Is USC spouse needed for Naturalization interview?

[fabulous02 1]

Hi all,

I have my interview the second week in January and my husband has some work related travel he may not be able to get out of. Can anyone confirm if he is needed during my interview or can I go by myself without it having a negative impact on my case.

Thanks!

[w8inglongtime 29]

Hi all,

I have my interview the second week in January and my husband has some work related travel he may not be able to get out of. Can anyone confirm if he is needed during my interview or can I go by myself without it having a negative impact on my case.

Thanks!

No the USC spouse is not required to be present. Most spouses attend just to take pictures if you are at a service office that does same day oath. He does not have to skip work for your interview. They will call your name only which means he will not be allowed at the IO's desk. Good luck.

[fabulous02 1]

No the USC spouse is not required to be present. Most spouses attend just to take pictures if you are at a service office that does same day oath. He does not have to skip work for your interview. They will call your name only which means he will not be allowed at the IO's desk. Good luck.

I appreciate the quick response... thanks!

Not sure it changes anything, but I applied based on the 3 year marriage to a USC rule.

[w8inglongtime 29]

I appreciate the quick response... thanks!

Not sure it changes anything, but I applied based on the 3 year marriage to a USC rule.

You have reached the point where you are "on your own" so you being married to a USC has no basis. So long as you are still married, there's nothing they need from him. My spouse didn't come to my interview but came to my swearing ceremony.

[otta 7]

This is not quite true. Yes, they don't need to talk to the spouse, but marriage is still a topic they can bring up. Many who apply on the 3-year (marriage) basis still are asked for evidence of ongoing bona fide marriage at the interview, as I was asked for example.It's at 5 years where marriage technically shouldn't play a role anymore.

You are right though that spouses don't need to be there for the interview. I went alone because there just was no need for my spouse and it would have been a waste of his time.

You have reached the point where you are "on your own" so you being married to a USC has no basis. So long as you are still married, there's nothing they need from him. My spouse didn't come to my interview but came to my swearing ceremony.

[wellmux 3]

At my interview time i had my wife sitting with me , when i was waiting to be called , a woman came and called my name and as soon as i was in the office she asked me wheres my wife,i said shes in the waiting area, Its always a good idea to bring your spouse with you if you are applying on marriage based.

however interview letter does not ask you to bring your spouse with you, i have seen many interview experiences where applicant did not bring their spouse and had successful interview.

[MRK13 4]

I just had my interview (and same day oath). As appointment letter states do not bring a lot of people with you because of the limited waiting area space, my husband stayed at the hotel, and only accompanied me to the Oath ceremony.

My IO asked if my husband was there and I replied he stayed at the hotel for that reason, and that was it. It is a totally understandable reason if your husband can not make it due to work related issues, just be truthful and there will be no problem.

Good luck!

[Hedi 24]

I did not accompany my husband to his citizenship interview. The IO didn't even ask about me or whether I was there in the waiting room or not. My husband had all the necessary documentation spanning our marriage and years together, and the interview was over in 20 minutes (from start to finish). I did go to the citizenship ceremony, which was a week after the actual interview.

Good luck to you.

[christeen 966]

They would only allow my husband for the interview, I (the USC) was not allowed not did they even ask.. So it should be fine..

[fabulous02 1]

Thanks everyone for the responses... Merry Christmas!!

[newlyweds2010 208]

Here is my experience. Bear in mind that every interview is unique and every interviewer has a different approach. I went to my interview with my spouse, because we do every important thing together, we always have and always will. When they called my name, we both approached the door where I had to report, the interviewer saw us both and asked me who she was. I said "my wife", and he told her "he will be fine by himself, you can wait outside". During the interview he asked me again whether she was my wife and whether she was off of work (which she was). Ultimately that was MY interview, but I believe that seeing her there with me did not go unnoticed.

[lasko12 9]

Many USCIS offices don't allow other people except the ones applying for citizenship to come in the waiting area.

Edited January 1, 2014 by lasko12

[NickD 203]

Did let me in the door during our AOS interview, but not so during my wife's citizenship interview. Seems strange to me, because every bit of supporting evidence also has my name on it. But as it was, didn't want a thing to do with me, just wanted to see my papers. Was wondering if I was in Nazi Germany.

Certainly is a stress on the applicant, in our case a very long drive, applicant has to know the N-400 by heart, civics test, and be able to explain all the evidence. That was another key reason why I wanted to be along, getting all those original documents back.

Its not that I don't trust my wife, but she does freeze up wonder severe stress. Just recalled how she froze up the first time we walked in that field office loaded with armed guards and treated like we were terrorists when we first walked in. But she feels safe with me. And being in a strange town with all that traffic, could get lost trying to get home by herself. I also carried the responsibility of that I-864 and also had to report my location to the USCIS. And the outcome of her interview would affect me just as well as it did her. We were both slaves to the USCIS.

But this for whatever reason is how the USCIS works, spouse can only be there for support. She was in for her interview for 45 minutes, a very long time when waiting in the waiting room. But everything worked out fine, and she could nap on that long drive home.