyways, there were a couple of other officers checking between rows to ensure the back of our N-445 were completely filled out and signed. They asked family members, relatives and friends to move out to sit on different rows and only those taking oath need to be seated in the middle rows.

Then the officers called out those applicants who needed special accommodations, those in wheelchairs, using cane, etc. and those that needed interpreters have to fall in line at the front, after which they were asked to proceed to the auditorium. They were calling us by the row, officer at the front was checking appointment letters before we could proceed to the auditorium where the oath will be held.

Upon entering the auditorium, theres another guy officer re-checking appointment letters and at this time we surrendered our green cards. We were handed numbered tags, sister was given #107, I had #108, asked us to proceed in to the auditorium, another guy was assisting us to be seated by the number on the right side rows. Each chair had a manila envelop marked M-771, inside the envelop you could find a letter from The President from the White House, pamphlet about the Declaration of Independence, Oath of Allegiance, Pledge of Allegiance and The Star-Spangled Banner. In there, there was also a little book called Citizen Almanac, info for new citizens, Voters Guide for Federal Elections, Application for US Passport and an empty flip card board for the naturalization certificate. Then, our guests followed, were seated on the left side rows.

We were asked to use the bathrooms prior to starting the ceremony, the actual ceremony started at about 9:50a. The supervisor for the District Office spoke first, welcomed us as new citizens, watched videos about the history, messages from those distinguished naturalized citizens, one of the videos featured President Obama. We then took Oath of Allegiance, recited after the supervisor, sung Star-Spangled Banner, and then the Pledge of Allegiance. It has been a tradition of Chicago CIS office to do a roll call of countries we had to stand up as they call our country of origin. We were asked to go to fall in line by the number in the middle of the stage as they call out our names to get our certificates. Then the last congratulatory announcement from the officers, told us to check our certificates and if we find errors to report to one of the officers for correction. Unfortunately, they did not use up the photos I sent with application instead my cert had the picture taken from my biometrics appointment I politely asked if they could change it to the one I sent with my application, was told not. Oh well, picture was not too bad, anyways. After the ceremony, everybodys taking pictures with the officers and the district supervisor.

Upon exit from the auditorium, there are a bunch of representatives from the Board of Elections handing out forms to register to vote. Some of us registered, but I personally did not since I did not get enough sleep last night and very tired so took the form home instead.

I thought could also apply for a passport in the premises so I brought another set of 2x2 pictures with me for the passport application but unfortunately you have to go to US Passport Agency located at 230 South Dearborn in order to apply which is a couple of blocks from their building. I will just apply later.

I am glad and finally this journeys all over! I appreciate and thank you for all your support.

For those who have been granted citizenship, Congratulations! Those who are still in the process, good luck to all of you, a brighter day is ahead!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope they are not going to use you photo from your biometric. Mine was horrible it was at 8am and I was very sick! How about you sister's? Which did she has in her certificate?

I am glade you are done with immigration. Enjoy you life as U.S citizen

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope they are not going to use you photo from your biometric. Mine was horrible it was at 8am and I was very sick! How about you sister's? Which did she has in her certificate?

I am glade you are done with immigration. Enjoy you life as U.S citizen

I hope they won't on yours, really coz they also used my sister's photo on her biometrics.

Most of us who've been privileged take this for granted, I will make the most of it.

You're getting there, good luck! =)

[NINA80 9]

I hope they won't on yours, really coz they also used my sister's photo on her biometrics.

Most of us who've been privileged take this for granted, I will make the most of it.

You're getting there, good luck! =)

Oops. Even if you they use mine it will be ok. Anyway I only need it one time to apply for my passport and than it will go straight to the safe lock so nobody can see. It :) )

[irma24 3]

Jay2Pnoy, thank you very much for your experience from your and your sister Oath Ceremony. Is very helpful.

I also received two oath letters: one from our local office which is Chicago (09/27/13), and another one from the National Benefits Center (yesterday). All is the same except the date when the oath letters were printed.

I will share my experience on the end of the week. Thanks!

[Jay2Pnoy 3]

Irma,

Please post your oath experience... sure would help other Chicago filers.

Congrats again!

[irma24 3]

Thank you Jay2Pnoy!

This is my Oath Ceremony experience.

My oath was on Wednesday at 1 pm, although they started a little late. We left around 11 am and arrived around 12pm in Chicago Downtown. Then we went to waiting room on 3th flour. My family had to sit in the visitor's section and I had to sit in Oath Ceremony section. Then, around 1:30 the lines began to move. Before entering we were asked to show them our Oath letter and then told to go to have a seat in Auditorium. I gave the IO my green card and my oath letter. He looked at it, signed it, and then I was off to take my seat with number. Who traveled between Interview and Oath must have travel document-passport.

I sat down in second row (do not change your seat). On our chairs we found a white envelope. I grabbed them, sat down and waited. Our families were allowed to come into our area 15 min later. Afterwards the ceremony began. The speaker was saying there were 135 people taking the oath that day and that he was going to say which countries we represented. I am originally from Poland, and there were people from 37 countries. The Judge came in afterwards and she introduced herself. Then we did the pledge of allegiance and sang the Star - Spangled Banner. We saw the movie abut history of immigration to the US. Then the judge told us to stand up for the oath. We all held up our right hand and said the oath. Next we listened the President Obama speech. Later the judge gave a speech and when she was done, we were let go one by one to pick up our certificates.

The Social Security Administration was not there to update our information (we could do it in our hometown).

We also have to visit DMV facility (driver’s license office) to update our info.

There were no people to sign us up to vote. You can do this on lnternet.

The overall experience was exciting and memorable.

Good luck for everybody in citizenship process.