Citizenship

Hi Everyone,

Been a long time lurker but thought I would finally add my experience as a pay it forward to everyone who might find the information useful.

To summarize, I had a very smooth experience through the entire process and USCIS was very timely in all the application steps. I finally became a citizen today with 4500 other people in Los Angeles.

Application Docket Sent: Nov 9th, 2016 - Anyone needs any guesses as to why :)
USCIS Cashed Check: Nov 14th, 2016
USCIS Sent Notice: Nov 17th, 2016
Biometrics Appointment Notice: Dec 2nd, 2016
Biometrics Appointment Date: Dec 22nd, 2016
Case In Line for Interview: Jan 4th, 2017
Interview Notice Sent: Feb 13th, 2017
Interview Date: Mar 20th, 2017 (See Interview Notes Below)
Oath Ceremony Scheduled: Mar 28th, 2017
Oath Ceremony: Apr 18th, 2017

The whole process took 5 months and every step was well within reasonable bounds of my expectations. In fact there were times I was surprised by how quick things were moving. I was processed at the NBC or so I think since my application number was NBC* YYYY YYYY X. I have been a green card holder for 7 years prior to applying.

Interview Notes: Was met by a very nice IO at the USCIS office in Downtown Los Angeles. My interview time was scheduled to be at 11:30AM but the IO came in at 11:00AM and said he was having issues on the computer and would need to move my interview to 1:00PM. You always wonder if they found out about that one time you went to a strip club in Vegas for your buddy's bachelor parties and if that will get you in trouble. Anyways, I didnt move from my chair and the IO came in earlier at 12:30 and pretty much asked me the screening questions while we walked to his office. As I sat down, he said I should calm down and no need to be nervous. He went on to ask the civics questions which were IIRC:

1) How many senators are present in the U.S. Senate.?
2) When was the the constitution written?
3) Name the current U.S Supreme Court Chief Justice
4) Name a state that borders Canada.
5) What is the rule of law?
6) For how many years do we elect a House Representative.

The oral and written english exam was laughable. The question was: "What do we pay to the government?" and I answered "Taxes?". He said correct and said to write down "We Pay Taxes".

Afterwards he asked me some questions from the N-400 and then asked me to sign my form. And then he gave me a decision letter saying I was recommended for approval. He gave me instructions on how to apply for a passport and how long it usually takes for an oath ceremony notice and actual ceremony to take place.

For the oath ceremony, I highly recommend to come in as early as possible, so you can leave as early as possible. Also, don't get frustrated as you will run into idiots who don't follow instructions and will hold the line for as long as possible. You will be very tempted to do something stupid and then, you will end up answering "Yes" to one of the 8 questions on the N-445 oath questionnaire on the back which will mean "No Citizenship". I nearly missed the ceremony even though I was there 2 hours earlier because of two morons who didn't listen to the loud and blaring instructions on filling your N-445 Notice before going to the USCIS representative. The oath ceremony itself was beautiful. To see the happy faces of your soon to be fellow citizens everywhere, and to be sworn in by a judge and be administered the oath and sing the national anthem is very humbling.

Finally, after the ceremony, you are given your naturalization certificate, and everything I just said, becomes a memory. Best of luck to you all. To everyone I talked to today, they all had similar experiences to me and felt it was a very fair process and were surprised how quick it went for them. I am sure it will be the same for you too. Hang tight and God Bless America!