SarahTheScientist

Thank you so much for your quick response! I found the 864 instructions and am reading them now. My husband will meet the income requirements on his own, so do you think we’ll still have to include my income and therefore a 864A? We actually just got married earlier this month 😄 so we haven’t filed jointly before.

Hi all, I have a specific question that I can’t find an answer to anywhere. My husband’s brother is applying for permanent residency and the brother’s wife (US citizen) has petitioned on his behalf. My husband has been asked to be a sponsor, but his brother hasn’t been able to tell us which form we need to fill out. I feel like there’s a step missing somewhere that we’re unaware of. Could anyone provide any advice on what we need to do? Thank you!

Hi there! In my experience, there was not a place to apply for a passport. Where you apply depends on how urgently you need your passport. Here is the link to figure out where you can apply: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/where-to-apply.html

I just reread your comment and realized I didn't even answer your question 🤦‍♀️ We received his interview notice late June, so that would make it about 9.5 months from the day we applied. His interview was July 25th, and the ceremony notice was posted on the USCIS website the very next day.

Hi Natalie! Congrats on getting the process started! We applied early September 2021, so it all took about 11 months. Our original estimated time to completion was 15 months, but USCIS waived the biometric appointment because his information was already in the system so it was shortened to 12 months. Honestly we were surprised that it all happened as fast as it did! I think we're very lucky that we didn't run into any complications along the way. I hope it goes the same for you! Let me know if you have any other questions; I'm happy to help and encourage!

Hi Mike, Updating you on the ceremony details! We got there at 6:45am and the parking lot started filling up pretty quickly after that. You can park and line up on either side of the building. We waited in line til 7:30am which is when they told us that the family rooms were on the other side (east side). There wasn't a line for family--you just kind of wait around until they open up the doors which happened about 8am. It's pretty much first come first serve on the rooms and chairs, but there was plenty of space for everyone there. The ceremony didn't start until 9am, and sadly I can confirm that there is no video, it's just audio. Absolutely better than nothing! It was all over by 9:30. So unless things change in the next two weeks, you and your kids won't be able to actually attend the ceremony ☹️ If you do go, it's probably best to bring some kind of distraction so they don't get super bored while you're waiting in the family room for an hour. I totally recommend going--better to go than regret not being there! I was teary-eyed just from listening to it all. Anyway, if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask! -Sarah

Hi Mike, Thank you and congratulations to your wife! His ceremony is this week! I will set a reminder to send you another message once it’s over

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! WOW, 3 hours! We got the 7:30 time slot too. They told me to be 15-30 minutes early to make sure I’d have a spot in a room. I just don’t understand why it’s being done this way. Is it so there’s more room for those naturalizing? Makes me sick that I can’t witness his ceremony 😞 Did you seriously have to clap 86 times? 😂 everyone’s hands must have been raw!

Hi everyone, Has anyone had a recent oath ceremony at the Plano Event Center in Plano, TX? I am wondering about the visitor policy. I am so disappointed at the possibility of not witnessing my fiancé's final step to citizenship. The Plano Event Center told me that there is limited seating in an adjacent room that will play audio of the ceremony. Did anyone experience this? Just wanting to get as much info as possible! Thank you.

@SacredBruce how was the ceremony? My fiancé's was just scheduled next month at the Plano Event Center. I've talked with them and they told me there is limited seating in an adjacent room that will have audio of the ceremony. Was this your experience? Just wanting to know before we go!