Marrienne

Congrats!!!!! Almost there!!! Congrats!!!! Almost there!!

I DID IT!!!!! As of 10:20 am EST, I am a US citizen!!! Oath ceremony was fun!! Will write a detailed description later. Right now, I need to get out of these high heels and eat something 🤣🤣

Yes!!! It only took 2.5 months from application to Oath ceremony (I applied 6/6, interview was 7/17, Oath is tomorrow 9/13)

UPDATE: Provided proof of making payment arrangements with the State, and the officer signed off on it. By the time I had my interview, I owed less than $200. Got approved and have my Oath ceremony tomorrow!!

My Oath ceremony is tomorrow!! Slightly freaking out 🤣

They give you a paper that says they recommend you for approval. The online status changes almost immediately. For some it was "In line for oath ceremony" for others it might say temporarily "admin review". They also give you a copy of the questionnaire you need to fill out on the day of the ceremony, a list of paperwork stuff to bring with and some instructions. Then you wait for your oath date. I know I have a different field office, but it took exactly 3 weeks from approval to oath scheduling. And I had a complete name change too (some people said this makes things take longer but in my case it wasn't true). HTH!!!

I changed my name and my Oath is 9/13 *not* in a courthouse. The IO said the judge signs the paperwork and I get it at the ceremony. I was worried the name change would delay everything but the IO said no. I filed 6/6, interview was 7/27 and oath 9/13... so within 3 months. They said they hold ceremonies twice a month here. I wonder if it is different in every state because I read many posts about name changes having to be done at a courthouse, but at least here in Grand Rapids, not so much. Hmmm

Me too!!!! I wonder if the dates are fixed because I am in a different state. Yours is in WI right?

Ha... looks like Greece will allow dual citizenship as I knew but also: LOSS OF THE GREEK NATIONALITY The following cases discharge the individual from his Greek nationality: (A) Obtaining a foreign nationality Everyone who obtains foreign nationality or accepts public service in a foreign country, if the acceptance entails the obtaining of the nationality of that foreign country." So... which is it? Make up your mind Grece!!

Lol, good to know. Not that I will ever visit that ***hole of a country again. 🤣 Not even on vacation. I can't stand their system and their "who cares?" attitude. Any why wouldn't the US help you if you get in trouble? When you take the Oath you pledge to denounce all loyalties to other countries and you should have the same rights as other US citizens, since you are expected to have all the duties and obligations too. Then what's the point of becoming a citizen? (Just philosophical questions)

Yes but the names don't match. I know Greece allows it. Except I don't want it 🤣🤣 But I know they do. No parents to bring so we should be all good without a birth certificate then ❤️

Thanks everyone. As long as I won't need the birth certificate, I am good I was worried I would be asked for a birth certificate somewhere lol.

Hello everyone! I have another question. How do you obtain a *US* birth certificate after naturalization and legal name change? Can you even do that? Obviously, I cannot travel back to my country and convince the authorities there to accept a foreign piece of paper that says I am not even a citizen of that country anymore So, since you are now a US citizen, how do you get a US birth certificate, since you original birth certificate, first of all lists you as a citizen of another country and has the old name on it? TIA!!!

This might be something that will have to wait a year or two (but we will get them passports now) as it is not in the foreseeable budget 🤣 But yes, it is a good idea for sure.

You are correct, they won't. I asked. They said they can change their names if they want when they turn 18

Oooh I see. Well, no problem there either lol got all the paperwork. Thanks for that, I will make sure to bring the proof for that as well so I don't have to go back later

I had my interview on 7/27 in Detroit, MI and I requested a name change. I applied on 6/3 online, got my interview letter on 6/26, the interview was on 7/27, and the Oath ceremony was scheduled today for 9/13. I asked the same question when I had my interview if the name change will delay things and the IO said no, and it didn't. Mine is NOT in a judicial location. It is in the Fine Arts Center but the name change was approved and signed already by a judge. Now, I am not sure if a judge will be present at the Fine Arts Center, but I was told the certificate with the name change will be signed in advance *by* a judge. I know it is not Houston, but I don't see why it would be different, since USCIS should have the same rules everywhere (?)

Hey guys! So I requested a legal name change when I applied for citizenship and it was approved. I am filling out a DS-11 form and it says "Previous names used". Will the old name be displayed on the passport as well or only the new name? I really do not want the old name, lol. For what it is worth, it is a completely different name, both first and last. TIA!!!

PS. The boys are 17, so the legal and physical custody rule apparently doesn't apply (I am just reading the DS-11 instructions right now and they are different for 16 and 17-year-olds) BUT one parent must be present apparently, which of course I will be. The kids are lawful permanent residents, everything was done legally, and I have all the required paperwork, so I don't forsee any issues in proving derived citizenship. Will keep you posted!!

Oh I mentioned that my Oath is 9/13 because you said sometimes people wait too long no, I won't wait..I will do everything as soon as I do my Oath next month. thanks again!!!

Makes sense. Well, my Oath ceremony is 9/13 so I can't file for passports before that, lol:) I got all of the above already, so we are good. Btw the Child Act of 2000 under article 320 says they don't need an N-600 if they are going to be residing in the USA. I just looked it up. You just need to submit all of the above as you stated minus the certificate of citizenship when you file for a passport for them. Thanks for all your valuable input you guys!!

Thank you!! I asked in a previous post and I was told that you don't get a copy. They only give you *ONE* certificate which you must send in with your passport. Must be the original and they return it.

They don't have DS-11s and what is N-600? Lol If the parent becomes a citizen before the child turns 18, they are considered children of a US citizen and thus, they are too, US citizens. But it doesn't happen automatically. You need to fill out a form and show them the date you became and citizen so you can prove they weren't yet adults. Problem is, I don't know where to do this?

Hello!!! So my Oath ceremony is 9/13. I have two minor children, who will derive citizenship from me. Obviously only I, the adult, is taking the Oath the letter states bring all Green cards/Visas/any document that USCIS has issued you related to your alien status. Ok... what about the kids' green cards? I would think no (?) Because this is about the adult but I thought I would ask. Also, after your Oath, what paperwork do you fill out to get your minor kids the derived citizenship? To clarify: yes the minors become citizens when the adult becomes one but it is not magically updated somewhere. There is paperwork the adult citizen has to fill out, just like if you had a baby with an American and they got citizenship from the parent. Any idea what kind of paperwork and where you file that? TIA