N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Jul 14th 2012, 4:20 pm
#811
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Congratulations clarissageo welcome to the club 
Jul 14th 2012, 4:25 pm
#812
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Congratulations clarissageo, and thank you for sharing the photos!
Rene
Rene
Jul 14th 2012, 4:57 pm
#813
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
All done and dusted! Today my relationship with USCIS was finally over (for now 
)
At 11am today, along with 49 other people from 30 different countries, I became a US Citizen. The ceremony was held in Lexington, KY. It was a fabulous experience!
Right from when we first arrived, all of the staff members were happy and smiley, super helpful, and made the whole day really pleasurable.
Once we got out of the holding room and into the courtroom, after the pledge of allegiance was said, the judge did his introductions, motions were filed by the US Attorney General, and the judge then asked each one of us to stand, state our name, where we were originally from, and where we lived now. I was really surprised to see no less than FIVE people from the town that I live in..... We could have car pooled!!
They didn't play the national anthem, which I was a little bit disappointed in....
Went on to take the oath (and yes, I did get a little teary eyed), and then followed by some guest speakers, and the judge did a little piece, talking about how we had all taken the big step of leaving everything behind that is familiar to us, to give our own families the chance to experience the freedoms that Americans take for granted (this really hit home for me, one of the main reasons I went for citizenship was so my twins could have the benefit of being 'grandfathered in'), then he called us all to get our certificates and we went along the line of speakers and officials who all congratulated us.
Once we were done, we were all STARVING... we'd set off at 7am, so we dived into some Long John Silvers, and then tonight we went out to a BBQ restaurant with our closest friends for dinner The certificate has already been color copied and put in a safe place, with a copy framed and hanging on my living room wall
Next stop... passport application!
Everyone on this forum has been so so helpful over the last 5 years since my journey began, and I thank you SOOOO much!
)At 11am today, along with 49 other people from 30 different countries, I became a US Citizen. The ceremony was held in Lexington, KY. It was a fabulous experience!
Right from when we first arrived, all of the staff members were happy and smiley, super helpful, and made the whole day really pleasurable.
Once we got out of the holding room and into the courtroom, after the pledge of allegiance was said, the judge did his introductions, motions were filed by the US Attorney General, and the judge then asked each one of us to stand, state our name, where we were originally from, and where we lived now. I was really surprised to see no less than FIVE people from the town that I live in..... We could have car pooled!!
They didn't play the national anthem, which I was a little bit disappointed in....
Went on to take the oath (and yes, I did get a little teary eyed), and then followed by some guest speakers, and the judge did a little piece, talking about how we had all taken the big step of leaving everything behind that is familiar to us, to give our own families the chance to experience the freedoms that Americans take for granted (this really hit home for me, one of the main reasons I went for citizenship was so my twins could have the benefit of being 'grandfathered in'), then he called us all to get our certificates and we went along the line of speakers and officials who all congratulated us.
Once we were done, we were all STARVING... we'd set off at 7am, so we dived into some Long John Silvers, and then tonight we went out to a BBQ restaurant with our closest friends for dinner
The certificate has already been color copied and put in a safe place, with a copy framed and hanging on my living room wall Next stop... passport application!
Everyone on this forum has been so so helpful over the last 5 years since my journey began, and I thank you SOOOO much!
Jul 14th 2012, 9:15 pm
#814
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 51
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
So exciting to read of everyones' experiences - congrats to all!
Now on to my questions . . .
After an initial slow start, my husband's naturalization process seems to be speeding along. We just received notice that his interview is schedule for August 14th!
While he's a bundle of nerves that he'll totally blank on the questions/answers, I'm confident he'll do fine. He is, however concerned about the timing. He'll need to take off from work (as he's self-employed this is no small issue) and the notice we received says "the proceeding will take about two hours" - is that really the case? From all that I've read on here, it takes 10-15 minutes tops. Realistically, what should he expect?
** It doesn't appear that our local office is one of those where the oath ceremony can immediately occur after a successful interview, so that doesn't explain the 2 hour timing.
Second question - As he is applying for naturalization as my (USC) spouse, it says he needs to bring my "birth or naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship" This is the first I've read of this requirement. I have no clue where my birth certificate is! I had an official copy when we originally filed our CR-1, but since then it must have gotten lost in piles of paperwork. I can get another official/certified copy, but is it absolutely necessary or will my passport suffice? I guess the easy answer is just to get a copy of the birth certificate, right
Thanks in advance for any clarification on my admittedly rather silly questions!
ETA: OK, looking at the full document checklist, it looks like my passport should suffice in the place of a birth certificate - right?
Now on to my questions . . .
After an initial slow start, my husband's naturalization process seems to be speeding along. We just received notice that his interview is schedule for August 14th!
While he's a bundle of nerves that he'll totally blank on the questions/answers, I'm confident he'll do fine. He is, however concerned about the timing. He'll need to take off from work (as he's self-employed this is no small issue) and the notice we received says "the proceeding will take about two hours" - is that really the case? From all that I've read on here, it takes 10-15 minutes tops. Realistically, what should he expect?
** It doesn't appear that our local office is one of those where the oath ceremony can immediately occur after a successful interview, so that doesn't explain the 2 hour timing.
Second question - As he is applying for naturalization as my (USC) spouse, it says he needs to bring my "birth or naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship" This is the first I've read of this requirement. I have no clue where my birth certificate is! I had an official copy when we originally filed our CR-1, but since then it must have gotten lost in piles of paperwork. I can get another official/certified copy, but is it absolutely necessary or will my passport suffice? I guess the easy answer is just to get a copy of the birth certificate, right
Thanks in advance for any clarification on my admittedly rather silly questions!
ETA: OK, looking at the full document checklist, it looks like my passport should suffice in the place of a birth certificate - right?
Last edited by HisBetterHalf; Jul 14th 2012 at 9:55 pm.
Jul 14th 2012, 10:51 pm
#815
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
He'll need to take off from work (as he's self-employed this is no small issue) and the notice we received says "the proceeding will take about two hours" - is that really the case? From all that I've read on here, it takes 10-15 minutes tops. Realistically, what should he expect?
This is the first I've read of this requirement.
Ian
Jul 14th 2012, 11:15 pm
#816
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
I would say 20 minutes tops, once you get called. I waited about 45 minutes to be called for the interview. You can't arrive right on the time given, as you need to get through security to get into the building and find the waiting room/area. Things happen they run late, so two hours is probably the most it could be, allowing for all that.
Jul 14th 2012, 11:31 pm
#817
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 51
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
The ceremony itself is only 10-15 minutes, but the officers need to check ID, need to collect the green cards, need to collect the signed forms, need to organize people... and then afterwards, people need to line up to get their certificates, and many will want to take photos... so yes, it'll take 2 hours.
This is the first I've heard of it also. Are you sure you're reading the notice correctly?
Ian
This is the first I've heard of it also. Are you sure you're reading the notice correctly?
Ian
As for the birth certificate requirement, it is stated in the interview notice just as I typed/quoted it - - but then on the accompanying document checklist it is listed under "Proof that your spouse has been a U.S. Citizen for at least the past three years" and is included with a valid passport option. The rest of the required documents are simply originals of what we submitted with the N400 application.
I'll be in my hometown/birth county next week so I guess I can pop by the courthouse and get a copy of my birth certificate for extra peace of mind - but if the passport will suffice, I'd rather save the time and money and go that route.
Jul 14th 2012, 11:48 pm
#818
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Jul 15th 2012, 3:17 am
#819
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,309
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Congrads. :-)
Are you allowed to go into the interview with your spouse? Or must it be just you?
Are you allowed to go into the interview with your spouse? Or must it be just you?
Jul 22nd 2012, 3:54 am
#820
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 1
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Hi all you expert people here..
I Néed you help..
I sent my n400 application on Monday, July 16/2012.
I haven't receive any recipe or letter yet,
My question is within how many days they sent you letter that they got your application?
And will they send me an email too when they will send a letter?? Or they will only send a letter no email?
I Néed you help..
I sent my n400 application on Monday, July 16/2012.
I haven't receive any recipe or letter yet,
My question is within how many days they sent you letter that they got your application?
And will they send me an email too when they will send a letter?? Or they will only send a letter no email?
Jul 22nd 2012, 4:00 am
#821
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
I sent my n400 application on Monday, July 16/2012.
I haven't receive any recipe or letter yet,
My question is within how many days they sent you letter that they got your application?
And will they send me an email too when they will send a letter?? Or they will only send a letter no email?
I haven't receive any recipe or letter yet,
My question is within how many days they sent you letter that they got your application?
And will they send me an email too when they will send a letter?? Or they will only send a letter no email?
If you signed up for email notifications, you might get one. Otherwise, no email, only regular USPS post.
Rene
Jul 22nd 2012, 12:13 pm
#822
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: SC USA Planning UK return.
Posts: 27
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
I have now received the date of my ceremony which is next friday the 27th at 10am. Which is quicker than I was expecting which I am glad about. Looking forward to it now.
In regards to the question about the spouses birth certificate. I did take my wifes with me but the only thing they looked at was my green card and current Uk passport to make sure I was how I claimed to be.
Regarding the interview length the actual interview was probably less than 10 mins with about 20 min wait to get in.
In regards to the question about the spouses birth certificate. I did take my wifes with me but the only thing they looked at was my green card and current Uk passport to make sure I was how I claimed to be.
Regarding the interview length the actual interview was probably less than 10 mins with about 20 min wait to get in.
Jul 22nd 2012, 12:23 pm
#823
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
Jul 27th 2012, 11:11 pm
#824
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: SC USA Planning UK return.
Posts: 27
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
So after being here for 22 years I was sworn in as a new US citizen along with 27 others in Greer SC. I was the only one from the UK.
I was not sure how I would feel about today as it happened and the best I can describe it is blah glad its over now lets get on with life.
I was not sure how I would feel about today as it happened and the best I can describe it is blah glad its over now lets get on with life.
Jul 27th 2012, 11:13 pm
#825
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: N-400 Post your individual journey please! v.2011
So after being here for 22 years I was sworn in as a new US citizen along with 27 others in Greer SC. I was the only one from the UK.
I was not sure how I would feel about today as it happened and the best I can describe it is blah glad its over now lets get on with life.
I was not sure how I would feel about today as it happened and the best I can describe it is blah glad its over now lets get on with life.
