stillbaffled

I decided to forego trying to do an expedited passport application through the post office and some websites like "rush my passport", and made an appointment at SF Passport Agency right in downtown San Francisco. I went on Monday at my allowed time of 10:30am, and got out out of that not-so-pleasant experience, except for the last person I saw at the counter with the bullet proof glass. She was so nice, and is processing my passport super quick. I'm going back there to pick it up today at 2pm!!! YAY. I can drive to Montreal to see my mom in hospice. PHEW! Now fingers crossed that the weather won't be too extreme. As for passport advice to others that I CAN say: Even without any flight info or hotels booked I was able to get a super expedited passport book by filling out the paperwork, bringing it with me, along with photocopy of my naturalization certificate, photocopies of my driver's license (front and back), and leaving my original certificate for pickup with my passport today, by going to the actual agency that makes the passports. I'm very happy with the quickness of this process. 😊 Best of luck to everyone still trying to get things done.

Thank you so much. 🙏 I've made an appointment for Monday in SF at the agency and fingers crossed I can get it pretty quick.

For anyone interested in reading about my experience: Ohmygosh was it a most unceremonious and terrible experience to start. Well, pretty much the entire thing. (It was on Friday June 14) I went to the San Francisco immigration building. (444 Washington) Got there at 8:20 for our 9am call. I went with my partner. We started chatting with the person behind us in line who was immigrating from Lebanon. He had a most horrific story, but was so happy to finally be getting his citizenship. It was so festive in the line outside. I wore my three fabric leis (red, white, and blue), and felt really happy. The line started to move, and when we got to the door (we were just a few people behind the start of the line), the security guard shooed my partner away, "NO GUESTS!" I just about lost it. "But I checked and guests ARE allowed." "NO GUESTS." "But but but...this is a CEREMONY!" "Miss, step aside." "I will NOT step aside, and he's coming in!" Well, I had to go in by myself, and my sweetheart said he'd go to a café nearby and wait. I burst into tears inside in that line to give up our green cards, hand in our paper, and get our certificate. I had imploded. The room not only had that awful, and even worse than DMV vibe, but each person I passed told me the same thing. "I don't know about guests." "Whatever the security guard said outside." etc. As I went through the motions, tears rolling down my face, the lovely man next to me that I had been talking to, finally noticed that other guests WERE being allowed in from the side door on Sansome, and that I should run up to that desk right there in front to the side and ask for my partner to be allowed in as well. So I did, and there was a form to fill out and i asked for it (it was right there on the desk, a short form), and the stern woman sitting said it was too late, and the nice woman standing said to text him to come. I did, and when he arrived at that door, that security guard needed that form, that they would not give me. And so on. So Kafka-esque! Finally a young man ran to the back and brought him in. They held up the ceremony through all this madness, and when he came in, I left my front seat and went way to the back to sit together. The pleasant woman talking to us from the podium had her mask on, no microphones, and we could barely hear her, especially through the swearing in part. I just a started laughing. Laughter is my stress reliever. Then there was that video welcoming us from President Biden. I asked about where to start my [assport application and register to vote, and they pretty much gave us no info except "Go to the post office". They certainly were not prepared for much. A few photos taken by the podium holding my certificate and out we went. I'm just coming down off that headache and neck tension I've had since Friday morning. So I've been chasing around to find out about getting my passport ASAP as my mother is in Montreal and in hospice. To find out I was RIGHT there around the corner from the agency is a smack in the head, as we left, got back on the ferry to the boat where we live in SFBA, and then drove back to the Sierras where we are building a house. And now i find out I have to make my way back to downtown SF to apply for am urgent passport to be allowed to leave and re-enter the country. I feel so trapped at the moment. Land of the free? I'm beside myself with grief and disappointment. I'll get through this, and I am better today than yesterday, but wow! I did go to our local social security office yesterday and that was quick and simply to change my immigration status. Phew! /rant

Hello there you are I was looking for you! I cannot say how much I am disappointed. No cannons firing, no parade, no fireworks? !!! 😂 If only those that plan these ceremonies actually did a ceremony with pomp and such, and even a short lecture of the merits of becoming an American citizen. Oh well, of course there will be mini celebrations with friends to come, however, on the day, in that moment....I guess it just becomes a blip in time. Thank you for letting me know. I uninvited the few friends that I had asked to come. It's just so much trouble during rush hour and in that location to come for a few minutes. I'll see them all later, Thank you so much for your local info. 🙏❤️ 9am tomorrow cannot come soon enough. (I got my passport photos in hand - they're horrible 😂 - and a voter registration form filled out.)

I have my current green card, but I think that's all I can find. I had those other cards (work authorization, etc.) back in 2008. They've been long ago destroyed.

Hello All! After some great nail biting, being I had not properly filed my 2022 taxes (which I did the next day and got a big refund), my interview decision from April 30th in SF was pending. a few weeks ago, (I forget the date), I checked my online account and saw that I was accepted as a US citizen and to come to the oath ceremony on June 14th. This Friday!!! I burst into tears when I saw the document on their site. I'll do a search for others that went through in downtown San Francisco, however I do have a few questions, in case anyone here can help: !. It's at the USCIS building at 444 Washington, and I was wondering how many guests can we invite, and do they have to be there half hour earlier to sign some paperwork? (I think I saw that somewhere.) I've invited 3, but would like to ask 2 more. 2. I only have my current green card to hand over, although it was asked in the invitation latter to bring anything and everything that we still have in our possession. Being I live on a boat, I don't tend to keep much. Will they be satisfied with just my invitation letter, the sheet filled in that was in that envelope and my current green card? Congrats to everyone that has gone through this, It's a BIG deal! {I applied October 30th, had my interview April 30, and then finally my oath ceremony is June 14.}

Kenneth, I'm in the same boat. Pending.

Kenneth, I am in the same boat. My application is now pending after my interview on April 30th. Have you heard yet?

Hello L&C! I felt like throwing up when I left because I was missing one year of proving I had filed my taxes (2022), and so I was sent away with a request for evidence, to send them proof that I indeed filed. So I dod it that night and checked in with the IRS in the morning and sent it in on my online account. Ultimately IRS owes me about $100, but it's small consolation to have to wait a who-knows-who-much-more-time to get my next interview or decision. (I arrived just before 3pm for my 3:25pm appointment and was left to wait until about 3:45pm! I got nervous because there was no one left and no one around, and I thought they had forgotten about me.) The really sad part is that my mom is turning 92 shortly, and I was hoping to get to Montreal, and I have to wait. The only good part was the agent who interviewed me was actually kind and warm, I really didn't expect that. I did ace my civics test. 😊 So I wait. Sigh. Most filers had gotten through in 2 to 4 months, and so I had anticipated a quicker ending to this immigration journey. Thank you for asking.

It's at 3:15, so late and the traffic will be nuts. I think I'll be going into the city with a ferry and walking there. 😊 Tomorrow!!!! Gulp.

Yes, SF! 😅 I did get my date: TOMORROW! at 3:15....height of crazy rush hour. Oh boy.

Hello, and thank you so much. On March 26th I saw the notification on the USCIS website that my interview is scheduled for April 30th. TOMORROW! Gulp! And so, I haven't been sleeping well, so nervous. Not about the civics questions but everything else. I am a freelance/contract worker and although have been paying in to the tax system most times I have gotten it back being I don't earn that much. IO have not speeding tickets, no run ins with the law, no worries like that, just I don't fit in a neat box. So happy to read everyone's good news. My application was on October 30th, so it seems like a lot longer to have waited than most people here. My USCIS office is downtown San Francisco. Perhaps they are the busiest....I don't know. Ohmygosh! You don't get to find out right away?!

Hello October Tribe! I finally got my notice on the USCIS website that my interview is scheduled for April 30th. YAY! 😊 Of course I wish it was next week, so I can go visit my ageing mother in Montreal as soon as possible. I've been anxiously waiting. I had applied October 30th. Good luck to all those still waiting. 🤞 🙏

Yeah it's hard not to. A friend from Honolulu was done in about two months! Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, it appears to be much slower. However.... I did get my notice!!! Interview is scheduled. Sweat! 😅

Yes, it is SF. Annnnnnd.... I got the news today on the USCIS page: Interview is scheduled for April 30th. A birthday present and my birthday is the 27th. YAY! (I applied on OCt. 30th.) How long after a successful interview is the swearing in ceremony typically? Is there a typical timeframe? Anyone? 😊🙏

Nothing yet. My status on the USCIS website says 2 months. Sigh....thank you for asking.

Oh no, slow! I had a friend apply in Honolulu in November or December and she is done already. Oath ceremony done.

Oh wow....how interesting. Yes, I've been a resident since 2008. Well, I have had no run in with the law so I guess I must try to find patience.

Yes, I've heard nothing as well. I applied Oct 30th, though. I've appliedas an over 5 years as a resident.

Can anyone please point to me which case tracker is an official USCIS one, I'm asking about the phone app, because I do follow the website on my laptop, and some of you have said the app is more current. Help??? Thank you kindly! Yes, I'm getting nervous as I applies on October 30th and it appears many people have already finished even if they filed after me. I know quite a few of us are in the same boat. 🙏

Thank you so much for replying! 🙏 I am checking the USCIS page which keeps changing estimated waiting time. It's now been on three months for a few days. Forgive me for asking, what does FO stand for?

Ohmygosh I forgot to ask an important question. To all: When you receive notice about your interview appointment, is it via email, text, phone call, or written mail? And how soon after you receive notice is your interview typically? Congrats to all who have been through it and out the other side already. WOW! I applied online on October 30th. Their site is now saying 4 months to wait.

Congratulations fellow Canadian! I'm so happy for you. I'm waiting to hear for me. It now says 3 months!

Eek! My timeline on USCIS went back up to 6 months. I know I know it's probably just a computer spitting out numbers, but still. I applied online Oct 30. Since then, I emailed them once and got a response. The email was that my middle name is not N/A, as I have no middle name but had been advised not to leave fields empty. Their response was to take care of it when I get my interview. Sigh. I'm concerned.

oops sorry about duplicating that... That's incredible DE2020! Best of success to you et al. My timeline went back up from 5 to 6 months. Who knows. I applied on Oct 30, and also as a looooong time permanent resident. I emailed them with a change needed on the forms, and now that may have done something to confuse them. 😂 I asked that they don't think my middle name is N/A! I have no middle name. Sweet lawrd help me get through this. 🤞 Yes, of course. If you do not already have an account the USCIS, sign up. It'll all be there.