Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've posted on here but I'm finally at the last stages of the process for citizenship (having entered on a K-1 visa at the end of 2015).
I have the civics test/interview on Tuesday this week and, having read a few peoples accounts of their day, I saw that it's possible the oath ceremony can happen the same day. Does anyone know if you HAVE to do it on the same day if offered? I'm travelling up alone (its the Albany, NY office 2 hours away) so would rather wait a few days/weeks until my family can attend the ceremony with me.

Thanks!

Scott

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

No, you don't have to.

Rene

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Thank you Rene!

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Wow you are in West Point, NY and going to Albany for the interview? That's a nice trip. Hope the weather is with you and good luck. I don't believe that Albany does a same day oath ceremony. Most likely it will be one of the federal courts in Albany so will need to be scheduled.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

I'm actually hoping to get a same-day oath ceremony as the USCIS office is 4 hours away and in another state. Would save on gas! But I can see that it's inconvenient for family members.
Good luck with your interview!

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Yeah I'm not sure why they're sending me there and not NYC, i guess its county based perhaps? Or travel duration would be similar to either (although total mileage is much less to NYC).

Thanks everyone for your answers!

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

My guess would be availability of resources (staff), and NYC is always going to be a very busy office.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

In Seattle the office is so busy that they are sending people to Yakima in Eastern Washington, but as compensation for the long journey you get the choice of Oath ceremony on the same day. It more than makes up for the trip (IMHO).

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

That would make sense re.NYC being so busy.

Anyway - has the appointment today, went smoothly! Civics test was easy, had my 6 questions, talked through my application, answered all the security-type questions, and then was approved! Was in the room for maybe 20minutes, appointment took an hour with wait time. Wasn’t asked for marriage certificate or spouses birth certificate (as mentioned in the letter they sent), but did need passport and green card (which I had).

Will hear about oath ceremony soon, I was told new dates come out tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help!

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

WTG Scott. Only a short wait now and it will be over.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

I have my interview in a couple of weeks. I'd quite like my wife and kids to be there for the oath (although our kids are 9 weeks old so it might be difficult). Is there a rough rule of thumb on how often the oath ceremonies are held? If I get offered same day and turn it down, will I be waiting for months? I'm in Colorado.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Congrats!

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

I can't imagine you'do have to wait more than a week or two at most - certainly citizenship ceremonies are not months apart.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

they seem to give 3 weeks notice and if you ask for a postponement then it's another 3 weeks - at least here in Texas

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Hi there i am just reading your info here and i see you say that the swearing in procedure will be quite soon after your interview, did they say how soon? I also had a couple of questions about the interview, what sort of questions were the security ones? and was that it? and also how long did it take for you to get the letter for the interview after your application was filled and then how much notice did they give you for the interview in your letter? Thank you kindly for your answers. Martha

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

I suppose it totally depends how far you’re prepared to travel. In my case I was advised the ceremonies are held locally every six months, so I decided to go to Schenectady, 200 miles away across the mountains, where they hold them every week or two. The hotel we stayed at was a little strange, but all part of life’s rich tapestry.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

I had my interview and test today, passed both, but didn't get approved! The officer was almost apologetic, as I'd specifically asked if it would be an issue when I was at my biometric appointment and was told it wouldn't affect anything, but our twins were born between my N400 filing, and today, and I didn't think to bring their birth certificates with me! He said he would approve as soon as he got copies of them, but couldn't do it until he received them.

He said the Denver office holds oath ceremonies every day, but because they serve such a large area, it'd still be nearly a month before I'd have mine. Overall the experience was great, officer was very friendly, but I wish I'd thought to bring them with me. Lesson learned, even if you think you won't need it, bring it.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

Got my approval today! Oath ceremony scheduled for March 10th. I filed on Sep 17th, so that's just under 6 months from start to finish.

Re: Civics test and oath ceremony
 

So this is the final breakdown of the journey from getting engaged, K-1 visa, to citizenship. Late posting but wanted to put it up here for anyone interested. Final citizenship ceremony ended up being a drive thru (lol) due to Covid restrictions. Final step for me is to get around to applying for a US passport.

• 20 September 2012 - Met my (future) wife.
• 31 March 2015 - Got engaged!
• 10 April 2015 - Fiancee filed I-129F
• 14 April 2015 - I-797C (receipt) received.
• 28 May 2015 - I-797 (approval) received.
• 25 June 2015 - US Embassy London received approved I-129F petition (LND case number and visa [K1] category on here, plus original I-129F copies).
• 1 July 2015 - NVC received I-129F petition.
• 13 July 2015 - DS-160 completed online.
• 24 July 2015 - Booked medical for 26 August.
• 27 July 2015 - Filed NOAR online.
• 26 August 2015 - Medical completed.
• 28 October 2015 - K1 Interview completed, visa approved! 202 days/almost 7 months start to finish.
• 04 November 2015 - Visa arrives in mail (along with envelope containing immigration file that mustn't be opened)!
• 28 December 2015 - Landed in Philadelphia on K-1 visa.
• 19 March 2016 - Got married!
• 25 March 2016 - AOS package received by USCIS.
• 19 April 2016 - Biometrics appointment.
• 8 June 2016 - Passed US driving permit test.
• 11 June 2016 - EAD/AP card arrived in mail!
• 1 July 2016 - Permanent Resident (green) Card arrived in mail!
• 13 July 2016 - Passed US Driving Test.
• 30 April 2018 - Submitted i751 removal of conditions packet.
• 25 June 2018 - Biometrics appointment for removal of conditions.
• 12 June 2019 - Application for Naturalization received.
• 28 January 2020 - Naturalization interview and civics test.
• 26 June 2020 - Citizenship/Naturalization Oath Ceremony and officially a US citizen!

• 2836 days since meeting My wife.
• 1914 days since getting engaged.
• 1642 days since arriving in the US on my K1 fiancé visa.