Calnuck

This journey felt like one of those video game stories where the Last Boss was actually there in your starting town all along, back to where it all began. The FINAL BOSS battle was on the 8th Floor, but it felt more like procedure. Had my N-400 Naturalization interview at the Downtown Los Angeles USCIS Field Office on October 24, 2024. Took LA Metro to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, so didn't have to worry about parking. Walked three blocks up. There's a separate entrance about 15 steps to the north of the main entrance for interviews/USCIS appointments. Airport style security scanners, separate bags, phones, changers into the bins. Took the elevator up to Floor 8. There's a large waiting room with chairs, not many people. Arrived 25 minutes early and checked in at the window. They took a picture and then did left and right Index Finger prints. Appointment was right on schedule at 11:30am. Officer came out and called my name. Remain standing, swear truth oath. Took seat, passed over my documents: appointment letter, Green Card, Passport, Driver's License, and Selective Service registration. Verified name/birth date. Civics Test (6 questions): * What is the name of the national anthem? * Who was President during World War I? * What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? * We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? * If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? * What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? English Test: READ "Who was Abraham Lincoln?" WRITE "Lincoln was the President during the Civil War." Got all six Civics Test questions correct, stopped. Luckily, the questions were easy. I felt like the last two questions were planted for subliminal messaging. The stylus for writing was a horrible tiny stylus with a big, squishy, round rubber tip. After that the Officer went through/read every single line of the N400 application, name, address, phone, email, height, weight, work, travel, YES/NO questions and made me verify everything. Interview probably took 15+ minutes. Was passed and handed two print-outs, N-652 Naturalization Interview Results "Congratulations! Approved" and the Same Day Oath paper downstairs. Noon Time/lunch break. There's a cafeteria on the second floor and the seating overlooks the main entrance lobby. At around 12:45pm, lined up on the first floor, Room 1001. Let in at 1pm. About 15-20 or so people, some arrived late. Final Window, submit the Oath Paper and give up Green Card. Also, picture taken for the Certificate of Naturalization. Got two packets: Letter from President Biden, an info packet with Voter Registration/DS-11 Passport Application/New Citizen info, and finally a small flag. Oath Ceremony started at 2pm. Presiding officer introduced himself and gave a short speech. Lined up in a row in front of the podium when name called. Repeat Oath after officer. Then handed Certificate graduation style by Officer after name called. Took about 15 minutes. Then free to go or stay and take pictures. Done! Thanks to everyone in the forum for sharing their wonderful information/timelines, personal experiences, and details of their journeys. It really helps out to prepare and give a much better estimate than the website. Best of luck and positive vibes for those still waiting. Your interview will come soon.

Finally received the interview notice letter. I'm doing my filing by paper/mail, so I paid attention to the letters and postmark dates. My interview notice 9/10 took 4 business days (6 real days) before being mailed out. Received the interview notice 5 days later, so about 11 days total from date printed. Interview is set for October 2X, 2024, Downtown LA, 8th floor. The letters' return address is National Benefits Center Lee's Summit, MO 64002. All my letters were mailed from ZIP 40701 (Corbin, KY), except the first receipt. The notices took 2-5 days to be mailed/postmarked after the letter was printed. Then took 4-5 days after that to receive via USPS. The exception was the first I-797 NOA Receipt notice mailed from 91763 (Montclair, CA), which was actually mailed the same day it was issued and received about 4 days later. The top of the interview letter has the scheduled location and date/time. The main body has information on what items to bring to the interview. I have a very simple case, so I just need my Selective Service registration letter and GC/Passport. Been studying the Civics Test the past year, so fairly ready. Just need daily refresher on names and dates. I've attached a scan of the body.

Long time listener, first time caller... 20+ year LPR from Canada. When I was young, read this forum and Visalaw Bulletins to help file my I-485 Adjustment. Renewed 10 year GC once, but going to complete the final step now and Naturalize in this time of uncertainty. Not sure if I should post in June or July, as I applied by mail and it took six weeks for them to start processing. I'm doing Digital Detox, so I'm filling everything by mail/paper. Also, I have a super simple/straightforward case and no evidence required/all-NOs questions, so I didn't bother to make an online USCIS account. Canadian Citizen, Family based GC, 20+ years resident, Los Angeles, CA N-400 Timeline (5-Years General Provisions): ---------------------------------------------------- 6/08/2024 - N-400 with fee waiver submitted by mail USPS First Class $2.35 (no tracking) to Phoenix Lockbox 6/12/2024 - PD date/received by Phoenix Lockbox 7/23/2024 - I-797 NOA Receipt Notice sent (took 6 weeks to process Lockbox) 7/27/2024 - NOA Receipt received by mail 7/25/2024 - I-797C NOA letter: Online Access Code sent (received about 5 days later) 7/29/2024 - I-797C NOA letter: Biometrics Reuse sent (received about 5 days later) The last time I did Biometrics was back in 2012, 11+ years ago when I renewed the 10-year Green Card. 9/10/2024 - Interview scheduled (waiting for letter), check once a week with my IOE09xxx number Mail in Lockbox processing time for receipt is 6-8 weeks. Quick interview scheduling is about one and half months for LA. No real interest in naturalizing when I was young, but getting older now. Did not want to study for the Civics Test. But the last 8+ year has been very... humm.... educational, so during that time have actually learned a lot about how the US government functions and all the branches. Also saw the Election Year N-400 Naturalization speedrun fast processing posts, so hopefully get done quick. Filed pretty much everything myself. In the old days, I remember going to the INS building in Downtown LA at 5:30am to submit my I-485 and there was a line wrapped halfway around the building. By the time the doors opened at 7am they ran out of processing slots for applications. I now await the date to return for my final battle in October... [TO BE CONTINUED]