Citizenship

Both my wife and I completed the N400 interviews yesterday and were approved and placed in line for the oath ceremony. The interviewing officers told that we should receive our letters in 2 - 4 weeks.

I had my appointment at 9:30 AM and I was at the location exactly 15 mins before as mentioned in the letter. However, when I went there was a huge line outside the building, 2 separate lines, one for Interview and other for Oath ceremony. Each person was called in about 5-10 mins apart from the line for the security check inside the building and they would alternate between the 2 lines. I asked the lady in front of me what time was her appointment time and she said 10:15, I was really nervous by hearing that and thought was I late for my appointment, she asked what time was mine, I said 9:30 and she asked if I want to go ahead of her. Once we swapped positions I asked the guy in front and he said his appointment was at 9:30, I was bit relaxed after that. Once I was called inside the building (approx 10:15 AM) the security officer asked to show the appointment letter, and then read a board showing some Covid 19 questions and he would come back in couple of minutes, he came back and asked If my answer is 'Yes' for any of the checklist, I said 'NO' and proceeded for the security check.

Cleared the security check and went to the meeting room the officer there asked for the appointment letter again, checked something on the computer and asked to go to another room for the interview. About 8 - 10 people who went in much before me were seated there, I took a seat and waited. About 10 mins later an officer came out and called my name (ahead of all the people seated there) and told he would be my interviewing officer.

He asked me was there a big line outside? I said Yes and he was Ah, I was thinking why is everyone showing up late for their interview. The officer was very nice, took me to a room, asked me to stand up and take a oath and then take a seat. Took photograph and fingerprint. The only documents he asked was the appointment letter and my green card, that too from 6 ft. away, I just held it up and he glanced.

The interview itself was pretty straight forward, asked some basic questions like where I work, job role, family, kids, address, my job and role before I came to the US etc. Then proceeded with six Civic questions, once I answered all he stopped and proceeded to read and write on the tab. After all the YES / NO questions he said he would approve my application, but since my biometrics was done more than a year ago (15Jan2020), they would have to run it again and it may take couple of weeks. He congratulated me gave the approval letter and when I checked my account online today morning it says In line for the oath ceremony.

My wife's interview was at 1:45 PM and her experience was totally different. We went there at 12:30 PM (after my experience in the morning). But this time the security officer (different one) wouldn't let anyone stand in the line 15 mins before their appointment time, He would walk around asking everyone their appointment time and only let people within 15 mins of their appointment time stand in line (much efficient).

My wife's interview questions (apart from the Civics and read / write) were mostly around my status, where I work etc. and she said the officer asked lot of questions and finally approved. Even here status online says oath ceremony will be scheduled.

My recommendation based on this experience is, if you are filling form N400 for your spouse, take a copy of the same and ask them to read it at least twice before the day of the interview, so that that they are aware of what is in the form and not contradict what you filled when the officer asks in the interview (may forget / misstate something when you are nervous about the interview).

Good luck everyone!! Looking forward for the oath ceremony letter now!!!