Houston N-400 Filers

[stufromtexas 2]

Quick update:

• 06/29/2023: Oath ceremony. Things happened slow for six years, then real freaking quick!
  • Ceremony was at Gears Road office at 6:45(!!!)am, which is the first of the day (there was a subsequent one at 8:45).
  • There was a queue to get in, it was hard to find a parking space there were so many people around.
  • No guests or family.
  • In the door and seated, then we went into the main waiting area in rows. The went row by row admitting people to the ceremony room, where your letter was checked, packets were given and documents (green-card, EAD, etc) were punched. 7ish little tables, which an office behind each one. There was a secondary inspection table that about 3 people went to for various reasons.
  • Packets contained passport forms, voter forms, various patriotic bits and the oath.
  • After about 30mins, everyone was seated and we kicked off around 7:30am. Around 160 ish citizens-to-be
  • Staff were friendly and more personable than I have ever experienced from USCIS. 'Good morning's! Smiles! Laughs!
  • After the oath (no video, no anthem) we filed back to the tables we were assigned, and were presented with our certificates. After checking all our details were correct, we walked out with the certificates in our hands!
  • All told, it took around 1 hour and 30 mins.
  • If it was mad outside before, it was then pandemonium! So many applicants, new citizens and families. But there was an atmosphere of celebration!

 

I hope this helps anyone looking for information about naturalizing at the Gears road office!

 

I have international travel booked in two weeks time. After calling the passports office, I was informed there were no appointments available. I called my congress person and explained my situation - they were able to get me an emergency appointment at the downtown Houston office. There are no walk-ins since COVID. If that fails, there are private agencies you can pay a shedload of money too, who have a separate avenue at the DOS who can get you a passport within a week or two (but it's money on-top of the ~$200 that you already have to pay).

Edited June 29, 2023 by stufromtexas
Added in packet contents; talked about passport application

[O2A 6]

Hello everyone, 

 

I had my interview today at the Houston office.  I was a little nervous but the interview went better than what I was anticipating. Surprisingly, I had the same officer that did my interview for my green card.  I filed online through an attorney, due to a misdemeanor offense on my record. They asked me these 6 questions:

-Who is in charge of the executive branch?

-What did MLK JR do?

-What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? 
-Who is the commander in chief of the military?

-What does the judicial branch do?

-Name three of the original states

 

Then, moved on to the English part of the test. This part was easy and quick. 

The last part of the interview was going over the application.  The officer asked me to state my personal information.  He  put some emphasis on my record (due to a misdemeanor) and the travel outside the US. He asked twice if there was anyone else living in our house with us.  At the end, he asked if I had submitted documents from a joint bank account and the latest income tax.  My application did not get approval on the spot because it needed further review. The officer was professional and respectful at all times. 
 

Best of luck everyone! 
 

Here is my timeline: 

-5/3: submitted N400 online (3 year rule -same sex marriage)

-Biometrics waived 

-7/19: Interview at the Houston office - no instant approval, case needed to be reviewed 

[O2A 6]

Hello everyone,

 

 

My status changed to ceremony will be scheduled.  It states that a letter will be sent to me within 30 days with a date and time for the oath ceremony. 

 

Here is my timeline: 

-5/3: submitted N400 online (3 year rule -same sex marriage)

-Biometrics waived 

-7/19: Interview at the Houston office - no instant approval, case needed to be reviewed 
-8/23: We recommend that your Form N-400 be approved. Ceremony will be scheduled (no date yet) 

[codycody 31]

Is there anyone recently got Oath scheduled? My case is in line for Oath will be scheduled since September 22, 2023.

[mshan61 22]

applied for n400 on september 21st, 2023

 

finger print reuse  on september 21st 2023

 

october 10th,  update  : interview scheduled for november 18th

 

[Janeyk 36]

On 4/13/2023 at 1:46 PM, vivfran said:

Today I had my n400 interview in gears rd houston uscis office. 
 

Recommended for approval!! They also let me know that my I-751 had already been approved. Officer didn’t ask to see my green card or tax returns or any other evidence I brought!! Feeling very blessed!!!!! Naturalization ceremony should be in 4-6 weeks. 
 

timeline: 

 

sept 2021 applied for removal of conditions 

sept 2022- applied for n400

october 2022 - transferred to nbc

march 2023 - 48 month extension letter received 

March 2023 - n400 interview scheduled 

April 13 2023 - n400 passed and approved 

 

 

I have my N400 interview next month pending I 751 at gear road. Do I need to come with my spouse or he will wait outside?

[Beth & Achraf 328]

On 10/12/2023 at 10:24 AM, mshan61 said:

applied for n400 on september 21st, 2023

 

finger print reuse  on september 21st 2023

 

october 10th,  update  : interview scheduled for november 18th

 

WOW, that is fast!!!!    Nice going.

 

[Beth & Achraf 328]

On 10/26/2023 at 11:20 PM, Janeyk said:

I have my N400 interview next month pending I 751 at gear road. Do I need to come with my spouse or he will wait outside?

 

On 8/17/2023 at 7:38 PM, Old_Glory said:

Any news?

 

On 8/17/2023 at 7:38 PM, Old_Glory said:

Any news?

 

On 7/19/2023 at 5:14 PM, O2A said:

Hello everyone, 

 

I had my interview today at the Houston office.  I was a little nervous but the interview went better than what I was anticipating. Surprisingly, I had the same officer that did my interview for my green card.  I filed online through an attorney, due to a misdemeanor offense on my record. They asked me these 6 questions:

-Who is in charge of the executive branch?

-What did MLK JR do?

-What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? 
-Who is the commander in chief of the military?

-What does the judicial branch do?

-Name three of the original states

 

Then, moved on to the English part of the test. This part was easy and quick. 

The last part of the interview was going over the application.  The officer asked me to state my personal information.  He  put some emphasis on my record (due to a misdemeanor) and the travel outside the US. He asked twice if there was anyone else living in our house with us.  At the end, he asked if I had submitted documents from a joint bank account and the latest income tax.  My application did not get approval on the spot because it needed further review. The officer was professional and respectful at all times. 
 

Best of luck everyone! 
 

Here is my timeline: 

-5/3: submitted N400 online (3 year rule -same sex marriage)

-Biometrics waived 

-7/19: Interview at the Houston office - no instant approval, case needed to be reviewed 

I wonder if they ask the same 5 questions to each petitioner?

Husband is currently studying for exam now.

[Beth & Achraf 328]

On 5/8/2023 at 12:48 PM, mam521 said:

No spouses.  Hubs did his there and no spouses.  I did mine at Gears - no spouses. 

 

His advice is get there EARLY because people line up way early despite being told to be there at a certain time.  He also advises to sit close to an exit door if at all possible because you complete the oath and then have to rescind your greencard and exchange for your naturalization certificate.  The closer you are to the front of the line, the shorter the wait for the great exchange at the end.  I think he was there for 4 hours or something crazy.  Campbell are definitely larger and longer.  

Spouses not allowed at ceremony at Gears?  Did I read that correctly?

 

[Beth & Achraf 328]

3 minutes ago, Old_Glory said:

In my case, no…my wife had to wait outside. 

 

3 minutes ago, Old_Glory said:

In my case, no…my wife had to wait outside. 

Thank you  

[Beth & Achraf 328]

6 minutes ago, Old_Glory said:

No they don’t..I was asked different questions from the ones listed above. Good luck with interview: it’s almost over. 

Husband is studying hard, and taking tests at home. I copied the test several times for him to take over and over again.

[Visitor User 253]

I’ll apply soon in late November. How long is it taking to get a decision? Are they making it faster due to elections so we can vote?

Edited November 7, 2023 by Visitor User

[mam521 2,062]

19 hours ago, Beth & Achraf said:

Spouses not allowed at ceremony at Gears?  Did I read that correctly?

 

Correct.  No spouses allowed inside.  Only those taking the Oath and receiving their naturalization certificates are allowed. 

[mam521 2,062]

19 hours ago, Beth & Achraf said:

Husband is studying hard, and taking tests at home. I copied the test several times for him to take over and over again.

I used an app from the app store.  

10 hours ago, Visitor User said:

I’ll apply soon in late November. How long is it taking to get a decision? Are they making it faster due to elections so we can vote?

Houston was averaging 3 months or so on regular cases.  If more background checks are needed, it will take longer.  

[Visitor User 253]

3 hours ago, mam521 said:

I used an app from the app store.  

Houston was averaging 3 months or so on regular cases.  If more background checks are needed, it will take longer.  

That’s really fast.