August 2009 N-400 filers
- Thread starter godisgoodtome
- Start date
5years plus one month, dream becomes true!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
update my case
Los Angeles
08/10/2009 sent application
08/21/2009 Received NOA
08/29/2009 Received FP notice
09/03/2009 FP appointment
09/03/2009 FP done
09/14/2009 case was sent to local office for standard interview
09/17/2009 Received IL
11/10/2009 ID
11/10/2009 Interview pass
11/16/2009 received oath letter
12/03/2009 oath ceremony
update my case
Los Angeles
08/10/2009 sent application
08/21/2009 Received NOA
08/29/2009 Received FP notice
09/03/2009 FP appointment
09/03/2009 FP done
09/14/2009 case was sent to local office for standard interview
09/17/2009 Received IL
11/10/2009 ID
11/10/2009 Interview pass
11/16/2009 received oath letter
12/03/2009 oath ceremony
Got Our Citizenship as well
Self and wife were interviewed and sworn in y'day. T'was a long day. Our interviews were scheduled for 9:20 in the morning and we were there by 9:00. Wife was asked to go to the 14th floor for interview (due to name change request? may be?). Anyhow I was called in at 10:20 was sworn in and the civics test started right away. Got the 6 questions right
1)Who were the people sold as slaves (question paraphrased by me)? Africans
2) How many amendments to the constitution? 27
3) Who is the Vice President? Joe Biden
4) What is the capital of New Jersey? Trenton
5) How many years do we elect the Senators for? 6
6) How many members in the house? 435
Written test
Who can vote?
Citizens can vote.
Then a rapid fire question session based on the application. Sampler below
Are you a communist? No
Ever been Arrested/detained by police INS? No
Voted in a federal election? No
Asked me to sign papers and wait outside to be called. Done in 10 mins.
Waited for my wife outside she was done about 11:00, no biggie for her except a bunch of questions of the differences in her birth certificate name, passport name and the name she used right after marriage (she briefly used my first name as her last).
Her name was called out first she went and signed the certificate and indicated she'd wait for the next ceremony (at 2:00) so that we may be sworn together. I signed mine around 12:00. Went down to 2nd floor to get food. Went to the 10th floor to get the Social Security update forms and filled them out as we waited.
Ceremony started out late by about 5 mins. Movie, speech etc. and we were handed our certificates and in my wife's case the name change thingy. done by 2:45. Went down to the SS office took a number waited to be called. Had the lady at the window enter my name correctly after she made a mistake the first time, She made copies of the Naturalization cert. Done by 3:15.
Yet to apply for passport.
Self and wife were interviewed and sworn in y'day. T'was a long day. Our interviews were scheduled for 9:20 in the morning and we were there by 9:00. Wife was asked to go to the 14th floor for interview (due to name change request? may be?). Anyhow I was called in at 10:20 was sworn in and the civics test started right away. Got the 6 questions right
1)Who were the people sold as slaves (question paraphrased by me)? Africans
2) How many amendments to the constitution? 27
3) Who is the Vice President? Joe Biden
4) What is the capital of New Jersey? Trenton
5) How many years do we elect the Senators for? 6
6) How many members in the house? 435
Written test
Who can vote?
Citizens can vote.
Then a rapid fire question session based on the application. Sampler below
Are you a communist? No
Ever been Arrested/detained by police INS? No
Voted in a federal election? No
Asked me to sign papers and wait outside to be called. Done in 10 mins.
Waited for my wife outside she was done about 11:00, no biggie for her except a bunch of questions of the differences in her birth certificate name, passport name and the name she used right after marriage (she briefly used my first name as her last).
Her name was called out first she went and signed the certificate and indicated she'd wait for the next ceremony (at 2:00) so that we may be sworn together. I signed mine around 12:00. Went down to 2nd floor to get food. Went to the 10th floor to get the Social Security update forms and filled them out as we waited.
Ceremony started out late by about 5 mins. Movie, speech etc. and we were handed our certificates and in my wife's case the name change thingy. done by 2:45. Went down to the SS office took a number waited to be called. Had the lady at the window enter my name correctly after she made a mistake the first time, She made copies of the Naturalization cert. Done by 3:15.
Yet to apply for passport.
fine&jadwin
Registered Users (C)
We have our interviews today. The Oath is tomorrow at the Convention Center.
My wife had an appointment at 10a.m. My interview was initially scheduled at 1:30p.m. We parked at the the Wells Fargo multi-level parking complex on the Fifth street (lees than a block to the South from the Capital Mall and two blocks from the USCIS building). Two plus hours cost us $10.50 (the daily maximum is $18).
We arrived at 650 Capital Mall at 9:50a.m. My wife was called in about fifteen minutes later.
Her six questions were (I paraphrase):
1) Who is the head of the executive branch? (President)
2) Why colonists came to America? (freedom)
3) What was the main concern of the USA during the cold war? (communism)
4) What is one right for everyone living in the USA? (freedom of speech)
5) Who can vote?
6) If the president can no longer serve who becomes President? (Vice President).
The officer was nice. He did not want to see the proof that the (only) traffic ticket my wife had during her ten years in thre US has been paid. When the officer told my wife that she passed, my wife enquired about the possibility of taking her Oath tomorrow (the next Oath ceremony after that is a month later on December 16th). The officer checked with his supervisor who gave her approval. The my wife told her interviewing officer that I am also scheduled for an interview about three hours later (at 1:30p.m.) He again talked to the supervisor. The supervisor then herself interviewed me a few minutes later (around 10:30a.m.) The interview was also quick since I have no traffic tickets or any other offences/unpaid taxes/prior marraiges/etc.
I am a university professor so we also chatted a little bit about US education. at the end of the interview My Oath is also tomorrow 11/18/2009). I recall being asked to write: "There are one hundred senators." Of the six questions, I remember only three:
1) Who did the United States fight during the Second World War?
2) What is an amendment to the Constitution?
3) What is the capital of California?
Good luck to everybody.
My wife had an appointment at 10a.m. My interview was initially scheduled at 1:30p.m. We parked at the the Wells Fargo multi-level parking complex on the Fifth street (lees than a block to the South from the Capital Mall and two blocks from the USCIS building). Two plus hours cost us $10.50 (the daily maximum is $18).
We arrived at 650 Capital Mall at 9:50a.m. My wife was called in about fifteen minutes later.
Her six questions were (I paraphrase):
1) Who is the head of the executive branch? (President)
2) Why colonists came to America? (freedom)
3) What was the main concern of the USA during the cold war? (communism)
4) What is one right for everyone living in the USA? (freedom of speech)
5) Who can vote?
6) If the president can no longer serve who becomes President? (Vice President).
The officer was nice. He did not want to see the proof that the (only) traffic ticket my wife had during her ten years in thre US has been paid. When the officer told my wife that she passed, my wife enquired about the possibility of taking her Oath tomorrow (the next Oath ceremony after that is a month later on December 16th). The officer checked with his supervisor who gave her approval. The my wife told her interviewing officer that I am also scheduled for an interview about three hours later (at 1:30p.m.) He again talked to the supervisor. The supervisor then herself interviewed me a few minutes later (around 10:30a.m.) The interview was also quick since I have no traffic tickets or any other offences/unpaid taxes/prior marraiges/etc.
I am a university professor so we also chatted a little bit about US education. at the end of the interview My Oath is also tomorrow 11/18/2009). I recall being asked to write: "There are one hundred senators." Of the six questions, I remember only three:
1) Who did the United States fight during the Second World War?
2) What is an amendment to the Constitution?
3) What is the capital of California?
Good luck to everybody.
IndieMocha
Registered Users (C)
Just passed the interview and my application been recommended for approval. More on my interview experience here:
http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?p=2126578#post2126578
http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?p=2126578#post2126578
Interview & Oath (Houston, TX)
I kept off the forum for a while. The last update was my interview being rescheduled for a week later; to match the 5 year completion date (Oct 28, 2009).
Interview Day (Oct 28, 2009)
Getting to the USCIS was a bigger deal than the interview itself. Battling the morning rush hour reached there at 8:29 AM (Interview was at 8:30 AM). Parked on the street and rushed inside the empty USCIS building. There was just one person waiting in the Naturalization Area. Later 2 more joined me. All of us were rescheduled, as we hadn’t completed 5 years on the actual interview date. USCIS seriously needs to take this into consideration when scheduling an interview. The interview was straightforward; the IO rapidly browsed thru the thick folder of documents, saw my transcripts, degree certificates, etc. Asked 6 questions (The Bill of Rights, 4 years - Presidents Term, Mississippi River, 1787, Native Americans, Nancy Pelosi, We the People). Asked to read “When is Columbus Day?”. Write “Columbus Day is in October”. Reviewed the application form once more. That’s it. Done. Waited back in the Naturalization area and picked up the oath letter in next 10 minutes. Oath was on Nov. 18th.
Oath Day (Nov 18, 2009)
Took the forum’s advice and reached MO Campbell Educational Center (Aldine ISD’s Basketball Stadium) 1 hour late at 8:00 AM! Good decision. There was no waiting in lines in bitter cold. And no queues at the booths. The booths were sorted based on the last 3 digits of your Alien #: 000-100, 101-200, and likewise. They are manned by eager volunteers. You eyeball your Naturalization Certificate for discrepancies and give it back. Entering the seating arena the volunteers hand out booklets: Declaration of Independence & the US Constitution, Passport Application forms, Voter Registration forms, etc. The place was packed and people were dozing off on the seats, walking about. Felt bored to sit, so stepped outside to go get Cappuccino at the corner McDonalds. The actual ceremony started at 10:00 AM; Boy Scouts parading the flags, the judicial proceedings, swearing the oath, pledge of allegiance to the US flag, national anthem, speech by guest speaker. Then people were called out (as per the color sheets they were given while entering) to pick-up their Naturalization Certificates. There were people waiting in lines to take picture with the judge and the guest speaker. The order they call people is Last in Last out. So, I was one of the last to get out! Went straight from there to the US Post Office and submitted my Passport application (Passport and Card, all for 120 bucks).
That’s it guys. Thanks for all your inputs, there is a wealth of information on these forums. And selfless gurus jumping to your aid. Thanks to Rajeev Khanna for making all this happen.
Some Tips:
Do early walkins for fingerprints only if necessary. Otherwise you might be triggering early interviews. And have to make two trips for the interview.
Name change doesn’t seem to add any extra time, at least at the Houston DO. Again that might vary on a case by case basis.
Just take the bare minimum documentation for the interview, if your case is straightforward.
Seems like you can get to Oath Ceremony even as until 9:00 AM.
If you insist on getting there at 7:00 AM, you have plenty time for breakfast and coffee at McDonalds on the corner. You can walk there.
When done you can also exit thru a back road, don’t crowd to get onto Aldine-Bender in the front.
TIMELINE
5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Oct 27, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
07/31/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation)
08/03/2009 (Day 04): N-400 Delivered @ Lewisville, TX
08/05/2009 (Day 06): Check Cleared
08/10/2009 (Day 11): NOA Received (Priority Date: 08/03/2009)
08/12/2009 (Day 13): Online Case Status changes to RFE (Finger Print Notice)
08/18/2009 (Day 19): FP Notice Received
08/25/2009 (Day 26): FP Done (Original Appointment Date: 09/04/2009)
09/05/2009 (Day 37): Online Case Status changes to CASE SENT to DO
10/03/2009 (Day 65): Missing Interview Letter arrives at the Door Step!
10/20/2009 (Day 82): Original Interview Date (Was rescheduled to later date for me to complete 5 Years)
10/28/2009 (Day 90): Rescheduled Interview Date (Done, Approved, Received Oath Letter)
11/18/2009 (Day 110): Oath Done
11/18/2009 (Day 110): Applied for the US Passport
I kept off the forum for a while. The last update was my interview being rescheduled for a week later; to match the 5 year completion date (Oct 28, 2009).
Interview Day (Oct 28, 2009)
Getting to the USCIS was a bigger deal than the interview itself. Battling the morning rush hour reached there at 8:29 AM (Interview was at 8:30 AM). Parked on the street and rushed inside the empty USCIS building. There was just one person waiting in the Naturalization Area. Later 2 more joined me. All of us were rescheduled, as we hadn’t completed 5 years on the actual interview date. USCIS seriously needs to take this into consideration when scheduling an interview. The interview was straightforward; the IO rapidly browsed thru the thick folder of documents, saw my transcripts, degree certificates, etc. Asked 6 questions (The Bill of Rights, 4 years - Presidents Term, Mississippi River, 1787, Native Americans, Nancy Pelosi, We the People). Asked to read “When is Columbus Day?”. Write “Columbus Day is in October”. Reviewed the application form once more. That’s it. Done. Waited back in the Naturalization area and picked up the oath letter in next 10 minutes. Oath was on Nov. 18th.
Oath Day (Nov 18, 2009)
Took the forum’s advice and reached MO Campbell Educational Center (Aldine ISD’s Basketball Stadium) 1 hour late at 8:00 AM! Good decision. There was no waiting in lines in bitter cold. And no queues at the booths. The booths were sorted based on the last 3 digits of your Alien #: 000-100, 101-200, and likewise. They are manned by eager volunteers. You eyeball your Naturalization Certificate for discrepancies and give it back. Entering the seating arena the volunteers hand out booklets: Declaration of Independence & the US Constitution, Passport Application forms, Voter Registration forms, etc. The place was packed and people were dozing off on the seats, walking about. Felt bored to sit, so stepped outside to go get Cappuccino at the corner McDonalds. The actual ceremony started at 10:00 AM; Boy Scouts parading the flags, the judicial proceedings, swearing the oath, pledge of allegiance to the US flag, national anthem, speech by guest speaker. Then people were called out (as per the color sheets they were given while entering) to pick-up their Naturalization Certificates. There were people waiting in lines to take picture with the judge and the guest speaker. The order they call people is Last in Last out. So, I was one of the last to get out! Went straight from there to the US Post Office and submitted my Passport application (Passport and Card, all for 120 bucks).
That’s it guys. Thanks for all your inputs, there is a wealth of information on these forums. And selfless gurus jumping to your aid. Thanks to Rajeev Khanna for making all this happen.
Some Tips:
Do early walkins for fingerprints only if necessary. Otherwise you might be triggering early interviews. And have to make two trips for the interview.
Name change doesn’t seem to add any extra time, at least at the Houston DO. Again that might vary on a case by case basis.
Just take the bare minimum documentation for the interview, if your case is straightforward.
Seems like you can get to Oath Ceremony even as until 9:00 AM.
If you insist on getting there at 7:00 AM, you have plenty time for breakfast and coffee at McDonalds on the corner. You can walk there.
When done you can also exit thru a back road, don’t crowd to get onto Aldine-Bender in the front.
TIMELINE
5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Oct 27, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
07/31/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation)
08/03/2009 (Day 04): N-400 Delivered @ Lewisville, TX
08/05/2009 (Day 06): Check Cleared
08/10/2009 (Day 11): NOA Received (Priority Date: 08/03/2009)
08/12/2009 (Day 13): Online Case Status changes to RFE (Finger Print Notice)
08/18/2009 (Day 19): FP Notice Received
08/25/2009 (Day 26): FP Done (Original Appointment Date: 09/04/2009)
09/05/2009 (Day 37): Online Case Status changes to CASE SENT to DO
10/03/2009 (Day 65): Missing Interview Letter arrives at the Door Step!
10/20/2009 (Day 82): Original Interview Date (Was rescheduled to later date for me to complete 5 Years)
10/28/2009 (Day 90): Rescheduled Interview Date (Done, Approved, Received Oath Letter)
11/18/2009 (Day 110): Oath Done
11/18/2009 (Day 110): Applied for the US Passport
fine&jadwin
Registered Users (C)
USC finally
Hi All,
Had my Oath on Nov 19th.
It took me about 90 days to complete my citizenship process from receipt date.
08/14/2009: N400 Fedexed to Phoenix, AZ
08/17/2009: Receipt Date
08/21/2009: Check Cleared
08/21/2009: Notice Date
08/24/2009: NOA received
08/31/2009: FP notice date
08/31/2009: FP notice received
09/23/2009: FP date(done as scheduled)
09/23/2009: FP report sent back to USCIS from FBI
09/30/2009: Status changed to standard interview online
10/05/2009:IL received
11/04/2009:ID passed
11/12/2009:OL received
11/19/2009: OD, Got my USC
Good Luck to all.
Hi All,
Had my Oath on Nov 19th.
It took me about 90 days to complete my citizenship process from receipt date.
08/14/2009: N400 Fedexed to Phoenix, AZ
08/17/2009: Receipt Date
08/21/2009: Check Cleared
08/21/2009: Notice Date
08/24/2009: NOA received
08/31/2009: FP notice date
08/31/2009: FP notice received
09/23/2009: FP date(done as scheduled)
09/23/2009: FP report sent back to USCIS from FBI
09/30/2009: Status changed to standard interview online
10/05/2009:IL received
11/04/2009:ID passed
11/12/2009:OL received
11/19/2009: OD, Got my USC
Good Luck to all.
Finally the N-400 Journey is over.
My Timeline update:
DO: San Francisco, CA
08/04/09 : N-400 Mailed to Phoenix
08/06/09 : N-400 recieved
08/06/09 : priority date
08/11/09 : Check Cashed
08/15/09 : NOA Received
08/17/09 : FP Notice Received
08/18/09: Walkin FP done
08/24/09: Received Yellow Letter
08/28/09: FP Date
09/17/09: Online status updated to "This case has been sent for a standard interview"
09/18/09: Interview Letter Received
10/29/09: Interview (recommended for approval)
11/03/09: Oath Letter recieved
11/19/09: Oath Date Completed
11/20/09: PP Applied (Expedited)
11/23/09: PP Received
My Timeline update:
DO: San Francisco, CA
08/04/09 : N-400 Mailed to Phoenix
08/06/09 : N-400 recieved
08/06/09 : priority date
08/11/09 : Check Cashed
08/15/09 : NOA Received
08/17/09 : FP Notice Received
08/18/09: Walkin FP done
08/24/09: Received Yellow Letter
08/28/09: FP Date
09/17/09: Online status updated to "This case has been sent for a standard interview"
09/18/09: Interview Letter Received
10/29/09: Interview (recommended for approval)
11/03/09: Oath Letter recieved
11/19/09: Oath Date Completed
11/20/09: PP Applied (Expedited)
11/23/09: PP Received
pinnacle_man
Registered Users (C)
Congratulations.
Did your online status change after the interview?
Did your online status change after the interview?
Pinnacle_man,
For oath letter , online status will never update and it never updated for me also. Don't rely on online status for interview letter/interview date/oath.
For oath letter , online status will never update and it never updated for me also. Don't rely on online status for interview letter/interview date/oath.
pinnacle_man
Registered Users (C)
Thank you.
godisgoodtome
Registered Users (C)
at ease
Congratulations!
Hoahhhh
carry on
LOL......
Yes Sir....Protecting the USA...."My Country".
Congratulations to you..too..
....HOAHHHHHHHHHHH
PerpetualGC
Registered Users (C)
My Oath Letter arrived today... With only a week's notice. Interestingly, the US District Court in Indianapolis is where the INS office was back in the 80's and early 90's.
IndieMocha
Registered Users (C)
I received my oath letter for oath on 12/3/09 today - updating my timeline. This ride seemed to have been quite short! I'm satisfied - no change that to happy!!!