Citizenship application
Jul 2nd 2017, 3:59 am
#16
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Citizenship application
Visa journey timelines are not reflecting this, nor is my experience or that of colleagues. Two colleagues had to wait around 6 weeks recently for a simple renewal.
My USA passport took 10 days but that was only because I paid for expedited delivery and needed to travel urgently so I called to see if they could progress it faster. They did BTW; had a call 48 hours later from the person processing my application. She sent it UPS next day air by 1030. Exceptionally good service.
And this was kinda the mistake I made. I forgot that USPS charges a $25 fee for passport acceptance, whereas it would have been free at the ceremony.
My thinking was - and I still stand by this - that processing my application that day was far quicker at my local USPS than with 800 others vying to do the same.
My USA passport took 10 days but that was only because I paid for expedited delivery and needed to travel urgently so I called to see if they could progress it faster. They did BTW; had a call 48 hours later from the person processing my application. She sent it UPS next day air by 1030. Exceptionally good service.
There should be someone there at the oath ceremony to start the process for you.
And this was kinda the mistake I made. I forgot that USPS charges a $25 fee for passport acceptance, whereas it would have been free at the ceremony.
My thinking was - and I still stand by this - that processing my application that day was far quicker at my local USPS than with 800 others vying to do the same.
Jul 8th 2017, 2:48 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 168
Re: Citizenship application
Your interview will be after the 4th of July? I ask because usually they tend to do the oath ceremony BIG on the 4th so you would not be swearing in at that time.
Passport turn around is from 5 to 10 days. There should be someone there at the oath ceremony to start the process for you.
Passport turn around is from 5 to 10 days. There should be someone there at the oath ceremony to start the process for you.
Job done.
Jul 8th 2017, 1:22 pm
#18
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,387
Re: Citizenship application
Update: Passed my interview this morning, the field officer thinks the oath ceremony will be about 60 days out - she didn't think going to the UK for a week this month will be an issue but, if it comes through early - she said just let them know I will be out of the country.
Job done.
Job done.
Jul 8th 2017, 3:02 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Citizenship application
Update: Passed my interview this morning, the field officer thinks the oath ceremony will be about 60 days out - she didn't think going to the UK for a week this month will be an issue but, if it comes through early - she said just let them know I will be out of the country.
Job done.
Job done.
Jul 8th 2017, 3:35 pm
#20
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Citizenship application
Congratulate!
"Quite easy"?!?! 
I found it to be similar to a US driving test. 
The interview and test questions should not be any challenge at all to a native English speaker with a vague awareness of US history and an equally vague awareness of how the government of the US is organized.
Back in 2007, my interview was an hour long, which appeared to be standard, of which 10 minutes was spent on the matter in hand. The rest was spent shooting the breeze about, in no particular order: the Falklands war, the Gulf war(s), Saddam Hussein and other Middle Eastern despots, the (then current) Afghan war and previous conflicts in Afghanistan, the method of government in the UK, the Royal family, the history of the Royal family and how it relates to the government of the UK, including the Act of Union, renovating houses, in the UK and US, rewiring work and electrical standards, plumbing, roofs, and other sundry construction topics, such as hardwood flooring, crawlspaces the joys of working in them, and how to deal with the dirt, damp, and the bugs and critters you might find down there. It was a busy hour!
I found it to be similar to a US driving test. The interview and test questions should not be any challenge at all to a native English speaker with a vague awareness of US history and an equally vague awareness of how the government of the US is organized.
Back in 2007, my interview was an hour long, which appeared to be standard, of which 10 minutes was spent on the matter in hand. The rest was spent shooting the breeze about, in no particular order: the Falklands war, the Gulf war(s), Saddam Hussein and other Middle Eastern despots, the (then current) Afghan war and previous conflicts in Afghanistan, the method of government in the UK, the Royal family, the history of the Royal family and how it relates to the government of the UK, including the Act of Union, renovating houses, in the UK and US, rewiring work and electrical standards, plumbing, roofs, and other sundry construction topics, such as hardwood flooring, crawlspaces the joys of working in them, and how to deal with the dirt, damp, and the bugs and critters you might find down there. It was a busy hour!
Jul 8th 2017, 3:35 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 168
Re: Citizenship application
Cheers Tom!
Jul 8th 2017, 3:39 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 168
Re: Citizenship application
Congratulate!
"Quite easy"?!?! I found it to be similar to a US driving test.
The interview and test questions should not be any challenge at all to a native English speaker with a vague awareness of US history and an equally vague awareness of how the government of the US is organized.
Back in 2007, my interview was an hour long, which appeared to be standard, of which 10 minutes was spent on the matter in hand. The rest was spent shooting the breeze about, in no particular order: the Falklands war, the Gulf war(s), Saddam Hussein and other Middle Eastern despots, the (then current) Afghan war and previous conflicts in Afghanistan, the method of government in the UK, the Royal family, the history of the Royal family and how it relates to the government of the UK, including the Act of Union, renovating houses, in the UK and US, rewiring work and electrical standards, plumbing, roofs, and other sundry construction topics, such as hardwood flooring, crawlspaces the joys of working in them, and how to deal with the dirt, damp, and the bugs and critters you might find down there. It was a busy hour!
"Quite easy"?!?!
I found it to be similar to a US driving test. The interview and test questions should not be any challenge at all to a native English speaker with a vague awareness of US history and an equally vague awareness of how the government of the US is organized.
Back in 2007, my interview was an hour long, which appeared to be standard, of which 10 minutes was spent on the matter in hand. The rest was spent shooting the breeze about, in no particular order: the Falklands war, the Gulf war(s), Saddam Hussein and other Middle Eastern despots, the (then current) Afghan war and previous conflicts in Afghanistan, the method of government in the UK, the Royal family, the history of the Royal family and how it relates to the government of the UK, including the Act of Union, renovating houses, in the UK and US, rewiring work and electrical standards, plumbing, roofs, and other sundry construction topics, such as hardwood flooring, crawlspaces the joys of working in them, and how to deal with the dirt, damp, and the bugs and critters you might find down there. It was a busy hour!
The officer was great - personable, sense of humor... she asked if I had any British titles; I said 'no but sometimes I think I'm a princess', she cracked up and it broke the ice. Altogether a very pleasant experience.
Jul 8th 2017, 6:24 pm
#23
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Citizenship application
Now you have to basically make sure that you don't get arrested / cited for any traffic offences between now and your oath ceremony.
I drove like an angel for the 45 ish days I had to wait for my oath ceremony. I'm sure you won't have a problem, but just bear in mind the questions asked on form N-445 (which will soon be reaching you).
I drove like an angel for the 45 ish days I had to wait for my oath ceremony. I'm sure you won't have a problem, but just bear in mind the questions asked on form N-445 (which will soon be reaching you).
Jul 8th 2017, 6:33 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 168
Re: Citizenship application
Now you have to basically make sure that you don't get arrested / cited for any traffic offences between now and your oath ceremony.
I drove like an angel for the 45 ish days I had to wait for my oath ceremony. I'm sure you won't have a problem, but just bear in mind the questions asked on form N-445 (which will soon be reaching you).
I drove like an angel for the 45 ish days I had to wait for my oath ceremony. I'm sure you won't have a problem, but just bear in mind the questions asked on form N-445 (which will soon be reaching you).
Aug 14th 2017, 4:03 pm
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 168
Re: Citizenship application
Just wanted to post an update to my application for naturalization, I attended the oath ceremony last Friday and am now the proud owner of a naturalization certificate and a 'USC' status!
Aug 14th 2017, 4:10 pm
#26
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Citizenship application
..... Not sure if that's the best smilie for the occasion, but oh well. 
