swatcat

Got my passport 2 weeks ago...she is a beauty.

Better late than never. I had my oath ceremony on Sep 18th at Kansas City...58 people from 31 countries. It was a short and nice ceremony. I was worried as I had a name change - but I did not have to. My naturalization certificate came with a court ordered legal name change certificate.

After the ceremony, I enrolled to vote and picked my passport application. I made a list of 30 different places where I would need to change my name. I went to the SSN office and made the change. I got the new card in 10 days. I also changed my Driver's license. The name change certificate was enough to do all this. I have applied for the passport and I'm waiting on it. I'm almost done calling everyone from my bank to credit cards to utility companies to let know of the name change - some are easy to do and some needed to see an application by fax or email. I hope to get my passport soon and then I will be done !!!

Thanks to everyone here who helped me in many ways thru this arduous journey. Good luck all !!

Hello all,

I have requested a last name change on my N-400 application. My oath ceremony is scheduled for Sept 18. I would like to know if anyone here has a checklist of places where the name change should be reported.

I'm assuming I will be getting a naturalization certificate reflecting my new name. I'm not sure if there will be anything that shows my 'before' & 'after' names.

Once, I get my naturalization certificate, logically I will apply for a US passport.

I'm assuming that I will then need to change my SSN record. And then maybe the DMV.

After that, all my bank accounts & credit cards. Since, each place asks for its own set of proof, is there a particular order to accomplish this ?

Any help will be appreciated.

I got my oath letter yesterday. Slated for a ceremony on Sep 18th in Kansas City. Woot...

Remember, I had requested for a date later than Sept 2 as I was away on my trip. They did listen.

Updating my timeline.

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USCIS Lockbox Texas

UserName.........Sent........NOA1........Biometrics....Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office

KromiX...........04/01/09....04/13/09....04/28/09......05/09/09........07/02/09.....07/27/09....Miami, FL

Raleighn400......04/02/09....04/07/09....05/11/09......05/22/09........07/29/09.....07/30/09....Durham, NC

SY2k9............04/02/09....04/11/09....05/02/09......05/11/09........06/18/09.....06/25/09....San Antonio, TX

Tumande..........04/02/09....04/10/09....05/01/09......05/15/09........06/23/09.....--/--/--....Dallas, TX

GabLopSan........04/06/09....04/13/09....05/08/09......06/02/09........08/20/09.....--/--/--....Newark NJ

James............04/07/09....04/10/09....05/01/09......05/21/09........07/08/09.....07/24/09....Miami, FL

Ssalburo.........04/07/09....04/13/09....05/08/09......05/18/09........08/06/09.....08/21/09....Baltimore,MD

SleepBear........04/10/09....04/20/09....05/11/09......06/01/09........07/06/09.....07/15/09....Miami, FL

weirdon..........04/10/09....04/20/09....05/20/09......06/08/09........07/28/09.....09/02/09....Philadelphia, PA

l.j./1999........04/11/09....04/16/09....05/07/09......06/27/09........08/18/09.....08/27/09....New York, NY

n400filer........04/11/09....04/20/09....05/22/09......05/27/09........07/28/09.....08/13/09....Boston, MA

liahnsilver......04/16/09....05/05/09....05/30/09......06/21/09........07/30/09.....08/19/09....Houston,TX

jeangab .........04/20/09....04/30/09....05/15/09......06/05/09........07/29/09.....08/14/09....Durham, NC

pampita2.........04/20/09....05/04/09....06/05/09......06/19/09........07/22/09.....09/21/09....Front Royal, VA

alaneluk.........04/22/09....04/29/09....05/07/09......05/21/09........07/10/09.....--/--/--....Indianapolis, Indiana

Cliff_Ksenia.....04/23/09....04/29/09....05/20/09......06/08/09........07/22/09.....--/--/--....Christiansted, VI

J&D..............04/24/09....04/30/09....05/16/09......06/04/09........07/23/09.....07/23/09....Tampa, FL

Kathryn41........04/30/09....05/06/09....06/03/09......07/06/09........08/13/09.....08/26/09....Atlanta, GA

king&queen.......04/30/09....05/04/09....06/03/09......07/07/09........08/13/09.....08/26/09....Atlanta, GA

etahb............04/30/09....05/04/09....06/03/09......06/12/09........07/23/09.....09/25/09....Albany, NY

USCIS Lockbox Arizona

UserName.........Sent........NOA1........Biometrics....Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office

anci78...........03/26/09....04/02/09....04/22/09......05/15/09........06/22/09.....08/05/09....San Francisco, CA

jsnearline.......03/28/09....04/03/09....04/25/09......05/20/09........07/17/09.....08/28/09....Denver, CO

gopalag..........04/01/09....04/13/09....04/29/09......05/21/09........07/01/09.....08/19/09....San Diego, CA

sjjp1974.........04/03/09....04/17/09....05/09/09......05/22/09........07/21/09.....07/22/09....Portland, OR

Babonsi..........04/06/09....04/18/09....05/08/09......05/26/09........07/07/09.....08/12/09....Sacramento, CA

Swatcat..........04/09/09....04/17/09....05/27/09......06/18/09........07/28/09.....09/18/09....Kansas City, MO

macb1980.........04/09/09....04/16/09....05/08/09......05/26/09........07/07/09.....08/28/09....Cincinnati, OH

RDan19...........04/18/09....04/20/09....05/19/09......07/07/09........08/18/09.....08/19/09....St.Paul, MN

MsAnn............04/20/09....04/27/09....05/29/09......06/17/09........08/19/09.....08/19/09....Portland, OR

mrPuffyBunny.....04/20/09....04/27/09....05/28/09......07/06/09........08/20/09.....--/--/--....St.Paul, MN

tpontirolli......04/22/09....04/29/09....05/22/09......06/05/09........07/22/09.....08/19/09....San Diego, CA

Wifey246.........04/24/09....04/30/09....05/13/09......06/08/09........07/30/09.....08/28/09....Los Angeles, CA

Clarax...........04/28/09....05/08/09....05/26/09......06/26/09........08/11/09.....--/--/--....Denver, CO

USCIS Lockbox Nebraska

UserName.........Sent........NOA1........Biometrics....Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office

GermanInDixie....04/03/09....04/09/09....04/29/09......06/02/09........06/16/09.....07/22/09....Atlanta, GA

Ok...I'm back and exhausted...what a whirlwind last couple of days...

Today was my interview in Kansas city. I was in Kansas city over the weekend for a wedding. Monday morning I drove back 3 hours to report to work with the biggest hangover. After I got off work at 6, I hopped on a train back to KC - another 3 hours.

My in-laws live in KC so we spent the night there. My appointment was at 10.30. It was pouring all the way but we got there in plenty of time. It was only a 30 min drive. The office itself was very low key - a single floor building that resembled more like an office depot or something.

By 10.15, we went thru security...My wife wouldnt listen to leave her cellphone in the car, so I wasnt going to argue and let her deal with it. I left mine in the car. Ofcourse, they didnt allow any cellphones with cameras - so she had to walk back to the car in the downpour.. Sometimes I feel mighty being right. Those moments are far & few between. There were only a handful of people waiting plus a couple of attorneys. Most were very casually dressed, so I looked overdressed in a tie and a jacket. Around 10.50, I was called in...When I asked if my wife should come in, she said it was not neccessary. I thought to ask as my N400 was based on a 3 year marriage to a citizen even though my LPR was employment based. The officer asked to see my Driver license & the green card. The lady immigration officer was very nice & led me to her office...I took the oath and she said rightaway she was going for the test to put it out of the way. I wondered if all the vodka from the wedding would have eroded my memory - so I was sort of nervous.

First up, reading & writing comprehension.

I had to read - what do we pay to the goverment

And I had to write - We pay taxes

And then she asked...

1. What is freedom of religion

2. When was the constitution written

3. When do you enroll for Selective service

4. Name one state bordering Canada

5. What is the ocean on the east of the US

6. How many senators are there in the house

6 out of 6 and I didnt have to use a lifeline. I wondered what she would have said if I said 'Final answer' to every reply that I made. I had a name change - so she noted that rightaway. I signed a form with my old name & the new name signature.

She let you know when to use your usual signature and when to use cursive letters. She made me sign the pics with the new name then.

After that, she said she will go thru the form again. I mentioned I had a couple of changes. A typo on my city name and the dreaded part 7. She said the system took care of the typo by itself...In the part 7, I had put in 2 trips that were made before I became a LPR. She said it didnt matter as my trip days were so minimal (81 in all). Then we went thru the whole yes,no questions. She said my background check was fine.. and then we were done.

She informed me that it will be 2-3 months before my oath and went on to mention it does not take that long actually.

Since I was going on my vacation for a month in 2 days, I asked what if I get it while Im gone. She asked to just let them know when I will be done by writing back. She also put a note on my file saying to schedule the oath only after Sep 5 (the date I gave her). Then she said congratulations and that I was approved and gave me a sheet of paper showing the approval. She walked me to the door and wished me a good trip back & we said our goodbyes.

She did not see a single sheet of paper except for my Driver's license & greencard..While going thru my file, she said I had sent in enough documents and that she was happy. The whole interview took 20 minutes & we were out of there by 11.15 - an hour exactly to complete the long process.

On the way back, my wife asked me how it felt to be a citizen and I said 'Good...but I hate those foreigners...' I know, Im fitting in nicely already...A special thanks to everyone in this forum, especially the April 2009 threadsters for being a part of this journey.And a big thankyou to the folks who have kept this site running with so much valuable information.

We will be heading to India for a month long vacation (yeah, I got my green card back - she said I might need it for my trip) and to have completed this process feels very fulfilling. I hope to have the oath by the end of the year and get the ball rolling on the passport application and the name change process in a zillion places. This would have been difficult without this forum, so thank you & best wishes for all those awaiting interviews and appointments.

Let all your dreams come true as well.

Congrats to all of our new citizens !!

I will be hopping on a train to Kansas city in an hour. My interview is at 10.30 tomorrow.

Can't wait.

Congrats Sjjp & Pampita.

That's it J&D...they are going to put you on a quota of 3 revisions max on your app.

I'll need to scratch out my proposed name change. My address changes a few days after the interview to the Denver area so hopefully I can do the oath there. I started contracting in late June so I'll add that to the work history section if asked. I'll start a new job in August in the Denver area so I'll add that also if asked. That is if the IO is interested in the future as oppossed to just what has occured since the application to the interview, which is probably unlikely. Not too bad afterall. Oh and there's that sex change to mention....not! So only 4 possible revisions...

I'm pretty sure, there will be an USCIS fee for sex change and since you haven't sent that across, I would suggest that you keep it on the down low..

I'm curious how long is your name change going to delay your oath date as I'm in the same boat. Do update & good luck.

Congrats JS...

I leave the country 2 days after the interview for a month long trip. I was going to request them an oath date atleast a month from the interview date. I also have a name change & by your experience, looks like I'm going to be okay. I dont mind the delay as I really really cant delay or postpone the trip. Hopefully, its only 2 months & not 6 months in your case. Good Luck & thanks for sharing.

Long live the recession!

That's it J&D...they are going to put you on a quota of 3 revisions max on your app.

Geez, now I realize I answered question 7 part C incorrectly as well. I suppose they would figure it out from the dates; I included everything since I got my original greencard (with conditions). Anyway, good to know. I've already completed a replacement page that I will offer when I go for my interview. Glad you posted this question!

Glad I could help & make your wait a little uncomfortable...

Yes, the part 7 is kinda tricky if you dont pay attention.... But looks like they go thru the whole app with you, so we should be able to provide them with our form version 2.0 during the interview. good luck.

I don't have any typos to fix, but I'll have plenty of updates to make at the interview. The poor IO will have writer's cramp when he/she is done with me.

Thanks for all your input guys.

So, I'm scheduled for my interview on July 28. I had saved a copy of the N400 that I had mailed out. Glancing thru that today, I observed that there were a few typos (yes, I'm going thru this now & not when I mailed the form out..). The first one is a minor one - a typo on my city name. The second one was on Part 7 of the form. Questions A & B ask for days spent outside the country in the last 5 years. C asks for trips since permanent residency. I had 2 trips listed that were before I gained PR. Not a big deal, coz all those add up to like 80 days. Should I point them out during the interview ??

First of all, I believe, not all centres will do the walk-in biometrics. I was scheduled a FP appointment for the day after Memorial day at St.Louis,MO. Since, I was travelling out of town for the Memorial day weekend, I could not make the appointment. But my letter stated that if I missed my appointment, I could walk in on any following Wednesday as long as it is before Aug 20. So, I went for the FP on the following Wednesday. At the appointment, while I was being finger-printed, the lady mentioned as FYI that I had missed the appointment & they no longer do the walk-ins. I showed her the letter that stated I could come on any Wednesday. They were surprised that they were still mailing out those letters and asked me if they could photocopy it. I didnt mind as long as they did my FP.

So, anyways, check with your center before you go for a walk-in. Also, check if your letter says that you can appear on any following weekdays before a certain date. Else, it would be safer to write a letter and keep a copy just in case they decide to cancel your application. Good luck.

Would I like my oath ceremony on July 4. Yes, awesomeness.

Would I then like to wait till July 4,2010. No.

Would this make me any less patriotic. NO.

Perspective....that is all.

Congrats anci78 on your new addition & the interview.

Btw, I got my yellow letter yesterday asking me to bring passports & any travel docs issued by any govt.

Hey everyone,

I didn't realize my post would cause a lot of uproar and I apologize if offended anyone. To clarify, I am certainly grateful for the opportunity, I suppose I was just disappointed that it came at such an inconvenient time.

With that said, I spoke with Southwest airlines and they gave me a credit for my travels and am planning on attending the ceremony as scheduled. When I told my parents about this they also commented that we moved to the US on July 4, 1988.

I do not think there is further cause for discussion on this topic at this time.

Take care,

RomanVT

Congratulations...Yes, I have had experience with SWA about getting credit back - so that way they are a good airline. Enjoy your ceremony...long way coming I'm sure. Naashi Pabidilli.

My 2 cents.

Just because the OP ranted a few thoughts doesnt make him any less deserving than most people here...after all, family still is the single most important thing to most people. But, I bet, he took a deep breath and acknowledged the good intentions of the USCIS to make it a special day for many oath-takers, so that fact should be admired as there will be people who work for the USCIS that are taking off their family time themselves to be a small part of many new citizens on July 4th.

All said and done, he will reschedule the interview and life goes on. I would just take it as a spur of the moment rant which quickly dissipated. 'F' for originality, 'A' for imapct

You need to surrender your green card at the oath ceremony.

Congrats!! Tumande

Cool. Thanks for the clarification.

I hope they dont ask me to do the same day oath ceremony - I would have to decline that as I will be leaving out of the country 2 days later & I need my Green card to enter back.

Went for my interview today, scheduled at 10:10am but waited about 1.5hrs to be called. The interview took all of 15min and was really a breeze. The only downside is that the interview was scheduled 8 days before my 5th year mark so couldn't do same day oath and will have to wait. Otherwise all of you out there don't be jittery or unnerved - this thing is easy - they asked me to read "What do we pay to the goverment" (and it was like font 36) and then the writing section was to write "we pay taxes" - the civics questions : - one state that borders Canada, how many senators are there, when was the constitution written - that pretty much sums it up.

Congrats Tumande..Do they take your green card away from you after you pass the interview or is it done at the oath ceremony ??

Wow. I got my interview letter yesterday...it is on 07/28/2009 - 2 days before I leave for my trip. I will be in KC for my cousin's wedding on July 26th...so this is very convenient. This means I don't have to send in a letter to deschedule & reschedule my interview as I was 99% sure the interview was going to be in the month of August.

Now, can anybody advise if there is any restriction on travel after the interview ? I'm sure I will be back by the oath ceremony - besides I also have a name change request. I wouldn't have to submit my passport at the interview, do I ? This is all very exciting.

Updating my timeline.....

Important!

1. Select Rich Text Editor as your message setting (go to My Controls > click Board Settings).

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USCIS Lockbox Texas

UserName.........Sent........NOA1........Biometrics....Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office

KromiX...........04/01/09....04/13/09....04/28/09......05/09/09........07/02/09.....--/--/--....Miami, FL

Raleighn400......04/02/09....04/07/09....05/11/09......05/22/09........07/29/09.....--/--/--....Durham, NC

SY2k9............04/02/09....04/11/09....05/02/09......05/11/09........06/18/09.....06/25/09....San Antonio. Tx

Tumande..........04/02/09....04/10/09....05/01/09......05/15/09........06/23/09.....--/--/--....Dallas, TX

GabLopSan........04/06/09....04/13/09....05/08/09......06/02/09........08/20/09.....--/--/--....Newark NJ

James............04/07/09....04/10/09....05/01/09......05/21/09........07/08/09.....--/--/--....Miami, FL

Ssalburo.........04/07/09....04/13/09....05/08/09......05/18/09........08/06/09.....--/--/--....Baltimore, MD

SleepBear........04/10/09....04/20/09....05/11/09......06/01/09........07/06/09.....--/--/--....Miami, FL

weirdon..........04/10/09....04/20/09....05/20/09......06/08/09........07/28/09.....--/--/--....Philadelphia, PA

l.j./1999........04/11/09....04/16/09....05/07/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....New York, NY

n400filer........04/11/09....04/20/09....05/22/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Boston, MA

liahnsilver......04/16/09....05/05/09....05/30/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Houston,TX

jeangab .........04/20/09....04/30/09....05/15/09......06/05/09........07/29/09.....--/--/--....Durham, NC

pampita2.........04/20/09....05/04/09....06/05/09......06/19/09........07/22/09.....--/--/--....Front Royal, VA

Cliff_Ksenia.....04/23/09....04/29/09....05/20/09......06/08/09........07/22/09.....--/--/--....Christiansted, VI

J&D..............04/24/09....04/30/09....05/16/09......06/04/09........07/23/09.....--/--/--....Tampa, FL

Kathryn41........04/30/09....05/06/09....06/03/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Atlanta, GA

etahb............04/30/09....05/04/09....06/03/09......06/12/09........07/23/09.....--/--/--....Albany, NY

USCIS Lockbox Arizona

UserName.........Sent........NOA1........Biometrics....Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office

anci78...........03/26/09....04/02/09....04/22/09......05/15/09........06/22/09.....--/--/--....San Francisco, CA

jsnearline.......03/28/09....04/03/09....04/25/09......05/20/09........07/17/09.....--/--/--....Denver, CO

gopalag..........04/01/09....04/13/09....04/29/09......05/21/09........07/01/09.....--/--/--....San Diego, CA

sjjp1974.........04/03/09....04/17/09....05/09/09......05/22/09........07/21/09.....--/--/--....Portland, OR

Babonsi..........04/06/09....04/18/09....05/08/09......05/26/09........07/07/09.....--/--/--....Sacramento, CA

Swatcat..........04/09/09....04/17/09....05/27/09......06/18/09........07/28/09.....--/--/--....Kansas City, MO

macb1980.........04/09/09....04/16/09....05/08/09......05/26/09........07/07/09.....--/--/--....Cincinnati, OH

RDan19...........04/18/09....04/20/09....05/19/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....St.Paul, MN

MsAnn............04/20/09....04/27/09....05/29/09......06/17/09........08/19/09.....--/--/--....Portland, OR

mrPuffyBunny.....04/20/09....04/27/09....05/28/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....St.Paul, MN

tpontirolli......04/22/09....04/29/09....05/22/09......06/05/09........07/15/09.....--/--/--....San Diego, CA

Wifey246.........04/24/09....04/30/09....05/13/09......06/08/09........07/30/09.....--/--/--....Los Angeles, CA

Clarax...........04/28/09....05/08/09....05/26/09......--/--/--........--/--/--.....--/--/--....Denver, CO

USCIS Lockbox Nebraska

UserName.........Sent........NOA1........Biometrics....Int ltr recd....Interview....Oath........Office

GermanInDixie....04/03/09....04/09/09....04/29/09......06/02/09........06/16/09.....--/--/--....Atlanta, GA

Ok, I'm am so happy!! My interview letter came today, it will be later than my other interview appt, this one will be August 19th. It will be at the same location. I bet a lot of officers wanted to take a vacation at the same time

Congrats..to think they could have mailed the new date with the 'de-scheduled' letter..but whatever.

Oh, I'm going to use the word 'de-schedule' in my request to postpone the interview just to aggravate them

Deleted my "interview letter received" date and interview date. Today I got a letter saying my interview had been descheduled . You've got to be kidding me .

What in the world happened ??

I dont think I have ever heard of a deschedule.

Hopefully,things will be back on track for you soon. Keep the faith.

I have plans to be out of the country for a whole month, visiting family. I'm waiting to receive my interview letter as I have completed my biometrics. I would like to know if anyone has had experience in requesting a re-schedule of the interview.

I'm not too worried at the delay it would cause as I'm in no hurry to be naturalized but I am definitely concerned as I cannot move my travel plans.

Please advise.

Guys, I am VERY shocked today to tell you I got my interview letter in the mail!!!!!!

My interview will be Aug 6th, 9AM! Oh, I'm so excited!!

Congrats MsAnn

Thank you I hope this means my fingerprints were accepted.

Congrats Ms.Ann. All indications are pointing to me having an interview date in August. Since I would be gone for the whole month, I will be writing a John Deere letter to USCIS.