GoodbyeGirl

You may find these sites helpful for typical ROC interview questions and reasons why some cases are called for interview. Good luck!
https://mypathtocitizenship.com/removal-of-conditions-interview-questions-how-to-get-approved-for-the-10-year-green-card/
https://citizenpath.com/avoiding-i-751-interview/
 
 
 

It was my oath ceremony yesterday, in Wichita Kansas. Everyone was invited to arrive at 12pm, so we (me and my husband) got there at  11:15pm only to discover it didn’t start until 1:30pm.
 
I was expecting a lot of people as it was held in a theatre, and there were around 150 immigrants, plus lots of family and friends. The place was packed.
 
About 12pm, we were organised into lines by the local director of USCIS – 2 lines of immigrants with family and friends quickly separated from us. I stood in line for over an hour before I got to the check-in desk where for the first of numerous times that day, I had to show my appointment letter. That became the document the IO officers wanted to see the most. I also had to hand in my 2-year and 10-year green card.
 
Then we had to line up again to get into the theatre. There were two guys dressed in colonial outfits who gave us a pamphlet on the American flag and a program for the ceremony. We were led onto the stage and had to show the invitation letter again, and then go to a table to sign our naturalisation certificate which the IO took back straight away. We were also given a large white envelope with a certificate holder and various booklets on being an American citizen.
 
By this point friends and family had been seated at the back and we were directed to sit in the first five rows. They were very clear that we couldn’t sit anywhere else. A senior IO took to the stage to announce what would be happening – a judge would be preceding over the ceremony, and when she arrived the theatre would become a federal court, and all the doors would be locked. Then we got a short bathroom break before the ceremony got underway.
 
We were told we had to say the oath out loud unless you’d been given permission (on religious grounds) not to, and the IOs dotted around the theatre would be watching us – if they suspected anyone wasn’t saying it, you’d be asked to stay behind and your certificate may not be issued.
 
Around 1:30pm the ceremony started, and the judge welcomed us – she was friendly. Some kids in guard uniform from a local school marched out and put up the flag, and we stood to sing the anthem. Then a local attorney gave an emotional speech about what she went through to adopt her daughter from Vietnam (her kid was on stage looking embarrassed) and then another attorney led us through the oath and then the pledge.
 
Another IO took the stage and called out each of the 39 countries in attendance. When your country was called you had to stand up for a second then sit down. Everyone got a generous round of applause. I was the only person from the UK. Some people had dressed in ballgowns and black tie, one guy from Cambodia wore his national dress, some went down the ripped jeans and t-shirt route, but most were smart-casual.
 
Now it was the turn of another attorney, who had a guitar and explained he wanted to sign a song about being American that wasn’t about battle, and invited us to join in with John Cougar Mellencamp’s  ‘Ain't That America’. Everyone was clapping along and singing the chorus.
 
The judge closed proceedings by thanking everyone who’d made the ceremony possible. The senior IO said we would be called row-by-row onto the stage to get our certificates (again had to show the invitation letter) and said we could have our picture taken with the local USCIS director after.
 
On the way out there were voting registration stations (just one easy to fill out form) and a lot of people (including me) stopped to do that.
 
We were out by 3pm, so it took nearly 4 hours in total. Much longer than I’d expected. I raced to the local Post Office, stood in line, only to be told passports were by appointment. LOL. I’ll do it Monday.
 
So my passport and social security update to do, and then I’ll be done.
 
Yesterday marked the end of my immigration journey – four years in total. Visa Journey was a massively important part of my story, and I’m very grateful for all the support, help and great advice.
 
Good luck to everyone still on this ride and many thanks. You guys rock. 😊

Thank you! 
 
No, you don't get a copy of the citizenship certificate at the ceremony. There was an Office Depot nearby so I popped in after and got a few colour copies, hoping that would suffice as I really don't want to give the original. I took it with me though and a copy, plus my UK passport and the original as well as a front and back copy of my birth certificate. 
 
But, when I got to the PO, it was appointment only and they turned me away. I'm now going at 7am Monday to my local passport office, so I'll let you know if they want to take my original citizenship certificate. I really hope not, that would make me so nervous. 
 
@Geordie You can apply for a US passport once you have your citizenship certificate. For the SSN update, fill out the SS-5 and take that to your local Social Security office, along with your citizenship certificate (and all the other ID and docs required) about 10 days after your oath. That's the time USCIS recommend you wait, I guess they have to get their side of things squared away.
 
 
 
 
 

I am so excited for you. Tell us how it goes?
 
You've got this!  
 
 

thank you so much. busy getting all my documents together  excited and nervous at the same time

Wonderful, thanks very much GoodbyGirl

It was my oath ceremony yesterday, in Wichita Kansas. Everyone was invited to arrive at 12pm, so we (me and my husband) got there at  11:15pm only to discover it didn’t start until 1:30pm.
 
I was expecting a lot of people as it was held in a theatre, and there were around 150 immigrants, plus lots of family and friends. The place was packed.
 
About 12pm, we were organised into lines by the local director of USCIS – 2 lines of immigrants with family and friends quickly separated from us. I stood in line for over an hour before I got to the check-in desk where for the first of numerous times that day, I had to show my appointment letter. That became the document the IO officers wanted to see the most. I also had to hand in my 2-year and 10-year green card.
 
Then we had to line up again to get into the theatre. There were two guys dressed in colonial outfits who gave us a pamphlet on the American flag and a program for the ceremony. We were led onto the stage and had to show the invitation letter again, and then go to a table to sign our naturalisation certificate which the IO took back straight away. We were also given a large white envelope with a certificate holder and various booklets on being an American citizen.
 
By this point friends and family had been seated at the back and we were directed to sit in the first five rows. They were very clear that we couldn’t sit anywhere else. A senior IO took to the stage to announce what would be happening – a judge would be preceding over the ceremony, and when she arrived the theatre would become a federal court, and all the doors would be locked. Then we got a short bathroom break before the ceremony got underway.
 
We were told we had to say the oath out loud unless you’d been given permission (on religious grounds) not to, and the IOs dotted around the theatre would be watching us – if they suspected anyone wasn’t saying it, you’d be asked to stay behind and your certificate may not be issued.
 
Around 1:30pm the ceremony started, and the judge welcomed us – she was friendly. Some kids in guard uniform from a local school marched out and put up the flag, and we stood to sing the anthem. Then a local attorney gave an emotional speech about what she went through to adopt her daughter from Vietnam (her kid was on stage looking embarrassed) and then another attorney led us through the oath and then the pledge.
 
Another IO took the stage and called out each of the 39 countries in attendance. When your country was called you had to stand up for a second then sit down. Everyone got a generous round of applause. I was the only person from the UK. Some people had dressed in ballgowns and black tie, one guy from Cambodia wore his national dress, some went down the ripped jeans and t-shirt route, but most were smart-casual.
 
Now it was the turn of another attorney, who had a guitar and explained he wanted to sign a song about being American that wasn’t about battle, and invited us to join in with John Cougar Mellencamp’s  ‘Ain't That America’. Everyone was clapping along and singing the chorus.
 
The judge closed proceedings by thanking everyone who’d made the ceremony possible. The senior IO said we would be called row-by-row onto the stage to get our certificates (again had to show the invitation letter) and said we could have our picture taken with the local USCIS director after.
 
On the way out there were voting registration stations (just one easy to fill out form) and a lot of people (including me) stopped to do that.
 
We were out by 3pm, so it took nearly 4 hours in total. Much longer than I’d expected. I raced to the local Post Office, stood in line, only to be told passports were by appointment. LOL. I’ll do it Monday.
 
So my passport and social security update to do, and then I’ll be done.
 
Yesterday marked the end of my immigration journey – four years in total. Visa Journey was a massively important part of my story, and I’m very grateful for all the support, help and great advice.
 
Good luck to everyone still on this ride and many thanks. You guys rock. 😊

(Moderator Action)
 
Seven (7) post removed for bickering, inappropriate language, and/or inciting arguments. Please keep the post here civil and respectful. This is not Instabook or Facegram. People come to this site for help and to share their experience during a difficult process. No need for added drama here.
 
Continuing to post in such matter will result in administrative action.
 
VJ Moderation 

This was my Target))) i got it for 6 days

I had my interview yesterday in Fairfax, Virginia and passed!
 
My Wife and I arrived about 45 minutes early.  She didn't need to be at the interview, but was there to support me.  The clerk at the desk sternly told me to come back thirty minutes before the interview time so we hung out in the waiting room and I handed in my letter to the clerk, I was told to take a seat and someone would call me.
 
Two people didn't show up when called, they could have been there for any other reason but I was sad for them as this is an expensive process.
 
Anyway, I figured I'd get called earlier because of the no-shows and I was right.  My name was called about 15 or 20 minutes before my interview time.
 
I was taken into a small interview room and I had to do the 'do you swear to tell the truth, and nothing but etc'.  I was then asked for my ID, passport and greencard, the interviewer took them and typed something on his computer.
 
He then took my fingerprints electronically and another photograph.
 
The only small talk we did was he asked me why I got a greencard, I told him I Married my Wife and moved here.
I was asked my Wife's name and I made sure to add her middle name just in case.
 
Then we did the English test, he made a point of saying I'd pass this easily as I'm English.  I can't remember what I had to say but for the written test I had to write 'We pay taxes' on an ipad. Hahahahahaha!
 
Next was the application, he asked me if my parents were American Citizens and then went through the entire 'No' section.  Have you ever been part of a terrorist group / have you ever taken part in genocide' etc.
 
Then we did the 10 questions, I can't remember which ones but I got the first six right.
 
The whole interview was under fifteen minutes.
 
This was in Fairfax, Virginia.  The interviewer asked me if I knew where Harrisonburg was, and I had to tell him I didn't.
 
He explained that the Oath Ceremony would be in that city and not Fairfax.  It's based on the zipcode where you live.
 
I was disappointed that the Oath wouldn't be at the same place and day, but it does mean I'll get another day off work, which is nice!
 
 
 
When I find out when that is and go through with it, I'll post about my experience.
 
 
 
 

Got my interview date finally!i applied 10-23-2018...San Antonio Texas,interview date 05-15-2019

Congratulations!
 
 

Quick update to our case. Still nothing to report on the I-751, however we did get a email from USCIS yesterday 4/17 that they scheduled a interview for our N-400 application. We'll have to wait for the letter in the mail for the exact interview date.
 
I'll take that as good news after this long wait.

OMG OMG OMG! My card was mailed! My status just updated!

Fortunately!!! The officer told me that I can opt for a later naturalization ceremony but I opted to get day off. Didn't want to wait any longer.
 
There were around 50+ people from 28 countries at my Oath ceremony last week. It was surreal.
 
After I got the naturalization certificate, I went immediately to my municipal office and applied for a US passport. The process is easy as long as you have all the documents in hand. You would need to submit the naturalization certificate to them. Hopefully in 4 weeks, I have my new US passport in hand. They will return the naturalization certificate as well. 
 
Additionally, USCIS does recommend to give 10 days after the naturalization ceremony to update your citizenship with the Social Security office. 
 
Good luck to everyone!!!

Thank you! 🙏🥰

You may find these sites helpful for typical ROC interview questions and reasons why some cases are called for interview. Good luck!
https://mypathtocitizenship.com/removal-of-conditions-interview-questions-how-to-get-approved-for-the-10-year-green-card/
https://citizenpath.com/avoiding-i-751-interview/
 
 
 

So, I just had my combo interview I-751+ N-400 in West Palm Beach office.
we had a 1:15 appointment and we were there at 12:50 and the officer called us within 5 minutes of sitting.
As soon as I saw him I told him I brought my hubby with me and he said it was ok because it was 2 cases so I was happy it was going to be a combo interview.
The officer was so nice it didn't even felt like an interview, he only asked us if we are still living in the same house and joked that he assume we were still married. He asked if we had anything new to add so I gave him last 3 months of bank statements, car insurance, electric bills and our 2018 tax.
After that my husband and the IO passed their time talking about watch's and cars and my husband didn't know that I still needed to answer the question for citizenship and told the IO that we was keeping him to long and we were going to leave lol.
Then the IO said that he was going to approve our I-751 and asked me if I study, I said so,so.
He asked me the No and Yes questions first and then asked me to read and write "where is the capital of the US"
write: The Capital is in Washington D.C"
he asked me 6 questions and stop there because I got them all right and hand me the N-652 where he checked approved and then congratulate me!
I smile to my hubby and told him that I was just approved to become a citizen and he tanked the IO.
we said our good byes and told him thank you for making us feel like it wasn't a interview.
My status show "Oath Ceremony Notice was mailed"
 
I'm so happy and relieve of this long process, but finally got here.
Thanks Visa Journey for always guide me.
This website has helped me trough this process from the beginning and I'm thankful to all of you, and wish everyone the best of luck on their process.😘

My wife's citizenship interview was originally slated for Feb 15 2019..  We waited for an hour and  was kinda bummed out since they rescheduled interview.  We worried this will take months again to be reschedule. We were told by the local USCIS officer since  her I 751 has not been adjudicated they cannot proceed with N400.  I was also told to be present next time during my wife's I 751 interview..  We were told they will have to reschedule both within 90 days.  The officer took our phone number and email.   Mid March she got a notice for I 751 interview only  on April 15  but without the N400.  We followed GoodByeGirl's advice (thank you) and asked USCIS whether it will be a joint N400 and I 751 interview. Just today an officer from the local USCIS office called to notify my wife that her N400 interview will follow right after the I 751.  She also sent her the email letter with the date and time of the N400 on same day as the I 751.  Hopefully this is it!

Wow! Congratulations. You got your oath ceremony on the same day you passed your interview? Awesome, that's so cool. 
 
 

Hi All, 
 
After completing and passing my N400 tests and interview this morning (appointment was 825AM), I'm happy to announce that my oath taking ceremony for Naturalization is scheduled for 130PM PST today.  

 
Thank you all!!!
 
Submitted my N400 application on October 28, 2019 and got approval April 3, 2019. So it took 157 days
... or 22 weeks & 3 days
... or 5 months & 6 days
 
USCIS office is Portland, Oregon.
 
Good luck to those still waiting for the N400 interview!!! Congratulations to everyone who completed their N400!!!
 
 
 
 
 

Exciting! Congrats, not long now...  
 
 

I am so happy and proud that my interview went very good today!!! The IO was very friendly and welcoming. He handed me my Oath Ceremony schedule which will be on April 18    Goodluck on each and everyone's journey  The questions asked were: 
- Name 3 original colonies?
- One power of the state?
- Name one of the longest rivers?
- Name one responsibility only for USC?
- I forgot the other 2.. the IO speaks a little fast but he was awesome!!!

My heart goes to u. Thanks for representing us 🏳️‍🌈 I hope u find love soon if u haven't already

Thanks for your kind words. It is important to support one another in these hard times. Congrats on your upcoming citizenship ceremony as well. I am so glad and happy for you that your immigration journey has finally come to an end. You deserve to be a US citizen after you put in so much effort and hardwork. Yes, my immigration journey was a rollercoaster ride both emotionally and practically. I am glad and grateful it is all over and my late husband must know I am a citizen, he is always in my heart too. Time for you to celebrate!
 
You're welcome. I am glad our fellow pending applicants can take advantage of this thread and help each other out to maximize the smoothness of the tough immigration journey in these hard times. Not surprised to see the deterioration of processing time, but i guess the best we can do is just to make sure we stay on top of the processing times and focus on proving to USCIS with tons of evidence, and patience is also the key too unfortunately. Hope you will get your 10 year green card status soon! Fingere crossed.