Anyone waiting on Oath Ceremony with Name Change

[Tom Lype 0]

I had my citizenship (with a name change request on the form) interview in Mid May'17 in Fairfax field office (D.C. area) and got the approval letter. FO said that I should have my oath ceremony within 4 weeks. My online status still shows 'Oath Ceremony will be Scheduled' since the second week of June'17 and no updates after that. Not sure how much longer the wait will be. Is anyone else who has a name change request can let me know how long they have to wait for Oath Ceremony (most likely in Alexandria court) after attending the Citizenship interview at Fairfax field office. Thanks.

[f f 725]

since you have a name change with your n 400 you have to take the oath before an immigration judge instead of just an immigration officer this can cause a delay since not every oath ceremony has a judge involved.

[Tom Lype 0]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am aware of that the oath ceremony will be conducted at Alexandria Court (D.C. area) in front of the judge for the name change applicants. What I am looking for is the timeline it took for similar cases in the D.C. area. 

[Kamitaji 0]

I have been waiting since early June 2017. I was told by 2 immigration experts to expect a 3-month delay due to changing the spelling of my name, mostly because of the bottleneck of having to go through the Alexandria court. This court assigns only one day a month for the oath ceremonies (the 3rd Thursday of every month). The 2 experts also said that the ceremony letter usually comes in about 2 weeks before the date of the oath ceremony.

 

Like I said, the ceremonies are held in Alexandria court every 3rd Thursday of the month. So, the next 3 dates are August 17, September 21 and October 19.

 

If the 2 immigration experts were accurate AND you're lucky, then you should've received your oath letter about August 3 for the August 17 ceremony. If you are not so lucky, then you should receive your oath letter around August 17 and have your ceremony on September 21. If you have my kind of luck, then have your suit & tie ready for October 19 .....   Don't be too mad, I've seen some online postings from some immigration lawyers saying that a name change could delay the process by up to 6 months.

 

It's funny how I waited for years after being eligible before applying for citizenship, and it never bothered me. Now that I have applied, every day of waiting feels like a year !!! Although nothing will change in my life, still I can't wait for my ceremony 

[marcusa 31]

it depends on when the state judge is available to show up at the oath day, Usually judges dont work for immigration event that much, once a month probably. USCIS has not power to push...You will be hold(weeks to months ) for this unfortunately, because it's free for name change along with N400.

 

For that reason, before filing N400, i already chose to change my legal name at local court of course, it was not free but fast though.

i received the court documents at the hearing day,which was a week after i filed for name change at county court.

 

 

[daigo 39]

4 hours ago, marcusa said:

it depends on when the state judge is available to show up at the oath day, Usually judges dont work for immigration event that much, once a month probably. USCIS has not power to push...You will be hold(weeks to months ) for this unfortunately, because it's free for name change along with N400.

 

For that reason, before filing N400, i already chose to change my legal name at local court of course, it was not free but fast though.

i received the court documents at the hearing day,which was a week after i filed for name change at county court.

 

 

 

Federal judges administer the oath. It never depends on the judge's availability because district courts have a set schedule for naturalization ceremonies. There are different schedules for different jurisdiction, but in this case, yes it is once a month: http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/resources/naturalization/Alexandria%20Naturalization.html

 

Other jurisdictions can have several scheduled oath ceremonies before a judge in a month.

[Tom Lype 0]

I had my oath ceremony done on 17th. It took close to 3 months from interview to oath date. Wish all who are waiting, get their oath ceremony letters soon. 

[mommy22 0]

I passed my interview on May 1st, 2017. I haven't received my Oath Letter yet. All I have received are the emails/texts saying that my case is being reviewed, and will update and notify me when status changes. After reading the replies here, I am wondering if the delay is due to the name change request as well. 

 

My Local Field Office is Baltimore.  I am waiting for available appointment to schedule an info pass to find out what happened. The thing is they don't have it available everyday, I have to check online everyday. 

[Tom Lype 0]

mommy22, it all depends on the court schedule where the name change oath ceremonies take place in your area. Alexandria court does once a month and only 70 ppl at a time. So it took 3 months for me. It might be the same for the assigned court in the Baltimore area.

[marcusa 31]

On 8/21/2017 at 3:44 PM, mommy22 said:

 After reading the replies here, I am wondering if the delay is due to the name change request as well.  

 

yes, 100% correct. as your request for name change at Naturalization needs to approved by the judge at the oath ceremony. They dont work for that purpose every day. which causes the delayed. 

[kiritoty 0]

I just got my Oath notice in mail. When I did my interview on August 3rd, the officer told me if I want to change my name, I have wait 4-6 mouths for oath in Atlanta area. I said that's fine. On August 7th, the online status change to "will be scheduled". On August 24th, it's show "notice was mailed". My mom did her interview on the same day, and she also changes her name. but she still waiting for her oath notice. So at this point I will suggest you to schedule a info meeting thru the immigration website, and ask them to check your status. Also using google search "Court naturalization schedule 2017" + your location. Then you will know when is next oath ceremony for people who change his/her name.

[millefleur 5,038]

**Zombie thread now locked from further comment; hijack posts removed. If you have a new question, please start your own new thread.**

 

VJ Moderation