dolega

I have my ceremony on 12/20/2012. 3 Questions:

1) Does my US spouse need to be present at the ceremony? I cannot see on the Notice I received any need for my spouse to be there, however, I have seen other threads on this site indicating that US spouses would need to be present.

2) How long does the ceremony take? I appreciate this might vary depending on attendance, however, how long did it take in your own ceremony?

3) Will I receive my Naturalization certificate at the end of the ceremony?

Thanks for any help/guidance..

jjmb

Don't think your spouse needs to be there and even if they were there, they would be separated from you as all applicants are seated together with other family members (if they are not being naturalized)seated behind.

Depend on how big the ceremony is and how many people. Ours was quite large as they only have a ceremony in Austin twice a year. With all the processing and standing around plus the actual ceremony we were there for 2 hrs. My son on the other hand, who was naturalized in Denver, did in less than an hour, might even have been less than 30 mins

We got our certificate at the ceremony and also registered to vote at the same time

congratulations on your naturalisation

sir_eccles

1) the only person that NEEDS to be there is you. But it can be nice to have friends and family to witness what is quite a momentous occassion. Note venues vary and space may be limited.

2) depends on how many people need to be checked in ceremonial thing vary by location. Allow an hour plus time after to register to vote and update ssn record if they have tables set up. Passport usually done only at office.

3) Yes

tonrob

Mine had 900 or so people and took about 3 hours.

ian-mstm

No.


About 20-30 minutes if there's fewer than 50 people being naturalized... close to 1 or 2 hours if there's more! You may also need to be there an hour or more beforehand.


Yes.

Ian

Noorah101

No, your spouse doesn't need to attend. However, it's such an honorable day, most spouses (and other family and friends) enjoy attending.

Totally depends on where the oath is being held and how many people are being sworn in. My husband had his in Phoenix in 2009. The actual ceremony part took about 1/2 hour, but the whole event took about 3 hours, from start to finish (arriving at the time they specified for HIM (not for guests), and then staying afterwards to update social security and get registered to vote). We also applied for his US Passport right afterwards, at the downtown Phoenix passport office, which took another hour and a half. We barely made it to the lunch party I had arranged for him! LOL

My husband did. But I think it depends who is doing the oath ceremony, whether it's a judge or not (I'm not sure).

Rene

Hotscot

The US government royally screwed up my Naturalization Ceremony.

When I got my certificate it wrongly stated I was Female.
They couldn't fix it on the spot, I had to make an appointment and wait for a week to get it resolved.
I was denied my new US passport which I needed for a trip to the UK while the UK passport renewal was taking three bloody months.
I had to wait four hours during my appointment.
They then suggested I had given the wrong information and tried to blame me.
Bunch of incompetents on what should have been a very happy day. Completely ruined.

Beccarose

Spouses do not need to be there, but it is a neat thing to watch. My husband just went through his 2 weeks ago and it was really nice to be there for him. Most people had people there with them, friends, family, etc.

The whole process was about 2 hours (including a waiting period while they set up- they did not start on time). There were 98 people in the ceremony.

Yes, you will receive your certificate. You can also have pictures taken (if your spouse or someone else goes with you).

My husband's was in Washington state and it was an amazing experience for him, and for me. They really did a great job.

dolega

Thanks everyone for your input. Your help as well these past years have been invaluable.

jeffreyhy

Time for the ceremony also depends on how many VIPs will be giving speeches to congratulate the new citizens.

Regards, JEff