Charleston, SC - my naturalization interview experience (3 yr rule, based on marriage)

[pirogovak 3]

Hey guys ! I just wanted to share my naturalization interview experience I had today. I am Russian married to American citizen, filed my N-400 application on June 1, 2013; fingerprints taken on June 13th, 2013; application was placed in line for interview scheduling - July 9th, 2013; received my appointment notice in the beginning of October, and interview was scheduled for October 29th, 2013 - for me to appear in Charleston USCIS office on 1 Poston Rd, Parkshore Center.

Couple of weeks before interview date I receive yellow notice stating I had to bring 'state issued drivers license or photo ID' to my interview. Well, duh. OK, overall my interview experience went GREAT. We arrived 10 minutes early (interview was scheduled for 9:40 am), went through security, then in the next room they took my interview notice, took my photo and fingerprints, I was asked to wait. About 10 minutes later officer appeared and called me in. I was asked to sit down, then raise my right hand and to his 'do you swear to tell the truth blah blah' I said 'I do'. Then he asked me to show my IDs, I gave him my green card and beginners permit. Then he proceeded to ask me: my full name, date of birth, where i was born, place of work, what position i hold at my job, my husband's name, his date of birth, our marriage date.I was asked to sign 2 photos I submitted with my application, with my regular day-to-day signature. Then this very nice officer Mansford proceeded to ask me questions from my submitted N-400 (do i belong to any clubs or organizations, do i belong to any terrorist organizations, have i ever registered to vote, have i ever claimed to be American citizen in writing or any other form, blah blah). I was over-prepared for the interview I must say, I brought originals and copies of all my pay stubs, our joint account statements, all the tax forms, even the photos of me and Neil over the years..can never be over prepared AND the ONLY originals of documents he asked to present were my passports (I showed him my Russian passport and my international passport) and my husband's birth certificate.

Then he asked if i was ready for my civics test, I was like 'Sure!'. I was asked 1. Who becomes president if president is no longer able to; 2. What was the main concern of US during the cold war; 3. What is 1 right or freedom from 1st Amendment; 4. Why did the colonists come to America; 5. Who is in charge of the executive branch; 6. There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote, describe one of them. Afterwards I was asked to read 'Who is the father of our country?' and to write 'Washington is the father of our country'. Aaand done! He said my application was approved, congratulated me, gave me a sheet of paper that said i was approved, escorted me back to the waiting room and asked to wait for someone to give me instructions about my oath ceremony. About 15 minutes later i was given said instructions. My oath ceremony is a week from my interview date, on November 5th, 2013.

If you guys have any questions, please ask and I will answer, I really hope this helps someone!

[BigDaddy28 228]

Congratulations you are almost at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Lilly.Pon 1]

Thanks for sharing, appreciate it!

[juliacasimir 0]

This is amazing! Congratulations. 

Question: did your ceremony take pace in Charleston? Or did you have to got somewhere else?

[TBoneTX 43,544]

The OP hasn't logged on to VJ since 2014, so a response is unlikely.

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