Oath ceremony: clarification on dress code and documents to return

[Bob in Boston 699]

15 hours ago, Verrou said:

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

I guess not having pride in one self is not a show stopper for USCIS. The show must go on!

[NorthByNorthwest 350]

Interesting thread, I did same-day oath and it never even occurred to me to wear something other than my everyday clothes, which in February was jeans and a warm sweater.

 

"You'll be in front of a judge" - not even close in my case, a regular USCIS employee getting through the last oath ceremony of the day. There were perhaps 50 new citizens in my session and 10-20 family members, I think I spotted one or two suits. I reckon the mood would be a bit more festive in the larger dedicated oath ceremonies though.

 

Like some folks in this thread I brought old conditional GC and EAD, but they told me to keep those, so I guess YMMV.

[Scooter McGee 7]

Personally, I'm going to go "suited and booted". The invitation to the naturalization ceremony states that it is "a solemn and meaningful event, [and] USCIS asks that you dress in proper attire to respect the dignity of this event." I think that gives a clue; and I want to dress in a manner that befits the significance and importance of the occasion, and is respectful to the ceremony, the surroundings and my fellow new citizens. Shorts or jeans never crossed my mind; and I cannot for one second fathom the couple who showed up basically in beachwear.  

[M+K IL 102]

3 hours ago, NorthByNorthwest said:

 

"You'll be in front of a judge" - not even close in my case, a regular USCIS employee getting through the last oath ceremony of the day.

That might be because I mentioned I am going to have a judicial ceremony

 

I could certainly imagine same day a ceremonies are more casual - you won't even know to prepare! 

 

3 hours ago, NorthByNorthwest said:

Like some folks in this thread I brought old conditional GC and EAD, but they told me to keep those, so I guess YMMV.

Yeah, I'll plan to return them and if they don't want it then I guess I'll keep the old EAD/AP combo

[Redro 4,611]

12 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

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

You and your wife ALWAYS look stunning! 
Forget oath ceremony… How does she manage to look so good at the airport is my question? 

[Verrou 1,962]

11 minutes ago, Redro said:

You and your wife ALWAYS look stunning! 
Forget oath ceremony… How does she manage to look so good at the airport is my question? 

Happiness. Full stop 

[harry.st 62]

Yesterday in NYC: most people were "ok" dressed. Business casual, at best - nothing too formal. Think what employees wear at the local bank branch. Nobody had a tie. The lady in front me was wearing washed-out blue jeans and a "lady" shirt.

 

The fact that most people were semi-well-dressed gives the event a vague "semi-well-dressy" feel; probably this is all that matters. The odd-one not dressed well does not affect the overall feel (which means you can wear whatever you want - as long as it is not outrageous).

Edited August 25, 2023 by harry.st

[M+K IL 102]

We did it! 96 people from 41 countries. Only a minority wear a suit and some actually wear jeans or even... a tracksuit. No tie either. With a sport coat, buttoned shirt and dress pants I was probably in the top 5% for attire. 

 

No question asked when my wife only had a GC but they took my EAD/AP too. The person in front of me had 10 cards!

 

Overall a smooth experience. The judge was an immigrant himself (came with his parents and siblings) and took his oath in the same courtroom

Edited August 25, 2023 by M+K IL

[Crazy Cat 41,833]

Just now, M+K IL said:

We did it! 96 people from 41 countries. Only a minority wear a suit and some actually wear jeans or even... a tracksuit.

 

Overall a smooth experience. The judge was an immigrant himself (came with his parents and siblings) and took his oath in the same courtroom

Congratulations!!!   This is a great achievement.  

[harry.st 62]

1 hour ago, M+K IL said:

The judge was an immigrant himself (came with his parents and siblings) and took his oath in the same courtroom

 

Would have been interesting to ask him what was the dress-code like, then...

[OldUser 6,624]

7 minutes ago, harry.st said:

 

Would have been interesting to ask him what was the dress-code like, then...

Black tuxedos with bow ties for men and off-white ball dressess for ladies. Shiny shoes. 😃

Edited August 25, 2023 by OldUser

[Cheschirecat 176]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:38 PM, PaulaCJohnny said:

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

Some of the applicants had on jeans-men & women. I was suprised. 

[Scooter McGee 7]

On 8/25/2023 at 3:30 PM, M+K IL said:

... some actually wear jeans or even... a tracksuit. .

Good grief.

But many congratulations!