Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
May 25th 2018, 9:59 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
Fun at the passport office. Spent 2 hours the night before preparing everything, paperclipped into four neat bundles. First window to check-in, she rifles through the paperwork, takes off the paperclips, pulls bits out here and there and then... "Sir, I really need you to sort these out for me. They're messed up". Well, dear, you just messed them up. She did at least mutter a "sorry". Sit back down, re-organise into four bundles again. Thankfully called to a different window where the lady there was somewhat more efficient.
But I messed up one birth certificate anyway. Turns out I had a very good (but not good enough) photocopy, not an original. Sigh. It took me a moment to believe it was a photocopy. Back next week to pick up mine (expedited) and hand over the missing certificate where they will issue the passport the same day (albeit 3-4 hours later).
Took just under 2 hours.
But I messed up one birth certificate anyway. Turns out I had a very good (but not good enough) photocopy, not an original. Sigh. It took me a moment to believe it was a photocopy. Back next week to pick up mine (expedited) and hand over the missing certificate where they will issue the passport the same day (albeit 3-4 hours later).
Took just under 2 hours.
May 25th 2018, 10:31 pm
#17
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
Hi Geoff. You know to update your SSN as well? Youll need the certificate. It is not an urgent thing but i understand there can be issues in future if you dont.
May 25th 2018, 11:14 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
That's a good point, thanks. They mentioned it during the ceremony: to wait 10 days before going to the SS office with certificate.
May 31st 2018, 3:55 pm
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 16
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
Most of Southern California is turning back into Mexico. Some areas you think you are there already.
May 31st 2018, 4:01 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
That was a funny thing about the Oath Ceremony actually. I know the US has no official language, but to have an oath ceremony spoken 50/50 English/Spanish was amusing - ie somebody would say something in English, then another person would step up and repeat it in Spanish.
May 31st 2018, 11:54 pm
#21
BE Commentator
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,427
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
Speaking Spanish here is a definite advantage. I don't but I wish I did. Personally I think UK schools should be teaching Spanish and Mandarin, not French and German like most do. Well okay, maybe some French. German has been useless for me.
That was a funny thing about the Oath Ceremony actually. I know the US has no official language, but to have an oath ceremony spoken 50/50 English/Spanish was amusing - ie somebody would say something in English, then another person would step up and repeat it in Spanish.
That was a funny thing about the Oath Ceremony actually. I know the US has no official language, but to have an oath ceremony spoken 50/50 English/Spanish was amusing - ie somebody would say something in English, then another person would step up and repeat it in Spanish.
I think there are a fair number of Latinos in SoCal who meet that standard.
(I purposely say "Latino" and not "Mexican." A large number of Central Americans here. Also, a fair number from South America).
Jun 4th 2018, 12:30 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 227
Re: Experiences at the Naturilsation Ceremony - Los Angeles
This thread reminds me of once reading an autobiography by Richard Safire who had been a speechwriter in the Nixon White House. When his wife was naturalized, the White House was able to arrange a private oath ceremony in the chambers of a local District Court Judge. The Judge spoke of his parents who had immigrated from Italy. Name of the Judge? John Sirica.
