Ben Murphy

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

Hi All, 
 
I was very grateful to @ohiohopeful for his incredibly helpful account of his experience at his Visa Interview (below). Now that I've completed my Visa Interview, I wanted to share my own experience to hopefully provide anyone else who is in the situation I was prior to doing it (nervous, confused, etc). 
 
 
My Interview took place on 23 March 2022 at 11.30am at the US Embassy in London. I arrived around 10.45am and planned to scope the place out so I knew where to go when the time came. It was very quiet, not many people about. Note - there are 2 entrances to the Embassy. For Visa services you need to use the South Pavilion (not the one opposite the 'Embassy One' building. Keep going round, and you'll find it. 
 
I was beaconed over to a booth, where a guy said he would register me in. He asked to see my appointment confirmation letter or DS-260 page (with barcodes on it), and my passport. He then signed the DS-260 page and said he couldn't let me in until 11.15am, so I waited until then before returning. 
 
Very quick and easy security process. Standard airport style, metal detectors etc. Was through within seconds, again there was no one else there so didn't have to queue. You can't bring large bags in, I had a laptop bag with me and that was all good.
 
I proceeded to the reception (again, no queue - although there were signs along the way that suggested queues are a regular thing here. I guess I got lucky on the day). Straight up to the reception desk where the guy asked for my interview confirmation page. He printed a few things out and stuck them on to it (this had a booth number and my ticket number; the number you've been assigned (like when you used to buy shoes from Clarkes!), and told me to take the lift to the 2nd floor, turn left and left again and wait outside booths 20 and 21. Note - when you walk out of the lift, you'll see lots of other booths and people waiting. Don't make the mistake I nearly did and sit and wait with them - they are there for other visa categories or services. Continue round to the left, there's another little area there where you'll find booths 20-24. 
 
Again, no queue at all. In fact my ticket number was already up on booth 21, so I literally walked straight up to the window where the guy was waiting for me. He asked to see the original documents that I had uploaded to the NVC:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Certificate
 If you've been married before, or had a name change, you'll need the original documents for these too. I've not done either, so didn't need them. Any other documents that you've brought, always best to have them just in case but he already had those on his screen. I had my spouses' financial documents, printed I-864 and also printed my DS-260. He didn't ask for any of them. He used my spouses' financial documents, but he already had those from when we uploaded them on to the NVC website. He also didn't really ask me any questions at this point, except when I was planning on traveling to the US. He gave me some info on my rights as a US citizen, and asked me to take a seat while he reviewed the financials and my medical examination results. 
 
I literally waited for maybe 5 minutes before being called up again. Here the guy asked where I met my spouse, and which State we were planning on living (didn't even ask for an address). I'd watched loads of videos on Youtube and read loads of forums on questions you could get asked at this point - what's your spouses' favorite cuisine, their morning routine, are they well versed in the fandango ..... maybe they do ask these in more complicated cases, but I was not asked anything like this. He then told me that my Visa is approved and that my passport would be ready in 1-2 weeks, and I'd receive a text and email to let me know. Done!
 
My experience was very straight forward indeed, but all cases are different and it's always best to be over prepared. I think by this point it was just a formality as all my documents had already been approved by the NVC. I was in and out of the Embassy within 20 minutes, but I was lucky and it was really quiet. Ohiohopeful's account suggests it was really busy on the day as he did lots of queuing and waiting, so be prepared for that.
 
Hope this helps. Best of luck all!
 
Ben 

I can imagine! I'm apprehensious about it but looking forward to getting to the other side!
 
That's soon! Will you miss the UK? There's loads of things I'll miss. Pubs for one (friends and family go without saying of course!).
 
My interview is next Wednesday (23rd). They originally booked it for the 1st but I couldn't make that one. 

Did you have to do the Affidavit of support form? I heard recently that Biden had received the requirement to do this

Did you have to do the Affidavit of support form? I heard recently that Biden had received the requirement to do this

We hired an attorney and I am glad that we did . We did our research and I found one that had a good reputation.  Assuming that the world of immigration is new to you( as it is to me) I wanted someone with experience and understanding of this world.
 
No- an attorney can’t make your papers move faster. But ours has been their to support us, answer our questions and give us guidance, has check in teleconferences with us and has left me at ease while we wait for this process to finish.  
 
i suggest if you choose an attorney to do your research first- not just hire the first ( or cheapest) attorney.
best of luck!
 

I would say it depends on your specific case, as to whether or not you would benefit from having an attorney.  They don't help speed any of the processing per se, unless they help up front to clear any issues that otherwise would delay you had you not had them spot them out!

The only answer is that it depends on your case and what you want for apparent peace of mind.  Keep in mind hiring an attorney is really just a consultant to help educate your regarding immigration questions.  You will still need to do all the legwork, and you are a fool if you do not double check their work (many stories of attorneys screwing up cases which is why I said "apparent peace of mind").  Most folks here (VJ is a self-help immigration site) will say if your case is straightforward (no criminal issues, no overstay issues, etc.) and you are competent at reading instructions and filling out forms, there generally is no need for an attorney unless it is simply for that apparent peace of mind.  If you do have a complicated case, then a competent attorney is probably warranted.  In the end, the decision is yours.  If you do go the lawyer route and any lawyer advertises or tells you they can speed up the processing, run away and look for someone else.
 
On a personal note, we started this process back in 2013 with no experience, and my wife and I made it just fine all the way through naturalization with no issues.  Back when I started, I had a family friend immigration lawyer review my I129F application, he looked at me and said save my money, do it yourself.  Best lawyerly advice I ever received.
 
Good Luck!