Oath experience in Oakland, CA(San Francisco office)

[alanandmaria 8]

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.

We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.

Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.

Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.

Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.

It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

[Iwo_Jima 119]

Congrats.

[Spmaria 11]

Congratulations and all the best to you =)

[abhi_meli 150]

I bet it was an awesome experience and moment.I am sure almost all the immigrants here dream of that moment....congratulations....

[Caramel Swirl 54]

Congratulations. I can just imagine the joy that comes with that milestone.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Congratulations !

[silvermug 16]

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.

We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.

Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.

Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.

Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.

It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

did they tell you how long it's going to take for you to get your passport?

[alanandmaria 8]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I'm absolutely confident everyone here will become USCs

Silvermug, they didn't tell me how long it would take to receive my passport and card. I applied for the expedited service which is 3 weeks or less to receive the passport and card. Looking at the passport tracker, I'll probably get them in 2 weeks or less. I'll post my progress on the passport tracker thread once my application is traceable

[pch1 64]

I remember taking the Oath in San Francisco many years ago as well, the ceremony made me shiver, I also remember they made a mistake in my name, then I just had to go back and pick-it up the next day. lol

I was proud to be American Citizen back then and still am proud to say it out loud, PROUD TO BE AMERICAN, THANK YOU AMERICA AND GOD BLESS THE USA!!

[Longrangeshootr 20]

Congrats!

[quan12 6]

Congratulations.

[rickylala 0]

Hi alanandmaria,

 

Thanks for the sharing!~

 

If i have filled out the passport application, on the page 1, 2nd portion said ' Stop! Continue to Page2', in the bottom there is 'applicant's legal signature', we can sign it and doesn't have to be in front of 'authorized agent', correct?

Because you said we just gave the package to the agent. So should i not sign and when i give to the officer and sign in front of he/she? 

 

Need certificate of naturalization with passport submission, but in that place can we go somewhere to get copy of certificate? Or you just take picture from the phone? Kind of worry the certificate might be lost. 

 

Thanks, 

[EandJ 15]

On 5/15/2017 at 6:44 PM, rickylala said:

Hi alanandmaria,

 

Thanks for the sharing!~

 

If i have filled out the passport application, on the page 1, 2nd portion said ' Stop! Continue to Page2', in the bottom there is 'applicant's legal signature', we can sign it and doesn't have to be in front of 'authorized agent', correct?

Because you said we just gave the package to the agent. So should i not sign and when i give to the officer and sign in front of he/she? 

 

Need certificate of naturalization with passport submission, but in that place can we go somewhere to get copy of certificate? Or you just take picture from the phone? Kind of worry the certificate might be lost. 

 

Thanks, 

Hi did you apply passport at the ceremony? how did you do it? did you sign the application infornt of an officer?

Im kinda worried too give my passport application with my original naturalization certificate without making a copy of it.

[JoeSchmoe2017 92]

@alanandmaria  Congratulations!!!  I had my Oath at the Paramount 3 months ago.