How early to show up for the ceremony in Chicago

[Mestis 1]

I am having my oath ceremony next week downtown Chicago at 1pm. Is 1pm the time i need to show or I need to show earlier? My husband would want to come with me, but we don't want him to miss too much work... the letter doesnt say to arrive earlier...

Thanks!

[kovacs 20]

15-20 minutes early so you can clear any security.

[kovacs 20]

Mestis, how many days from your interview to oath? I looked for your timeline, but looks like you did not publish one.

[Mestis 1]

Yeah. Life has been nuts... Got my interview on august 13th, my oath in September 15th. However, my timeline might be off due to thr fact i was out of the country this week and i asked them to schedule my Oath after September 12th. They did put that note on my file, so who knows... might have been earlier otherwise. Didnt want to deal with getting a passport that quickly.

[kovacs 20]

Thank you.

Yeah. Life has been nuts... Got my interview on august 13th, my oath in September 15th. However, my timeline might be off due to thr fact i was out of the country this week and i asked them to schedule my Oath after September 12th. They did put that note on my file, so who knows... might have been earlier otherwise. Didnt want to deal with getting a passport that quickly.

[Mestis 1]

Another question.... Do I have to go in at the same time of my husband, or I can arrive early to check in and him later just for the ceremony?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I would say much earlier then 15-20 minutes....we were instructed to arrive an hour, if not more ahead of our 2pm ceremony since they need to process everyone prior to the ceremony starting. We arrived for my daughter's at least an hour ahead

Perhaps someone on VJ has recently reviewed their Chicago experience?

Either - he can arrive a little later and just go up to the ceremony room/location or like my husband who came with me and sat and waited during the pre-processing.

Another question.... Do I have to go in at the same time of my husband, or I can arrive early to check in and him later just for the ceremony?

Edited September 10, 2015 by Udella&Wiz

[kovacs 20]

The Chicago ceremonies are much smaller. They do 2-3 a week in a courtroom, not a small theatre (like some cities do). If they had wanted folks to be there an hour early, they would have set the declared appointment time an hour earlier.

[NikosF 6]

I had my ceremony in Chicago - at the Federal building, not the courthouse.

I arrived early, but there was no need. We were made to wait in the common waiting area until the ceremony time, and only THEN did they have us line up to check our paperwork before having us take seats in large room.

So - just be there on time, maybe leave 10 extra minutes to clear security downstairs (who are worse than the TSA and without any sense of humor whatsoever)

[Mestis 1]

I had my ceremony in Chicago - at the Federal building, not the courthouse.

I arrived early, but there was no need. We were made to wait in the common waiting area until the ceremony time, and only THEN did they have us line up to check our paperwork before having us take seats in large room.

So - just be there on time, maybe leave 10 extra minutes to clear security downstairs (who are worse than the TSA and without any sense of humor whatsoever)

Nikos,

Thank you! I had my ceremony yesterday and it was exactly as you mentioned! Was a huge help.

Finally done... Thank you all!