N400 Seattle (merged)

[JFH 12,189]

2 hours ago, Shivoham said:

Update: I had my rescheduled interview today. It took me just about an hour in the building. I passed, and was given the oath and the certificate then and there. My officer was strict but made sure that i got the oath and certificate today despite some challenges. Thank you to everyone on this forum for their support and sharing their learnings.  I am sharing some things I learnt that are relevant for this group. 

Know your dates, esp your travel dates since application. In my case, i had written the in and out dates on a piece of paper, and handed it over to the officer. She happily took it to enter them in system. If you were out of US for a relatively long time, make sure you are ready to explain. 

They want to make sure you are who you say you are. So they ask details: What date you got green card?; Have a child, know their birthday;  Had a divorce, bring your decree; pay child support, bring your proof of payments etc. Review your N-400

 

On the confusion of whether oath is given same day or not: Know that the USCIS seattle tries to give it to you the same day (more often than not, they do). However, at times, they can't. Not sure of exact reasons, but it doesn't look like it is random. it's only not given when they truly can't do it (because of some system limitations I guess)

 

Tip on Passport: Make sure you fill out the passport application form in "Black Ink" not blue , and don't use the form from the website (Coz it's not an updated form). Instead, use the form that the USCIS gives you as part of naturalization packet OR pick up the form from a post office. Someone  had shared about the Bellevue passport officer being a helpful guy. I just walked in this morning, and he happily took my passport application (no appointment). I had my paper work all ready for him to make it quick.

 

Plug: I plan to move to India after getting my passport, India visa etc, in near future. So if there are any other people in the same boat, we can make a support group to help each other. Please reach out in a private message. Thanks. 

Congratulations! And thank you for the useful info on passports. 

[Danko1 1]

Hey Guys! Having my interview tomorrow... Was wondering if it's allowed to bring the phone inside of the building? Or better to leave it in the car?

[Shivoham 19]

1 minute ago, Danko1 said:

Hey Guys! Having my interview tomorrow... Was wondering if it's allowed to bring the phone inside of the building? Or better to leave it in the car?

u can take the  phone inside with u, just need to put it on silent. The flyers on the wall tell you to turn off the phone though. 

[Danko1 1]

Just now, Shivoham said:

u can take the  phone inside with u, just need to put it on silent. The flyers on the wall tell you to turn off the phone though. 

Thank you so much! I'll feel much more confident even if it's off haha

[nikgon 11]

On 3/14/2021 at 3:09 PM, bmq said:

We got the next day hearing, but if you reach court earlier in the day (before 11am, ideally before 10:30am) I think you can get same day hearing.

 

I suggest get your name changed, and don't wait for interview date. 

Thank you for the update! Really helps! 

 

Here's what I got from the USCIS on the subject:

 

USCIS has two types of naturalization ceremonies. Depending on your USCIS office, you may attend a judicial ceremony or an administrative ceremony.

1. In a judicial ceremony, the court administers the Oath of Allegiance.
2. In an administrative ceremony, USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance.

More information about naturalization ceremonies can be found here.

If you are taking the oath in a judicial ceremony, you may request the court to change your name. Any name change you request on your N-400 application will not be final until you are naturalized by the court. If the court grants your request, your new name will appear on your Naturalization Certificate. 

You do not need to request a name change if your name has changed through marriage, divorce, or other court order. However, you may need to present proof that you have already changed your name according to the legal requirements that apply to persons living in your state. Such proof might include a marriage certificate or divorce decree showing that you changed your name when you married or divorced or a state order establishing that you changed your name.

You may discuss your options regarding any name change requests with the immigration officer during your naturalization interview.

If your Naturalization Certificate is issued with an error, you may file Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, to request a corrected certificate. You may download a free copy of the form and instructions on our website at www.uscis.gov/n-565. Please read the instructions carefully before filing your application.

[murph32 2]

Just wanted to give everyone an update as I just got home from my naturalization interview. I passed, and re: the name change, at the start of my interview the officer asked if I had any documents to give her to scan into the system that hadn't yet been given to USCIS, so I gave her my name change order then and she updated it in the system then and there and showed me the updated entry to make sure it was correct. Then she just asked me the civics questions and confirmed my name, date of birth, what was on my list of aliases, what my job was, and if I had taken any new trips since I filed the N-400, then just went over part 12 of the form with me. She administered the oath then and there and after everything was done, showed me back to the waiting area where I waited about 20 minutes for my naturalization certificate/packet. It was a lot quicker and more laid back than I expected, from arriving to leaving the building took in total about an hour. Next up is to see if I can get a USPS passport appointment - I've been checking the website on and off and haven't been able to see a single slot yet.

[Vasto_Lorde 12]

2 minutes ago, murph32 said:

Just wanted to give everyone an update as I just got home from my naturalization interview. I passed, and re: the name change, at the start of my interview the officer asked if I had any documents to give her to scan into the system that hadn't yet been given to USCIS, so I gave her my name change order then and she updated it in the system then and there and showed me the updated entry to make sure it was correct. Then she just asked me the civics questions and confirmed my name, date of birth, what was on my list of aliases, what my job was, and if I had taken any new trips since I filed the N-400, then just went over part 12 of the form with me. She administered the oath then and there and after everything was done, showed me back to the waiting area where I waited about 20 minutes for my naturalization certificate/packet. It was a lot quicker and more laid back than I expected, from arriving to leaving the building took in total about an hour. Next up is to see if I can get a USPS passport appointment - I've been checking the website on and off and haven't been able to see a single slot yet.

Congratulations!

[JFH 12,189]

3 hours ago, murph32 said:

Just wanted to give everyone an update as I just got home from my naturalization interview. I passed, and re: the name change, at the start of my interview the officer asked if I had any documents to give her to scan into the system that hadn't yet been given to USCIS, so I gave her my name change order then and she updated it in the system then and there and showed me the updated entry to make sure it was correct. Then she just asked me the civics questions and confirmed my name, date of birth, what was on my list of aliases, what my job was, and if I had taken any new trips since I filed the N-400, then just went over part 12 of the form with me. She administered the oath then and there and after everything was done, showed me back to the waiting area where I waited about 20 minutes for my naturalization certificate/packet. It was a lot quicker and more laid back than I expected, from arriving to leaving the building took in total about an hour. Next up is to see if I can get a USPS passport appointment - I've been checking the website on and off and haven't been able to see a single slot yet.

Congratulations! 

[murph32 2]

Woke up this morning and saw USCIS had taken action on my case online - I checked and it said my oath has been scheduled and notice mailed. Given I've already taken the oath and had my naturalization certificate issued, I assume this is a formality and the notice will just give my interview date? Anyone else who took a same-day oath have any insight here?

[JFH 12,189]

@Vasto_Lorde Good luck today!

[marofams 8]

I had a question since there is a lot of talk about name changes. I'm married and I want to take my husband's name and I didn't want to change my green card so I thought I would do that after the naturalization but from what I'm reading it seems to be possible to change it during the interview and get my certificate in the married name (marriage certificate was filed with N400 application)? Anyone has a similar experience. I filed in March 2020 so expecting an interview maybe in September. 

[nikgon 11]

Anyone has recommendations of good immigration attorneys to have a quick consult about name changes?

 

I think I have an idea of how this all works together, but just wanted to double-check with a professional.

 

Also, thank you very much everyone for your input -- really appreciate!

[Vasto_Lorde 12]

Just got home so sharing this recap of my experience from earlier today.

 

Interview Process

My interview was scheduled for 12:15PM so I got to the front door of the USCIS building at 12 noon. Showed the security team the notice letter USCIS sent me for the interview and then you go through their security screening. The next stage is the intake process during which they take your temperature, review your notice and then give you a ticket with a number that will be called when it's your turn to be interviewed. They ask you to go upstairs to wait to be called. Note that there are two wings you can choose to be seated in. There are at least 4 areas your number can be called from so pay attention. After I was called to the back, the office swore me in and proceeded with the civics questions, English comprehension, and writing test. I completed all that and then she went through the yes/no portion of my N-400. Made a few minor updates and after all righteousness was fulfilled, she administered the oath. Afterwards, she asked me to wait outside for 30 minutes to get my naturalization form. It probably took 10 minutes for the form to come out and that was it. From the time I walked in to the time I exited the building was an hour and 15 minutes total. The office did not ask for any of the documents I brought nor did she give me a hard time. I pretty much only spoke up when I was spoken to. 

 

Passport Application

After I got done with USCIS, I drove straight to the Bellevue Passport office on Bel-Red to apply for both a passport and passport card. I did not have an appointment so I had to wait a bit for the people who had appointments to be seen. I probably waited between 30 to 45 minutes. I had already completed and printed a copy of the passport application form found on the State Department website and the gentleman at the passport office took my photograph for $15. I paid for expedited processing and to require a signature when USPS delivers it to my house. Cost me about $265.

 

Conclusion

It feels great to be done with USCIS so that's awesome. I don't know about any of you here but I have been in the US for 20 years and to finally get the thing I have been chasing for such a long time has me feeling a bit odd. It's like you anticipate a thing for so long and then you get it and afterwards, you're not quite sure what to do with yourself. I think that's where I am mentally at the moment. I am thrilled and happy but there's still that *thing* in my mind. Finally, if someone is driving you to the USCIS building, I recommend not paying to park there. If you go down on Marginal way for like 5 minutes, there's a Starbucks with lots of open and free parking that the person who drove you can just go hang out and wait for you until you're done. For the remainder of you about to go through the process, I wish you the best. I am rooting for all of you. Cheers!

[mbalih 35]

On 3/15/2021 at 4:06 PM, Shivoham said:

Update: I had my rescheduled interview today. It took me just about an hour in the building. I passed, and was given the oath and the certificate then and there. My officer was strict but made sure that i got the oath and certificate today despite some challenges. Thank you to everyone on this forum for their support and sharing their learnings.  I am sharing some things I learnt that are relevant for this group. 

Know your dates, esp your travel dates since application. In my case, i had written the in and out dates on a piece of paper, and handed it over to the officer. She happily took it to enter them in system. If you were out of US for a relatively long time, make sure you are ready to explain. 

They want to make sure you are who you say you are. So they ask details: What date you got green card?; Have a child, know their birthday;  Had a divorce, bring your decree; pay child support, bring your proof of payments etc. Review your N-400

 

On the confusion of whether oath is given same day or not: Know that the USCIS seattle tries to give it to you the same day (more often than not, they do). However, at times, they can't. Not sure of exact reasons, but it doesn't look like it is random. it's only not given when they truly can't do it (because of some system limitations I guess)

 

Tip on Passport: Make sure you fill out the passport application form in "Black Ink" not blue , and don't use the form from the website (Coz it's not an updated form). Instead, use the form that the USCIS gives you as part of naturalization packet OR pick up the form from a post office. Someone  had shared about the Bellevue passport officer being a helpful guy. I just walked in this morning, and he happily took my passport application (no appointment). I had my paper work all ready for him to make it quick.

 

Plug: I plan to move to India after getting my passport, India visa etc, in near future. So if there are any other people in the same boat, we can make a support group to help each other. Please reach out in a private message. Thanks. 

Very nice, congratulations and thank you for sharing! Appreciated!

On 3/11/2021 at 10:00 AM, ReasonableOrange8 said:

They just posted the letter online for interview date -- 04/07/2021. 

 

 

ReasonableOrange8

10/25/2019

11/21/2019

N

03/10/2021 (posted on 11th)

04/07/21

Congrats!!!

[mbalih 35]

On 3/16/2021 at 12:57 AM, Danko1 said:

Thank you so much! I'll feel much more confident even if it's off haha

Hi there, how did you interview go?