N400 Interview and processing times
 

Hi All,
Early in August I submitted my N400 based upon 3 years of marriage to a US Citizen. Yesterday I received notice of my interview date - mid December. This seems like a relatively short time to wait between application and interview dates after reading several posts on this forum and trying to keep up to date with the processing timelines on the USCIS website. I applied online and am getting processed at the Denver Field office.

I am a natural worrier and because I believe this timeline seems much shorter than normal, I am concerned that the short processing time may indicate a problem with my application (applied too early, missing documentation or obvious issues with my application). If anyone has any thoughts on this I would be interested to hear them.

I also wanted to let others know about my timeline so far given that I often see questions about this.

Thanks!

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

There is no problem with your application. If you thought logically and realistically, you would understand that if there were a problem with your application you would have been notified of the problem and asked to correct it via download, email or snail mail, i.e. missing evidence, etc.

It is an upcoming election year. Priority seems to be given these days to naturalization paperwork in order to increase the voter registration.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

P.S. This has been occurring frequently over the last six months. Enjoy the increased speed of the process.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Thank you, Rete. I appreciate the reply. Interesting that the applications are processed more quickly. I was under the impression I would be waiting until April or so to hear about an interview date.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

You're overthinking. If there is a problem, you would be notified. Some field offices are faster, and we are coming into an election year.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Well, this is strange. I just got notice via email that further action had been taken on my case. When I log into the USCIS portal I have a new document titled "interview de-scheduled". When I open the letter it tells me that "due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel the previously scheduled interview". The letter then goes on to state that" We will advise you of any further action taken on this case, including any rescheduled interview information, under a separate notice.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

For whatever reason, they've had to cancel your interview. They will reschedule and let you know the new date. Maybe the interviewer called out that day and they now have to reschedule his appointments, something like that.

Rene

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Just to let you know, my interview has been rescheduled for a few days later than the previously cancelled appointment.
As you have suggested, Noorah101, perhaps they had a scheduling conflict with the interviewer.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Glad it wasn't a long wait for a new interview date!

Rene

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

I just wanted to update everyone who has been kind enough to reply or get in touch as well as others who may be looking around for some detail.
I recently had my interview and was approved for citizenship. Everything ran quickly apart from entering through the building. I was mistaken in thinking that because the interview would take place in the USA (not at an embassy on foreign soil) I wouldn't have to go through "airport style" security. Of course we did and had to dump bottles of water etc. The staff were very polite. After going through security we went into a waiting area. My appointment was very early in the morning and I was called back right on time. Again, my other experiences applying for visa's etc were in embassy's abroad so I had encountered long wait times, but that wasn't the case at all here.

Once I was called back everything was done in the same office style room. Fingerprints were taken and I was placed under oath. We did the reading and writing test followed by the civics questions and I got the first 6 right. I had spent time learning and practicing. FWIW, I wouldn't have scored well without studying the booklet. The test is easy, but only if you know the answers. Don't take it for granted. I discussed some dates that I had written on my application and travel outside the US since my application was filed. The officer was very polite and personable and took time with me on a few occasions to discuss some specific parts of my applications. If I had questions the officer took the time to explained things. This was nice. For example, on my application I answered yes to question 23 as I had been given a speeding ticket (apparently this counts as a citation) and had paid a fine. Next the officer discussed with me that some officers regard this as a conviction. My officer described that he didn't feel this way as a conviction is typically reserved for a court of law. However, as a result of indicating a yes answer to question 23, this meant that my application needed to be amended so that question 24 also reflected a "yes" answer: committing an offense.

I was in the interview with the officer for ~40-45 min. The experience was good and the officer did everything he could to explain things and make me feel relaxed and comfortable. At the end I was given ta piece of paper recommending approval for citizenship. Interestingly, on the USCIS website you can view your case status. I looked at this only a couple hours after the interview had concluded and there were two new entries. The first informed me that I had attended my interview and that they would be in touch if they needed anything to help make a decision. The next informed me that my application for citizenship was approved and that the final port is the ceremony. I guess the latter notice means that whatever review needed to be done on my application had been completed.

From application to interview was 4 1/2 months. I am not too sure how long it will be until the naturalization ceremony.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Congrats!

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Welcome to the club Susan!

(and if you get that reference, you're pretty cool :rofl:)

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

You can call me that if it makes you happy!

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

As an update, my oath ceremony is now scheduled for early January. From filling the N400 to naturalization will be 5 months (Denver).

Aside from that, I have a question about the oath ceremony. I assume guests are allowed but this is not stated on the USCIS letter. Has anyone attended an oath ceremony recently that can speak to this?
Thanks.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Yes guests are permitted - the numbers need to be kept small though as space is limited.

There was a good 200 people being sworn in at the ceremony last May and between us we probably had 500 guests rammed in there like sardines!

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Where was your ceremony? Mine will be in Denver. I am wondering whether the location makes a differences to the number of people being sworn in.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

I am sure that it does. Mine was Atlanta, so a similar size to Denver. If anything, Denver is bigger.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

interesting. How long was your ceremony?
Also, I have heard about individuals who are naturalizing describing their journey a little. Did this happen at your ceremony?

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Including getting everyone in and out of the room, about 2 hours. The actual ceremony maybe 30 minutes.

No that did not happen at my ceremony.

- Introduction
- Video on the history of naturalization and 'the immigrants of America'
- Read out the names of all the countries providing new USCs at the ceremony, and we stood up when our country was called.
- Swearing in
- Video from Trump welcoming us as USCs
- Pledge of allegiance (family were allowed to come forward and take photos at this time)
- End of ceremony/Handing out of certificates.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Hubby's was in Federal Court in Manhattan. Not much room at all. Approximately 200 oath takers and about as many visitors. Sardines in a can.

No video, no photos allowed with the Judge.

Stood for countries called and pledge, name called and certificate handed out (Judge had already left the court room).

All in all approximately 30 minutes while doing the paperwork prior to the ceremony took about 2 hours.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

I had 3 guests with me at the federal courthouse for swearing in and it was packed, so I'm glad we got there earlier. The judge didn't like people standing in his courtroom, so everyone had to squeeze into seats together. No cameras or phones allowed, we didn't tell our story, but we took in turns of standing up to say our name and what country we were born in.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

To keep everyone updated, on Thursday I attended the oath ceremony and Naturalized in Denver. The ceremony had 52 people naturalizing from approx 24 different countries. The ceremony lasted about 2 hours. Individuals naturalizing stood up as the name of the country they were from was read out. UK had about 4 people, but there were around 7 from Canada and 9 or 10 from Iraq. Most other countries were represented by one individual.

Registered to vote straight after but as has been noted here before there wasnt anyone to take passport applications.

One thing that struck me was that the photo of you on the naturalization certificate, at least in my case, was the one taken at my biometrics appointment as part of the n400 application. Some other may find this useful in preparing themselves beforehand in the way they want to be captured on the certificate. I had just presumed the photo on the certificate would have been the most recent one taken, which would have been the citizenship interview.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has been active on these forums. I have posted about various situations, such as temporary visas and the N400. The guidance, advice, experiences and assistance provided by the members of this forum has been invaluable. The forum, and most importantly its members, provide an excellent resource.

Re: N400 Interview and processing times
 

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

Yes it is certainly worth nothing that the biometrics photo is the one that is used for the certificate.