pazzee

Thank you! My status finally changed yesterday to In Process. I was just more worried about my application and naturalization certificate being lost. Congrats on the coveted Blue Passport!

Can you report once you do get it? I applied a week after you and also paid for expedited services and delivery. I sent in a cashier’s check so I have no idea if it was cashed. It’s a little unnerving knowing your naturalization certificate is just floating around somewhere.

I had my oath ceremony last week and obtained my naturalization certificate. The information packet I received at the ceremony said I should update my citizenship status with Social Security Administration. We were all advised to wait two weeks after the ceremony to make sure that their system is updated. SSA is the only thing that was mentioned regarding updating your status. But, I do know that I have to go to CBP at my local airport to update my Global Entry so that the document I use to scan at the kiosk is updated to the US passport instead of the green card. I don’t have my US passport yet (I applied at the post office and used expedited service the day of my ceremony so I still have weeks before I receive it). But this is what the CBP officer told me during my global entry interview. I also know that people who use federal student aid will also have to update their status. I’m not in school so this doesn’t affect me but it’s just another example where people update their status if it pertains to them and wasn’t mentioned in the information packet. I want to create a list to prevent any hiccups down the road. Do I have to update my status with my employer’s HR? How about financial institutions that I bank or have a loan with? I’m pretty sure when I opened my bank accounts and when I got my loan, they asked me for my status. Thanks in advance!

My notice was different from yours because mine stated that I may be limited in who may attend my appointment with me. Which is rather vague. I came here to ask for recent accounts pertaining to this site’s naturalization ceremonies to get an idea of what to expect. Per JeanneAdil’s helpful suggestion I called the courthouse directly. The woman I spoke to said I could bring two people. When I checked in this morning I confirmed with one of the people ushering in participants that I would have two guests - she said it really didn’t matter how many guests people had as long as there was enough room in the courtroom. All guests would just have to wait in the waiting room until a few minutes before the judge called the court in session. So I texted my siblings and dad who were waiting outside of the building and they came up. They all got to witness the occasion along with my nephew and mom. At a certain point, the judge also allowed the guests to stake a spot all around the court room where they could have the best vantage point to take pictures/videos of their loved ones as they took the oath. I thought that was super nice of her. I met one woman who wished she had known she could have had family there but she had heard that guests were no longer allowed in these ceremonies. I guess it really depends from location to location and the judge/official running the ceremony.

Yes! Thank you! That’s a shame, but congratulations to you!

Thank you! I called and she said I could bring my nephew and mom.

I wanted my nephew to witness the ceremony. He’s 19 and was born here and disjointed from the immigrant experience. I don’t think he understands what it’s like for immigrants and thought this might give hime a little insight. Maybe spark some conversations about immigration in general. Anyways, if anyone had their ceremony in Chicago at this building recently, were you allowed to have guests? My parents and all my siblings want to go to but they’re ok with staying outside and just celebrating with me afterwards.

@Walbrzyszanka221 Study for the civics test and study your N400 application. This will not be an issue for most but if you have traveled outside of the US a lot, it’s good to remember those dates. Sometimes, the officer will ask about specific dates. At my interview, they asked me when my parent’s were naturalized. A question I was not expecting. But I remembered because it’s the date of my nephew’s birthday. I’m not sure if it would have affected my approval if I got that wrong, but just showed me it’s good to remember even the small details in your application. Especially if a lawyer or someone else prepares your N-400, make sure you memorize the details that you don’t naturally memorize. Regarding my divorce, the officer just asked the reason for the divorce. *Edit* lol, I just realized the date of the original post. Congratulations!!!!

I had a similar reaction. I applied end of June 2022. The USCIS website said the process would be approximately 13 months. I think it was late July or early August I got a notice that my interview was in September, much sooner than I anticipated. I was happy but didn’t think I’d have to think about it until 2023. I had already made travel plans for the fall and was already overwhelmed at work and life.

For what it’s worth, my ex and I never filed jointly and I was approved for N400. We were both self-employed and itemized our deductions. For both obtaining my green card and the removal of conditions, we had pretty strong evidence of a bonafide marriage. It was never brought up in the green card interview or the citizenship interview. I personally wouldn’t loose sleep over this.

Just got my notice on the USCIS portal. My ceremony is scheduled for November 14. My interview was september 20. The kicker is I’ll be out of the country. Novemeber 14 is 3 days before I get back. So I have to reschedule and hope I don’t have to wait too long for the next ceremony.

Has anyone tried calling the Dirksen courthouse to ask when the next naturalizations are scheduled? If not, I’ll call Monday.

Maybe they’ll do something neat like a mass ceremony at Soldier Field. As long as it’s not Wrigley. I’d actually postpone my ceremony and wait for another date, lol. j/k

@Despa. What a bummer. I’m sorry. But your are so close. I know I got approved later than you but I’m still hoping I can have my ceremony before November. Wishing all of us some much needed good luck.

Have you all contacted USCIS? What do they say?

I had my interview on 9/20 and was approved. My immigration officer said to expect a notice scheduling the oath within 6 weeks. I was looking at the citizenship timelines for the Chicago field office and it looks like the oaths are scheduled anywhere from 3 weeks to a couple months after approval.

I missed that, lol. But still, OP is applying on the basis of being an LPR for 5 years. Not as a spouse of a USC.

I had my interview last week and passed! Unfortunately, same-day oath ceremonies are not being offered for the time being.

I just had my interview last week and passed. I filed under the 5 year rule but divorced my wife in March 2021. I uploaded my divorce decree with my online N400 application. The officer didn’t ask to see my ex’s birth certificate. She asked why we got divorced (a simple, she no longer wants to have kids and I still do, sufficed). And the officer never brought up my ex again. You’re filing under the basis of being an LPR for 5 years, not as a spouse of a US citizen, like mentioned by other posters above. In the end, the officer didn’t ask for anything additional besides seeing my GC and my passport. Worst comes to worst you’ll get an RFE and you’ll have more time to obtain it from your ex. But I highly doubt that will happen.

Just wanted to update my timeline> Filed online. N-400 6/24/22 NOA1- 6/24/2222 Bio reuse - 6/24/2022 On 8/10/22 my interview was scheduled for 9/20/22 On 9/20/22 I was approved and myUSCIS account says to wait for my oath ceremony notice in the mail Chicago Field Office

@randy32 This makes me feel so much better. I’m just a generally anxious person and my brain is finding every little thing to worry about. I can cross this off my worry list and move on to whatever my brain decides to worry about next. 😆 Thanks!

Will this be an issue or possibly delay approval? I’m worried it might because I owe taxes for 2019, which I disclosed on my N400. I am on a payment plan and uploaded the documentation with my application. I filed for an extension on my 1040 in April and made my estimated payments for 2021. I wasn’t expecting my interview until next year so I figured as long as I filed my return by the October extension date, I’d be fine. I wanted to take more time because I wanted to itemize my deductions to lower my tax liability instead of taking the standard deduction like I usually do. My interview got scheduled way faster than anticipated so I got to work with a CPA and filed my return a week after learning of my interview date. The IRS still hasn’t processed it. The IRS website says 9 out of 10 1040s are processed in 3 weeks, but I know this time of year gets busy again for them with the 1120 Business return extension due date being due in a couple days. I feel like USCIS might look at my application with more scrutiny. Like, oh this chick is behind on her 2019 tax payments AND she didn’t file her 2021 under the normal due date and her return hasn’t been processed yet.

Thank you for the tip. Will do.

Hi, I filed online. Yes, I applied in June of this year. It was accepted immediately and I got a notice on my uscis account that my biometrics was being reused (from 2019) within a couple hours of submission of the N400. On Aug. 10, the website had my notice of action with my interview date and I received the physical copy of it in the mail the following week. Chicago field office. Good luck to your Dad!

Will do. I just have to figure out a system of organization. I’ve been to one interview which was for the 2 year green card. That was super casual and our file was much smaller and more manageable then. Everything fit in one manila envelope. Plus 2 separate photo albums. I think this time I won’t bring the albums and just the printouts.