N-400 February 2016 Filers

[Iwo_Jima 119]

I'M A US CITIZEN NOW!!!!!!

The Oath Ceremony was at Campbell Heritage Theatre in our Santa Clara county, CA

There were 2 Ceremonies that day (at the same location). One was at 9:30 AM and the second one was at 12:30 PM

There were 473 Oath takers from 63 countries in our Ceremony (@12:30 PM) and I assume it was the same amount in the morning..

Half of the 473 people were from India.

200 out of 500 guests were allowed to get in to see the ceremony the rest had to wait outside.

Speakers were:

USCIS Field Office director

State Department Passport Services representative

SSA representative

Election Office representative

Passport Service representative talked about applying for US passport. SSA guy said we have to update our SSC's after THREE WEEKS from now (second week of July). To update we have to visit SSA office in person.

Election Office guy talked about how important is to vote in November 08 elections and only 8% of our County's population vote so it is literally "every vote counts".

Field Office Director I guess was a fan of soccer he mentioned several times about soccer and today's game (USA vs Ecuador in Copa America).

I haven't applied for US passport because first I'm planning to change my last name and then apply for US passport. Our San Jose Field Office do not provide such (name change) service.

Question to all:

What if I will not update my SSC information after 3 weeks but update it later when I will change my name?? Are there any drawbacks (other than employment related)?

Because I wanna update my SSC just once (when I change my last name) but not twice (now and after changing my last name)

[anishp 2]

Many Congratulations Iwo_Jima !!!!!

As for the question of impact of last update of SSC, I do not think it matters and makes much more sense to have it updated after you are done with your name change and got your new passport.

[Iwo_Jima 119]

Many Congratulations Iwo_Jima !!!!!

As for the question of impact of last update of SSC, I do not think it matters and makes much more sense to have it updated after you are done with your name change and got your new passport.

Thank you.

[zkt101 38]

Name change with naturalization is free, why wait after naturalization?

[anishp 2]

@zkt101 : San Jose do not allow name change during Naturalization

Edited June 17, 2016 by anishp

[Iwo_Jima 119]

Name change with naturalization is free, why wait after naturalization?

@zkt101 : San Jose do not allow name change during Naturalization

Right, San Jose Field Office do not provide name change service and do not have a Judicial Oath Ceremony

[zkt101 38]

That sucks. So It means you have to pay to change your name, and then later if you want to change the name on the CON, you have to pay again.

[ryna 132]

Right, San Jose Field Office do not provide name change service and do not have a Judicial Oath Ceremony

I guess that's better than Orlando forcing it upon you...

[KASH2011 382]

I'M A US CITIZEN NOW!!!!!!

Congrats!

[Iwo_Jima 119]

That sucks. So It means you have to pay to change your name, and then later if you want to change the name on the CON, you have to pay again.

I have to pay court fees to change my name. I don't think I will have to pay for CON again because I will have judge decision on a name change. This (+ my CON with old name) will be enough to apply for US passport.

Congrats!

Thank you.

[Iwo_Jima 119]

Oh, and my Apologizes. I forgot to thank.

THANK YOU TO VISAJOURNEY AND GOOGLE AND WIKIPEDIA to come my dream true.

[JimmyHou 611]

I have to pay court fees to change my name. I don't think I will have to pay for CON again because I will have judge decision on a name change. This (+ my CON with old name) will be enough to apply for US passport.

Thank you.

Correct.

You should also ask for additional certified copies of the name change order while you're at it. These should only be $10 or $20 each. That way you can keep one with your naturalization certificate in a safe place.

I agree that waiting to get the passports and update the Social Security card is the best thing to do. But I did want to point out that if you need to travel soon, and if the name change process is going to take a long time in San Jose, you can get a passport now in your current name. The State Department allows you to order a new passport at no additional cost if your name has changed within a year of getting a passport. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html#Changes

Incidentally, San Jose is not the only district office that does not offer judicial ceremonies, and therefore does not offer name changes. But the only other offices that also do this are all in Northern California, as far as I know. I guess this means that the Federal District Court for the Northern California has decided to delegate all naturalization sir money duties to USCIS. In most areas, the district court allows US EIS to conduct some administrative oaths, but still conduct some judicial ceremonies itself.

[akihon 129]

I guess that's better than Orlando forcing it upon you...

LOL I was waiting for your comment on this

[akihon 129]

nhutchings oath today!

[ryna 132]

LOL I was waiting for your comment on this

I USCIS!!!