Citizenship

Hello, Everyone: It’s been over 2 years since I became a US citizen and I’ve been meaning to post my experience with the naturalization process. It took a total of about 7 months (back in 2017). Patience, perseverance, humility, and more patience is what I needed to get through it.

I’m in my 30s and immigrated to the US with my family when I was 7 years old. My father was naturalized a few years ago, and my mother is still a citizen of our motherland. I live in Austin, TX.

Below are some milestones of the application process:

1 FEB 2017 Mailed completed N-400 application form to the Dallas, TX USCIS P.O. Box

11 FEB Received letter confirming that N-400 application was received

25 FEB Received Biometrics Appointment letter for the USCIS Application Support Center in Austin, TX

15 MAR Biometrics taken
I wish I had worn a better shirt as this was the photo used on my Certificate of Naturalization

5 MAY Received invitation letter to interview/exam at USCIS San Antonio Field Office

12 JUN Interview/exam at USCIS San Antonio Field Office
The interview was more-or-less a completeness check review of my application and supporting documents. The English proficiency test consisted of reading a sentence out loud and writing another sentence that the officer recited. The officer abruptly ended the civics exam after I was able to correctly answer the first six questions. I also amended an international trip I took between my biometrics and the interview.

29 JUN Notified USCIS of address change

10 JUL Received letter confirming address change

??? (Returned letter during ceremony) Received invitation letter to take Oath of Allegiance

24 AUG 2017 Oath of Allegiance in San Antonio, TX
I arrived at 7:45a, just as the doors to the auditorium were opened to the 521 candidates and their family/friends. Guests were not limited to just immediate family, and I was accompanied by two good friends who were asked to sit up in the balcony. Like at church, crying children were asked to be brought to the lobby to not disturb the proceedings.

Candidates filled-in seats according to the section on their invitation letter. Officers then checked the questionnaire and signature on the back of the letter (mind the date and place of where you sign the back of the letter). Then, row-by-row, we went to a table at the rear of the auditorium to turn in our letter and relinquish our ‘greencards’, while they sorted our certificates to be handed out at the end of the ceremony as we left.

The ceremony was serious and official, and the auditorium was turned into a courtroom. It took about 2 hours, and was partially scored by patriotic music from a military wind quintet. A JROTC Color Guard opened the ceremony and a judge presided. The head USCIS officer had us all stand as she called out our homeland. 71 countries were represented, with the largest contingent from Mexico, which was saved for the end. We raised our right arm, listened to the judge ask us the words of the Oath, which we proudly answered “I do.” There was a nervous excitement in the room, which highlighted just how fragile and special the US immigration system is. Still, I couldn’t help but notice the USCIS officers around us understood this the best, and seemed immensely proud of us all. I believe they are on our side and want us to become citizens. They truly don’t get enough credit and thanks.

Then, a cheesy and out-dated video highlighting the American landscape (literally purple mountains and amber waves of grain) and celebrating multi-culturalism was played which ended on a somber and sobering roll call of select soldiers killed in major wars that the US has fought. The judge unsubtly reminded us that “freedom comes at a cost”.

We congratulated each other and took pictures in the lobby with banners proclaiming that we are now part of “A Proud Nation of Immigrants”. Then, I had lunch with my friends for the first time as an American.

Does USCIS process cases on the weekends? Because I saw posts from people saying their cases got updated despite being Saturday.

Houston TX
My timeline is as below:

Application received 5/26/2019
Biometric reviewed 6/19/2019
Estimated case completion time: September 2020 (8 months) - it has been showing the month of “September” since Nov 2019
Estimated wait time: 7 months
I haven’t received interview notice yet, it’s been 6 months and 3 weeks after my biometrics.

I see people who applied in June and July in Houston got their interview notice.
Please share your thoughts. Thanks

Hello everyone, please can anyone tell me if I still have to keep
My uscis account online after am done with everything?

Anyone from the Miami Field Office knows how long it takes to receive the actual oath ceremony letter? Been in line since the 18th of december and still haven't received anything.

Hi

I just passed my interview yesterday and waiting for the oath.

Just share my timeline

We received your application 08/11/2019

We scheduled your biometrics appointment 09/11/2019

We reviewed your biometrics 29/11/2019

We scheduled your interview 02/12/2019

You attended your interview 09/01/2020

We approved your application 09/01/2020

Good luck to everyone

Hello everyone,

I passed my citizenship interview on Dec 12nd 2019, but my officer gave me a form N652 and it said a decision can not be made yet. I have been waiting for they to schedule me a day to show up at a oath ceremony about a month now. My cousins just passed their interview before me 2 months, but after 2 weeks they got their ceremony day. I don't know what to do now? please help

Hello,

I had my Citizenship Interview on October 10th, and was recommended for approval. I received my green card in 2004 which was petitioned for by my mother. The interview went well, I was recommended for approval. About a month After the interview I received a RFE on December 3rd after I was told by the officer that I would receive the letter for my oath ceremony within two weeks. Anyway I sent all supporting documents ASAP and now I am waiting. My online status has not change since my interview and still states that I attended my interview you do not need to do anything else at this time. Has anyone been through a similar situation?

Thanks

Hi ,
Finally received my day of my Oath Ceremony. My interview was on October 26th .passed...but decision not made . After 2 month waiting for the resolution i was so happy to share on January 7th my online application was update to approval and schedule my ceremony next Friday January 17th. Thank to this group to help to be positive with the all process.
My application was submitted June 15th 2019. Good Luck to everyone. Be part of this country now like a citizen is a big dream come true.My office Oakland Park , Florida.

I applied 6 months ago, and on the website it said the time to complete my case is 4 months, I called to uscis and they said my case was already at the local office waiting for schedule my appointment. ! Will it take a long time to make my appointment?

Hi everyone,

I submitted my application August 26, had bio-metrics on Sept 17, and had interview scheduled for Jan 16.
On January 2nd they sent me a notice cancelling my interview due to "unforeseen circumstances"; but my status remains: We scheduled your interview on Dec 10th.
Does anyone have any experience in this office or have had their interview cancelled? Should I go to the interview anyways? How long does it take to receive a new date?

Any feedback is welcomed.

Thank you!