Los Angeles N-400 filers

[Scandi 4,166]

Calling out to all Los Angeles N-400 filers!

 

Figured we could have a thread for us who go through our naturalization process at either the Los Angeles field office or the Los Angeles County field office.

 

Welcome, and please share any updates you may have regarding interview or oath ceremony at these two field offices. 👍

[Scandi 4,166]

Just noticed this. 

Los Angeles County

Closed to the public on 07/27/2020 until further notice.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings

[sat123 1]

Oh no. 

 

Does this office cover the whole of L.A. county? Are there other offices that are still open?

[thedarkpoetry 5]

On 6/20/2020 at 11:28 PM, Scandi said:

Calling out to all Los Angeles N-400 filers!

 

Figured we could have a thread for us who go through our naturalization process at either the Los Angeles field office or the Los Angeles County field office.

 

Welcome, and please share any updates you may have regarding interview or oath ceremony at these two field offices. 👍

Anyone happen to know what the difference is between the "Los Angeles field office" and the "Los Angeles County field office"? I went to check wait times on the USCIS website and was confused to see the two of them listed. I can only find existence of one office downtown on North Los Angeles street... 

[Scandi 4,166]

13 minutes ago, thedarkpoetry said:

Anyone happen to know what the difference is between the "Los Angeles field office" and the "Los Angeles County field office"? I went to check wait times on the USCIS website and was confused to see the two of them listed. I can only find existence of one office downtown on North Los Angeles street... 

They are two separate field offices that just happen to share building/address. I'm at the L.A. county field office myself. Your zip code will tell you which field office is yours. 

Edited March 2, 2021 by Scandi

[thedarkpoetry 5]

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

They are two separate fields offices that just happen to share building/address. I'm at the L.A. county field office myself. Your zip code will tell you which field office is yours. 

Gotcha, thank you! I just filed my N400 and my zip is at the Los Angeles field office. Says a 13-16 month wait though my profile estimates November 2021 - guess we'll see how accurate that ends up being lol. Good luck with your interview - so soon! 

[Scandi 4,166]

47 minutes ago, thedarkpoetry said:

Gotcha, thank you! I just filed my N400 and my zip is at the Los Angeles field office. Says a 13-16 month wait though my profile estimates November 2021 - guess we'll see how accurate that ends up being lol. Good luck with your interview - so soon! 

Thanks, good luck to you too! I think my N-400 journey has been slightly shorter this far than I had imagined, when I filed the wait time for both L.A. offices was ~14-15 months based on other VJ members' experiences, so that's what I expected too. Now though, if everything goes according to plan, it will take around 10-11 months instead.

[thedarkpoetry 5]

4 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Thanks, good luck to you too! I think my N-400 journey has been slightly shorter this far than I had imagined, when I filed the wait time for both L.A. offices was ~14-15 months based on other VJ members' experiences, so that's what I expected too. Now though, if everything goes according to plan, it will take around 10-11 months instead.

Wow! Less than a year from filing is awesome. What a pleasant surprise! 😃

[Scandi 4,166]

Los Angeles County field office, passed my interview on March 11, 2021. Filed on May 2020. 

 

Aiso Parking Garage is still the cheapest option for parking when visiting the downtown L.A. field office. $1/hr for the first two hours, $5 for three hours. Plenty of parking too and only a 2 minute walk to the USCIS building. 

 

I had my appointment at 1pm, there were only ~5 people in front of me in line to go through security at the USCIS entrance (they had their own entrance to the left of the main entrance, large signs saying USCIS on them). I stood in line from about 12:40, got through security at 12:45. Perfectly time to take the elevator up to the 6th floor and enter room 6024. The guard specifically asks when your appointment is and will refuse to let you in if you're earlier than 15 minutes. My husband was turned away, family members are allowed to enter the building but not the USCIS offices or waiting rooms.

Guard told me to go to Window 1,  the lady at the window took my appointment letter and told me to put my forehead 1 inch from the machine outside the window to check my temperature. It was fast and easy. Then I was told to sit down and wait. 

 

Appointment was at 1pm but my officer only called my name at 2:30, so quite the delay. I expected this as it was about the same when I was interviewed for my greencard in 2017, nothing had changed. She took me to another waiting room, much smaller, and other than the officer I was the only one there. She asked for my greencard, the passport I entered the US with (that had my K-1 visa in it), my current valid passport and my Driver License. She then told me to wait while she took copies of them and brought my file up (my paper file was HUGE btw, she had it on her desk, close to 8 inches thick). 

 

10 minutes later she came back and brought me into her office. We both wore masks the entire time other than when she asked me to remove it briefly just so she could compare my face to my ID and passport. She was behind a plexi glass window. 

She was very chatty, there was a lot of small talk which helped ease the nervousness. She asked me to stand up and raise my hand and swear to tell the truth. She then started with the civics questions right away, with a ton of small talk in between each, so the test took a long time, haha. She asked me ALL 10 questions even though I answered the first 6 correctly. These were the questions (she said they're computer generated, the office doesn't pick them): 

 

-What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
-There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
-Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
-What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
-What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
-What did Susan B. Anthony do?
-Name one state that borders Canada.
-What is the capital of the United States?
-Where is the Statue of Liberty?
-Name two national U.S. holidays.

 

After the civics test a sentence popped up on the tablet in front of me, I was asked to read it out loud to test my reading skills. Then she read me a sentence that I was asked to write on the tablet to test my writing skills, writing with the stylus pen was probably the hardest part of the whole interview. 

 

The test part of the interview was then over and she started going through each question on the N-400 to see if there was any information that had changed since I filed. There were a couple of things that needed to be corrected due to the online filing system glitches, no actual information had changed. I then had to review the corrections on the tablet and sign with the stylus pen. Same thing happened for my name change, I had to review the spelling of my name and other info to make sure the Naturalization certificate will have the correct info on it, and then I had to sign that with the stylus pen too. 

 

I was never asked any definitions, didn't have to explain any of the words on the N-400.

 

When the whole N-400 form had been gone through and all corrections were signed, she handled me form N-652 that showed I had passed the tests and was recommended for approval. She told me I would have my Oath Ceremony the following Tuesday (five days after the interview). She then took my 2020 tax return that me and my husband had filed jointly just a few days prior (no tax return transcripts available yet), brought me back to the small waiting room outside her office and told me to wait while she scanned the tax return into their system and printed the Oath Ceremony letter. 

 

Then she came back with my tax return and the Oath Ceremony Notice showing the date, time and place. She told me to fill out the oath form at home on the day of the oath, but only sign it once I was actually at the oath ceremony. 

 

That was it, very simple experience, it just took a while. I walked into the building at 12:45 pm and wasn't out until after 3:30 pm. The interview including all the extra random small talk took an hour all-in-all. The only things asked for was my driver license, two of my passports, my greencard and the 2020 tax return. My feeling is that she would've asked for more documents if I hadn't uploaded so much in the online account already (I kept adding documents almost every month my petition was pending). 

[Kevinbrant 2]

On 3/12/2021 at 6:49 AM, Scandi said:

Los Angeles County field office, passed my interview on March 11, 2021. Filed on May 2020. 

 

Aiso Parking Garage is still the cheapest option for parking when visiting the downtown L.A. field office. $1/hr for the first two hours, $5 for three hours. Plenty of parking too and only a 2 minute walk to the USCIS building. 

 

I had my appointment at 1pm, there were only ~5 people in front of me in line to go through security at the USCIS entrance (they had their own entrance to the left of the main entrance, large signs saying USCIS on them). I stood in line from about 12:40, got through security at 12:45. Perfectly time to take the elevator up to the 6th floor and enter room 6024. The guard specifically asks when your appointment is and will refuse to let you in if you're earlier than 15 minutes. My husband was turned away, family members are allowed to enter the building but not the USCIS offices or waiting rooms.

Guard told me to go to Window 1,  the lady at the window took my appointment letter and told me to put my forehead 1 inch from the machine outside the window to check my temperature. It was fast and easy. Then I was told to sit down and wait. 

 

Appointment was at 1pm but my officer only called my name at 2:30, so quite the delay. I expected this as it was about the same when I was interviewed for my greencard in 2017, nothing had changed. She took me to another waiting room, much smaller, and other than the officer I was the only one there. She asked for my greencard, the passport I entered the US with (that had my K-1 visa in it), my current valid passport and my Driver License. She then told me to wait while she took copies of them and brought my file up (my paper file was HUGE btw, she had it on her desk, close to 8 inches thick). 

 

10 minutes later she came back and brought me into her office. We both wore masks the entire time other than when she asked me to remove it briefly just so she could compare my face to my ID and passport. She was behind a plexi glass window. 

She was very chatty, there was a lot of small talk which helped ease the nervousness. She asked me to stand up and raise my hand and swear to tell the truth. She then started with the civics questions right away, with a ton of small talk in between each, so the test took a long time, haha. She asked me ALL 10 questions even though I answered the first 6 correctly. These were the questions (she said they're computer generated, the office doesn't pick them): 

 

-What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
-There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
-Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
-What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
-What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
-What did Susan B. Anthony do?
-Name one state that borders Canada.
-What is the capital of the United States?
-Where is the Statue of Liberty?
-Name two national U.S. holidays.

 

After the civics test a sentence popped up on the tablet in front of me, I was asked to read it out loud to test my reading skills. Then she read me a sentence that I was asked to write on the tablet to test my writing skills, writing with the stylus pen was probably the hardest part of the whole interview. 

 

The test part of the interview was then over and she started going through each question on the N-400 to see if there was any information that had changed since I filed. There were a couple of things that needed to be corrected due to the online filing system glitches, no actual information had changed. I then had to review the corrections on the tablet and sign with the stylus pen. Same thing happened for my name change, I had to review the spelling of my name and other info to make sure the Naturalization certificate will have the correct info on it, and then I had to sign that with the stylus pen too. 

 

I was never asked any definitions, didn't have to explain any of the words on the N-400.

 

When the whole N-400 form had been gone through and all corrections were signed, she handled me form N-652 that showed I had passed the tests and was recommended for approval. She told me I would have my Oath Ceremony the following Tuesday (five days after the interview). She then took my 2020 tax return that me and my husband had filed jointly just a few days prior (no tax return transcripts available yet), brought me back to the small waiting room outside her office and told me to wait while she scanned the tax return into their system and printed the Oath Ceremony letter. 

 

Then she came back with my tax return and the Oath Ceremony Notice showing the date, time and place. She told me to fill out the oath form at home on the day of the oath, but only sign it once I was actually at the oath ceremony. 

 

That was it, very simple experience, it just took a while. I walked into the building at 12:45 pm and wasn't out until after 3:30 pm. The interview including all the extra random small talk took an hour all-in-all. The only things asked for was my driver license, two of my passports, my greencard and the 2020 tax return. My feeling is that she would've asked for more documents if I hadn't uploaded so much in the online account already (I kept adding documents almost every month my petition was pending). 

Congratulations!!! Were you under the 3 year rule? and if yes, did you have to go with your spouse?

[Scandi 4,166]

58 minutes ago, Kevinbrant said:

Congratulations!!! Were you under the 3 year rule? and if yes, did you have to go with your spouse?

Thank you! Yes 3 year rule, and no, my husband wasn't allowed in the actual USCIS facility (the building has several different departments, IRS is one). He came with me into the building and up to the 6th floor (that is USCIS' floor) but wasn't allowed to enter the waiting room, the guard told him to wait in the main lobby on the first floor. The guard is also very strict with WHEN you can enter, don't even try if you're earlier than 15 minutes, he will chase you away. 😛

[CreativeForce 2]

On 3/23/2021 at 10:34 PM, Scandi said:

Thank you! Yes 3 year rule, and no, my husband wasn't allowed in the actual USCIS facility (the building has several different departments, IRS is one). He came with me into the building and up to the 6th floor (that is USCIS' floor) but wasn't allowed to enter the waiting room, the guard told him to wait in the main lobby on the first floor. The guard is also very strict with WHEN you can enter, don't even try if you're earlier than 15 minutes, he will chase you away. 😛

Congratulations, @Scandi 🥳

 

Out of curiosity — did this happen in the Los Angeles Field Office (LOS — 300 North Los Angeles Street, LA, CA 90012) or the Los Angeles County Field Office. I have my appointment at the Los Angeles Field Office on May 12, 2021.

 

Thanks!!

 

[CreativeForce 2]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to post my N-400 timeline and see if there was anyone with recent experience with the Los Angeles Field Office (LOS — 300 North Los Angeles Street, LA, CA 90012)

 

N-400

Filed electronically:  Feb 3, 2021
Biometrics reuse letter:  Feb 25, 2021
Interview appointment issued: April 1, 2021
Interview scheduled for:  May 12, 2021

 

I was shocked at how quickly the interview was scheduled! Then I looked at another member's timeline (Indianapolis Field Office) and his was even quicker! (less than two months from filing online to the actual interview and approval!) 😮

 

Glad things are moving along!

 

I read a Reddit post from someone who had their Los Angeles interview 4-months ago and they got the oath ceremony on the same day. I'm wondering if they're still doing that.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

[Scandi 4,166]

23 minutes ago, CreativeForce said:

Congratulations, @Scandi 🥳

 

Out of curiosity — did this happen in the Los Angeles Field Office (LOS — 300 North Los Angeles Street, LA, CA 90012) or the Los Angeles County Field Office. I have my appointment at the Los Angeles Field Office on May 12, 2021.

 

Thanks!!

 

The answer is in the first sentence of my review post. 😁 I was at the Los Angeles County field office (LAC) 300 N Los Angeles Street.

Same address, same building, two different field offices. It does confuse many. 😵 Oh and, good luck with your interview! It's super easy, it'll be a breeze. 

Edited April 7, 2021 by Scandi

[CreativeForce 2]

1 minute ago, Scandi said:

The answer is in the first sentence of the post you quoted. 😁 I was at the Los Angeles County field office (LAC) 300 N Los Angeles Street.

Same address, same building, two different field offices. It does confuse many. 😵

Ha! Trust me, I saw that first sentence 😁  ... then you started talking about "the cheapest option for parking when visiting the downtown LA field office," and I was like ... huh? 🤨 😂

 

So, same address, same building — gotcha! I had NO IDEA! 

 

Learn something new every day.

 

Thanks, @Scandi!