Naturalization Ceremony at USCIS San Jose

[ua2024 7]

Recent (2025) information

• Ceremony will be inside the office in waiting area (I couldn't confirm this information until I attended it).
  • They no longer do ceremony in actual parking lot (think parking lot, 10-15 minutes/someone on YouTube had actually penned it 1 minute ceremony, was only during COVID which made sense, though someone did experience parking lot experience in 2024. Guess for people in hurry with work commitments quick parking lot might be perfect)
• No one else is allowed to accompany inside the office (think due to limited space and potentially security as secondary reason).
• It's no frills ceremony, so those who might be in hurry or who don't want to listen to few speeches (like in Campbell heritage theatre) & videos, might prefer having it here
  • Since been to both, it's mixed feeling of which location someone would prefer - missing being in large theatre at Campbell with ceremonial process (on hindsight might have preferred Campbell for memories of being in larger theatre over an immigration office waiting area space, however had no choice as such - had no immediate travel plans however kind of indicated eagerness to travel so not sure if that influenced in getting San Jose location or just luck. For some they gave the invitation letter on same day of interview, with following weeks ceremony. While others (guessing Campbell ones) get the invitation afterwards in mail/online (most likely Campbell batches get full quickly due to once a month schedule, so might not fall under same day scheduling and invitation). So from that perspective, San Jose location with same day invitation confirmation (implies approved) is great (no waiting for secondary approval and subsequent oath scheduling).
  • Other aspect is, they prefer for people to get out from both office and parking as early as possible, since another batch is scheduled. So this kind of might make people hurry, losing little bit on post-oath experience outside the office (e.g. photo-ops in the front of building - wish they could give general time to exit the parking & help people plan for post-oath photo-ops). Not that San Jose location is that great for post-oath photos (due to office building & shade cover from surroundings). Campbell one is better from that perspective, especially sunny with better (artistic theater) background make it feel bit more of historic event.
  • I would recommend anyone who gets Campbell to take some extended time-off from work (not just half day for ceremony) and enjoy celebrating the post-oath time without hurrying to get back to work/chores
• Think at both centers they process multiple batches.
  • San Jose location might be around 100 per batch unlike Campbell center which might be larger batches (200-300+)
  • I first thought this location was chosen due to new administration, if they might have started cutting down on expenses, however looking at Campbell heritage theatre's calendar think they have those scheduled every month so assuming they will continue with those along with this location for overflow or for people with any urgent/immediate travel needs.
• No passport processing opportunity at San Jose location
  • For Campbell they have booths/separate room to get passport application processed - note ensure you have passport photos and checkbook for passport application at Campbell
    • Wish like Social Security updates (checkbox on N400), they could streamline even passport processing application, as a value added option, and get everything done through N400 application. Even if it's separate department (like Social Security agency), it would be so much beneficial for everyone, including ability to retain your naturalization certificate & not send with passport application. Sending naturalization certificate is just unnecessary, when both departments could validate the information internally post N400 oath ceremony as a part of passport application processing). Especially post office appointment scheduling/walk-in is such a messy experience.

[Crazy Cat 42,736]

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