thekfc

just to be safe, CVS dose them i believe 13.99 plus there is an online coupon for 2$ off so you end up paying 11.99 plus tax for first set. you get 2 photo and than each additional sheet is 37 cent ( each sheet has 2 pic) 
so its not that bad compared to other place that charge you the same full price you paid for the first set for each additional set. here is the link, i hope that helps  
https://www.cvs.com/photo/passport-photos?CID=PS-google-PP-01092017-PS-Brand&gclid=CImmpfj5mNcCFQeVswodmRgMgg&gclsrc=ds

Ok, this will be long.
 
My wife had her interview yesterday, so I came to give some feedback.
 
She was schedule at 12:20pm, as we were going via the subway we didn’t want to take any chances so we left home at 9:50am and got to Federal Plaza at 10:45. Anyone who rides the NYC subway knows to give yourself plenty of time if you have somewhere important you give yourself plenty of extra time plus the UN General Assembly is in session.
 
We waited outside the building with her going thru a final test and at 11:45am we went in. It was an airport style entry which was pretty quick (about a minute or 2).
 
We headed to the 8th floor (room 800), there was quite a few people seated waiting but that turned out not to be our final destination. The very cheerful lady at the window gave us a paper which directed us to the 4th floor (room #108). There were other people waiting on the elevator who got off at different floors.
 
We went to the window and the clerk told us to come back at the window at 12:20 as we were too early. She did ask my wife if she had an attorney or needed an interpreter which she replied no to.
 
There were about 20 – 25 people seated waiting but as it turned out more than half had an attorney with them.
 
She was called in about 1:20pm.
 
About 15-20 minutes later she came out with a smile on her face. She handed me the N-652 and checked was Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
 
My wife went in with a binder with the N-400 and all supporting documents separated by a tab as well as labeled.
 
We filed under the 3-year, she was also eligible to file under the 5-year as she have been a LPR for more than 6 years.
 
The interviewer checked her recent passport as well as her expired passport which had the visa and all other stamps in it. She also checked our son’s Birth Certificate, our Marriage Certificate, asked for my Birth Certificate but we had my Naturalization Certificate so that was used instead.
 
My wife bought 4 extra passport photo & the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
She also asked my wife if she wanted to change her name (the wife did check no on the application) and recommended it. The wife’s green card is in her married name but her SS is in her maiden name and we were waiting until when we report the naturalization to change the name on the SS card.
 
So it looks like it will be a Judicial Ceremony which is done 3-4 times a week for the NYC office.
 
I forgot to ask her what civil questions they asked but the reading was “Who lives at the White House” & the writing was “The President lives at the White House”.
 
I had her timeline on the Google spreadsheet but someone kept on deleting it so here it is again.
GC: 2/5/11
N-400 sent: 5/1/17
5/9/17: Case accepted
5/15/17: Biometric appointment scheduled
5/30/17: Biometric
6/5/17: Inline
8/15/17: Interview schedule
9/19/17: Interview
 
 

Hi all! Wife did Oath Ceremony yesterday (10/21/07), she is a Citizen!
About 150 new citizens on the ceremony, full house! 
 
Couldn't figure out how to fix the formatting on the list... could someone fix it and add my info? Thanks!!!
Good luck and blessings to all of you!

Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, would be under the impression of a joyful day where you get to be excited, get to take pictures and mostly, have friendly court staff that are happy to naturalize you. I'm so sorry you felt blah afterwards, that really sucks!  

Luckily, we all celebrate with you here --if that helps! Congratulations! 

I presume you went home and did VERY American things.. right?! Drinking a Bud Light, cooking a huge steak on the grill. Riding around in Walmart in one of those scooters.  Get a picture of yourself with the American flag, a rifle on one arm, bible in the other hand, eagle on your shoulder. 'Merica!

@Going through Congrats on receive the oath date!!!!!!
 
I wonder if they will give anyone an October 24th Date - that is United Nations Day. That would be awesome.

So ok...this was my experience at my Oath Ceremony today in Brooklyn.
 
Went through security relatively quickly and easily considering I showed up a good 40 minutes early.   Now, I had gone ahead and called Camdan Plaza East where the ceremony was going to be held, so I already knew that no cameras or cell phones were permitted in the courthouse (whether participants or guests), and I already was aware that there would be a possibility that guests were not able to view the actual ceremony.
 
All Queens, NY filers must have their oath ceremony at the court house regardless of whether or not a name-change is requested.  Just how it's done for Queens filers.   The building itself is beautiful inside, with wide spiral staircases, and lots of marble and artwork on the walls.   Headed up to the 2nd floor, where my husband and child were directed to the 3rd floor cafeteria.  I asked if they would be able to view the ceremony at all, and was told they would be called down later on.
 
Fast forward to 8:30AM when we got started with everything.  Applicants were taking up only 3 rows of the court benches, so it wasn't a long process to get everyone situated with how to fill out the back of the Oath Letter.   A few moments later, a representative from the voter registration office gave a small speech on how to vote and pressed us to fill out the application form and immediately hand it back over to her, and then she left the room never to be seen again.   After that, no one spoke to us or gave out any information on how the day would go, or welcomed us, nothing like that and participants were pretty much left on our own to just sit there and wait for....whatever was going to happen next. 
 
We were called up again to hand over the green card and receive an envelope.  Inside the envelope was a hard folder to place our certificate in, a copy of the oath, the passport application, and information on voting/serving on a jury.  Wish I'd gotten a flag, but oh well.  No welcoming letter from the President, but truth be told I didn't really expect one.
 
After about an hour, another lady started talking to us about passport applications and telling us that we can apply for the passport anytime after the ceremony (but not with them in any way, must be done through the post office or passport agency).  One person asked a rather simple question about the form, and when the staff didn't understand him due to a language barrier, I re-stated the question more coherently (I was sitting infront of him). The man was then replied to in a long, drawn-out condescending way that he "shouldn't be asking them anything about passports---ask us about immigration only!  When you go to the post office, you ask them questions about the post office, right???  I can't tell you anything about passports or the post office because I don't know anything about that."  Kind of went on and on increasingly condescendingly....okaaaayyyy....well they DID present the passport application forms to us and asked if people had any questions, but whatever.  She then stated we should apply for our SS status to be changed no less than 10 days after the oath ceremony, and asked if we had any questions about that process.  No one said a peep, probably because they were afraid of being lectured for asking a question.
 
After another wait, the 3rd lady came into the room and started setting herself up at a desk.  I was sitting in the front and could hear the staff conversations taking place since the room was nearly silent, and they were only a few feet away seated at the table.  At that point, one of them said to her "did you bring the country list?"  to which she replied "nah I didn't bother with it".  From reading other oath ceremony threads, and watching videos, I knew then that there would be no announcement of the countries recognized at the ceremony, which was a downer to me because I was looking forward to that part....almost like feeling like our immigration success was a global community effort we all shared in, but wasn't going to happen at my ceremony today.   It was also sad that they just seemed to decide on-the-spot to not be bothered with it and brush it off for whatever personal reason the woman had (maybe laziness?).
 
Soon enough, boredom sets in, since we are not being engaged in any way, and a few of us (myself included) start chatting among ourselves, not loudly.  We have a few giggles discussing our immigration journeys, what country we are from, etc. and generally how we're happy to become citizens.  About 10 minutes into our conversation, one of the workers comes over to us and ----- to my disbelief ---- tells us "You are getting too excited about this now, alright?  You all calm down and be quiet."  We, as a small group, were stunned that we were actually told to stop socializing with each other and just continue to sit there staring ahead in silence.  Personally, I was flabbergasted that she implied we shouldn't even be HAPPY about reaching this day in our lives.
 
One of the workers stood up and threatened everyone that if they didn't hand in all previous USCIS-issued documents (EADs and expired GC's) to them now or failed to mail them in at a later date "We have everything on file so we already know.  We can find out...I'm just letting you know we will find out"  I felt this was completely unnecessary of them to say this out-of-the-blue, and in a passive-aggressive manner.
 
Afterwards, we were called up by line to view our naturalization certificates.  As we approached the desk in single file, the lady barked out "what's your number?!" without explaining exactly what number she was referring to (I learned quickly she meant the last 3 digits of the alien number) then whipped out the certificate and gave each person literally a two-second glance at it before barking at us "sign your name!"  To the woman's eye-rolling annoyance, I refused to give it barely a 2-second glance, knowing this would be the only time I could get the certificate corrected for free, and looked over everything not just my name. Upon sitting down, I remarked purposefully loudly to the woman next to me (who whispered to me how rude she was) "You know, I've never been referred to as just a number before, I thought they only did that in jail."  The other worker met my eyes and slightly smiled sympathetically.  I think even SHE was wondering why her co-worker was so abrupt with everyone, despite her *own* prior unpleasantness towards participants.  
 
One poor girl who had requested a name change pointed out to the worker that the certificate didn't reflect her request.  The worker asked her what her name was supposed to be, and then flippantly remarked "Well they didn't do it.  Sign your name!"  The young lady, for obvious reasons, hesitated in signing it and the worker looked up at her and actually said "What's the problem?"  When the lady repeated that her name is not as requested on the certificate, she was again told to sign it as written.  She did end up signing it, and then respectfully asked "What do I do now, though, about the wrong name?"  The lady abruptly said "You have to go to civil court." and LITERALLY TURNED HER BACK TO HER in her swivel chair!!!  Completely ignored her until she walked away, head down, and confused.   "Next---what's your number?!"
 
Our families did eventually come down and were herded together into a small section partially away from us all. 
 
The judge arrived, we all rose out of respect and then were told to be seated again.  The judge immediately told us that she had just found out this morning that she would be presiding (from eavesdropping on the staff, I could hear them discussing which judge to call to administer the oath just before).  She gave a brief 5-minute off-the-cuff speech about the importance of voting, and serving on a jury.  There was no discussion about the importance of the day, no talk about immigrants contributing to the country, no mention about personal experience with the process.  Just a statement about voting, and jury duty---and a mention of "Happy Diwali" to those celebrating it.  She also introduced her new office clerk to us, a disinterested looking young man sitting next to her.  Overall, she had a pleasant personality, just wished something more poignant was said.  Anything.  Anything at all.   Something to make the day seem special.  Near the end of her comments, she spoke about how we should go forth and be respectable members of society and pay our taxes.  I noticed a few side-eyes being given and maybe we all thought the same thing....that we already *have* been paying taxes and *have* been good members of society.
 
We took the oath of allegiance, and then recited the pledge of allegiance.  We all clapped for ourselves and each other.  The judge handed us our certificate and shook our hands with a perfunctory "congratulations" and then we were immediately directed to leave the courthouse.  Her new clerk, adding to his aura of disinterest, stood next to her with his hands in his pockets, not speaking unless directly spoken to.  
 
All in all, it was a disappointing day.  There was no memorable moment, no feeling of a journey acknowledged, no special gathering, no poignant moment where I felt included as a citizen, no....niceness....about the entire experience.  I remarked to my husband later that it felt like I had just left another USCIS appointment where I just handed over some paperwork.  It was abrupt, the staff seemed mostly annoyed with our presence, rude for the most part, and just an anti-climatic moment all-around since my immigration process began.
 
Am I happy that my journey is over and I'm a citizen as the main thing?  Yes, I suppose so.  Just wish more thought was put into making it an actual special day for people who have struggled, and sweated, and cried, and stressed and sacrificed to make it as far as they did.  Previously reading other people's oath ceremonies in different cities/states had me thinking today wouldn't be "just like any other day".   
 
All in all, the highlight of my ceremony was giving @vkhutchings a hug as we congratulated each other outside of the courtroom.  
 
So that's it.  Oh yeah, that sums up nicely how I felt as soon as I left the courthouse.... "That's it?"

Congrats KleoLove, mine was a very similar experience
 
We drove and parked in the West hall parking ($20 ouch! but win on keeping my toddler sane vs the metro). Hubby and son went in the guest entrance and I went through the applicants one. Security was quick and I was directed to go to the shortest line for checking in. They commented on why I still had my 2yr GC (no ROC interview so I never had the chance to hand it in). Answered the questions and assigned a table to pick my certificate up after the ceremony. 
 
The left side of the hall was full with applicants so I got seated in the middle section, about 8-10 rows from the front. Ceremony started and the judge greeted us, an officer asked for the motion to grant all 3420 applicants citizenship. The judge granted the motion and welcomed us as America's newest citizens, he then told us of his background (first Haitian district judge in the US, his parents immigration journey and how he views the process in a humble manner). They had a lady talk more on what it is to be a citizen and our fundamental rights and civic duties. Recignized active military members, announced the top three counties out of 106 different nationals in the room being sworn in, and played a video of the current president and a music video. The judge said a few more things then dismissed us. The actual ceremony was about 45 mins long and then another 45 mins to get to my row to be dismissed and collect our certificates. They had us fill out and submit our voter registration cards whilst we were waiting to be dismissed, they had countless tables and booths set up to help you with that if you needed assistance with that too. Outside was a passport application booth/tent and a commemorative photo line too. They also noted to not post photos of your naturalization certificates on social media, to go and update your legal status with social security after about 10 days too.

Paint me red also! I was also at the Los Angeles oath ceremony today!  (congrats @DisneyLovers!!) Finally a citizen!! 
 
here is a quick summary of my experience:
 took the metro train and walked two blocks to the convention center for 12:30 pm check-in. We were in West Hall A which was way in the back (felt bad for the ladies in heels). As mentioned long lines to get through security. Then you check in with your letter and green card. Officer will review it and then assign you a table number to pick up your certificate later.  They will ask the same questions as the ones on the back of your oath ceremony notice, all were NO. Trickiest one was "when was your interview?" Umm like a month ago, I blanked on the date, but the officer was nice. Also, they reversed the last one: will you bear arms for the US, the answer is YES.
 
You are then seated and wait for the judge to come and do the oath portion. Then came an official from USCIS who gave more info about what it means to be citizens, recognized the active military members, and congratulated all of us. They played two videos (one with the current President ). The families were dismissed and we all went to preassigned tables to pick up our certificates. Entire ceremony took about 2 hours. I went by myself and had no problems. Best of luck to all!
 
 
Thank you wonderful members of Visajourney for all your support and encouragement. This community allowed me to independently file all my paperwork (from AOS-->Citizenship). Best of luck and remain positive that your time will come soon!  Applying for our passports this Saturday, so moving on to that timelines! 

My wife took 4 extra photos with her and the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
Yep, always a great idea to take.
If they don't need them then you can use them later for passport or something else.

Still celebrating. Woohoo! Journey completed. You can color my timeline in red. Ceremony lasted 45 mins, we were only 40 new citizens and everything went soooo smooth. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart. I know we don’t know each other but I am really greatful to have been thru this exhausting journey with you. 
Good luck to the rest, I really hope it will end soon. 
Now, the passport process and done ✅ 

Ok, this will be long.
 
My wife had her interview yesterday, so I came to give some feedback.
 
She was schedule at 12:20pm, as we were going via the subway we didn’t want to take any chances so we left home at 9:50am and got to Federal Plaza at 10:45. Anyone who rides the NYC subway knows to give yourself plenty of time if you have somewhere important you give yourself plenty of extra time plus the UN General Assembly is in session.
 
We waited outside the building with her going thru a final test and at 11:45am we went in. It was an airport style entry which was pretty quick (about a minute or 2).
 
We headed to the 8th floor (room 800), there was quite a few people seated waiting but that turned out not to be our final destination. The very cheerful lady at the window gave us a paper which directed us to the 4th floor (room #108). There were other people waiting on the elevator who got off at different floors.
 
We went to the window and the clerk told us to come back at the window at 12:20 as we were too early. She did ask my wife if she had an attorney or needed an interpreter which she replied no to.
 
There were about 20 – 25 people seated waiting but as it turned out more than half had an attorney with them.
 
She was called in about 1:20pm.
 
About 15-20 minutes later she came out with a smile on her face. She handed me the N-652 and checked was Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
 
My wife went in with a binder with the N-400 and all supporting documents separated by a tab as well as labeled.
 
We filed under the 3-year, she was also eligible to file under the 5-year as she have been a LPR for more than 6 years.
 
The interviewer checked her recent passport as well as her expired passport which had the visa and all other stamps in it. She also checked our son’s Birth Certificate, our Marriage Certificate, asked for my Birth Certificate but we had my Naturalization Certificate so that was used instead.
 
My wife bought 4 extra passport photo & the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
She also asked my wife if she wanted to change her name (the wife did check no on the application) and recommended it. The wife’s green card is in her married name but her SS is in her maiden name and we were waiting until when we report the naturalization to change the name on the SS card.
 
So it looks like it will be a Judicial Ceremony which is done 3-4 times a week for the NYC office.
 
I forgot to ask her what civil questions they asked but the reading was “Who lives at the White House” & the writing was “The President lives at the White House”.
 
I had her timeline on the Google spreadsheet but someone kept on deleting it so here it is again.
GC: 2/5/11
N-400 sent: 5/1/17
5/9/17: Case accepted
5/15/17: Biometric appointment scheduled
5/30/17: Biometric
6/5/17: Inline
8/15/17: Interview schedule
9/19/17: Interview
 
 

Ok, this will be long.
 
My wife had her interview yesterday, so I came to give some feedback.
 
She was schedule at 12:20pm, as we were going via the subway we didn’t want to take any chances so we left home at 9:50am and got to Federal Plaza at 10:45. Anyone who rides the NYC subway knows to give yourself plenty of time if you have somewhere important you give yourself plenty of extra time plus the UN General Assembly is in session.
 
We waited outside the building with her going thru a final test and at 11:45am we went in. It was an airport style entry which was pretty quick (about a minute or 2).
 
We headed to the 8th floor (room 800), there was quite a few people seated waiting but that turned out not to be our final destination. The very cheerful lady at the window gave us a paper which directed us to the 4th floor (room #108). There were other people waiting on the elevator who got off at different floors.
 
We went to the window and the clerk told us to come back at the window at 12:20 as we were too early. She did ask my wife if she had an attorney or needed an interpreter which she replied no to.
 
There were about 20 – 25 people seated waiting but as it turned out more than half had an attorney with them.
 
She was called in about 1:20pm.
 
About 15-20 minutes later she came out with a smile on her face. She handed me the N-652 and checked was Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
 
My wife went in with a binder with the N-400 and all supporting documents separated by a tab as well as labeled.
 
We filed under the 3-year, she was also eligible to file under the 5-year as she have been a LPR for more than 6 years.
 
The interviewer checked her recent passport as well as her expired passport which had the visa and all other stamps in it. She also checked our son’s Birth Certificate, our Marriage Certificate, asked for my Birth Certificate but we had my Naturalization Certificate so that was used instead.
 
My wife bought 4 extra passport photo & the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
She also asked my wife if she wanted to change her name (the wife did check no on the application) and recommended it. The wife’s green card is in her married name but her SS is in her maiden name and we were waiting until when we report the naturalization to change the name on the SS card.
 
So it looks like it will be a Judicial Ceremony which is done 3-4 times a week for the NYC office.
 
I forgot to ask her what civil questions they asked but the reading was “Who lives at the White House” & the writing was “The President lives at the White House”.
 
I had her timeline on the Google spreadsheet but someone kept on deleting it so here it is again.
GC: 2/5/11
N-400 sent: 5/1/17
5/9/17: Case accepted
5/15/17: Biometric appointment scheduled
5/30/17: Biometric
6/5/17: Inline
8/15/17: Interview schedule
9/19/17: Interview
 
 

Ok, this will be long.
 
My wife had her interview yesterday, so I came to give some feedback.
 
She was schedule at 12:20pm, as we were going via the subway we didn’t want to take any chances so we left home at 9:50am and got to Federal Plaza at 10:45. Anyone who rides the NYC subway knows to give yourself plenty of time if you have somewhere important you give yourself plenty of extra time plus the UN General Assembly is in session.
 
We waited outside the building with her going thru a final test and at 11:45am we went in. It was an airport style entry which was pretty quick (about a minute or 2).
 
We headed to the 8th floor (room 800), there was quite a few people seated waiting but that turned out not to be our final destination. The very cheerful lady at the window gave us a paper which directed us to the 4th floor (room #108). There were other people waiting on the elevator who got off at different floors.
 
We went to the window and the clerk told us to come back at the window at 12:20 as we were too early. She did ask my wife if she had an attorney or needed an interpreter which she replied no to.
 
There were about 20 – 25 people seated waiting but as it turned out more than half had an attorney with them.
 
She was called in about 1:20pm.
 
About 15-20 minutes later she came out with a smile on her face. She handed me the N-652 and checked was Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
 
My wife went in with a binder with the N-400 and all supporting documents separated by a tab as well as labeled.
 
We filed under the 3-year, she was also eligible to file under the 5-year as she have been a LPR for more than 6 years.
 
The interviewer checked her recent passport as well as her expired passport which had the visa and all other stamps in it. She also checked our son’s Birth Certificate, our Marriage Certificate, asked for my Birth Certificate but we had my Naturalization Certificate so that was used instead.
 
My wife bought 4 extra passport photo & the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
She also asked my wife if she wanted to change her name (the wife did check no on the application) and recommended it. The wife’s green card is in her married name but her SS is in her maiden name and we were waiting until when we report the naturalization to change the name on the SS card.
 
So it looks like it will be a Judicial Ceremony which is done 3-4 times a week for the NYC office.
 
I forgot to ask her what civil questions they asked but the reading was “Who lives at the White House” & the writing was “The President lives at the White House”.
 
I had her timeline on the Google spreadsheet but someone kept on deleting it so here it is again.
GC: 2/5/11
N-400 sent: 5/1/17
5/9/17: Case accepted
5/15/17: Biometric appointment scheduled
5/30/17: Biometric
6/5/17: Inline
8/15/17: Interview schedule
9/19/17: Interview
 
 

Ok, this will be long.
 
My wife had her interview yesterday, so I came to give some feedback.
 
She was schedule at 12:20pm, as we were going via the subway we didn’t want to take any chances so we left home at 9:50am and got to Federal Plaza at 10:45. Anyone who rides the NYC subway knows to give yourself plenty of time if you have somewhere important you give yourself plenty of extra time plus the UN General Assembly is in session.
 
We waited outside the building with her going thru a final test and at 11:45am we went in. It was an airport style entry which was pretty quick (about a minute or 2).
 
We headed to the 8th floor (room 800), there was quite a few people seated waiting but that turned out not to be our final destination. The very cheerful lady at the window gave us a paper which directed us to the 4th floor (room #108). There were other people waiting on the elevator who got off at different floors.
 
We went to the window and the clerk told us to come back at the window at 12:20 as we were too early. She did ask my wife if she had an attorney or needed an interpreter which she replied no to.
 
There were about 20 – 25 people seated waiting but as it turned out more than half had an attorney with them.
 
She was called in about 1:20pm.
 
About 15-20 minutes later she came out with a smile on her face. She handed me the N-652 and checked was Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
 
My wife went in with a binder with the N-400 and all supporting documents separated by a tab as well as labeled.
 
We filed under the 3-year, she was also eligible to file under the 5-year as she have been a LPR for more than 6 years.
 
The interviewer checked her recent passport as well as her expired passport which had the visa and all other stamps in it. She also checked our son’s Birth Certificate, our Marriage Certificate, asked for my Birth Certificate but we had my Naturalization Certificate so that was used instead.
 
My wife bought 4 extra passport photo & the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
She also asked my wife if she wanted to change her name (the wife did check no on the application) and recommended it. The wife’s green card is in her married name but her SS is in her maiden name and we were waiting until when we report the naturalization to change the name on the SS card.
 
So it looks like it will be a Judicial Ceremony which is done 3-4 times a week for the NYC office.
 
I forgot to ask her what civil questions they asked but the reading was “Who lives at the White House” & the writing was “The President lives at the White House”.
 
I had her timeline on the Google spreadsheet but someone kept on deleting it so here it is again.
GC: 2/5/11
N-400 sent: 5/1/17
5/9/17: Case accepted
5/15/17: Biometric appointment scheduled
5/30/17: Biometric
6/5/17: Inline
8/15/17: Interview schedule
9/19/17: Interview
 
 

Ok, this will be long.
 
My wife had her interview yesterday, so I came to give some feedback.
 
She was schedule at 12:20pm, as we were going via the subway we didn’t want to take any chances so we left home at 9:50am and got to Federal Plaza at 10:45. Anyone who rides the NYC subway knows to give yourself plenty of time if you have somewhere important you give yourself plenty of extra time plus the UN General Assembly is in session.
 
We waited outside the building with her going thru a final test and at 11:45am we went in. It was an airport style entry which was pretty quick (about a minute or 2).
 
We headed to the 8th floor (room 800), there was quite a few people seated waiting but that turned out not to be our final destination. The very cheerful lady at the window gave us a paper which directed us to the 4th floor (room #108). There were other people waiting on the elevator who got off at different floors.
 
We went to the window and the clerk told us to come back at the window at 12:20 as we were too early. She did ask my wife if she had an attorney or needed an interpreter which she replied no to.
 
There were about 20 – 25 people seated waiting but as it turned out more than half had an attorney with them.
 
She was called in about 1:20pm.
 
About 15-20 minutes later she came out with a smile on her face. She handed me the N-652 and checked was Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
 
My wife went in with a binder with the N-400 and all supporting documents separated by a tab as well as labeled.
 
We filed under the 3-year, she was also eligible to file under the 5-year as she have been a LPR for more than 6 years.
 
The interviewer checked her recent passport as well as her expired passport which had the visa and all other stamps in it. She also checked our son’s Birth Certificate, our Marriage Certificate, asked for my Birth Certificate but we had my Naturalization Certificate so that was used instead.
 
My wife bought 4 extra passport photo & the interviewer took 2 of them.
 
She also asked my wife if she wanted to change her name (the wife did check no on the application) and recommended it. The wife’s green card is in her married name but her SS is in her maiden name and we were waiting until when we report the naturalization to change the name on the SS card.
 
So it looks like it will be a Judicial Ceremony which is done 3-4 times a week for the NYC office.
 
I forgot to ask her what civil questions they asked but the reading was “Who lives at the White House” & the writing was “The President lives at the White House”.
 
I had her timeline on the Google spreadsheet but someone kept on deleting it so here it is again.
GC: 2/5/11
N-400 sent: 5/1/17
5/9/17: Case accepted
5/15/17: Biometric appointment scheduled
5/30/17: Biometric
6/5/17: Inline
8/15/17: Interview schedule
9/19/17: Interview
 
 

Hi JaLady,
 
The experience was very smooth - we were nervous too but it is all very organized. There was an hours wait for both of us after our designated appointment time (they try to limit it to 1 hr - that's what my IO told me). The waiting room allows phones(on silent, text/surf only - you can step outside the room for a call). You are also allowed to bring in snacks and water as its a long process. There is a small store on Floor 2 which also sells snacks and every floor has restrooms/water fountains.
 
Once your name is called, the interview is in a little office. It starts with the reading/writing test (very very simple) followed by the 10 questions. Mine were:
How many years do we elect the President for?
Who takes over if the President is not able to perform his duties?
Name one of the 2 longest rivers in the US
When was the declaration of independence written?
Who was the president in WW1?
How many senators are there in the US?
Once I got the 6 right, the IO went over my application - just repeating the questions in there to make sure nothing has changed (employment, address, etc). That was it. She congratulated me and handed me a document saying I passed and a letter for the oath.
 
The oath is 3 times a day - 12 noon, 2.30 PM and 4 PM. So, if you finish your interview by 10 AM or so its a long wait again. The oath ceremony was about 45 mins long and was very well managed. There were 90 people from 31 countries in my group!
 
Overall, I found the IOs and other staff to be extremely professional and friendly. They know how important this is for everyone and they make sure you are treated with courtesy and respect.
I will remember it as one of the happiest days of my life  :).
 
 
 

The tracking number would be in the online update....unless they did an other update.
Usually USCIS send 3 emails updates:
1. We order production of your new card.
2. The USPS reported that they picked up mail from USCIS containing your new card on XX-XX-XXXX - At this stage your online update that will show the tracking number.
3. On XX-XX-XXXX, we mailed the new card directly to the address we have on file - if USCIS update your online status at this stage then the tracking number may no longer show.
Don't worry, you should get your new card withing a few days. If they ship it priority mail (ours was) it will take 2-3 mailing business days - depending on where you live.

Yes, you should go ahead and pay it.
Waiting will just slow down your process.

I have been reading that a few people are reporting that they were asked for 1040s/W-2s and most of these people were on the income borderline. That may be one of the reasons why they ask for it.
I always say to give them what they ask for.

When my wife went for her interview, she took the transcripts for the prior 3 years (no 1040s).

You can carry any item (luggage, box, bag) as your luggage as long as it conform to the airline's luggage restrictions. Anything "luggage" outside that restriction will be charged the excess luggage fees and the excess fees are clearly stated on Cathay (and most airlines) website.
They are technically not checking in BB boxes, they are checking in their luggage. The airlines treat the BB boxes as luggage AND luggage rules applies.
Some items are better fitted in a box that a luggage (so people used a box instead). And as stated on the Cathay site (& other airline sites); the total dimensions of each piece you bring must not exceed 158cm (62in), it doesn't say what size luggage but the total size - so anything (box, luggage, bag, etc) up to 62 inches.
The BB box you see the flyers checked in are 18 x 18 x 24 and that is 60 total inches - below the 62 inch restriction.
Also ALL "luggage" MUST still go by the weight restrictions which for the Americas is 50 lbs for economy/coach.
You are allowed 2 pieces of "luggage" as your free allowance and both MUST conform to the luggage restrictions so you decide what you want to bring - luggage, bag or box.
The extra charge if a luggage is outside the restrictions (weight above 50lbs but under 80 lbs or dimensions over 62 inches & under 80 inches) is $100 per piece. Anything outside that then you need clearance.
Once again, the people you see traveling are NOT bringing a BB box on the airline BUT their "luggage".
The meals that they serve are clearly stated on their site for that route AND you can request a special meal. All you do is manage my booking and choose what you like - meals, change seats, etc,. Self service!!!!!!!!!
Neither do I.
What number was you calling and at what time? Depending on the number (even if it is a 1-800 number) the call would go directly to their HK office (or to a call center) - so if you were calling them at 10am California time then that would be trying to call them @ 2am HK time.
All the information (s) are on their website - on both Asiana & Chathay.

I agree with the others - give it some time.
As to your post (#14), I think that the family think for some reason that you are wealthy. I think that the family is putting pressure on her to send them money. You have to put a stop to that.
Also, you have to sit her down and explain things to her, what is expected & the dos & the don'ts.
She is seeing & hearing things & DO NOT know the "reality" - that is where you come it, sit her down & explain things to her, show her, give her examples, etc,.
Then you have to explain to her family in plain black & white that you are NOT going to be their cash cow (they are having the impression that you will). Tell them in plain simple English that if you were not there - what would they do. They were living their lives before you came along & that they should continue living it as they did before you came along, they survived without you & they will continue to survive without you. Put a limit on how/how much you will help them. You have to lay the ground rules.
As to the matter of the phone bill, to prevent that from happening again, if they have a computer at home, buy a MagicJack, activate it here in the USA & sent it to them - all calls made to/from the MJ to you/from you in the USA will be free. I have been using one for about 10 months now.
Don't just give up like that, communicate, communicate, communicate & lay down the ground rules AND make sure that the rules are understand & followed.

I agree with the others - give it some time.
As to your post (#14), I think that the family think for some reason that you are wealthy. I think that the family is putting pressure on her to send them money. You have to put a stop to that.
Also, you have to sit her down and explain things to her, what is expected & the dos & the don'ts.
She is seeing & hearing things & DO NOT know the "reality" - that is where you come it, sit her down & explain things to her, show her, give her examples, etc,.
Then you have to explain to her family in plain black & white that you are NOT going to be their cash cow (they are having the impression that you will). Tell them in plain simple English that if you were not there - what would they do. They were living their lives before you came along & that they should continue living it as they did before you came along, they survived without you & they will continue to survive without you. Put a limit on how/how much you will help them. You have to lay the ground rules.
As to the matter of the phone bill, to prevent that from happening again, if they have a computer at home, buy a MagicJack, activate it here in the USA & sent it to them - all calls made to/from the MJ to you/from you in the USA will be free. I have been using one for about 10 months now.
Don't just give up like that, communicate, communicate, communicate & lay down the ground rules AND make sure that the rules are understand & followed.

How do USCIS know that all the pages are blank?
How do USCIS know that there isn't something written on the other pages?
Beside the pages for Visas there are also pages for Amendments and Endorsements. How would they know that there is/isn't an Amendment/endorsement on a person's passport?
I have seen passports with amendment/endorsements. Also one of my Visas stamped on my passports is not is sequence - they skipped a few pages and if I send just the pages with the Visas - USCIS will want to know what happen to the pages in between.

Do not forget Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance.