July filers

[churipu 4]

Hey everyone, I passed my interview!!

Here goes;

from the booklet they provide.

After all the testing part she informed me that she had approved me for citizenship and that I should receive a letter in the mail informing me of when the oath taking ceremony was being held. I asked her if she had an indication of when it would be and she had said that they have been telling people

My appointment was set for 1pm at the Louisville, KY office so we got there at 12:40pm. There was only one attendant there and so I handed her my interview notice and permanent resident card. We got told to take a seat so we waited about 20 minutes and a little after 1pm I was called in by an officer Bennett. She was extremely nice and polite. First thing she did was swear me in. She then asked me was if I was willing to take the oath, bear arms and join the armed forces if needed etc. to which I said yes to all. Then she went through my actual N-400 application and basically asked me the questions that were on that. Following this, I did a reading test for which I had to read a sentence, and then I had to do a writing test for which I had to write another sentence. After these two things, thats when I had to answer 10 civics and history questions. All of which I got right. They are all straightthat it may take 2-3 months, however she had been talking to a colleague that day who had said that it was actually running at 4-6 months (yikes).

The only two additional documents I provided was the lease to our apartment that had both mine and my husbands signatures and our insurance bill that had both of us on our mailing address. We had moved since I submitted my N-400 application so needed to provided current info of our co-habitation. Also I had in my file my citation for not providing evidence of insurance a while back which she had asked me about.

All in all painless and straight forward.

I hope everyone elses experience is as good as mine and best wishes to you all!

CONGRATS!! Hopefully you will get your Oath date soon enough!

[LovelyTena 0]

SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW IN BALTIMORE!!!

Had an appointment for 2:20pm. Although it says in the letter not to show up more than 30 mins early, we showed up at 1:20. Turns out that they interview in blocks based on assigned interview time, but they do keep track of who comes in when during that block. So, we were still among the first called when they got to the 2:20 block. Of course, they didn't get to the 2:20 block until after 3.

As for the interview itself, wifey tells me that she was asked 6 of the civics questions, but not the full 10 because she got all 6 right. All 6 were straight out of the study guide. She was asked to write a short sentence. She was then asked several of the questions on the N-400 form, I guess to verify she gave the same answers. The interviewer looked at the tax records, but did not keep them. She did keep the copies of utility bills as proof of residence and cohabitation. All told, took about 10 minutes.

After the successful interview, we had to go to another waiting room. Waited about 30 mins to get called up to schedule oath ceremony. We are scheduled for 14 April, so not a very long wait, and I certainly don't mind an excuse to take a Monday afternoon off.

Congrats!! Thnx for the information. Mine is coming up next Tuesday and I am super nervous. My case is a little different from everyone..so I don't even know what they are going to ask me!

Anyway~ I appreciate your information about the interview process. It's nice to know

Tena

[rajah 0]

Had my interview today. Passed it:D

Was asked 10 questions. Answered all 10 correctly. The ones I remember are:

1. Who lives in the White House.

2. What are changes to the constitution called.

3. What do the stripes on the flag represent.

4. What is the highest court in the U.S.

5. Who said give me liberty or give me death?

6. What was the holiday celebrated for the first time by American colonies

7. Who makes the Federal laws in the U.S

8. Independence day celebrates independence from whom?

9. The dreaded question: name the 13 original colonies.

10. I dont remember.

Was asked to read the following sentence "I have three children".

Was asked to write the following sentence "I am very happy today".

I was the first one scheduled for interview on that day and the IO was extremely efficient and I was done in under 20 minutes.

I had to sign at 2 locations on the N-400 form I had sent in as well as along the passport photos that I had sent with the form.

I was asked to give recent documents that proved that my wife and I were co-habitating (my app is based on marriage). They also ask if your wife had accompanied you. Mine hadn't, but I think that if your spouse does - then that could be a favorable remark in your application. I gave them a copy of the lease document and some recent insurance papers.

I was impressed at how quickly the IO processed me.

I was told that there is a big oath ceremony in Denver in May. I hope that my application clears it in time - so that I can be sworn in on that day.

Application sent: 07.28.2007

Received by INS: 07.30.2007

Check cleared : 10.26.2007 (paid old fees)

Notice of action : 11.09.2007

Fingerprint Notice: 11.13.2007

Fingerprints Taken: 12.04.2007

Interview letter: 02.29.2008

Interview: 04.11.2008 (Denver)

[sara..... 371]

Had my interview today. Passed it:D

Was asked 10 questions. Answered all 10 correctly. The ones I remember are:

1. Who lives in the White House.

2. What are changes to the constitution called.

3. What do the stripes on the flag represent.

4. What is the highest court in the U.S.

5. Who said give me liberty or give me death?

6. What was the holiday celebrated for the first time by American colonies

7. Who makes the Federal laws in the U.S

8. Independence day celebrates independence from whom?

9. The dreaded question: name the 13 original colonies.

10. I dont remember.

Was asked to read the following sentence "I have three children".

Was asked to write the following sentence "I am very happy today".

I was the first one scheduled for interview on that day and the IO was extremely efficient and I was done in under 20 minutes.

I had to sign at 2 locations on the N-400 form I had sent in as well as along the passport photos that I had sent with the form.

I was asked to give recent documents that proved that my wife and I were co-habitating (my app is based on marriage). They also ask if your wife had accompanied you. Mine hadn't, but I think that if your spouse does - then that could be a favorable remark in your application. I gave them a copy of the lease document and some recent insurance papers.

I was impressed at how quickly the IO processed me.

I was told that there is a big oath ceremony in Denver in May. I hope that my application clears it in time - so that I can be sworn in on that day.

Application sent: 07.28.2007

Received by INS: 07.30.2007

Check cleared : 10.26.2007 (paid old fees)

Notice of action : 11.09.2007

Fingerprint Notice: 11.13.2007

Fingerprints Taken: 12.04.2007

Interview letter: 02.29.2008

Interview: 04.11.2008 (Denver)

:dance: :dance: congratulations :dance: :dance:

[churipu 4]

CONGRATS!

[RICHIE07 0]

Congratulations

[annatenna 0]

Congratulations to all of you who passed interview recently!!!

I'd hoped to be writing a similar post but instead it's a tale of woe!

I'd hoped to be reporting back with useful information about my interview, instead it's a tale of woe.

We arrived at the USCIS office, all geared up for my citizenship interview scheduled 1.05pm, 11 April. We waited in a room, where the temperature was fit only for chilling meat, for half an hour before, and half an hour after the scheduled time, only to be told that two interviewing officers, of the three available, had had to go home sick that morning and the remaining officer's list was full, she could take no more interviews.

They had telephoned our home earlier with no response. We'd have left early even had we not decided to stay over the previous night, so a morning call after 9am would have made no difference. The journey is around 80 miles, and the weather had been very iffy for a couple of days with floods, tornado watches and violent storms. We did not want to risk missing this appointment for which I'd been waiting since last July.

We saw another applicant, the only other one present, sent away earlier, and because we were not approached at that time, around ten minutes before my appointment, felt that I must be listed with the remaining interviewing officer. It was not until half an hour after my scheduled time that we were given the bad news .

We watched two people who arrived long after we did, accompanied by an attorney, ushered in for their interview. Worse, when I asked the bearer of bad tidings, who was very apologetic, when I could expect re-scheduling he said the rest of April and all of May has been scheduled already it will be June or July for me. I had to bite my tongue - very hard.

I'd already been put to the inconvenience of a second visit and overnight stay for a re-take of fingerprints - probably due to the operative's incompetence the first time around - then there was the 17 week wait I had to even get a receipt for my $400 cheque and acknowledgement of my application. I applied on 26 July 2007.

I'm considering making a complaint, because although staff sickness can't be foreseen, I think it's not fair that I have to be put at the back of the queue for another appointment. I'm really feeling deflated!

[churipu 4]

Annatenna I am speechless...I am so sorry this happened!!! I know it's very little consolation, but at least june/july will still give you the opportunity to be able to vote in november...although yes, it is very frustrating considering you filed almost a year ago!

Hang in there, best of luck to you the next time, please let us know when they reschedule your interview.

BTW I cannot believe they don't have a back-up plan in case something like this happens...oh well I am not that surprised...

Edited April 12, 2008 by churipu

[nscvet 0]

Like everyone else on this forum we feel sorry for you. We used to live in that part of the country and know what the weather conditions are like this time of year, so we know what it's like to make that drive. I would defintely make some noise with your congressional rep and both senators, and I would write Gonzales too.

[annatenna 0]

Thank you Churipu and nscvet for your thoughts.

I'll keep updating. I've drafted a letter to the office (a polite one) pointing out a couple of things. I'll sleep on it and post it tomorrow if I'm of the same mind. If I get a brush off, then I intend to complain or at least inform a senator or congressperson, or maybe on of the judiciary committe who have been pushing USCIS to get their act together.

thanks for being understanding - it helps a lot - as you all know only too well :-)

[Sherlock 0]

OATH Taking in Baltimore.

Ceremony letter said 3pm. Didn't want to risk traffic, so we got there way early, like 1:45. When we got to security, there was a sign that said no cameras. Didn't ask, just took it at it's word, and took the camera back to the car. NOTE: If you tell them you're bringing the camera for a ceremony, they'll let you bring it in. Wish I would have known. By the time we found out, it was too late, and I had to make do with my cell phone camera.

Waited until a little past 3, then they took us all as a group up to the 7th floor. After being seated, they had everyone go through processing where they took the greencard and had your verify the information on the certificate was correct. There were 5 people who they did not have certificates for, so we had to wait while they verified their status, then brought up their certificates.

Finally got to the ceremony. Played national anthem, then recited the oath as a group. Then all said the pledge of allegiance.

DVD message from the president, then handed out certificates and little flag. Went back down in group (about 56 new citizens, plus guests).

Left about 4:15. Took wifey to Red Lobster for her citizenship dinner.

[Staashi 371]

OATH Taking in Baltimore.

Ceremony letter said 3pm. Didn't want to risk traffic, so we got there way early, like 1:45. When we got to security, there was a sign that said no cameras. Didn't ask, just took it at it's word, and took the camera back to the car. NOTE: If you tell them you're bringing the camera for a ceremony, they'll let you bring it in. Wish I would have known. By the time we found out, it was too late, and I had to make do with my cell phone camera.

Waited until a little past 3, then they took us all as a group up to the 7th floor. After being seated, they had everyone go through processing where they took the greencard and had your verify the information on the certificate was correct. There were 5 people who they did not have certificates for, so we had to wait while they verified their status, then brought up their certificates.

Finally got to the ceremony. Played national anthem, then recited the oath as a group. Then all said the pledge of allegiance.

DVD message from the president, then handed out certificates and little flag. Went back down in group (about 56 new citizens, plus guests).

Left about 4:15. Took wifey to Red Lobster for her citizenship dinner.

Congratulations! That is wonderful - so glad it is over for you all.

[RICHIE07 0]

Can I take my husband with me to the oath ceremony? Would they let him in?

Thanks

[Sherlock 0]

Can I take my husband with me to the oath ceremony? Would they let him in?

Thanks

Yes, there were spouses and even a few with larger family contingents. May want to ask your field office if they have an actual limit.

[churipu 4]

Congrats Sherlock! I wanted to ask...someone posted that you can apply for your passport at the Oath ceremony and that it is supposedly faster?? Is that what you guys did in Baltimore? Also...they give the naturalization certificates at the Oath, don't they?

The reason why I ask is because as soon as I become a citizen I need all my stuff in order (esp passport of course) ASAP because we are due to move to Europe with my hubby's job...they are pretty much waiting on me to complete everything.