LA convention center oath ceremony

[Parisfrancehb 0]

I only have my son coming to the ceremony but he's afraid he will have to sit alone (he's 13...) does anyone know if he would be able to stay with me during the oath? He's the only family I have and would like to have him there;)

Also....on my letter it says something about "military table.." Does anyone know what this is for? (My husband is military and I'm thinking this must be the table I pick up my paperwork from??)

Thanks a lot ya'll!

[Ian H. 207]

I'm not sure if it varies by office or by court, but I was 12 when my mom became a USC and my little sister was like 6 months old. We were both at the ceremony without issue and this was in the district court with like over 300 people. I would assume that he may be allowed to sit with you, but I'm not sure.

When my grandma naturalized I went with her and that I recall they didn't allow the guests to sit up front. Her oath ceremony was in the local office.

I don't think they would force a child to sit by himself and my guess is that the letter would say not to bring children if they thought it would be an issue. I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more help, but maybe someone can give you a more concrete answer.

[Parisfrancehb 0]

Thanks so much! I was kinda thinking they wouldn't make him sit alone since it's just him by himself...fingers crossed!!

[missicy 87]

I just attended a naturalization ceremony in Los Angeles in August myself so I am speaking from my own experience. The ceremonies at LA Convention Center are usually very big, about 5,000 applicants plus guests (which means10,000 or more people since almost every applicant brings at least one guest). Applicants and guests are separated at entrance and wait to enter in separate lines. At the ceremony applicants sit in the front and guests sit in the back. So it's very unlikely that they will let your son sit with you but you can ask and maybe they'll make an exception. If I were you though, I'd bring another family member or friend so they can wait and sit with him. There will be a lot of waiting and standing around since it takes a couple of hours to have several thousand people seated before the ceremony starts.

The military table is for military members who are naturalizing and receive special recognition at the ceremony so this doesn't apply to you, regardless of your husband's status.

Edited October 6, 2014 by missicy

[Parisfrancehb 0]

Great info!

In that case I'll just send the kid to school and go on my own;) (I'm sure he'd be bored anyway...and I have no family here to sit with him:/)

As for the military table, I'll just check when I get there. My paperwork was expedited quickly due to our military status and it actually has a military table number printed on my paperwork telling me to go there (just to be on the safe side;)

Thanks again and congrats on your citicenship! (I've been here 15 years and finally decided to get it!)

Oops citizenship;)

[missicy 87]

Thank you!

Oh ok, I didn't know that about the military table. I thought it was just for actual military members but if it says on your notice then yes, that's the table you check in at.

Just a tip, bring a snack and water because you're gonna be there for a while. And congratulations!!

[Ontarkie 13,957]

~~moved to US Citizenship General Discussion, form General Immigration-Related Discussion~~

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Convention center you will not be sitting with any guest. Large ceramonies they separate people before entering and you have to meet up after.