alanandmaria

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.
We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.
Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.
Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.
Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.
It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

JimmyHou I'm so happy you got an interview date!!! :) I predict you'll become a USC in less than 4 weeks, wishing you the very best of the most insane luck!

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.
We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.
Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.
Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.
Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.
It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.
We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.
Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.
Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.
Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.
It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.
We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.
Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.
Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.
Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.
It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

The oath ceremony was a very neat experience, definitely like a lot of people have said it is. My wife, parents, and mother-in-law went with me to the ceremony. We left early in the morning to beat traffic and find parking near the ceremony. It was held at the Oakland Paramount Theatre, located near downtown Oakland.
We went inside the theater and theater staff were directing family and friends to the second floor, while the applicants go straight to the first floor. There was a row of immigration officers and you could choose any IO to hand your oath letter and GC. Some had longer lines than others(noticed they we're scrutinizing people) and I saw one that was not attending anyone so I went with him. Handed him the oath letter and GC, didn't request any additional documents. He only asked if anything has changed and I said no. He then directed me to a specific USCIS employee who I would give my documents to. I went with the specific employee, handed her the documents, then she told me my assigned seating area. Headed down toward the assigned seating area where another USCIS employee told me where to sit.
Not too long after, a federal government employee introduced himself and started going over how the ceremony would be conducted. He also talked about what to do when you're a citizen. A really cool singing group sang a few songs(acapella) along with the national anthem.
Then the director of the San Francisco USCIS office went up and called out 96 countries, 882 people total. She called them out alphabetically and we had to stand once we heard our country's name. Once everyone was standing, we took the oath of allegiance. Then a state department employee came up to swear in the people who were applying for their passport that same day, which I did. Then they played a video message from the president, then concluded the ceremony. IOs then began going to the rows with our certificates in hand and were calling out our names so we can receive them. All in all, the ceremony took a little over a hour to complete.
Once I had mine in hand, I double checked the information(very important, talk to a IO if any info is wrong) and then I signed it. I already had my passport package pre-filled out, so I didn't have to get in line to apply. I just handed it to a state department employee and he told me within a week I can check on the state department website to track my application.
It really was an awesome and moving experience at the oath ceremony, it makes me all the more proud to be an American citizen. I hope this review is helpful to everyone out there, and good luck and God bless to all still waiting! :)

Hello everyone,
Today my wife and I went to my interview at 8:55 AM at the San Francisco office. After going through TSA-style security, went up to the 2nd floor and checked in at the reception desk. The receptionist gave me a passport application packet and had me wait for the IO.
After waiting about 10 mins, the IO came out to greet me. She was a very friendly Portuguese lady who was very pleasant throughout the interview. Swore me in, handed her my GC, driver's license and passports(current and expired) then jumped straight to the civics test. Questions asked:
1. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
2. There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
3. If the President can no longer serve, who serves next?
4. What was one reason the colonists came to America?
5. Name one right from the First Amendment.
6. When must men register for Selective Service?
Read out loud "Which state has the most people?" Wrote down "California has the most people."
The IO then started going over the application. She asked about my personal info(bday, SS number, full name, etc.) and my wife's personal info. She then asked when we were married, the dates, are we still married, do we have children, where do we live, just basic non-invasive questions. She then looked at my passport and asked me about my trips(only taken 2 trips, 12 days total since I became a GC). I renewed my passport last year for 3 years because I planned to be a citizen. She asked why my passport was only for 3 years and I told her about being a citizen. She said that made sense and even joked about saving money.
She then went over the yes or no questions. She asked about half of those, going over the most important ones such as being part of a military unit, advocated terrorism, genocide, etc. etc. I did get cited for speeding(last year) and got a parking ticket January of this year. When she got to the "have you ever been arrested, detained, cited, etc. by a law enforcement officer" I answered I got cited and she asked for what, told her speeding. I also let her know right away I got a parking ticket this year and she laughed, she joked about how expensive the speeding ticket was and how my parking ticket was cheaper than hers. She wrote down the parking ticket on the application and moved on. She asked the questions you're supposed to say yes on (will you defend the Constitution, seve the military if needed, serve the nation, etc.)
She then at the end said she was printing out a paper that had my information on it and that will be on my certificate of Naturalization. :joy:I double checked everything and it was correct. She said that the oath letter will be sent to me within 3 weeks and the oath will take place sometime in April, at the Paramount Theater in Oakland. The only document she asked to see was my Selective Service Registration, I provided to her as well as a copy since she needed a copy of it. She also took a copy of my current passport as well. Signed all the documents she asked to me sign and that concluded the interview.
She said congratulations and said if I had any questions. I asked her about sending in the N-600 because my wife was automatically naturalized at 13 when her father became a citizen and she only has her US passport. My wife is concerned that if she ever lost the passport, how would she have bonafide proof she's a USC. The IO said she should fill out the N-600 and that they'll have her pick it up there at the office. She congratulated me again, wished me an excellent day, and lead me out back to the waiting room. All in all, the process took less than 10 mins. She was really awesome and I couldn't have been more lucky and blessed to get such a wonderful IO like her.
Thank you everyone on VJ that helped me prepare for the interview, the IO even remarked how well prepared I was and I owe that to everyone's great input. I hope I can do the same for others by providing my long(lol) post about the interview. Good luck to everyone else and God bless the USA!!!!

Hello everyone,
Today my wife and I went to my interview at 8:55 AM at the San Francisco office. After going through TSA-style security, went up to the 2nd floor and checked in at the reception desk. The receptionist gave me a passport application packet and had me wait for the IO.
After waiting about 10 mins, the IO came out to greet me. She was a very friendly Portuguese lady who was very pleasant throughout the interview. Swore me in, handed her my GC, driver's license and passports(current and expired) then jumped straight to the civics test. Questions asked:
1. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
2. There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
3. If the President can no longer serve, who serves next?
4. What was one reason the colonists came to America?
5. Name one right from the First Amendment.
6. When must men register for Selective Service?
Read out loud "Which state has the most people?" Wrote down "California has the most people."
The IO then started going over the application. She asked about my personal info(bday, SS number, full name, etc.) and my wife's personal info. She then asked when we were married, the dates, are we still married, do we have children, where do we live, just basic non-invasive questions. She then looked at my passport and asked me about my trips(only taken 2 trips, 12 days total since I became a GC). I renewed my passport last year for 3 years because I planned to be a citizen. She asked why my passport was only for 3 years and I told her about being a citizen. She said that made sense and even joked about saving money.
She then went over the yes or no questions. She asked about half of those, going over the most important ones such as being part of a military unit, advocated terrorism, genocide, etc. etc. I did get cited for speeding(last year) and got a parking ticket January of this year. When she got to the "have you ever been arrested, detained, cited, etc. by a law enforcement officer" I answered I got cited and she asked for what, told her speeding. I also let her know right away I got a parking ticket this year and she laughed, she joked about how expensive the speeding ticket was and how my parking ticket was cheaper than hers. She wrote down the parking ticket on the application and moved on. She asked the questions you're supposed to say yes on (will you defend the Constitution, seve the military if needed, serve the nation, etc.)
She then at the end said she was printing out a paper that had my information on it and that will be on my certificate of Naturalization. :joy:I double checked everything and it was correct. She said that the oath letter will be sent to me within 3 weeks and the oath will take place sometime in April, at the Paramount Theater in Oakland. The only document she asked to see was my Selective Service Registration, I provided to her as well as a copy since she needed a copy of it. She also took a copy of my current passport as well. Signed all the documents she asked to me sign and that concluded the interview.
She said congratulations and said if I had any questions. I asked her about sending in the N-600 because my wife was automatically naturalized at 13 when her father became a citizen and she only has her US passport. My wife is concerned that if she ever lost the passport, how would she have bonafide proof she's a USC. The IO said she should fill out the N-600 and that they'll have her pick it up there at the office. She congratulated me again, wished me an excellent day, and lead me out back to the waiting room. All in all, the process took less than 10 mins. She was really awesome and I couldn't have been more lucky and blessed to get such a wonderful IO like her.
Thank you everyone on VJ that helped me prepare for the interview, the IO even remarked how well prepared I was and I owe that to everyone's great input. I hope I can do the same for others by providing my long(lol) post about the interview. Good luck to everyone else and God bless the USA!!!!