N-400 Interview done; Oath nightmares...

[jack144]

Hello folks --

I had my N-400 interview 3 month back. Was approved in 10 minutes and given a "Congratulations" N-652 letter.

After that I was scheduled for an Oath a month after interview. I couldn't attend it as I was traveling on business. I requested to reschedule the Oath as soon as I received the Oath letter. Since last two months I have not heard from the DO or any other USCIS office. Called 1800 number but they keep saying to wait for the a new Oath letter. Now I need to travel again to Europe next month. So:

(i) How do we get an oath scheduled/rescheduled.
(ii) Is there any time limit on when the Oath needs to be completed after interview
(iii) Is there any way I could do the Oath at the DO and not along with all the people who are scheduled for a monthly Oath ceremony?

Thanks!

 

[WBH]

USCIS is very bad at exception handling so that re-sceduling for anything can cause unpleasant wait.
When you call 1-800, did you ask to speak to an IO? Those custom service representative can not
give you anything than a formality reply. If you can not get to talk to an IO on phone, you can make
an infopass appointment (this require a physical trip so not so convinient).

On one hand, you have to trust USCIS in that eventually they will send you a new oath letter,
on the other hand, you have to make sure your file does not sit on a USCIS shelf collecting dust
for ever

I am not sure how long one can keep oath pending after interview. Here there was once a post in which OP
said he canceled and re-scheduled oath three times due to business traval and it seems USCIS was
threatening him with cancelling his application. There must be a time limit otherwise those who are
not decided on citizenshipo can apply, pass interview, and hold oath pending forever as contigency plan
for the rest of their lives. But if you reshcdule and USCIS don't send a new oath letter, then it is
USCIS that is holding you up. So keep teh copy of resheduling request and its receipt

 

[jack144]

WBH: Thanks very much for your input and insights -- It was super helpful.

I called the 1800 # and insisted on speaking to a 2nd level IO. The 2nd level IO took my info and put me on hold for about 5-10 minutes and then told me that I should be receiving an Oath letter within 10-14days. I am positive that the IO initiated something to get the process moving

And other quick question -- I was given a passport application soon after the N-400 Interview that I could submit after the Oath. Does submitting a passport application at the Oath make it any faster to get passport vs submitting through a post office? I trying to figure out the fastest way to get a passport because I'll be traveling soon. Thanks!

USCIS is very bad at exception handling so that re-sceduling for anything can cause unpleasant wait.
When you call 1-800, did you ask to speak to an IO? Those custom service representative can not
give you anything than a formality reply. If you can not get to talk to an IO on phone, you can make
an infopass appointment (this require a physical trip so not so convinient).

On one hand, you have to trust USCIS in that eventually they will send you a new oath letter,
on the other hand, you have to make sure your file does not sit on a USCIS shelf collecting dust
for ever

I am not sure how long one can keep oath pending after interview. Here there was once a post in which OP
said he canceled and re-scheduled oath three times due to business traval and it seems USCIS was
threatening him with cancelling his application. There must be a time limit otherwise those who are
not decided on citizenshipo can apply, pass interview, and hold oath pending forever as contigency plan
for the rest of their lives. But if you reshcdule and USCIS don't send a new oath letter, then it is
USCIS that is holding you up. So keep teh copy of resheduling request and its receipt

 

[WBH]

And other quick question -- I was given a passport application soon after the N-400 Interview that I could submit after the Oath. Does submitting a passport application at the Oath make it any faster to get passport vs submitting through a post office? I trying to figure out the fastest way to get a passport because I'll be traveling soon. Thanks!

I think it is faster because it at least save your time of going to another passport application accepting facility like USPS office.
The fastest way is to make an appointment with passport office directly but it requires you to present a plane ticket
to show you are in emergency.

To save time, You can fill the application before oath --- But be sure there is no more question like "have you ever claimed to be a
US citizen among oath letter questions and filling a US passport application before becoinng aa citizen count as
such clam

 

[jack144]

WBH: Thanks again for the info. I'll either submit the passport application for expedited processing at the oath ceremony or process it through a passport office depending upon my Oath date/Travel dates etc.

I think it is faster because it at least save your time of going to another passport application accepting facility like USPS office.
The fastest way is to make an appointment with passport office directly but it requires you to present a plane ticket
to show you are in emergency.

To save time, You can fill the application before oath --- But be sure there is no more question like "have you ever claimed to be a
US citizen among oath letter questions and filling a US passport application before becoinng aa citizen count as
such clam