Today my citizenship journey is over. My oath ceremony was at Cadman Plaza, just three weeks after the interview.
I received a call from a private number the day before. I didn't pick up because of all the spam that I've received lately, but USCIS left a message reminding me of the ceremony and asked me to bring two passport photographs.
First suggestion: If you changed your name, make sure you bring two passport photos. I had given them already to the officer during the interview, but I guess they misplaced them. I was the only one who got there with photos. Everyone else had to go out to take them.
Second suggestion: If you haven't taken your passport pictures by then, I recommend the Fedex location at Court St between Montague and Remsen. Duane Reade next door wanted to take a picture with my cell phone (which I didn't even bring with me) and print it from there. Fedex has a decent camera; 2 pictures were about 16USD while 4 were 22USD. I got four, as I will need one for the passport.
The entrance to the Court is on Cadman Plaza East, facing the park. Because I waited for a while at Duane Reade, I got into the building about 8.45am (fashionably late, as the scheduled time was 8:30am). I am not suggesting to arrive late, but it seemed to pay off. Third suggestion: Make sure you take EVERYTHING out from your pocket. I keep beeping at the metal detector because I had two small alcohol wipes the doctor gave me a couple months ago. So, everything can trigger that thing! Fourth suggestion: Do leave your phone home. It will save you time on your way out.
After going to the second floor, I entered the room, which was almost full. It was around 8.55am and only about 12 people came after me. Right away, they asked people who changed their name for their photos. From the ones I heard, I was the only one who already had them; I signed them on the side and went back to my seat. After that, they went row by row in order of arrival. Each of us had to present our letter, give away our green card, and picked a folder with information, including a passport aplication, and the oath/pledge. Then we moved to a second desk where we reviewed the naturalization certificate to make sure the information was OK, and we signed them. This process took over an hour. Fifth suggestion: Do bring a book. There is a lot of waiting, so unless you are very curious to see all the people walking around and making lines here and there, it would be good to read something. You could also bring some shades and crash, I heard some snoring 😅
When the entire room went through, then we were given aplications to register to vote. They are very nice, help people fill them out and pick them up. Sixth suggestion: Bring a pen, maybe even two, because people will ask you for one. We were given additional instructions. You can go to the restroom during this process, just make sure to be there when your line is called. By now, it was almost 11:30am. At some point, they gave away the name-change certificates to those of us who changed it.
At that point, the judge came out. The oath/pledge took perhaps two minutes and that was it! We were all American. She went on to say she was a child of Chinese immigrants and knew the hardship many had to overcome to get to this moment. She was funny and emotional. She also explained the history of the mural at the back of court. She then went on to say there were people from 61 (or 67?) different countries and started calling them one by one. We raised our hands when she called our country and she acknowledged every one. By far, the Chinese dominated this session! The judge was there for maybe 15 minutes. When the judge was gone, the USCIS personnel called us line by line in order of arrival again, and out we went. Seventh suggestion: I am not saying to arrive late, but from my experience, it seems that people who arrived early had to wait much longer than me. As I said, delivering the certificates was very very quick. I would recommend arriving closer to 8:30am and do not bring a cell phone.
On the way out there was a huge line to pick up the phones, although it seemed to be moving fast. Eight suggestion: If you don't have a phone, do not wait on any line to go out (it forms up to the stairs). Just go through, say excuse me, and exit. Ninth suggestion: In my opinion, if you have friends or family supporting you, they should either wait outside or at a location nearby. They cannot enter the room and honestly I don't believe it is worth it to make the line and wait. Have them keep your phone and meet elsewhere around noon.
And.... more suggestions!!!
1. Go to Social Security right away! It is two blocks away in Pierrepoint St. You can download the form, fill it out before hand and save time. It took me like 20 minutes to process, considering waiting time. They just ask for the application, naturalization certificate, previous social security card and if you changed your name, the name-change certificate as well. They kept my card and gave a letter saying I would receive a new one over the mail. They did not keep any original documents. Disclaimer: The USCIS paperwork says to wait for about 15 days before heading to SS. I took a chance because I wanted to speed up the process, and it worked.
2. After SS, speed up to the DMV! The closest to me is at the Atlantic Terminal, across the street from Barclay's Center and Target. If you changed your name, you might need to go to the DMV and request a new State ID or license. Same as above, download the form and fill it out before hand. They did not even ask for the naturalization certificate, just for the document supporting the name change and my previous REAL ID, which I got to keep. They do not keep any documentation. Disclaimer: (1) It did take me about 3 hours to complete. I suggest to get an appointment. (2) At SS they told me I had to wait for the new SS card to go to the DMV. But because I already had the new REAL ID, had no problems. They did not ask for the SS card. The new ID cost 5 USD and will arive on the mail as well. (3) This was my process having a REAL ID already and a name change. It might be different if you have an older NY ID/license or if you have a different situation.
3. There is time, go get your passport! This did not work in my case, because of my long wait. I scheduled the latest appointment at the Post Office at 539 Atlantic Ave but missed it. I will try tomorrow. I read somwhere (maybe even here) that people have bought those heavy duty sheet protectors, as they do keep your documents. That is how I will take them tomorrow. Will let you know if they come back safe and sound. Same as above, download the form, have your photos ready, and you will save a lot of time.
Anyways, this was my story. I hope is helpful, and wish you all the best of luck in your journey!
From looking at all the timelines on the chart, it does look like 5 weeks from letter to interview is average, but it can vary from 2 to 7 weeks. Hopefully you your interview happens sooner than later!
today I received a message and an email that the interview was scheduled. Hoping to get the actually letter in the mail before the weekend.
Question: it usually takes about 5 weeks from status change to actual interview? Like, since I received the text today, Aug 6, it will be sometime between Sept 6- Sept 16, correct? Or it might be longer?
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