From_CAN_2_US

Just checked online and status changed to “oath ceremony will be scheduled.”

Lol. I was so paranoid about forgetting to use American spelling during the writing part of the naturaliSzation test.

Yeah I had thought it was more common to interview than not to, and realised after the fact that is is indeed the reverse. My husband was never interviewed throughout the entire process (I came in consular processing and was approved without interview for ROC), so I kinda figured they might want to now. Guess they believed our marriage from the evidence submitted. Poor husband, thought something was wrong that he wasn’t let in, and was so anxious waiting in the car. Thankfully it didn’t take too long.

I inserted pay stubs to show employment. I showed my progress towards architecture licence in US (experience logged, exams passed) for educational advancement. I included credit score to show financial responsibility. Rest like caregiving, community involvement, legal residence, and taxes, I put in short write ups and made references to evidence already in original submission. They didn’t ask for it, and I never uploaded it or give it to them. I had it prepared in case it came up.

I had my interview this morning at the Manchester office. It went very well. I recommended for grant of citizenship and sent home with a letter that said so. Was told to wait for oath to be scheduled. I was way over prepared. I uploaded additional relationship evidence a week before, then as more stuff came in over the week, I prepared even more to take to the interview. I also prepared a packet to demonstrate good moral character. Husband and I went together to the USCIS office in Manchester, assuming they would want to interview us together, but at the door they asked if the interview was only for citizenship or also ROC. Since no ROC, they said he couldn’t come in. The interview itself was a lot simpler than expected. Literally just asked 6 questions, then asked me to read a sentence, write a sentence and moved on to the N400 form and security questions. Nothing subjective at all. Must also add, everyone at this office were super nice, professional, and friendly. Can’t tell you how much that helped me, as I was a little nervous. Especially when I found out husband wasn’t going in with me. They saw our expression and reassured me, “you got this!” My officer was also nice and kind. It was over quickly. 20 minutes I think. Just really relieved. Will update here when I hear about my oath.

Had my interview this morning. It went really well. I got approved for citizenship and not waiting for oath. They didn’t ask for the birth certificate or even my husband’s passport. 😄

Crisis averted! We found the Birth Certificate

I have my naturalization interview tomorrow, and we just realized we are unable to locate my husband's birth certificate. It is probably misplaced in the house somewhere, but we can't find it. The interview letter says I need to bring it. Would my husband's US passport suffice?

I skimmed through the textbook, and then just focused on the 100 questions. I have spent some time today going over the entire N400 form, and the documents submitted. I also talked over with my husband about what the interview will be like. Watched some YouTube videos about it. Yeah, my husband did help in orally quizzing me on the questions. We be doing more of that the day before the interview. Just two days away. Nervous and excited!

Thank you everyone for the advice. By looking at previous posts here and and on Reddit where people tried to get same day passport by appointments at passport office, it was a very stressful experience. People often had difficulty securing an appointment and had to travel hundreds or thousands of miles. I do think the situation may have improved recently from what I am seeing as availability at my local passport offices. I will update here on my experience if I do end up in a scenario where I need to apply for an urgent passport.

I don't have an oath date yet. Currently waiting for interview, but looking at trends of oaths, I am expecting my oath to be on or about Oct 17. I am due to fly abroad on Oct 25. If this is how my citizenship processing timeline unfolds, I know the only hope I have to get a passport in time is to apply for urgent one day processing at a passport office. How realistic is this though? What are the odds of getting an appointment at a location that is drivable from where I live? Any other ideas anyone has on how I can not postpone an oath, and still be able to travel?

What is your "updated at" date? It would show up on this: https://my.uscis.gov/account/case-service/api/cases/IOExxxxxxxxxx

Can't say for sure ofcourse, but anecdotally, what you are seeing is actually a ggod sign. People have reported that they see their timeline increase just before they receive their interview invite. Mine bloated up the same way just a day or two after the interview invite. What is your "last updated at" show? People have reported this inflation of timeline is also associated with a change in the last update date. It did for me too. If this theory holds water, you may get interview invite early next week.

Thank you that makes sense. I think I will read the text book for context and then focus mainly on the 100 questions.

Just an update, as per the Federal Register notice published today: "This notice is effective on September 18, 2025. USCIS will administer the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test to aliens who file their naturalization applications on or after October 20, 2025." https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/18/2025-18050/notice-of-implementation-of-2025-naturalization-civics-test I have a question @OldUser, I found this link on the official USCIS study material page to an 88 page PDF titled the 2025 USCIS study test guide. Is this something new or always there. I had assumed you just study the 100 questions. Do we also need to study this guide or is this part of the new version of the test. Edit - I noticed there is another pdf that looks at first glance the same, but titled USCIS Civics Test Text Book. Is this the one we who are not going to be administered the 2025 test required to study, or again, is it just the 100 questions?

Just looked at the unpublised Federal Register Notice again, and I think the new test will apply to people who file for citizenship 30 days after this federal notice is published. Since it is being published Sep 18, that would be for people who file on or after Oct 17... looks like @Babu Frik is right, it won't affect those of us who already filed.

Fabulous! Such a meaningful ceremony. I don't think this is the norm, and you certainly lucked out. Also love that you all went out to brunch after. Way to build community. Thanks for the update and Congratulations on becoming a citizen of the USA.

Looks like the Federal Register Notice will be published tomorrow and will furnish the cut-off date for application of this version of the test. As in it will be administered to applicants who filed after xxxx date.

Yeah this is actually a smart move. It is a win-win. Diversity category is maintained and still effectively "free" to apply. USCIS gets some decent funding to cover some of its costs in running the program.

I don't think the path to the green card makes any difference to the timeline of submission to interview schedule. It is when something that may affect eligibility is discovered at the interview that delays are encountered, and that can be for any path. Some people say that having an unapproved i751 can delay interview, but I have seen many cases with pending i751 getting interviews much faster than myself who has an approved i751.

Very true. You summed it up nicely. I think what helps me when I wait on these immigration things (lived in 5 counties, been through this a lot), is to focus on the fact that my case is NOT the outlier, and decide not to worry about it until it is. Harder said than done for sure. But it is what I tell myself whenever I reach a state of frustration or impatience or paranoia. Have you checked your API / JSON notes? That helped me bear through the wait. You may have already found this, but just incase, this is records of people with Newark office who update timeline on VJ. https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/citlist.php?op6=All&op7=Newark+NJ&op1=3&op2=d&op4=1&op5= Speaking of which, please do update your timeline as it helps others like yourself who are seeking data points. On the bright side, the more time passes, higher the likelihood your interview invite is around the corner. If I had do wager, I would say you will get yours around the 120 day mark. Wish you the best!

I understand it is a tough wait (I am just as impatient), but like @OldUser said, it is normal. Some people get interviews scheduled 2 weeks after applying, for others it takes 9 months or more...and while which field office you are with does play a role, it is still not FIFO. People who filed after you at the same field office may have interview and oath before you. While "clean cases" probably do get processed faster, the largest factor is just plain luck (probably based on which officer your case is assigned to and their case load. You can look at May, April filer threads, plenty of people there who are still waiting for interview, and they have clean cases too. So I wouldn't think anything is wrong. I would reserve the congressional enquiry route for a 9 month mark. For now, as hard as it is, you just really can wait. Also I know that NYC is REALLY slow, like 9+ months is normal there. I don't know about Newark, but being so close to NYC, and with such high population of immigrants, I would imagine it can't be much faster than NYC. So there is that additional factor for you.

Yeah it's all new territory. I am taking evidence of social events I attended, both family and friends. This includes invitations, text messages, photos. gifts exchanged etc. I am also taking affidavits from family and friends that describes my involvement in these activities including care-giving ones. Texts discussing care, doctors notes with you being mentioned as care giver, all could be evidence.

Glad everything went smoothly for you, and thanks for the update. It is useful for us future citizens. I didn't know you had to send the original naturalization certificate. That's unnerving.

@ebhopeful, I am seconding @OldUser. Uploading the document to the online portal won’t delay anything. In fact Attorney Jim Hacking recommends uploading any additional evidence to the online portal 10 days before the interview. In addition to uploading to the portal, the original document should be brought to the interview, incase the officer wants it.