tamcloud

I also went and looked back in the post history and something isn't quite right. In 2019 you posted that you were the immigrant and Deb was going to be filing either the K or CR. Now you and Deb have a duck farm and she is in a detention center and you are the USC who can rescue her by a quick zoom marriage but the problem is the ducks. They will have to be sold to free your love from jail. Umm. Any thoughts from the mods?

It wasn’t the light though.   Had you done things the right way, she wouldn’t be in this mess.   Have you looked into moving to Canada until you can get the process of petition/interview/waiver sorted?

No that is not what they are saying. What they are saying is you lost your privilege of coming to the US without a visa. Now you will have to apply for a B visa to come and see your spouse. But just being married to a US citizen does not give rights to enter the US without authorization.

We finally got a notice in November, and he had his interview on December 16. Oath ceremony was January 12.

Hi everyone - my wife had her Oath interview today at 12:45 in Baltimore (3 year marriage) . I was not allowed in and waited in the car. We brought all the papers we needed and more - but the interview didn't ask for anything. She breezed through the test, the application and just asked if anything had changed. My wife responded that we had had a son since applying, and we gave her a photocopy of the birth certificate. She updated the file with that information. That was it! It was 15 minutes long. She was asked to stick around for the oath ceremony at 2.15pm, so it does look like they are doing same day oaths if your appointment is early enough. My wife walked out a citizen! And she just registered to vote

I arrived at the premises 7am,  but they wouldn't let you in until 15min to your appointment and my appointment time was 7:30am. I went through all the security checking then proceed to the hall. Ten min after my name was called by the officer on window two. She started with apology for keeping me waiting and she told we are starting with civic and writing, after few minutes of questioning and answering she told me I pass the civic and written then she proceed to the yes or no on my application. Then she congratulated me and let me know that my application is recommended for approval and she asked if I could wait for an hour to get my Oat done. With smile on my face I responded back with yes. 9:45am we proceed to oat ceremony hall where we took the Oat and the certificate was presented. I wish the rest of you wait for your interview best of luck.

So what can I say... became a US citizen today! The process is very streamlined- you are guided, in line always 6 feet apart, a few people in the building and I did not see many interviews or other appointments happening. However, it seems like they are doing interviews in the main lobby as I’ve see Ipads installed in the main lobby next to the windows. Also, there were about 25 people naturalizing today in one room and my time - not a lot.  What’s interesting is many of these people had interviews in February and March as I overheard, which suggest a long wait for those not scheduled at the same day after interview. 

Of course. I’ll share my observations.

Finally after a long wait (10 months) I became American citizen on 5/27/2020. Thank you so much VJ for all the help and support during this long journey!!!! 

1. the time you spent after the 90 days you had unlawful (illegal) presence. Since you never applied to adjust status you had no connection to legal status (ex. Pending) **For those of you that say what is the harm in not adjusting status this is a great example. Your marriage can go south and you lose your ability to stay in the US
2. Once your divorce is final and If you marry another US citizen you would need a waiver. 
3. You sound like you are greencard shopping so expect a LOT of scrutiny. You have been in detention for the last 6 months, are still married yet have a American girlfriend already? Maybe she should join VJ to learn first hand the uphill battle she will face as well. 
4. Dont forget anyone can apply for a visa but it doesn’t mean it will be granted. 

I logged in today and boy was I surprised, I checked my case status and it hasn't changed from my initial interview was scheduled, my case  history still had my initial interview was scheduled notification, then I checked my documents folder and bam: "Interview Scheduled Sent on June 30, 2020." My interview has been rescheduled . It's set for 7/17/20. I can't wait. 

I was finally scheduled for the Oath yesterday. The Oath Notice was mailed!  I should be receiving the letter soon. Excited to be at the finish line!

Yes, I was interviewed in Feb, they said they could not make a decision at the time. Received a notice on April 23rd saying naturalization had been approved.

Yes, it's definitely happened before; and yes, you're doing the right thing by going and having it re-packaged. They wouldn't accept any excuse for it being opened when you hit CBP at your port of entry.

We first went to the SSA to change my wife's file, then immediately after to the Post Office to submit for her passport. Keep in mind, when you send in your Naturalization Certificate for your passport it will be returned in a separate mailing about 10 days after your passport is received.  Another thing to consider - if you applied for TSA Pre with your Green Card, that record should also be amended to reflect your change in status.

Update your social before applying for your passport! You will have to give them your original naturalization Certificate and it takes some time to get it back. Bring your naturalization certificate and your marriage certificate to the social security office. 

This ^^^

There seems to be a general trend to want to get the passport first. I don't really know why since any changes to existing ID documents, bank accounts etc are linked to your name as held by the SS office.  I would definitely make the SSN number the first on the list because you can walk in to present the certificate of name change and naturalization and take it away with you.  Once you have this done, then you can send off for the passport.  If you do both on the same day there will be no delay in applying for your passport immediately.  

What so many people overlook is that your SSN is needed to apply/change/update your Drivers License.  The name and nationality held on the SSA database is the one that will be used to verify your ID.  Also the SS office sends any updates through to the IRS so if you're filing taxes after your name change and before you have updated your Social Security details, you will need to enter your information on your tax return under your old name.  Following onto this, you need your Drivers License or state ID to make changes with the bank and anywhere else you want to change your name on your accounts.  

The Passport Office is the only place that holds onto your original naturalization (and name change if applicable) certificates for several weeks or even a couple of months.  I see no merit in applying for this first when you can literally spend one day knocking out all the places you need to make changes and updates and walk out of each one with your certificates in hand and then immediately apply for the passport.  

Thank God I passed my interview today!!!
Officer gave me letter that says my application has been recommended for approval... checked my online status and said oath ceremony will be scheduled and wait for letter. 
Praise The Lord!!! My questions were easy 
 
-Name one tribe ?
-independence day?
-when was constitution written? 
-capital of texas ?
-how many years senator?
-ocean on the east coast ?
 
 
Good of luck to everyone!  Keep up the faith and Trust God always 🙏

Journey complete! My wife took the oath and became a U.S. citizen on 16 January 2020. 😊

Congratulations! And, it's so awesome that your husband could get time to return and attend with you. 
 
They scheduled her ceremony on-site after the interview. It's tomorrow morning. The letter showed up in the online account today. 

Journey complete! My wife took the oath and became a U.S. citizen on 16 January 2020. 😊

Congratulations! And, it's so awesome that your husband could get time to return and attend with you. 
 
They scheduled her ceremony on-site after the interview. It's tomorrow morning. The letter showed up in the online account today. 

Congratulations, everyone!  🙌

I became a citizen almost 2 years ago (May 2018), but still love to stop by this thread and read ALL of the wonderful stories we get to share with one another! ❤️ We've all come a long way, but I remember our life under DOMA, and what it did to us as if it were yesterday! 😪
 
Keep sharing your wonderful success stories and all the best for the future!
 
P.S. I still look at my blue passport with disbelief...! LOL I can't believe it actually happened! 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Tamcloud

^congrats your journey is over!!! 🎊