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RunTheRoad

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  1. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Marimar04 in N-400 Newark/Mt Laurel New Jersey   
    I had taken my tax papers with me for the interview, but was never asked for that or any other document that I took along.  I always recommend being over prepared, so do bring as many documents as you are able to.
    You can have your name change done the very same day (one of the good things about the Newark office), so if you interview is at 2.30 PM, it is very likely you may be able to do the ceremony too the same day. All the best!
  2. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Boatman_ in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  3. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from SalishSea in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  4. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Quarknase in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  5. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Matrix13 in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  6. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Marimar04 in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  7. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Phoenix777 in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  8. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from lucardo3 in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  9. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to Amadia in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    Congrats and thank you for sharing your experience!!
    Many others are waiting to hear back about that field office so I know they'll be glad to read that there's movement 🙂
  10. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to ioxtremod in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    Congrats!
  11. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from roddie2k in Socially distanced Oath Ceremony at Newark, NJ   
    My immigration journey came to  a happy conclusion today, when I finally naturalized at a socially distant oath ceremony at the Newark office , nearly a year after I sent in my N 400. My GC came through in 2012 under the AOS category and I was in no hurry to naturalize, but the prevailing political situation finally pushed me to get it done. I sent in my N 400  in June 2019 and passed my interview at the Newark office on Feb 26 of this year.  However, unlike others who passed the interview with me on the same day, I could not naturalize because they had a problem with printing my certificate. At that point, I was told I could expect to naturalize by end of April 2020. And then COVID-19 struck, throwing everything into a tailspin.
     
    Then, finally, on June 17, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, when my online status changed to 'Oath Ceremony Scheduled'. No other document was uploaded at that time, but when I checked in the next day, the status had inexplicably changed to "De-scheduled' and a couple of days later, I received the 'Descheduled' notice through USPS, with no alternate date given. It was only then that I learned that I had been scheduled to be sworn in on July 8 at 11 AM,  to be descheduled  again. A couple of agonizing weeks followed,  with me rigorously checking my online status twice a day, still no end. Then, suddenly on July 3, Friday, the Naturalization Notice showed up in my USPS mailbox, just like that, totally out of the blue. And I had been scheduled for July 8 at 1 PM (it had been 11 AM earlier).
     
    By this point of time, I was highly skeptical that somehow this too would be jinxed. Yet, I showed up today at 12.30 PM and was checked in and asked to go to Floor #15 where I had to show my ID and then go over to the Immigration Officer who checked my completed documents and asked me to wait.  Masks are compulsory, once you enter the building. There was a mix of people at the waiting room, all of them seated six feet apart from each other, in chairs that had been specially arranged for social distancing. The USCIS office was also doing a limited number of naturalization interviews today. A few minutes later, another officer showed up and asked those who were scheduled for the oath ceremony to go over to Floor #16. 
     
    Over at Floor 16, I had to turn over my GC and completed documents to a senior IO and was asked to take my seat in another socially distanced seating arrangement. No guests were allowed, so it was just us and the USCIS personnel. There were a total of 25 other oath takers in the room, along with me. Even at this point of time, as I was waiting to be sworn in, the self doubt would not go away, for I fully expected the officers to tell me that either 1) my oath ceremony had been de-scheduled again or 2) they could not locate my naturalization certificate and so I would have to wait for another indefinite period of time till that was fixed. It was not until the IO actually announced that we were all good to go that I breathed a final sigh of relief. I was on the last step of my US Citizenship journey.
     
    What followed after that was rather anti climatic. The ceremony itself started at around 1:05 and was all done by 1:20. The IO first welcomed everyone present, then congratulated us on our path so far, gave a short inspirational speech and  asked us to raise our right hands to take the Oath of Allegiance (which we had to read out from a piece of paper handed to us). Then, we were handed over our certificates and asked to check for any errors and get them fixed before leaving the hall (if we noticed errors after leaving the hall, it would cost us an extra $500-$600 to get it corrected and it would take nine more months, ouch!). Mine was all good and we were then dismissed. Some of us took pictures (with masks on still) and then showed ourselves out. After all those long years/months of waiting, it seemed surreal and too-good-to-be-true to have it all done and dusted in under 15 minutes. No show, no fanfare, no long drawn out speeches.
    So, now, the other processes have to be set in motion: apply for a new passport, register to vote, update my DL/SSN.  But, as of today, I am a citizen of this great nation and I couldn't be more happier. A few hours later, that reality is yet to sink in.
     
     
  12. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to igoyougoduke in How long does it take to get passport after oath ceremony?   
    Passport processing time is here 
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html
  13. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to Henry357 in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    And that’s what I’m trying to find out.. 
  14. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to lucardo3 in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    I intent to update everything to citizen status including SSN- Driver`s License etc. I`m a male by the way
  15. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to Carpe Vinum in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html
     
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html
     
    Not looking good.
  16. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from JeanneAdil in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    @Jeanne Adil, do we need to wait for a few days before hitting the DMV or can we go right after the ceremony? I've read that one needs to wait at least ten days before applying for the passport. Does the DMV need a similar waiting period?
  17. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to Allaboutwaiting in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    They hand you everything that is needed to register. 
  18. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to Mollie09 in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    I didn't update my DL (do you mean Real ID or extend the validity?), but I registered to vote on my way out of the ceremony. Then applied for a passport a week or so later, and finally went to the SS office a few months later (not ideal, but I didn't have a new job or anything).
     
    FYI for the people earlier in the thread, you need to go to the SS office in person after you naturalize to show them the certificate (or your passport) for them to update your citizenship status. Has nothing to do with the wording on the card, which can be removed once you have a green card.
  19. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to JeanneAdil in What is the Correct order after Naturalization?   
    update the driver's license (1 day to do this)
    then go register to vote (they will make a copy)
    go to the post office and apply for passport (that is the only place that needs to send in the original )
    when all this is done and the documents come back hit the SS office which is closed now anyway 
     
    before you do any of the above   make a copy of it
  20. Like
    RunTheRoad reacted to Alonso Ramirez in SUPER STRESSED, PLEASE HELP : Interview over, but oath ceremony rescheduled.   
    Nothing to freak out about - you have the approved N652. Treat it like gold until you get your next oath date. Just be patient. 
  21. Thanks
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from N and S in N-400 Newark/Mt Laurel New Jersey   
    So, my husband dug up this OIG report on what's happening with the Newark Field Office. Looks like it is more of a system error than manual one. Pages 10 and 11 of the report explain clearly what is going wrong on a daily basis. It is unfortunate that some of us get caught in these periodic outages. But, as those of us dealing with system automations know, it is unpredictable and totally random.  Hopefully, all should be well soon. https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2017-12/OIG-18-23-Nov17.pdf
  22. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Giovanna024 in Interview Scheduled at Newark, Feb 26   
    I received an online notification on Saturday that my interview had been scheduled. The document was uploaded to my account today and my interview is scheduled for Feb 26 at the Newark office. I filed online on May 19, 201. Now, fingers crossed!
  23. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Hypnos in Is N-400 paper filing still an option?   
    Yes, you can. You can add an attachment even after submitting the form and receiving the NoA. That's one advantage of filing online.
  24. Thanks
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Josie07m11 in Apply under 3 year or 5 year residency eligibility rule?   
    I am in the same situation as you and filed under the 5 year rule. Less documents to provide and less chances for a RFE and any accompanying delays.
     
  25. Like
    RunTheRoad got a reaction from Eli_za in N 400 May 2019   
    Filed online today, based on 5 year rule.  Documents that I submitted as evidence: 1) GC Front and Back images 2) Current Marriage Certificate 3) Spouse's previous marriage divorce decree 4) Step child's birth certificate (as additional evidence).
     
    I got a green box saying no additional evidence was needed at this time.  I also got my receipt number almost immediately.
     
    Where do I see estimated case completion time?
    When did you get the estimated case completion notification? I filed today and don't see mine yet.
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