Help... Oath Ceremony scheduled when one partner will be out of country.

[sumbunny 566]

Hi guys!

 

Hoping someone can help... my husband's oath ceremony was just scheduled and the date falls on a day that I will be out of the country. I *REALLY* want to be there but I can't change my travel plans, unfortunately. Should he go to the ceremony alone to get it done or should we ask to be rescheduled? We mentioned this possibility to the IO during our interview and he said "it happens all the time, just let us know if you need to be rescheduled" but it makes me sooo nervous for him to get lost in the pile or for it to take months to get back on the schedule again. The field office isn't far from our house, would you recommend hand delivering it to the office and asking for help or just sending it snail mail and waiting? Is it weird for him to go alone? The thought makes me so sad, but so does the thought of going to the end of the line. 

Any advice for us?

 

Thanks!

[OldUser 6,333]

First of all, some field offices don't allow visitors. Does your field office allow you to be present at oath?

 

Secondly, I know naturalizing is a big deal. At the same time, I know a friend who naturalized while his wife was at work. Few hours later he flew out on a business trip to the other coast. I don't think either of them missed much...

Edited July 26 by OldUser

[YecaCruz 379]

I feel for you. When my husband did his naturalization ceremony was in the middle of covid in 2020 and they didn't allow visitors. I was super bummed but there were no options. The only picture I got that day when he came home afterwards with an American flag souvenir. I personally would just let him get it done. All the waiting and processing you've had to go through has all led up to this so why delay it even more? The arrival of his US passport in the mail was a much more exciting time for us after everything.

[OldUser 6,333]

2 hours ago, YecaCruz said:

The arrival of his US passport in the mail was a much more exciting time for us after everything.

That's an awesome reason to celebrate if OP cannot make it to oath ceremony.

Edited July 26 by OldUser

[sumbunny 566]

Yeah, I think after talking about it more in depth, we've decided he'll just go alone to tick this box and cross the finish line. Still pretty bummed I won't be there for the final step, but it will be a HUGE relief to be done with this process after such a long journey from K1 to now. Thanks so much for the input. Nice to read it won't be too odd for him to go alone.

[harry.st 62]

2 hours ago, sumbunny said:

Yeah, I think after talking about it more in depth, we've decided he'll just go alone to tick this box and cross the finish line. Still pretty bummed I won't be there for the final step...

 

...why are you bummed? Operate like an American: "business first".

[Sarge2155 4,584]

11 hours ago, sumbunny said:

Yeah, I think after talking about it more in depth, we've decided he'll just go alone to tick this box and cross the finish line. Still pretty bummed I won't be there for the final step, but it will be a HUGE relief to be done with this process after such a long journey from K1 to now. Thanks so much for the input. Nice to read it won't be too odd for him to go alone.

Good choice, get it done and over with don't blow it now!

[jackiegringa 419]

14 hours ago, sumbunny said:

Yeah, I think after talking about it more in depth, we've decided he'll just go alone to tick this box and cross the finish line. Still pretty bummed I won't be there for the final step, but it will be a HUGE relief to be done with this process after such a long journey from K1 to now. Thanks so much for the input. Nice to read it won't be too odd for him to go alone.

Unless it's a bigger or special date type of ceremony it is also pretty fast and simple, lots of people expect more of a bam! but it just kinda ends if that's any consolation. Throw a party afterwards!

[discoverusa 255]

I went alone. It wasn't worth it for my self employed husband to lose income for a day. Also, didn't take my son out of school for this. Other attendees will take your picture. I believe Court clerk took pictures for each person with a judge. I took myself out to lunch that day and went back to work. It was a good day!