PedroDaGr8

I got my citizenship today. thank you everyone who shared their experience. good luck who's application on process. 

Hey Ivesnal! Hope you're enjoy the great weather outside
 
Wanted to drop by and let you know that I have heard back from USCIS and received the interview date. It's going to be the third week of August. Have you heard anything back from them? In any case, I sincerely hope you will hear back from them soon!

Today I got an update on my N400. It was approved and oath was finally scheduled for 5/16/23.  
My ceremony was scheduled 69 days after my interview N400 filing to oath timeframe: 215 days Almost there.  
 
Does anyone know if I can bring my wife and 2 year old to the ceremony?
 

Sorry to hear that. At least you are in the home stretch!
 
Also, examples like yours are why I tell people that same day oaths are never guaranteed. You can do everything right but things can go wrong on the officers end and same day oaths won't happen.

Possible yes, even very likely. That being said, not guaranteed.

Sorry to hear that. At least you are in the home stretch!
 
Also, examples like yours are why I tell people that same day oaths are never guaranteed. You can do everything right but things can go wrong on the officers end and same day oaths won't happen.

Updated my PNW tracker with the most recent data:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YeRoAOAtGsInGRjNgkNw1RrWbAtEDIysrs_lNcTRT7M/edit?usp=sharing
 
The pending cases in Seattle are down to 9,400 cases a number not seen since 2016! This is down HEAVILY from the 25,480 pending cases a year ago and even more so from the all time high of 28,901 two years previous. 

Overall, across the entire PNW (SEA, SPO, YAK, POR) the number of pending cases is 14,678. The last time we were below this number was 2015! Before that time, while the backlog was lower, so was the number of received cases. Basically, they are running a backlog of approximately 6 months worth of cases (based on the number received per quarter). Clearly, the massive backlog reduction measures done by USCIS have been paying huge dividends for the area.

While we might see the number of pending cases drop a bit more, I don't expect it to be a lot. At some point, the hard to adjucate cases and load balancing of officers to other forms (AoS, RoC, etc.) and field offices should impose a limit on how much improvement is achievable. 

No, your spouse is still well within normal processing times, this is nothing out of the ordinary. There are many reasons why applications take different amounts of time - his background check might take longer, his case might be assigned to an officer with a different workload, etc, etc. 

Sharing my less-than-ideal interview experience: 
 
My interview was scheduled for 1:30, I arrived about 30 minutes before and was let in. After airport-style security check and waiting in the check-in line for about 5min, I was assigned a number. 
 
When I got to the waiting area, I noticed there were about 30 numbers ahead of me. The queue was moving pretty quickly imo. They were progressing about 10 numbers every 15-20 minutes or so. After sitting in the waiting area for about 45 minutes, numbers close to mine began to be called. However, after about 1.5 hours, everyone who came in around the same time as me has been called and they progressed to numbers after me but I was still waiting. I grew anxious. Another 30 minutes went by, my number was still not called and I have been sitting there for 2 hours at that point. I checked with one of the officers and was told it's not uncommon.
 
I was finally called in around 3:20pm. The officer was very friendly but seemed very new to the job. She apologized for the wait and explained there was a hiccup during the interview before mine. 
 
The interview itself was extremely easy. She didn't ask for anything I brought. However, after answering 2-3 civic questions, the officer encountered some issues with her computer. I suspect she either accidentally closed the program or it crashed. As a result I had to answer 6 new civic questions. Not a big deal but it did consume more time. When we wrapped up the interview, she told me I had passed but she had to send my result to a senior officer for final approval - which took another 10-15min. I was also told a same-day oath ceremony was not possible because it was too late and I would be notified within a few weeks. 
 
It's a bummer that I have to wait for a few more weeks but I suppose it's a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of the entire journey. 

I had my naturalization appointment today (via 3 year rule, ROC pending). The interview itself was super smooth and I was told I passed and was approved for naturalization but the IO didn’t have the ROC on hand to review and therefore I can’t do the oath same day. He said it will be transferred within 24 hours to the FO and will be scheduled for oath within 1-2 weeks. While disappointing I was relieved to have passed this milestone and now only have the oath remaining. 
 
did anyone else have this situation ? Any idea how long it actually takes to get the path scheduled?

Naturalized the other day. Filed in early October. So 4 months in total from application to Oath Ceremony. 
 
For those wondering about same day oath, the last oath ceremony is 3:45pm, when the doors close and they start. There were still people coming in from their approved interviews until then.

Possible yes, even very likely. That being said, not guaranteed.

I somehow missed that the 2022Q4 (which goes from 01JUL2022-30SEP2022) processing data came out last month. I updated the PNW - N-400 Naturalization Historical Case Load Data Spreadsheet and the increased processing, which was ramping up in Q3, is clearly now in full swing!
 
The number of cases decided in Seattle increased DRAMATICALLY from 6,900 cases to 11,737 decided this quarter. Unlike Q3, which saw 1,700 transferred cases, in Q4 only 851 cases transferred elsewhere. To give an idea of how impressive 11,737 decided cases is, Seattle decided 14,492 cases in the previous THREE quarters. This is by far the highest number of cases decided for the period in which I have data (starting 2013Q4). There was a slight uptick in received cases at 4,698 received during Q4 but this is well within historical trends. Overall, pending cases in Seattle dropped 7,890 to a low of 13,043; a level not seen since the beginning of 2017! 
 
Looking at the Pacific Northwest as a whole, we see historically high rates of decided cases in Portland and Yakima as well at 5,209 and 994 respectively. Around 701 cases aren’t accounted for as decided (likely transferred out of the area). Received cases held steady at 7,157, a number which is within the usual for the past 4-5 years. In the end, the total pending cases in the region has dropped MASSIVELY by 11,965 to 18,946 (which like Seattle, was last seen in 2017Q1). 

Based on recent trends, I don't expect 2023Q1 (01OCT2022-31DEC2022) to be historically high but I do expect the levels to remain well above historical averages resulting in an even lower backlog. 

My data is all in the sheet. It is much easier to track there than in individual posts. 

So make one!

I’m officially a US citizen! 🎉
 
I was super nervous before the interview but it was a lot easier than I thought. My appointment time was 12:10pm and I got called in at 12:45. The interviewer was very nice. Started with the 6 questions:
What movement tried to end racial discrimination  Name one state that borders Canada Where is the Statue of Liberty  What’s the name of the national anthem Name two US holidays In what month do we vote for president After this he asked quick questions about my work, my husband, my most recent international trips and asked me if I wanted to take the oath today!
 
All in all the interview lasted no more than 10 min. The oath ceremony started at 1:10pm. We were maybe 20 people in the room. I’m glad I got to take the same day oath and not have to worry about USCIS anymore Now off to applying for a passport!
 
Thanks to everyone on VisaJourney for your help over the years! A page is finally closing!

Update..
 
I had my N400 interview a couple of hours ago and I passed the test. However, they were not able to make a decision as the I751 is still pending. They told me that a decision will be made after they receive my A-file.
 
The interview took 15 minutes. I was asked about basic information (name, DOB, address..), then the civics test, and finally a few yes/no questions from the application. 
 
The following questions were asked for the civics test:
 
1. what does the Constitution do?
2. Name one branch or part of the government?
3. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
4. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
6. How many U.S. senators are there?
 
I will post an update whenever I hear from them. Feel free to ask if you have questions.

I have completed my interview and oath today. I found it is very helpful to read other people's experience. So I am here to share mine.
 
To summarize, I have name change in my N-400 application. I want to share how I got same day oath with the name change.
 
When I submit the N-400 application, I stated that I would like to change my name. But I learned from other people's experience, oath day won't be the same day if you would like to change your name. As soon as I received the interview notice, I went to Bellevue district court to change my name. I paid $301 for the name change at court. It was very easy. Just appear in front of judge and answer a few simple questions. It only took 5 minutes for the hearing. I then brought the court order to the interview.
 
My interview was at 9:45. I arrived at 9:18. After passed the security check, there was a line for checking-in. There were about 15 people in front of me. It took 15 mins to check-in. After checked-in I was instructed to go upstairs and wait in the waiting room. There is no sign in the waiting room. The staff would come out and call your number.
 
In the waiting room, there were many people (30~40 people). But I only waited for 3 minute. Staff came out and called my number, then walked me to a cubicle. I can see my wife is right behind me doing her interview (she was called 2 minutes before me, even thought I checked in first). The interview was virtual.
 
The lady who interviewed me was very very nice. She made some jokes when asking the civil test questions. She started with civil test, then went through every question in the N400 application. When she asked my name, I told her I actually went to court and changed my name already. She said that's good because they can't do name change here. And because I had my name changed at court already, I can have same day oath today. My wife's name is changed as well. So I let her know when we got to the session of my wife's name. She was able update all the names without any problem. It only took me 15 minutes to finish the interview. (my wife's interview took ~15 minutes as well). After interview, staffs congratulated me and told me to wait downstairs for the oath ceremony.
 
There was a line in oath ceremony entrance. I gave the staff my green card at the entrance. There were about 50 people in the oath room. The oath was fast, 15 minutes later, I received my certificate of naturalization. Total exactly 1 hour from leave my car to return my car.
 
The next step is to get my passport. For urgent travel (within 14 days), you can call the service center to get your passport faster. The normal passport can take 4-6 weeks (expedited) or 7-10 weeks (normal). I will travel in 2 months. The problem is it takes time to schedule application in the  passport acceptance facility (e.g. USPS). You can only make appointment within 4 weeks at USPS but there is no any date available. To get a slot, you would need to make appointment before 6am to book the date just opened 4 weeks later.  I counted the date and book the passport appointment before my interview 4 weeks ago. So my application appointment is later this week. 
 
Hope this helps. Good luck, everyone.
 

I updated the PNW - N-400 Naturalization Historical Case Load Data Spreadsheet with the new 2022 Q3 (which goes from 01APR2022-30JUN2022). For the first time, we start to see the ramp up that is obvious in the Seattle Tracking Spreadsheet. Total pending cases in Seattle dropped by over 4,400 despite receiving over 4,200 cases. That's a change of 8,600 cases! Considering that 6,900 cases were decided in Seattle, that leaves 1,700 cases which were either withdrawn (VERY rare) or transferred to another location. Looking at Yakima, it is clear that they received some of those transferred cases as there are around 1,000 excess cases beyond what they received.
 
As for the entire PNW, we see 833 cases which aren't accounted for (either withdrawn or transferred). My hunch is we are starting to see the impact of remote interviews with the 833 cases being cases which were transferred out of the region for remote interviews and the increase at Yakima also representing transferred cases. 
 
Basically, we are starting to see them actually load balance between FOs!
 
 
 
 

I updated the PNW - N-400 Naturalization Historical Case Load Data Spreadsheet with the new 2022 Q3 (which goes from 01APR2022-30JUN2022). For the first time, we start to see the ramp up that is obvious in the Seattle Tracking Spreadsheet. Total pending cases in Seattle dropped by over 4,400 despite receiving over 4,200 cases. That's a change of 8,600 cases! Considering that 6,900 cases were decided in Seattle, that leaves 1,700 cases which were either withdrawn (VERY rare) or transferred to another location. Looking at Yakima, it is clear that they received some of those transferred cases as there are around 1,000 excess cases beyond what they received.
 
As for the entire PNW, we see 833 cases which aren't accounted for (either withdrawn or transferred). My hunch is we are starting to see the impact of remote interviews with the 833 cases being cases which were transferred out of the region for remote interviews and the increase at Yakima also representing transferred cases. 
 
Basically, we are starting to see them actually load balance between FOs!
 
 
 
 

I don't think anyone knows for certain. I've never heard someone told "all of the slots were full". Historically,I would say that your times were just fine provided there were no issues with biometrics and the officer had your case file.

You should be able to get a passport in that amount of time, my wife was able to get hers in less than a week. 
 
After you have done your oath, call 1-877-487-2778 which is the scheduling line for Urgent Travel Service Passport Service. The hours for the line are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, Mondays through Fridays.
 
My wife called on a Wed evening and was able to get an appointment for Friday morning. At the appointment, they will determine, based on your travel details, if you need same day service or can wait two business days to receive your passport. Make sure you bring all of the necessary stuff with you (passport photos, proof of travel, payment, etc.). From there, you will return to the office either later in the day or two days later to pick up your passport. 

my parents application was filed in Late May and interview is Oct 25th. so yeah things are getting fast. Great to see. best of luck

Benefits:
The passport card is cheap and, in some scenarios, you can leave the full passport at home. 
 
Downsides: None

Awesome.  
 
So with this evidence she can apply for a passport and passport card for her so.  She will also need her naturalization certificate.  
 
To show physical custody, a school record listing parent and child and the address is ideal but there are other ways.  
 
She can apply for his passport and passport card at a post office that takes passport appointments. 
 
Once the passport and pass card are received, she should
 
* file a SS-5 with SSA to get him a new SS card using his passport card as evidence 
 
* file N-600 to get his certificate of citizenship.  Use the same evidence that was used to get his passport and passport card. 
 
There will be a chorus of people here and elsewhere who will tell you the N-600 is not needed.  I disagree because down the road her son will be faced with a situation where neither  passport nor passport card will be accepted:
 
* security clearance 
* motor vehicles department 
* certain roles in military and federal service 
* registering to vote online 
* petitioning an alien for an immigration benefit 
 
The chorus will be filled with counter examples where a passport or passport card was accepted, but that’s like  saying it’s ok to speed because most people don’t get caught. 
 
Getting a certificate of citizenship decades after reaching age 18 is legally possible yet practically difficult to especially if the naturalized parent has passed away or lost the naturalization certificate