N-400 October 2023 Filers

[Lexie_777 35]

I had my interview today in San Fernando Valley FO. It was such an easy and pleasant experience, I didn't expect that! The entire interview felt rather a conversation. It lasted only 20 minutes. I answered 6 civic questions and that was enough. Then reading and writing test. Then the officer went through my application, asking to confirm my work and travel history (btw, one of my trips was 5,5 months long, no problems with that). Then he asked about my traffic ticket. I said that I had paid the fine and was lucky to avoid a point and he laughed. No proof was asked. The only documents he asked for were ID, Green Card, passports and an interview invitation, nothing else. I brought my application but wasn't allowed to use it during the interview, however my friend in LA FO was allowed to use his. So, just in case, you can bring the application and ask for permission to use it. 
I'm changing my name, so same day Oath ceremony wasn't an option for me. Now I have to wait for an oath invitation in mail. Does anyone know how long does it take when changing the name?

[stillbaffled 25]

Ohmygosh I forgot to ask an important question.
To all:

When you receive notice about your interview appointment, is it via email, text, phone call, or written mail? And how soon after you receive notice is your interview typically?

Congrats to all who have been through it and out the other side already. WOW!
I applied online on October 30th. Their site is now saying 4 months to wait.

[ElleElle86 9]

 

I passed my interview today in Mt. Laurel, NJ. 

Super smooth experience, got there, checked in and was called by the officer about 15 min later. She was friendly and it felt more like a conversation than an actual interview. She started with reviewing my form and corrected some info at my request (I traveled overseas during the Holidays). No vocabulary/ definition questions asked. Then we moved on to the civics questions and the reading/writing portion. I was asked to review the Oath of Allegiance and sign that I was willing to take it. Then I was told I passed the interview and that they were having an oath ceremony in about 1hr so I could be part of it, if I wanted. The ceremony itself was about 25min.

All in all, I was in the FO for about 3hr and left as a citizen! As others said, the naturalization has been the smoothest and fastest process in my journey immigration: from form submission to oath ceremony it was exactly 107 days. 
Good luck to all!

[ElleElle86 9]

34 minutes ago, stillbaffled said:

Ohmygosh I forgot to ask an important question.
To all:

When you receive notice about your interview appointment, is it via email, text, phone call, or written mail? And how soon after you receive notice is your interview typically?

Congrats to all who have been through it and out the other side already. WOW!
I applied online on October 30th. Their site is now saying 4 months to wait.

In my case I was following via app (Case Tracker), so I first got the notification there. Then I logged on USCIS, documents tab and saw the details for the interview and finally got the letter in the mail only a couple of weeks after that. 
The interview was scheduled on Dec 26,2023 for Feb 02,2024 - so roughly 5 weeks out. 
I would not rely on the estimated time for decision showing on the site. That’s just an estimate of processing time for your FO (mine showed 5 months up until the day of the interview/oath ceremony) 

Edited February 3, 2024 by L&G3112

[Damonlee 91]

Hey everyone, I have my interview scheduled for February 12th in Tampa, FL and this afternoon I received a call from USCIS in Tampa advising me they would be conducting a combo Interview (I-751 and N-400) and to ensure to bring my spouse. Tons of notice and the person I spoke to was so professional and pleasant. Looking forward to becoming an American! 🇺🇸 

[OldUser 8,448]

43 minutes ago, L&G3112 said:

I would not rely on the estimated time for decision showing on the site. That’s just an estimate of processing time for your FO (mine showed 5 months up until the day of the interview/oath ceremony) 

I wish I could pin this message in every N-400 thread. Not sure how people still believe estimates after going through other steps with USCIS, NVC etc earlier in their journey.

Edited February 3, 2024 by OldUser

[Moe428 129]

21 hours ago, stillbaffled said:

Congratulations fellow Canadian! I'm so happy for you. I'm waiting to hear for me. It now says 3 months! 

Hope it goes well for you.  I was surprised this took all of 3 months.  USCIS isn't known for this kind of speed in the recent history.

[Crazy Cat 42,963]

On 2/2/2024 at 9:30 AM, Ricky+Vanessa said:

o be honest, this entire N-400 was the easiest most stress free part of this entire journey for me.

Same for us.  Wife's N-400 took only 4 months for approval (44 months after filing her I-751).  

[JSWH 262]

Daughter had her interview this morning in Arlington, VA. The officer asked her 6 civics questions, went over yes and no questions on the application. Her application was approved, but no oath ceremony was offered today, sigh. They told her to anticipate for oath notice within 4-6 weeks. I was so looking forward to be done with USCIS for good and yet have to wait again. 

[Gdhusa18 26]

22 hours ago, Lexie_777 said:

btw, one of my trips was 5,5 months long, no problems with that

Congrats @Lexie_777! I have a 5.5 month trip as well and a bit nervous. Were you at the same address before and after the trip? 

[Lexie_777 35]

7 hours ago, Gdhusa18 said:

Congrats @Lexie_777! I have a 5.5 month trip as well and a bit nervous. Were you at the same address before and after the trip? 

No, I moved to another apartment when I came back

[gogogo786 38]

On 2/2/2024 at 11:06 PM, Damonlee said:

Hey everyone, I have my interview scheduled for February 12th in Tampa, FL and this afternoon I received a call from USCIS in Tampa advising me they would be conducting a combo Interview (I-751 and N-400) and to ensure to bring my spouse. Tons of notice and the person I spoke to was so professional and pleasant. Looking forward to becoming an American! 🇺🇸 

 

That's awesome to hear they called you and et you. I'm still waiting to get my interview scheduled, so far no updates. Did your 751 status change to "Case was transferred" or no changes on the 751 end? Oh, and good luck and hope you're studying hard for the test lol. Do post the deets about your interview afterwards, will help a fellow Tampa filer. 😀

[Damonlee 91]

3 hours ago, gogogo786 said:

 

That's awesome to hear they called you and et you. I'm still waiting to get my interview scheduled, so far no updates. Did your 751 status change to "Case was transferred" or no changes on the 751 end? Oh, and good luck and hope you're studying hard for the test lol. Do post the deets about your interview afterwards, will help a fellow Tampa filer. 😀

Thank you! So far zero changes to my I-751 😅… hoping there’s some movement this week so they have it on time for next Monday. I’ll keep everyone posted as I get any more updates. I’m sure you’ll be scheduled before you know it. Every time I’ve had to interact with the Tampa office they have always been fantastic. 

[Lexie_777 35]

Today I got my Oath ceremony invitation for march 5, 7:30am lol

I had my interview on Feb 2 and requested name change in Los Angeles County (San Fernando Valley FO)

 

[Ggome001 16]

My husband submitted N-400 application online : 10/20/2023 

Still no interview  

I know we should be patient, but we see a lot of people getting their interviews and they filed after him. I’m hoping we get good news soon. Thanks to this forum, I know not to trust the estimated processing time (it currently says 4 months*).  We are from The Bronx and our field office is NYC.  Any October filers from NYC?