Questions on rescheduling naturalization oath ceremony

[jxn 86]

My spouse received her citizenship oath ceremony notice in the mail today and the the date is in two and a half weeks. Unfortunately the naturalization date doesn't work for us and we'll need to reschedule. I know how important this is but we've had long-standing travel for that date and it's too late and expensive to cancel or reschedule airfare, hotels, approved vacation time from both of our jobs, et cetera.

 

The USCIS notice says to send the form back to reschedule, so I just wanted to check on the proper procedure. Are there any specific boxes on the form to check? I don't think so, so I'm assuming we just have to write a cover letter explaining the need to reschedule. Is there a template or recommended format for that cover letter?

 

Where do we actually send the letter back to? The "from" corner of the envelope is the USCIS National Benefits Center, but the letter itself lists the local U.S. District Court. I don't see the local USCIS Field Office mentioned anywhere.

 

Also, the address of the ceremony location, the local U.S. District Court, says "Guest Limit 2." How strict is this? We'd love to have three guests, so I'm curious how to accommodate that.

 

Is there any way to predict when the oath ceremony will be rescheduled for? Washington, DC has ceremonies on the second Tuesday of every month, but I'm wondering if someone rescheduling gets sent to the end of the scheduling line or somehow gets placed in front of people that are just now being approved in their interviews since they had already been approved earlier.

 

Lastly, should we send the original letter or a photocopy—does it matter?

 

Thanks for your help!