jamieswith

Did your passport and naturalization certificate arrive in the same envelope?

Yes! and in very good condition.

Application date (expedited) for my son and me: 24 April 2009

Received passport books: 02 May 2009

Received the submitted documents (naturalization certificate/birth certificate/old passport): 06 May 2009

Applied for passport: Friday May 1st 2009 (expedited)

Passport Received (along with Nat. Cert): Thursday May 7th

I think I'm going to faint!

You can only take what you have.

You'll be fine!

Irina received her interview I-797C Notice of Action (interview for the Application for Naturalization) in the mail today. We were very pleased that it arrived only three months after we applied, but the Document Check List has me worried. Here is how it begins:

You must be properly attired and bring ... Your Permanent Resident card ... and Government issued photo identification and All passports and travel documents (including expired and current) issued to you by any government ...

Irina has only two government-iissued photo id's besides her Green Card and her passport. They are her Russian driving license (she doesn't drive in the US) and her Russian internal passport.

Does anyone know whether USCIS accepts either of these as a government id?

Irina hasn't driven in three years, and I don't think it is very likely that she will be able to obtain an Oregon driving license by June 17. Oregon DMV does issue an alternative called an "Oregon id', but I don't know whether it has a photo on it, and I'm also concerned that she may not receive it by June 17 even if she applies immediately, because local DMV offices only issue 'temporary' cards.

Those are the only options I can come up with -- I hadn't heard of this requirement before, and it has really surprised me. Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

There are different levels of security clearances - not sure which would be the same as the James Bond sounding 'Top Secret' though - am

He was only "Licensed to Kill"

Well actually he was additionally "Licensed to Kill" - his actual clearance was never specified, but by nature of being a field operative in MI5/MI6 he would need a reasonably high clearance.

The nature of the information he was granted access to in the movies would indicate either a special exception was granted under the official secrets act, or he had "Top Secret" equivalent clearance (it's not called that hehehe)

My understanding was in order to get TOP SECURITY clearance, ur "immediate" relatives all have to be US citizen... "immediate relatives" meaning ur mom/dad/brother/sister/wife/kids... at least that's what I was told when I was job hunting.

This is true - immediate relatives must be US Citizens - but this does not preclude a dual national - as I said - as long as your immediate family is naturalized... or dead.

It's an incredibly lengthy process though for a dual national - there's not many positions they'll go to that level of trouble for.

Is it possible to be approved for a Top Secret Security Clearance if one has dual citizenship??

Yes it is in theory, HOWEVER it is A LOT MORE DIFFICULT to obtain and takes a lot longer - since they basically have to go through the whole interview process with individuals you've interacted with in two countries.

This is the same though, even if you do not have dual nationality but were ever a citizen of another country.

When you're a dual national it can take 18 months - 2 years minimum for the clearance to come back, with a Top secret classification.

In general this means unless someone REALLY wants you, you're unlikely to be considered for a position requiring top secret clearance if you're a dual national.

So in a practical sense - unless you're VERY special nobody is going to put you through the clearance process as a dual national - they simply don't want to wait that long to know if you will be allowed to do the job or not.

(edit) PS: One way to get around this would be to slowly work your way up the clearances - working your way up through the ranks so to speak - but you would need to plan for the long haul - as people have said, high security clearances are possible, but Top secret normally requires interviews of family, friends and even past collegues... a very involved process even when multiple countries are not involved.

Good luck to you guys, you'll be fine! Who knows, maybe you'll be citizens by tonight.

I agree!

Good luck all!

Hello everyone,

i just want to let you know that i got my interview letter without having my Biometrics taken.

i did them last April so i guess they are still valid.

So it is possible.

Good luck

Yep, it's possible - happened to me, and I was approved and naturalized.

I didn't have the opportunity - while we were waiting outside one of the officers came out and said "Please make sure the back of your letter is COMPLETELY filled out AND SIGNED before you enter the building"

Since we had over a four hour drive, and I was driving, wife asked me all 96 questions twice correcting me if I was wrong, teaching is a very good way of learning, she was able to fire back the answers quicker than her IO could ask the questions, but I think both of us forgot it the following day.

Questions? What questions?

And yes, I decided, I'll sign the letter at the oath ceremony.

You can sign it at home but it MUST be signed and dated the SAME DAY as your Oath.

I'm getting my papers for the oath ceremony ready and I just answered the questions on the back (all "No's"). Now I'm not 100% sure if I can sign the letter at home or if I have to sign it in front of an official.

Experiences, please?

Also, I have my oath letter, greencard, Social Security card, driver's license and approval letter from the interview. Do I need anything else (I never had a Reentry Permit or anything like that)? Of course clothes, family, camera, passport application and SSN form are ready. Another sleepless night.

All Done.... FINALLY!

Congratulations Jamie

Now, don't forget to stop by to check us, the unlucky one

I can't believe you're still waiting for your oath letter. I'm thinking of you each day.

jamieswith, congratulations!!!

lol... Stella, you meant my interview letter .... I wish I was waiting for my oath letter, lol

Thank you for your thoughts

I'm thinking of you doxATL - If you want me to use my newfound powers as a citizen and write to someone to complain for you - let me know!

All Done.... FINALLY!

I arrived early... 5.45am well ahead of the 7am I was told to be there for... wanna know what time the ceremony actually started?? 10 AM!!!!!

They kept us waiting there ALL THAT TIME, waiting for the judge! lol Eventually once the judge came in and got started it all got done within 30 minutes... what a relief that was! I have my nice new Naturalization Certificate in hand (well on my desk right now) ahhhhhh so glad it's all over...

There were over 2300 there, from over 120 countries... only 4 of us took the modified oath.

Today I took the oath and became a citizen

Now I move to I-130 forum to continue the journey of getting my wife here.

Thank you everybody for sharing your experience and wish you all good luck.

Thanks doxATL.

I hope you hear something more soon!

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....04/24/09...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....04/24/09...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....04/21/09...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....04/24/09...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08

skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09

edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09

jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....04/22/09...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09

Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09

We got quiet a bit of activity going on this week.

Interviews:

edandying, skoopie, Aizi: Good luck for your interviews.

Oaths:

broma25, maimai, maz, Stella08 (the Only Stella!! ), and my buddy Jamiesmith: Good Luck for your Oath taking ceremonies.

Good Luck to All!

You made me feel better now :-)

Were you wondering why you are not receiving a FP appointment?

Yes I was... but then i paid attention here and realized that some people did not.

Once I got my interview letter i didnt care about the fingerprints anymore lol

It can go either way - the only "timeline" that is certain is that it can take 0-120 days from the date of your interview before you get your oath date/letter.

Regards,

Jamie

I saw online that there is a Naturalization Ceremony on May 21st here at the court house in Kansas city and I was hoping that I would get a notice in the mail but as of today nothing yet. Do they notify long time ahead of the ceremony or I can hope to get the Oath letter one week before the Ceremony?

Share your experiences please!

ps: I had my interview March, 18th

Thanks!

Check my timeline.

I didn't get a fingerprint appointment - but I had recently had one with my I751 (incomplete at the time i filed for citizenship)

It's a bit hit and miss if you have recent fingerprints - sometimes they will fingerprint you again for citizenship, sometimes they will not... seems to vary too wildly to be able to give a firm answer either way.

WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE SENTER I ASKED THEM IF IT IS REALLY TRUE THAT FINGERPRINTS ARE VALID FOR 15 MONTHS AND THEY SAID NO. THE Y SAID WITH EVERY NEW APPLICATION NEW FP APPOINTMENTS ARE NEEDED....

I AM A LITTLE FRUSTRATED. I AM STILL PATIENT.

Praise the Lord! I am done with USCIS... until tomorrow when I file mum and dad's I-130s!!

Congratulations! Even if you are a masechist for wanting to deal with USCIS again so soon!

I can't believe in just one week I will be a citizen woooohooooo the end is in sight.

Congratulations alwayswin!!!

Adding two oath dates:

Name..............SentDate....NOA1.......Biodate....Interview...Oath.... Center..LocalOffice.....CheckCashed

shadow_dog........12/01/08....12/05/08...12/31/08...04/13/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Chicago.........??/??/??

samsbs............12/01/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...03/20/09....05/05/09...CSC....San_Francisco...12/24/08

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

farah2005.........12/01/08....12/12/08...04/13/09. .xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Miami...........12/09/08

so2008............12/02/08....12/16/08...01/03/09...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Tampa...........12/15/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....04/24/09...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

sheepnfish........12/03/08....12/29/08...02/12/09...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....St_Albans.......????????

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....04/21/09...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Cargo.............12/06/08....12/22/08...01/20/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Jose........12/23/08

Poppinslp.........12/10/08....12/22/08...01/23/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Fort Lauderdale.12/23/08

blessings2us......12/10/08....12/22/08...01/21/09...03/12/09....03/16/09...NBC....Portland........12/22/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....04/24/09...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08

ChinaBabe.........12/12/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta,GA......12/24/08

Coquette..........12/12/08....12/30/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Norfolk, VA.....01/08/09

Nigerla...........12/13/08....12/23/08...01/07/09...04/07/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....NYC.............12/22/08

rilian............12/16/08....01/09/09...01/27/09...03/20/09....05/05/09...CSC....San_Francisco...01/08/09

Jackjack..........12/17/08....12/27/08...01/14/09...03/12/09....03/17/09...VSC....Boston..........12/26/08

ptrober...........12/17/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...03/10/09....04/16/09...NSC....Cincinnati......01/05/09

radacos...........12/17/08....12/30/08...02/23/09...05/05/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........12/31/08

alwayswin.........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/23/09...04/15/09....06/17/09...VSC....Buffalo,NY......01/02/09

Debra&John........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...04/30/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........01/06/09

DoxATL............12/23/08....12/29/08...xx/xx/xx...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09

den_y2005.........12/24/08....01/05/09...xx/xx/xx...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....Santa_Ana.......01/05/09

edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09

jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....04/22/09...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09

Kunjal27..........12/29/08....01/02/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09

Fee Change + Unusual Presidential Race (Making more people keen to vote!) = Good luck getting citizenship anytime soon lol.

Thank goodness they're catching up now!

Just be patient - it will come.

Yeah...last year was not a good year for filing due to the fee change.

Name..............SentDate....NOA1.......Biodate....Interview...Oath.... Center..LocalOffice.....CheckCashed

shadow_dog........12/01/08....12/05/08...12/31/08...04/13/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Chicago.........??/??/??

samsbs............12/01/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...03/20/09....05/05/09...CSC....San_Francisco...12/24/08

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

farah2005.........12/01/08....12/12/08...04/13/09. .xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Miami...........12/09/08

so2008............12/02/08....12/16/08...01/03/09...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Tampa...........12/15/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....04/24/09...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

sheepnfish........12/03/08....12/29/08...02/12/09...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....St_Albans.......????????

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....04/21/09...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Cargo.............12/06/08....12/22/08...01/20/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Jose........12/23/08

Poppinslp.........12/10/08....12/22/08...01/23/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Fort Lauderdale.12/23/08

blessings2us......12/10/08....12/22/08...01/21/09...03/12/09....03/16/09...NBC....Portland........12/22/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....04/24/09...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08

ChinaBabe.........12/12/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta,GA......12/24/08

Coquette..........12/12/08....12/30/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Norfolk, VA.....01/08/09

Nigerla...........12/13/08....12/23/08...01/07/09...04/07/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....NYC.............12/22/08

rilian............12/16/08....01/09/09...01/27/09...03/20/09....05/05/09...CSC....San_Francisco...01/08/09

Jackjack..........12/17/08....12/27/08...01/14/09...03/12/09....03/17/09...VSC....Boston..........12/26/08

ptrober...........12/17/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...03/10/09....04/16/09...NSC....Cincinnati......01/05/09

radacos...........12/17/08....12/30/08...02/23/09...05/05/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........12/31/08

alwayswin.........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/23/09...04/15/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Buffalo,NY......01/02/09

Debra&John........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...04/30/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........01/06/09

DoxATL............12/23/08....12/29/08...xx/xx/xx...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09

den_y2005.........12/24/08....01/05/09...xx/xx/xx...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....Santa_Ana.......01/05/09

edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09

jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....04/22/09...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09

Kunjal27..........12/29/08....01/02/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09

Personally I'm still waiting for happy news from you doxATL - still no news???

Hope you're not the only one left on this thread talking to yourself a year from now lol

Regards,

Jamie

Then he congratulated me and said that I passed the test and now let's go back to the application.

Congratulations alwayswin!!! Way to GO!

Propper dress code = smart dress, in light of the seriousness of the event.

Do we HAVE to stay 7am until noon? No.

The actual oath ceremony (with speach etc) is about 2 hours normally (So we'll be "done" by around 9am) however there are usually desks there to sort out things like updating your status with the SSA and applying for a passport, registering to vote etc etc - if you choose to stay and take care of those things too while you're there - then you will be there until noon.

Regards,

Jamie

we have to stay here from 7am to 12 noon? why is it take so long?

so do you know if cellphone allowed? also what do they mean by proper dress code?

thanks!

I am going to Houston (Aldine road) for my oath ceremony on 22nd.

Just wondering is cellphone allowed inside and is my boyfriend allowed to get in?

I am reported be there at 7am, how long can it be done?

thanks!

Congratulations! I'll see you there! I'm there for my own oath at exactly the same time on the same day.

I was told by the interviewer who gave me the oath letter that i might need to anticipate being there until 11, maybe noon depending on if I stay to sort out other things after the ceremony... beyond that I don't know.

Regards,

Jamie

I am going to Houston (Aldine road) for my oath ceremony on 22nd.

Just wondering is cellphone allowed inside and is my boyfriend allowed to get in?

I am reported be there at 7am, how long can it be done?

thanks!

Congratulations! I'll see you there! I'm there for my own oath at exactly the same time on the same day.

I was told by the interviewer who gave me the oath letter that i might need to anticipate being there until 11, maybe noon depending on if I stay to sort out other things after the ceremony... beyond that I don't know.

Regards,

Jamie

For sure...

And Stella - we dont have long at all - just over a week is all... and then we'll be US Citizens! wooohoooooo lol

Regards,

Jamie

Congratulations, ptrober!!!

We have quite a few oath ceremonies in the next two weeks. How come that I was one of the first to have my interview and now I'm behind having my oath ceremony, hm?

Stella, It's ok you will be fine, one extra week...lol

LOL Sorry, I shouldn't complain, I know. Compared to you and so2008 and farah2005 I have it real easy. And yes, I'll survive.

Approved!!!

Interview should have been at 9:40am only got in at 11:00am was out by 11:10am.

IO asked for Passport, Green Card and Drivers License, then went through my N-400 double checking and clarifying all my questions.

He asked to look at my medical benefits card.

He asked me to read a sentence about congress and then write the answer to the question and I cannot remember what either was....sorry! lol

He then went on to ask my questions.

1. Who wrote the declaration of Independence.

2. What is the policitacl party of the president now

3. Name 3 of the 13 original states

4. Name one state that borders Mexico

5. What are the two major political parties in the United States

6. Who is the commander in Chief of the military.

He told me I was approved and would be receiving a letter in the mail for the Oath Ceremony.

All very civilized and straight forward....

Good luck to those who have yet to to theirs.

Broma25

Congratulations! now we just need that whole table to go red! lol

I am sorry for making this so long, but I really hope it will help somebody to shed some light on their own miserable immigration journey! Thanks to all members of VJ and good luck to all!

Congratulations!