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Baltimore MD USCIS Office Reviews
Average Rating: 3.1
/ 5
13 Review(s)
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| Baltimore MD |  Review #33626 on April 11, 2025: |
vilamp
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
Happy day today! Had my interview in the morning and the oath ceremony the same afternoon.
Filed our ROC (I-751) in November 2023 and my N-400 in November 2024, both in the Baltimore area.
General Tips:
- Plenty of free parking available in the lot outside the USCIS office.
- They begin allowing entry about 30 minutes before scheduled interviews.
- Check-in is indoors, smooth, and quick, especially during early appointments.
- Food, drinks, and cellphone usage are not permitted in the seating area.
- Restrooms and water dispensers are available outside the seating area.
Interview Experience:
- Arrived very early, and secured a parking spot directly in front of the entrance.
- Entered the building through security approximately 30 minutes before the interview. Standard TSA-style security (removal of belts, jewelry, etc.)
- After security, proceeded to an additional indoor check-in counter (multiple counters available, short wait).
- Presented my interview notice (they kept this) and ID, and completed fingerprinting.
- Went back to sit down and wait. Ample seating in the waiting area; the atmosphere was relaxed; people were comfortable and chatting quietly.
- Officers called interviewees from two doors located on either side of the room.
- The interview began on schedule and I was called in by my USCIS officer. The officer saw my partner but did not ask him to join the interview.
- Requested my ID and green card; no additional documents were requested (both my applications were heavily front-loaded, and she had all documents on hand).
- Brief casual conversation about our relationship, history of moving around, and home life. I was a little nervous initially but the officer made me feel at ease very soon.
- She told me that should begin the civics test. I was passed after correctly answering 6 questions.
- Questions asked:
1) When was the Constitution written?
2) Who was the first President?
3) What is the name of the President of the United States now?
4) In what month do we vote for President?
5) Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
6) There were 13 original states. Name three.
- Reading test:
"Who was Abraham Lincoln?"
- Writing test
"Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War"
- The writing test was administered on an iPad so you kind of have to write with your fingers (tip: shorter nails help for easier writing!).
- We reviewed personal details (name, DOB, address) and the Yes/No questions from the N-400 application.
- The officer confirmed approval of both ROC and N-400 applications and offered same-day oath ceremony; I was happy to accept!
- The officer provided a printed letter with instructions for the 2 PM oath ceremony, congratulated me warmly, and reminded me to bring my EADs and expired green card.
- The entire interview process took about 20 minutes; pleasant and efficient experience.
- Received a "case updated" notification shortly after leaving.
Oath Ceremony Experience:
- Arrived 30 minutes early, and passed through security again (this time shoes had to be removed). Longer lines too at this point, lots of folks and their families coming for the ceremony. Festive energy in the air!
- Once inside, we were asked to wait in the main seating area with family and guests until 2 pm.
- Guests were admitted first, followed shortly by naturalization candidates.
- Lined up for approximately 20 minutes, then entered the ceremony room for check-in with USCIS officers.
- Officers collected expired green cards and EADs, distributed naturalization certificates, verified accuracy, and provided citizenship informational flyers and a small American flag. We were then allowed to go sit with our family members/guests.
- The ceremony was emotional and warm; a senior USCIS officer offered heartfelt remarks about the naturalization process. She also shared important reminders (don't sign your certificate with blue ink!) There was also an option to request interpreters, but no one at our ceremony asked for one.
- We began the ceremony by clapping for all represented countries in the room, then singing the national anthem, reciting the oath of citizenship, and shaking hands with our seat neighbors—a very moving experience.
- We concluded by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. [All the text was shown on screens before us.]
- Time was available for photos before and after the ceremony; many attendees recorded the event.
Overall, it was a wonderful, amazing day. So grateful to have reached this milestone. Wishing everyone else equally positive experiences!
| | | Baltimore MD | Review #32620 on October 20, 2023: |
yuna628
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
My husband had his Naturalization interview this week. Ironically the day after Kevin McCarthy got tossed out of speakership, so we wondered how that question could be answered correctly if it came up. It was quite a long trip for us, and I wasn't sure if I
would be allowed in with him so he went in by himself. He arrived 20 minutes before his appointment. It wasn't too busy. There was TSA style security first, and then waiting for his appointment was about 45 minutes. You are given a number which is supposed to show up on the screen. His number took about 20 minutes to appear on the screen, so if your number doesn't appear immediately don't worry.
His interview was about 10 minutes in length. The officer was very polite and no-nonsense. He asked for his NOA and asked for his US ID and his green card. My husband was very nervous and accidently handed him his UK driving license without realizing it. The officer was confused by this, but eventually that got cleared up, and had a laugh. He asked to confirm personal details and a few of the N400 questions.
Keep in mind we had been initially nervous about tax questions, since we were unable to obtain every single tax transcript from the IRS, but were able to give them tax forms. But the officer did not want to see any of it. So I'd say as long as you have some sort of a combination of transcripts and forms this is not really an issue. Another potential issue was the green card itself - it had originally been issued with a typo of his gender. Changing him from male to female. For a variety of factors we chose not to correct it. The office was not interested and it wasn't a problem. All information in their system had my husband listed with the correct gender, so the office surmised it was the fault of the printing office that printed it. We also could not find his EAD to return it with the green cards for the ceremony. They were not bothered by that either.
He asked the six questions:
1) What is the economic system in the United States
2) In what month do we vote for President
3) What is the name of the Vice President
4) Who is the Commander in Chief of the military
5) What is one responsibility that is only for US citizens
6) Who was President during the Great Depression and WW II (hilariously the question that would trip him up the most)
The reading was: When is Columbus Day
The writing was: Columbus Day is in October
He was informed that he had passed the test and that he needed to confirm the information that was going to be
on his naturalization certificate. After showing him the Oath, my husband requested a modified oath, which was granted. He then informed that he would be notified by mail that his oath ceremony would be scheduled. Later in the day the website updated to reflect his Oath ceremony would be scheduled, and the next morning his Oath appointment letter was uploaded.
--
For the Oath Ceremony we arrived 30 minutes beforehand. I attended with my husband as well as a friend. Everyone was friendly and congratulatory. They did not care how many guests and did not ask for ID. After going through TSA style security, we were directed into a crowded waiting area (over 100 people). A few minutes later, some officers directed all guests, translators, and family of the immigrants to leave and go to the ceremony room. This caused some confusion due to language barrier. Most people opted to dress up, some wore whatever they wanted, and others wore their outfits of national origin proudly. Young and old were all here to celebrate this day. It was moving to hear some of the stories of what people had been through.
I wished my husband luck and waited with our friend in the other room. About 15 minutes later my husband joined us after surrendering his green cards and ensuring his certificate was correct. He was holding his ceremony packet. It contained his citizenship certificate, information leaflet, Presidential letter, and flag. We were somewhat confused that the photograph they used was quite old (from 2016) instead of a current one they had recently taken at the office.
The ceremony began late at this point. The officiant for the ceremony was the Officer that had presided over my husband's interview, and indeed he was the officer who had handled every case in the room that day - 58 individuals from 35 countries. It was remarkable to see so many proud faces. He honored veterans in the room and all the immigrants one by one to applause. After taking the oath, we watched a message from the President, sang the national anthem, and recited the pledge.
After giving final instructions, he wished all new citizens well, and allowed us to gather and take photos. There was so much joy in that room! Overall our experience with the Baltimore office was smooth and pleasant, compared to the rest of our journey that at times provided stress.
| | | Baltimore MD | Review #31660 on December 22, 2022: |
aratamorne
Rating: 
· 1 person found this review helpful
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
My wife had her Oath Ceremony Dec 21st. Before this all her experiences at Baltimore were fine. AOS interview, no issues, Citizenship interview, no issues. Oath ceremony, what a let down. After everyone was seated, a rep gave a do's and don'ts for the Naturalization Certificate. Then she explained what was in the packet and had everyone remove the Oath guide. Instructed interpreters to assist. Then they just got right into the Oath taking. Once everyone was done repeating, she congratulates the new citizens and releases them. No ceremony, no National Anthem, no Pledge of Allegiance, no speech from a senator or the President. Like zero solemnity for the granting of citizenship to new immigrants. My wife noted that most looked disheveled or stressed, like they just wanted to get it over with.
After numerous years and for some, I can only imagine the RFEs, stress, etc., for the people at the Baltimore office to perform the Oath taking in that manner is truly a bit disgraceful. As a bi-stander watching from the guest seating, I cringed at the obvious rush with which they ran through the process, doing the bare minimum to allow everyone to leave "sworn in" as US Citizens.
Shame on the Baltimore office on taking what should have been a solemn and dignified ceremony and turning it into a generic visit to an office. My wife would have a better experience going to DMV than what USCIS Baltimore provided.
| | | Baltimore MD | Review #31406 on September 7, 2022: |
yoh
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
The processing of documents were slow in this office as compared to the ones I have experienced in California. Maybe it is due to the lack of staff and the pandemic. Nevertheless, the onsite experience were great. Security guards and the officer who interviewed us were all smiles and friendly. There was not too much people inside and the interview went well. I got an approval on the spot.
| | | Baltimore MD | Review #31091 on May 30, 2022: |
lyzozyme
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
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