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| Portland ME |  Review on October 2, 2023: |
KiwiinMaine
Rating:  | Review Topic: Naturalization
I had my N400 interview and Oath ceremony at the Portland, ME Office.
Interview Experience:
I arrived 15 minutes prior to my appointment and I got through security quickly. Once you're through security you will go to the waiting room to the right. There are lots of seats and bathrooms to the back of the waiting room. My IO, Jeremy was extremely prompt and called me in for my appointment bang on my appointment time. You'll follow the IO to their office, where they will ask you to raise your right hand and swear in for your interview. After that is done they will get you to answer the reading and writing portion of the civics test on the iPad in front of you. Then, they will generate your civics questions and ask you them before typing your answer into their computer. Once the civics portion is concluded they'll ask any questions they have about your application, or confirm your information on there, then ask you the yes/no questions. You'll then review your information on the iPad before signing the oath. My IO printed out a piece of paper and handed it to me before explaining that I had been approved and my oath would be before the end of the month. All in all, a very comfortable experience!
Oath Experience:
I arrived 30 minutes before my oath ceremony time, but didn't enter the office until 20 minutes before the scheduled time. Security had a line as there were quite a few of us taking the oath and everyone had family/friends coming to watch. We all sat and waited to be ushered into the Naturalization room. There are areas to complete the form required to take your oath as you're need to complete it the day of your oath, not before. They then called us all in to the Naturalization room, and we were to line up along the right side wall to give in our green cards and form, plus get our packet. The IO that completed my interview was the office swearing us in as US Citizens, so that was special! We were asked to sit at the first two rows of the chairs, but lots of family and friends had taken up spots, so we squished wherever we could. After we had all been checked in and were seated, Jeremy welcomed us all and, read out the countries we came from (21 of them!), then got us to stand, raise our right hand and repeat the oath after him. That took maybe 60 seconds and then he congratulated us on being the newest Americans! He passed out our Naturalization certificates. We got to register to vote at the ceremony too. There were spots to take photos to celebrate the momentous occasion, and then we were free to go. Very quick and enjoyable!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #32559