How many guests can I bring to my ceremony? Chicago, Dirksen Federal Court building.

[pazzee 29]

I wanted my nephew to witness the ceremony. He’s 19 and was born here and disjointed from the immigrant experience. I don’t think he understands what it’s like for immigrants and thought this might give hime a little insight. Maybe spark some conversations about immigration in general.

 

Anyways, if anyone had their ceremony in Chicago at this building recently,  were you allowed to have guests? My parents and all my siblings want to go to but they’re ok with staying outside and just celebrating with me afterwards. 

[JeanneAdil 6,242]

call the courthouse and ask

 

(312) 435-5670

[Bajinga 136]

is this the N400 oath ceremony? 
I recently had mine in San Francisco. I was the only one allowed into the building, wife and kids were not allowed in for the oath ceremony. 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Bajinga

[pazzee 29]

2 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

call the courthouse and ask

 

(312) 435-5670

Thank you! I called and she said I could bring my nephew and mom.

[JeanneAdil 6,242]

3 minutes ago, pazzee said:

Thank you! I called and she said I could bring my nephew and mom.

Oath ceremony?   congratulaitons

 

[pazzee 29]

6 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Oath ceremony?   congratulaitons

 

Yes! Thank you!

7 hours ago, Bajinga said:

is this the N400 oath ceremony? 
I recently had mine in San Francisco. I was the only one allowed into the building, wife and kids were not allowed in for the oath ceremony. 

That’s a shame, but congratulations to you!

[Timona 3,969]

The letter from USCIS states this. Mine did. Follow what it says

[pazzee 29]

3 hours ago, Timona said:

The letter from USCIS states this. Mine did. Follow what it says

My notice was different from yours because mine stated that I may be limited in who may attend my appointment with me. Which is rather vague. I came here to ask for recent accounts pertaining to this site’s naturalization ceremonies to get an idea of what to expect. Per JeanneAdil’s helpful suggestion I called the courthouse directly. The woman I spoke to said I could bring two people. When I checked in this morning I confirmed with one of the people ushering in participants that I would have two guests - she said it really didn’t matter how many guests people had as long as there was enough room in the courtroom. All guests would just have to wait in the waiting room until a few minutes before the judge called the court in session. So I texted my siblings and dad who were waiting outside of the building and they came up. They all got to witness the occasion along with my nephew and mom. At a certain point, the judge also allowed the guests to stake a spot all around the court room where they could have the best vantage point to take pictures/videos of their loved ones as they took the oath. I thought that was super nice of her.

 

I met one woman who wished she had known she could have had family there but she had heard that guests were no longer allowed in these ceremonies. I guess it really depends from location to location and the judge/official running the ceremony.

Edited December 8, 2022 by pazzee