Waiting for oath ceremony Since November 3rd. Is this Normal seems like its long.

[Edddie&Beatrice 77]

Thank you all for the responses. I checked my documents on USCIS and there is no oath ceremony letter. 

So I will keep waiting, and will update when things change.

I really appreciate this website people in here have been there for us since we started this journey. 

[Verrou 1,975]

did u change ur name?

[Rhema1 553]

5 hours ago, Edddie&Beatrice said:

Thank you all for the responses. I checked my documents on USCIS and there is no oath ceremony letter. 

So I will keep waiting, and will update when things change.

I really appreciate this website people in here have been there for us since we started this journey. 

You are welcome.

You will first received an email alerts whenever an action has been taken on your case.

[Edddie&Beatrice 77]

21 hours ago, Verrou said:

did u change ur name?

When filling the application I requested name change but when I went in for the interview the officer explained to me how it would take long especially because of government lockdown and also explained that in NC they can change my name within USCIS but he doesn't know that change is recognized by  other  institutions like DMV. So I changed my mind about name change and he edited to no change name. 

Could this also be the cause of the delay?

[Rhema1 553]

5 hours ago, Edddie&Beatrice said:

When filling the application I requested name change but when I went in for the interview the officer explained to me how it would take long especially because of government lockdown and also explained that in NC they can change my name within USCIS but he doesn't know that change is recognized by  other  institutions like DMV. So I changed my mind about name change and he edited to no change name. 

Could this also be the cause of the delay?

I don't really think so.

[Verrou 1,975]

6 hours ago, Edddie&Beatrice said:

When filling the application I requested name change but when I went in for the interview the officer explained to me how it would take long especially because of government lockdown and also explained that in NC they can change my name within USCIS but he doesn't know that change is recognized by  other  institutions like DMV. So I changed my mind about name change and he edited to no change name. 

Could this also be the cause of the delay?

Well did u change ur name in the end or u cancel the name change part ? If you change ur name, u need to see before judge for judicial oath ceremony. U can’t do administrative oath ceremony (USCIS officer ). It’s right if you did change ur name, it can delay the oath ceremony especially in small city like my city 😂 

 

if you just take ur spouse last name and u have marriage certificate to prove it, it’s not considered name change, so USCIS officer can do oath ceremony for u. 

 

that’s why I decide to change my name in probate court. Only $85 in my county. I filed on 12/23. I will see the judge tomorrow and will get the court order same day, then I will apply for n-400. My early filing window open yesterday. 
 

But if u decide not to change ur name, that means ur field office just busy. 

Edited Friday at 03:48 AM by Verrou

[Rhema1 553]

9 hours ago, Verrou said:

Well did u change ur name in the end or u cancel the name change part ? If you change ur name, u need to see before judge for judicial oath ceremony. U can’t do administrative oath ceremony (USCIS officer ). It’s right if you did change ur name, it can delay the oath ceremony especially in small city like my city 😂 

 

if you just take ur spouse last name and u have marriage certificate to prove it, it’s not considered name change, so USCIS officer can do oath ceremony for u. 

 

that’s why I decide to change my name in probate court. Only $85 in my county. I filed on 12/23. I will see the judge tomorrow and will get the court order same day, then I will apply for n-400. My early filing window open yesterday. 
 

But if u decide not to change ur name, that means ur field office just busy. 

The name was not change again because the officer corrected it.

When the correction is from the officer interviewing you, it continues as if any name changed had never been filed.

 

[Edddie&Beatrice 77]

On 1/1/2026 at 10:47 PM, Verrou said:

Well did u change ur name in the end or u cancel the name change part ? If you change ur name, u need to see before judge for judicial oath ceremony. U can’t do administrative oath ceremony (USCIS officer ). It’s right if you did change ur name, it can delay the oath ceremony especially in small city like my city 😂 

 

if you just take ur spouse last name and u have marriage certificate to prove it, it’s not considered name change, so USCIS officer can do oath ceremony for u. 

 

that’s why I decide to change my name in probate court. Only $85 in my county. I filed on 12/23. I will see the judge tomorrow and will get the court order same day, then I will apply for n-400. My early filing window open yesterday. 
 

But if u decide not to change ur name, that means ur field office just busy. 

I cancelled the name change part.

 

I was just taking my spouse's last name. The officer told me that they could do that( allow me to take my husband's name and perform the ceremony) but he also told me that he doesn't know if that will be recognized by other institutions. He told me he was obligated to tell me those details. 

 

What you did was wise. 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 05:58 AM by Edddie&Beatrice

[Verrou 1,975]

1 hour ago, Edddie&Beatrice said:

I cancelled the name change part.

 

I was just taking my spouse's last name. The officer told me that they could do that( allow me to take my husband's name and perform the ceremony) but he also told me that he doesn't know if that will be recognized by other institutions. He told me he was obligated to tell me those details. 

 

What you did was wise. 

 

 

It’s recognized by other government agencies because the marriage certificate is a legal document proving the name change. Although “changing your name” and “taking your spouse’s name” seem the same to us, government agencies treat them differently. The officer is correct about the uncertainty, as my research also revealed that confusion.

When someone takes their spouse’s name upon marriage and then divorces, they can easily revert to their maiden name. In contrast, since I pursued a formal name change through probate court, katering my middle name and adopting my husband’s last name (which has the same meaning as my father’s original last name), I cannot simply revert to my maiden name if we divorce, because a judge approved it. This makes sense given the judicial process involved.

I’m not planning to revert to my maiden name anyway, because it holds no meaning in my own family (long story).

By the way, you can always change your name at probate court after naturalizing if it’s cheap enough in your county. You don’t need to apply for a new naturalization certificate because the court order is the legal document proving you’re the same person. I did it before filing because I just wanted everything to match in the future.

[Rhema1 553]

7 hours ago, Verrou said:

It’s recognized by other government agencies because the marriage certificate is a legal document proving the name change. Although “changing your name” and “taking your spouse’s name” seem the same to us, government agencies treat them differently. The officer is correct about the uncertainty, as my research also revealed that confusion.

When someone takes their spouse’s name upon marriage and then divorces, they can easily revert to their maiden name. In contrast, since I pursued a formal name change through probate court, katering my middle name and adopting my husband’s last name (which has the same meaning as my father’s original last name), I cannot simply revert to my maiden name if we divorce, because a judge approved it. This makes sense given the judicial process involved.

I’m not planning to revert to my maiden name anyway, because it holds no meaning in my own family (long story).

By the way, you can always change your name at probate court after naturalizing if it’s cheap enough in your county. You don’t need to apply for a new naturalization certificate because the court order is the legal document proving you’re the same person. I did it before filing because I just wanted everything to match in the future.

Great 👍 

Ready appreciate the explanation.

[Edddie&Beatrice 77]

Good news! I just received an email from USCIS, they have scheduled my oath of ceremony. Thank you all!!

[TBoneTX 48,849]

2 hours ago, Edddie&Beatrice said:

they have scheduled my oath of ceremony

Super!  Be sure to report on your experience.

[Rhema1 553]

2 hours ago, Edddie&Beatrice said:

Good news! I just received an email from USCIS, they have scheduled my oath of ceremony. Thank you all!!

Congratulations 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉