PB_1984

This morning I had my oath ceremony in Baltimore MD. Here's my experience.

Per the notice, it was at 8:30 AM, and while it says that they let you in 30 minutes prior, we were only allowed to go thru security at 8:15 AM.

Post security we were directed to a room and 2 officers were sitting at a desk. They asked us to hand over the notice, and the old greencards and all. Then they confirmed that all the details on the notice questionnaire were accurate and that there were no changes to it.
Then they showed us the certificate and we were asked to confirm that there's no errors. Following that, we were asked to take a seat, given a flag and an information package (passport form etc.)

Once everyone was checked in, the officer gave a short speech about the importance of the day. Then he asked us to stand up, raise the right hand and recite the oath of allegiance. And that was it !
After we were done, the other officer distributed the naturalization certificates and stressed on the importance of confirming the details on the certificate and signing it with Black ink only, otherwise it will be $555 and 1 year ! We were asked to leave the building and make sure that the details were correct and then sign the certificate when we are home....

An end to a journey ! Now onto new ventures !

12 hours ago, Bree-momo said:

Congratulations! How many days did you to see the notification on the document tab?

Yes, it took a couple of days but the notice was uploaded online.

Got my online copy of the oath notice. It's in 2 weeks, on March 31st !!! Almost there !

Just got notified that the oath ceremony has been scheduled. However, I can't see the letter yet since the myUSCIS account seems to be having some issues and does not show the documents tab.

15 minutes ago, INF said:

Hi there! Trying to gage how long my Tier 2 callback will take. Were you on the 3 day high priority call back? 

So I was told that it would be 7 business days for a Tier 2 callback...I waited till 8 and then asked tier 1 if I was cancelled or something. They said no, I'm on the list for sure. Eventually a day or 2 later is when I got the call.

2 hours ago, Sartre said:

Just so I can understand a little better:  Are you saying that the phone call resulted in an appointment for biometrics without ever receiving a letter first for an appointment?  Thanks....

Correct - I filed end of June and was told to wait 90 days after the ASC reopened to expect an appointment. I waited till that time elapsed (sometime at the end of October since the local ASC opened 7/20 IIRC). I got the usual generic responses of the application being in the queue for biometrics etc - this happened a couple of times. Eventually, I asked the Tier 1 rep to schedule a Tier 2 call for me which was the 15th of December - which she did. I got the call back on the 31st, and the Tier 2 agent was very sympathetic and scheduled me for a biometrics appointment.

I've heard folks say that it's not always possible that TIER 2 schedules the appointment, but it was possible for me. It was almost 6 months since filing so I guess she was being nice ! lol

36 minutes ago, fellaamazing said:

Great. I never had luck with that. Was it outside your case processing center's time window?

Nope. I just reached out 90 days after the ASC reopened as that's what I was told - took me a few tries but I finally got thru a TIER 2.

23 hours ago, Manvi said:

How you call and which number to get schedule appointment for biometric ?

can you guide me please. I didn’t got any biometric notice. I submitted my application June -2020. 

I used the Ask Emma chat and got a hold of Tier 1. They were kind enough to put a Tier 2 callback for me - which didn't happen till almost 9-10 business days. The Tier 2 agent was the one who scheduled my biometrics. I've been told that not all Tier 2 Agents did that, so YMMV.

Which field office are you in if you don't mind me asking? Also, did you confirm that your biometrics are not being reused?

1 minute ago, Cvittini said:

 A couple of days???  These people in Atlanta are no joke. I got the schedule notice already... matter of hours pretty much... Interview scheduled for 03-26-2021. The notice was added right after I read your reply. Thank you!!!

Hahaha - I said that because I got notified on Friday the 12th late in the evening, but it was a long weekend so I had to wait till Tuesday morning to actually see it !! Good luck !

14 minutes ago, Cvittini said:

 Giving an update. Just this morning my profile changed. Now it says:

 

February 23, 2021

Interview Was Scheduled

On February 23, 2021, we scheduled an interview for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, Receipt Number IOEXXXXXXXXX. We will mail you an interview notice. Please follow any instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

- How long did you have to wait until you knew the date of the interview?  I'm super excited!!!

Give it a couple of days, and the notice should be updated in the documents tab of your myUscis account. I didn't get a notification when the actual document was uploaded, so you might want to check every so often

18 minutes ago, Krishna&Abhi said:

Whom did you call to get your Biometrics appointment scheduled?

 

I have tried calling USCIS Customer service but I never got passed the automated system.

I usually go thru emma and ask for live rep. Eventually one of them helped me out and scheduled a tier 2 callback for biometrics. I got the call in about 9-10 days instead of 7 and the tier 2 agent got my biometrics set up.

On 2/12/2021 at 2:53 PM, PB_1984 said:

Just got word that my interview has been scheduled - waiting for the date though

06/23/2020 - N-400 Application submitted via mail

06/30/2020 - Receipt notice posted in my online account

02/02/2021 - Biometrics appointment (had to call and get it scheduled)

2/12/2021 - Interview Scheduled

 

Field office is Baltimore. Case completion time is October 2021, and wait time is 6 months

 

The interview letter is uploaded on my online account. Date of Interview is March 15th, 2021 at 2:45 PM.

Completion time is back to January 2022 and wait time is 11 months

On 2/12/2021 at 4:34 PM, Bree-momo said:

Great news! Were you able to download the interview notice from the document tab?

It's not available yet. I take it should be available soon given that it happened on Friday and it was a long weekend. As soon as I get that, I'll update my timeline :)

Just got word that my interview has been scheduled - waiting for the date though

06/23/2020 - N-400 Application submitted via mail

06/30/2020 - Receipt notice posted in my online account

02/02/2021 - Biometrics appointment (had to call and get it scheduled)

2/12/2021 - Interview Scheduled

Field office is Baltimore. Case completion time is October 2021, and wait time is 6 months

14 minutes ago, Mark🇹🇹 said:

Wow that’s crazy... my original time was July 2021, then it went to May 2021 and then it’s back to July 2021. I have a pending i751 and received notification that my case has been transferred. (Today)

Tell me about it !!! I only have an N400 (greencard > 5 years) so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Hopefully it all works out for everyone !

2 minutes ago, fellaamazing said:

 

What was the original estimate?

I was at May 2021, to April 2021... Right now still shows 2 months to completion. But absolutely nothing about biometrics whatsoever.

Welp, it was fun while it lasted. My estimate is now January 2022 (11 months) and wait time is 10 months...yay ! I don't think these times are accurate (or at least that's my hope)

Finished my biometrics today - just a few pointers

• No walk ins allowed (except military)

• They make you wait and don't allow you to line up till 15 minutes prior to appointment

• my appt notice had a code 5. The lady who took the fingerprints was very cordial and explained voluntarily that they only take the 2 fingerprints first to check if they have a matching record - if not, they would take all 10. Additionally, they took the picture and signature

All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. Now onto the next waiting game !

Right after that, my case status was "actively in review" - the wait time went down to 6 months (from 9), and the completion time is 8 months (from 10) - October 2021

1 hour ago, vkbruh1114 said:

My BME reuse was Oct 22nd. Interview notice was mailed on Dec 11th for Jan 13th interview date.

Great !! My biometrics is next week, and I fully expect a few months between that and the interview date..

6 minutes ago, vkbruh1114 said:

N-400 Journey: (I-751 is cleared in May 13th and have a 10 Yr GC)

Applied May 1st, 2020

Received May 5th, 2020

Biometrics Reuse Oct 22nd, 2020

Interview schedule Dec 11, 2020 for Jan 13th, 2021

Interview & Oath Jan 13th, 2021

 

My Visajourney is finally complete. Thanks everyone for your support.

 

Awesome !!! I have biometrics scheduled for next month - so I hope I hear soon after. Good luck with your future endeavors !

18 minutes ago, vkbruh1114 said:

Hello all, finally my Naturalization interview is done and the office was kind enough to offer same day Oath. Baltimore office.

 

I went in around 6:45 AM as my scheduled time was at 7 AM. I checked in and waited for around 20 mins and officer called my name.

 

Officer took me to the interview room asked my personal details, my eligibility for citizenship etc and proceeded to the Civics test.

Questions asked were:

1. What are two cabinet level positions?

2. What age can citizens vote?

3. What are the first three words of constitution?

4. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

5. Who makes Laws?

6. What month do we vote for the President?

 

Once these were answered correctly, we proceeded with Reading test; Officer asked me to read "Where is the White House located?" I read it.

For Writing, Officer read out; "White House is located in Washington DC".

 

Once this was done, Officer proceeded with the N-400 form with all answers. Change of address, what my job is, my job changes, wife's job and all basic yes/no questions.

Once these were done, Officer told I've passed tests and have been recommended for Approval and scheduled to offer same day Oath which I accepted. 

 

I finished the Oath ceremony was done in 2 hours and now Im finally a US citizen. Hope this helps everyone and I will also upload a Youtube channel (Offbeat Travel) about my experience. Do watch, subscribe, like and help others going through this journey. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCB-xVdlu1kXkSezGPXvxPw)

Congratulations !!! Glad to know the Baltimore FO offers same day oath ceremonies. May I ask how much time passed between your biometrics (reuse or new) and the interview notice?

On 1/5/2021 at 11:27 AM, vkbruh1114 said:

We are in the DC area, but I have recently got my interview scheduled for Jan 13th 2021. at the Baltimore field office as thats my jurisdiction.

Hopefully soon you guys will hear as well. Wish me luck, anxious and nervous.

 

Will post here on how it went so all of you can benefit.

 

 

My FO is also Baltimore, so I'm curious about your interview as well !! Good luck !

1 minute ago, alexLS said:

How long did you have to wait for the Tier 2 to call back?

I put the request in on the 15th - was told 7 business days. I didn't hear anything till the 28th, but then I got the call on 12/31/2020

19 hours ago, fellaamazing said:

Exactly same here. June 22 filer. What is your processing center? Mine is probably San Antonio.

I'd say try to get a hold of Tier 2. I'm a June 30th filer and after multiple SRs I finally managed to get a tier 2 to get my biometrics schedule..

6/23/2020 - Submitted by Mail

6/30/2020 - Receipt notice

12/31/2020 - Biometrics notice scheduled after Tier 2 call for 2nd February

Field office is Baltimore MD

I got a call back from Tier 2 who scheduled my biometrics for Feb 2nd 2021 at 9 AM as that was the first availabilty. My online case status updated (wait time is 6 months, which is weird). My case status now says that biometrics has been scheduled.