Oath ceremony: clarification on dress code and documents to return

[M+K IL 102]

Hi all,

 

Our judicial oath ceremonies are finally happening this Friday. Preparing for it and noticed several potential issues:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/chapter5.pdf says only the green card needs to be returned, but 

 

https://askellis.com/oath-ceremony-naturalization/ (not official, but reading it since it discusses what happens on the day) say return other USCIS issued documents like EAD and AP as well.

 

Presumably only the green card is needed? Our concern is somewhere between USCIS and USPS my wife's EAD card was lost. We didn't really file any official report back then since our green card interview was scheduled not long after anyway.

 

And how strictly is the dress code enforced? Esp the no jeans part

 

"""

The naturalization ceremony is

a solemn and meaningful event.

Please dress in proper attire to

respect the dignity of this event

(please no jeans, shorts, or flip

flops).

"""

 

Thanks!

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by M+K IL

[Timona 4,207]

Business casual or full business 

[Mike E 11,739]

13 minutes ago, M+K IL said:

Our concern is somewhere between USCIS and USPS my wife's EAD card was lost

It is expired right?

 

14 minutes ago, M+K IL said:

And how strictly is the dress code enforced? Esp the no jeans part

Why test it when for $5 you can buy a pair of pants from a thrift store?

 

I wore business formal attire to my oath.

 

Business casual will work too.

 

Sleeveless ok if female.

[M+K IL 102]

8 minutes ago, Mike E said:

It is expired right?

Yes. I guess I'll keep mine as a souvenir then.

 

8 minutes ago, Mike E said:

 

Why test it when for $5 you can buy a pair of pants from a thrift store?

 

I wore business formal attire to my oath.

 

Business casual will work too.

 

Sleeveless ok if female.

Fair enough! Just curious on this part really. Also the weather forecast is swinging wildly between heat wave (the heat dome is predicted to peak tomorrow and Thursday at 100F before heat index) and thunderstorm (AccuWeather initially predicted this for Thu/Fri then changed its mind). So we're erring towards business casual, and since we can't wear jeans I guess a good umbrella is in order in case it does actually rains

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

7 minutes ago, M+K IL said:

guess I'll keep mine as a souvenir then.

Why would you do that?

[Dashinka 24,487]

My wife turned in her expired EAD card, but I do not think it is required.  We did business casual for her oath and that was pretty much the same for the rest of the folks taking the oath on the same day.

 

Good Luck!

Edited August 22, 2023 by Dashinka

[M+K IL 102]

32 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Why would you do that?

Hmm ... good point. I'll bring mine in case it's asked, but if it's not, any downside to keeping it?

 

(I still have my old library cards from previous states too)

 

Thanks everyone!

[Mike E 11,739]

13 minutes ago, M+K IL said:

Hmm ... good point. I'll bring mine in case it's asked, but if it's not, any downside to keeping it?

just give it to them with your GC

13 minutes ago, M+K IL said:

 

(I still have my old library cards from previous states too)

Not seeing analogy. Are you?

[M+K IL 102]

22 minutes ago, Mike E said:

just give it to them with your GC

Right, I'll bring it so I can return it if asked.

22 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Not seeing analogy. Are you?

Not really analogous, but since we can't return both cards anyway - due to never getting my wife's EAD - what's the harm in keeping the card provided they don't ask for it? 

 

If they need an explanation for not returning a card then of course I would rather return it.

Edited August 23, 2023 by M+K IL

[Mike E 11,739]

I’ve contributed all I can, and I don’t wish to argue or bicker, so I won’t post more in this thread. 

[Scandi 4,166]

If you read the oath letter you received it says:

 

Please bring the following with you:

-This notice with the reverse side completed. Please refer to instructions below.

-All Permanent Resident Cards ("green card") that you may have, valid or expired.

-All Reentry Permits or Refugee Travel Documents that you may have, valid or expired

-Any other documents USCIS issued to you that you may have, such as employment authorization cards, valid or expired.

Yes they want you to hand in EAD, AP, all greencards etc. You can obviously not hand in something you don't have. I didn't have my conditional greencard and was specifically asked why I didn't hand it in and had to explain myself at the oath. 

Edited August 23, 2023 by Scandi

[M+K IL 102]

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

-Any other documents USCIS issued to you that you may have, such as employment authorization cards, valid or expired.

Ahh, thank you! I just reread it and it does say that. The booklet on the website somehow omitted this last point

 

 

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

 

Yes they want you to hand in EAD, AP, all greencards etc. You can obviously not hand in something you don't have. I didn't have my conditional greencard and was specifically asked why I didn't hand it in and had to explain myself at the oath. 

Got it, thanks. We can sleep easy now, my wife will just have to explain what happened to her EAD

[Cheschirecat 176]

1 hour ago, M+K IL said:

Ahh, thank you! I just reread it and it does say that. The booklet on the website somehow omitted this last point

 

 

Got it, thanks. We can sleep easy now, my wife will just have to explain what happened to her EAD

 

3 hours ago, M+K IL said:

Hi all,

 

Our judicial oath ceremonies are finally happening this Friday. Preparing for it and noticed several potential issues:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/chapter5.pdf says only the green card needs to be returned, but 

 

https://askellis.com/oath-ceremony-naturalization/ (not official, but reading it since it discusses what happens on the day) say return other USCIS issued documents like EAD and AP as well.

 

Presumably only the green card is needed? Our concern is somewhere between USCIS and USPS my wife's EAD card was lost. We didn't really file any official report back then since our green card interview was scheduled not long after anyway.

 

And how strictly is the dress code enforced? Esp the no jeans part

 

"""

The naturalization ceremony is

a solemn and meaningful event.

Please dress in proper attire to

respect the dignity of this event

(please no jeans, shorts, or flip

flops).

"""

 

Thanks!

 

My hubby is wearing traditional Nigerian clothing 

[Sarge2155 4,587]

2 hours ago, M+K IL said:

Right, I'll bring it so I can return it if asked.

Not really analogous, but since we can't return both cards anyway - due to never getting my wife's EAD - what's the harm in keeping the card provided they don't ask for it? 

 

If they need an explanation for not returning a card then of course I would rather return it.

There is a statement stating that the GC, AP, and or EAD are no longer in your possession. I believe that statement is on your oath paperwork I remember seeing it somewhere, but there is a checklist you have to check off on and sign. You have to turn in that statement prior to taking the oath so it's best to turn it in and foolish to keep any of them if you have them in your possession expired or not!

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

You will be in front of a judge. You need to dress accordingly.