DDL

My husband's US Citizenship Interview/Exam was held yesterday at the Charleston SC Field Office. His interview was scheduled for 10:20am. Despite there being hardly anyone in the waiting room, it took 30 minutes before he was called back.

The interviewer reviewed his paperwork and as he was signing certain papers, she was asking him the test questions. He answered the first six correctly so she did not proceed with asking him the other four questions that were on the computer screen. He said they were easy questions - mostly about the US flag, who was the current President, etc.

In reviewing his file, she specifically asked him how many times he had been married (3) and how many times I had been married (this is my 3rd marriage as well). My husband said that the interviewer was very good at spotting - and then clarifying - things that she was not 100% clear about.

Everything was moving along well until ..... she looked at the sheet that listed his children (he has 6 - all adults except for the youngest, a 16-year old son). She asked, "Where does (son's name) live?" to which he replied, "In England with his mum." To make a very long (and nerve-wracking) story short, she brought into question my husband's "good character" (a requirement for US citizenship) because when asked, he told her that he did not pay child support. He explained to her that his ex-wife is remarried, financially independent, and that he and his ex-wife have had an understanding since the day of their divorce that there would be no child support. My husband has, over the years, provided on his own in many, many ways for his son - and continues to do so. But this was apparently a red flag. She looked at the UK divorce decree (which had no mention of child support) and then she left the room to talk with her supervisor. She eventually returned, and did not mention anything more.

Finally, she stamped his sheet APPROVED and told him to return at 1:30 for the oath ceremony which was a HUGE surprise to us because we didn't think the ceremony would be on the same day. Apparently, they are processing close to twenty applications a day in Charleston and doing daily oath ceremonies to keep things from backing up any worse than they already are.

The oath ceremony ended up taking place at about 2:30 - it took that long for everyone to review their Naturalization Certificates and sign. All the applicants raised their right hands and read aloud the oath from a piece of paper, recited the Pledge of Allegiance together, then were called up one at a time (they were seated in their A-number order) to receive their certificate. We were allowed to take pictures throughout the entire ceremony. I think there were 17 or 18 people - from places like the UK, South Africa, China, Canada, India, Russia, and a couple of other countries. It was all over by 3:00, and both me and hubby had to return to work.

Last night we worked on his US passport application; Social Security paperwork (for change of status from Permanent Resident to US Citizen); local voter registration form; etc. We're withholding our "official" celebration until our cruise to the Bahamas in three weeks! (And he doesn't know it, but my best friend and I are planning a surprise party for him at some point soon.)

We can't believe this 52-month journey is finally over. It started with an I-130 in London in July 2004, and ended with an N-550 in Charleston today - November 7, 2008. We could never have done this so efficiently if it weren't for this forum and the support, encouragement, help, advice - AND FRIENDLINESS - of everyone here. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Fondly,

Denise and Tony
Charleston, SC

meauxna

Congratulations my fellow DCFers! How lovely to see it all come to a conclusion for you.

Have a lovely trip but don't leave without that US passport!

Noorah101

Congratulations!

DDL

Thank you! No worries about the US passport - the application's already in the mail!

DDL

Thanks much!

Brit3964

Congratulations to a new fellow USC done in Charleston. The passport is really quick. Mine took only 8 working days and it wasn't expedited.

DDL

Ah, cheers for that, Brit3964. The passport application was sent last Friday, 07 Nov and our cruise departs on 29 Nov so it appears we should be okay.

Where in SC are you?

Brit3964

Hi, I'm in Myrtle Beach. Enjoy your cruise!

DDL

How do you like living up there? We spent a week-end there a couple of months ago, and just last night booked a week-end at the end of January to see Ricky Mokel's show at Alabama Theatre. He is a brilliant comedian!