Oath ceremony: clarification on dress code and documents to return

[Verrou 1,962]

All my life I always advised people to wear business casual for work interview, USCIS interview and oath ceremony.
 

But 4 weeks ago I happened to take biometric for my visa application at USCIS field office and turned out it’s an oath ceremony day. Many people wore their best suite, tie all American and all, but then I saw an old white couple about their 60’s wearing shorts, slipper and tank top like they are going to the beach. I thought they come for biometric  as well, well how wrong I am. They actually coming for oath ceremony. And when I said lol u dressed up so casually the lady told me “ I’ve been in US since I was 2 and I’m from Canada. I didn’t know  there’s restriction for apparels ? “ lol 

 

im 💯 % sure they won’t kick this couple out from the ceremony because of their outfit

 

this is just my observation because I happened to be there that day

Edited August 23, 2023 by Verrou

[TBoneTX 45,266]

If you plan on taking pictures and also want to feel like a million (U.S.) bucks, dress up.  You won't regret it.  This is a once-in-your-life experience.

[M+K IL 102]

About to do an emergency run to get dress pants! Thanks to everyone that respond.

 

I have proper dress shirts, and a sports coat, but have in the past been wearing them with (nice) jeans - and the pants from my wedding, of course, no longer fit.

 

One snag is that I normally need to have the legs shortened, but eh, will just have to pay for rush alteration.

 

(You can tell I work in a field where dressing up is not required)

[Bob in Boston 701]

When we had our Oath we brought all our cards and the officer took the current green card and tossed the rest back to us. As far as the Dress this is a once in a lifetime event that millions of people would love to be in your shoes. Dress for sucess as your now a citizen of this country. Make sure to take a photo and stand proud!

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

9 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

If you plan on taking pictures and also want to feel like a million (U.S.) bucks, dress up.  You won't regret it.  This is a once-in-your-life experience.

Wife and I almost never dress up......but for wife's oath, we did!  She was stunning!!!!  

[Verrou 1,962]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

Wife and I almost never dress up......but for wife's oath, we did!  She was stunning!!!!  

i already know what im going to wear....ball gown LOL 

[M+K IL 102]

1 hour ago, Bob in Boston said:

When we had our Oath we brought all our cards and the officer took the current green card and tossed the rest back to us. As far as the Dress this is a once in a lifetime event that millions of people would love to be in your shoes. Dress for sucess as your now a citizen of this country. Make sure to take a photo and stand proud!

Will do! There is a museum on the top floor of the courthouse too that is the recommended place to take pictures afterwards, so we'll do that unless the ceremony runs waay overtime.

 

Pants acquired - nice local shop that's been around since before WW2, very friendly staff, can't believe I have not been there before. They promise the alteration can be done by EOD today or first thing tomorrow, phew.

[M+K IL 102]

11 hours ago, Verrou said:

All my life I always advised people to wear business casual for work interview, USCIS interview and oath ceremony.
 

But 4 weeks ago I happened to take biometric for my visa application at USCIS field office and turned out it’s an oath ceremony day. Many people wore their best suite, tie all American and all, but then I saw an old white couple about their 60’s wearing shorts, slipper and tank top like they are going to the beach. I thought they come for biometric  as well, well how wrong I am. They actually coming for oath ceremony. And when I said lol u dressed up so casually the lady told me “ I’ve been in US since I was 2 and I’m from Canada. I didn’t know  there’s restriction for apparels ? “ lol 

 

im 💯 % sure they won’t kick this couple out from the ceremony because of their outfit

 

this is just my observation because I happened to be there that day

Interesting ... and they did not get scheduled for same day ceremony (so it's not that they didn't know they were going to have one)?

I definitely would not dress that informally even for biometrics (and our biometrics was at an ASC, not a full field office!). Always a collared shirt at the minimum and long pants (though in the past it has been jeans). But I'm also not from Canada and not white, so... I can't afford to be that casual
 

[Verrou 1,962]

1 minute ago, M+K IL said:

Interesting ... and they did not get scheduled for same day ceremony (so it's not that they didn't know they were going to have one)? no its not same day ceremony since i went there and wait in line with them before FO even open at 8 am

I definitely would not dress that informally even for biometrics (and our biometrics was at an ASC, not a full field office!). Always a collared shirt at the minimum and long pants (though in the past it has been jeans). But I'm also not from Canada and not white, so... I can't afford to be that casual  haha totally agree with u. i love the dress up anyway, so no biggie. im just stating a fact that uscis wont kick you out and refused to naturalize you because of what u wear that day. especially if you wear nice jeans ( i only know because i was there)
 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

In wife's case 1,000 people naturalized during the ceremony.  I didn't see anyone wearing jeans or shorts (32 Degrees (F)).  LOL.

[harry.st 62]

The lawyer said to wear exactly what I wore at the naturalization interview.

Edited August 23, 2023 by harry.st

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

2 minutes ago, harry.st said:

The lawyer said to wear exactly what I wore at the naturalization interview.

That sounds like very good advice, imho.

[harry.st 62]

11 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That sounds like very good advice, imho.

 

At said interview I wore this: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E458183-000/00?colorDisplayCode=03&sizeDisplayCode=004 (bought for the occasion. W/ a darkish - for contrast - gray t-shirt, and black - but spanking new - black jeans).

 

@M+K IL at the biometrics I wore what I wear at the grocery store/DMV. So did everybody else (but I never wear shorts).

Edited August 23, 2023 by harry.st

[M+K IL 102]

43 minutes ago, harry.st said:

 

At said interview I wore this: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E458183-000/00?colorDisplayCode=03&sizeDisplayCode=004 (bought for the occasion. W/ a darkish - for contrast - gray t-shirt, and black - but spanking new - black jeans).

 

@M+K IL at the biometrics I wore what I wear at the grocery store/DMV. So did everybody else (but I never wear shorts).

Yeah, shorts just seem wrong unless you're in Hawaii

[M+K IL 102]

1 hour ago, Verrou said:

im just stating a fact that uscis wont kick you out and refused to naturalize you because of what u wear that day. especially if you wear nice jeans

I mean, I'm pretty sure they won't but I agree with @Mike E that it's not worth the risk of someone in USCIS being in a bad mood that day!

For me the advice of 'wearing the same thing as the interview' won't work as I did wear jeans there