Maria P.

Had the same observations - the wait time was the most stressful part. In Orlando office, there were around 50+ ppl there, and seeing some exiting the doors with tears of joy and smiles and some with faces like their world ended - was pretty nerve wracking. Also observing officer's personalities and some being very 'Karen' like and some super chill, it just plays mind tricks on you and I literally was sitting there for 20 minutes whispering 'please, not that Karen angry lady' or the 'mean macho officer' Same remark on "Walmart" outfits. Just no comment. With regard to travel - I had 10+ trips in 3 years with total of 255 days out of USA (the longest was 108 days, the first trip after covid borders opened). The officer didn't ask, just wanted to confirm if any new trips happened after sending N400. Also an interesting thing he mentioned - might be useful for anybody who has delayed oath due to name change for example -> he said, when I go to courthouse for name change and oath, I will have to update them with any new trips, arrests or changes (which are the eligibility criteria). So if you are close to a MAX limit of days out of states, make sure u don't breach the "red line" after interview but before oath, as worst case scenario - they will approve u, but then u make urself ineligible due to 'abandoning' residence status... Super rare situation I believe, but if anybody has something along those limits - u might pay attention to this.

Sorry for a delayed reply - went away on Xmas vacation) I did submit 2020, 2021, 2022 tax transcripts with N400. (last 3 years), same with i751 application (from beginning of marriage - 2019, 2020, 2021). Specifically, it was IRS tax transcripts + W2s (paystubs) (from my husband as I was not employed till 2023). The main point - to show u file taxes together (jointly). This is supposedly one of the most respected proof(s) of bona fide marriage (along with having children) if you file based on 3year rule. I brought originals to the interview, but officer did not ask for them

Just got back home from the interview ❤️ So, here are the spilled details my dear VisaJourney family: Arrived at 7:40am, interview was scheduled at 8:00am. Orlando Field Office looked really nice, super clean, very nice vibe... There were already plenty people there when we got there, our ticket got called around 9am. I noticed some officers were not allowing spouses in, some did. Some allowed two people in, and then the spouse was sent out after 5-10 mins. Our officer let both of us in and explained that since i751 is pending, he will have both of us, but that he will ask my husband to change seat and stay at the back of room for the N400 part of interview. Our officer was super friendly, and explained from beginning that he looked at application, he saw i751 pending and requested it to be shipped from Potomac, but it still did not arrive to Orlando field office. He said - "Here is what we will do -> we will do both interviews now, I can approve both of them, but I cannot put you into oath ceremony, because I need to sign the i751 papers unfortunately. Only after I get physical file - I can sign it and you will be scheduled for oath ceremony. Also, because you change your name {I have requested surname change on my n400}, your ceremony must be at the city court house, not here, so unfortunately you will have to wait till January or February anyway, not just because of i751. Technically, you are creating new identity because of name change and judge will need to certify/approve/ that before taking oath. If all goes well today and I get your file in 2-3 days, we will send you the oath ceremony invitation in a mail within a week or two." He did not ask anything what we expected about our marriage and it appeared he already made up his mind before interviewing us, he said "I looked at your application and I can tell it is bona fide marriage, am I correct?" he double checked our IDs, address, marriage date, any children (none). Then asked my husband to swap seats and stay at one row behind me (near wall of the room) and be quiet. I was asked civics questions (what Susan B Anthony fought for, what if president cannot serve - who is replacing , two longest rivers, name 2 national holidays, what led to civil war, what do you do when you plead allegiance...) Reading + writing. Updated my work situation (since I started new job last week). I had asked if he wants more pictures, affidavits that we got from friends and new quarterly bank statements, etc. and he said "unless you really want to give it to me, but I think you can just recycle that, I have enough evidence to approve you". He then asked me all the eligibility questions on whether I was ever in combat, a communist, terrorist, etc. Asked me to sign the new name change, and some oath of allegiance understanding statement. Then he said I am approved on both applications, we will get the oath ceremony date as soon as he is done with bureaucracy regarding i751. Shook hands, said thank you and we said our farewells. Guys, I am not sure, but I feel like wearing a suit & tie and formal clothes, did play some attitude role. I was shocked to see some people came in sweatpants, in hoodies and even baseball hats. Cmon, this is federal government building, I could see non-verbal reactions from officers when they were calling numbers and a trio of people in sweatpants and messy hair showed up vs. nicely presented couples and solo applicants. p.s. there is no change at Online Account.... will update when oath ceremony note will be here I feel super happy, but not fully relieved just yet. USCIS journey is over, but not quite yet a citizen) Wishing everybody good news for this Xmas and Happy New Year... !

Guys, I am having interview tomorrow morning at 8am and I am having a major anxiety panic mode. I think the civics test is all prepared for, documents arranged, but I am freaking out... what if we are missing something or officer will be in bad mood or they lost the application file or I don't know (((( Gosh... Just want this to be over. So so so much... 🥲