We have our naturalization interview todayin Saint Paul MN. The IO said that I passed the test and she will be recommending for approval. what does this mean?
is our application unofficially approved and we need to wait for the oath letter?
Actually it's approved (adjudicated) before the oath, although USCIS can still pull you from the oath if you're no longer eligible.Technically, the final approval of an N-400 application only occurs at the oath itself.
8 CFR § 337.9 Effective date of naturalization.
(a) An applicant for naturalization shall be deemed a citizen of the United States as of the date on which the applicant takes the prescribed oath of allegiance, administered either by the Service or an Immigration Judge in an administrative ceremony or in a ceremony conducted by an appropriate court under §337.8 of this chapter.
(b) [Reserved]
[56 FR 50500, Oct. 7, 1991, as amended at 60 FR 37804, July 24, 1995; 66 FR 32147, June 13, 2001]
Can you explain how that relates to OP's question?
8 CFR § 337.9 refers to the effective date ( based on taking the oath of allegiance) an applicant becomes a citizen .An N-400 is only “recommended for approval” until such time as the applicant is admitted to citizenship.