N400 - Do Children need to attend interview

[vPilot 0]

Hello everyone! 

We are nearing the end of our journey to make my wife a US Citizen. I am already a US citizen and my wife and two step children are from the UK.

I am having a hard time trying to get an answer to this question, so I hope those of you here may have some experience with it: We have the appointment ready to go for the N-400 Interview, and all of our docs are ready to go, but we are not sure if my step children should be going with us or not. They are on the N-400, so the expectation (based on current USCIS documentation) is they should get Citizenship through Derivation because they are both under 18. But because they have permanent residence cards, are on the form, and should gain this citizenship, do they need to be in attendance to forfeit their permanent resident cards? We spoke with a USCIS agent and they stated it should just be my wife going/attending, but I would like to hear of personal experiences to better solidify our plans and understanding of the process.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Mollie09 1,543]

They don't have to attend, and can submit their green cards with their passport applications to turn them in.

They told us all of this at our naturalization ceremony.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Just your wife attends the interview.  I just did mine a couple weeks back, no need for child to be there.

The green cards only get handed in at the oath ceremony, not at the interview. Even if approved on the spot, your wife will not be a citizen until she attends a naturalization ceremony,

 

 

Edited October 7, 2019 by SusieQQQ

[Ontarkie 13,916]

The kids will not be allowed in for the interview. 

You do not give up their green cards when your wife turns hers in.

They must absolutely have those green cards when applying for their US passports along with your wife's naturalization certificate.