Interview and Oath ceremony
Guys,
Finally, I am done!!
Let me share with you guys my experience.
Interview:
Date: 03/03/2010
Appointment Time: 10:30 am
I arrived to the office about 9:45 am. I think it was too early. I would recommend you to get only within 15 minutes of your appt time. I had to wait until 11:15 to be called. A lot of people that arrived after me was called before. So don't stress to much for being super early.
So, the officer called me, very nicely she greeted me and asked me to follow her. Then she asked me to rise my right hand and swear that I was going to say only the truth. Then we sit down, she told me she was going to ask me some questions and then we wil go over the application. Saying that she asked me to read a simple sentence that I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was about the constitution, then she handled me a paper and asked me to write " we have 100 Senators", finally she asked me 6 questions:
- What is the name of the national anthem?
-What did happen in September 11, 2001?
-What is the rule of law?
-How old you have to be vote?
-Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
-What ocean is on the west?
While I was answering them, she wrote my answers down in a form. Then, she said very well. Let's go over your application; when she finished she asked me if I have the documents that support my marriage, and I answered yes and showed them to her. (Taxes for the last 3 years, marriage certificate and birth certificates of my children). She asked if she can keep the taxes and I said yes. Then, she pulled out my pictures and I asked her if we can change them because I didn't like them. She said that was not a problem and we exchanged them. Then she asked me to sign the pictures, she printed out some papers and I signed them. She handled me a form that says I was recommended for oath ceremony. I asked her how often they have ceremonies. She said every week and that I will receive a letter in the mail. Asked me if I had any question, I said no and she escorted me to the exit.
I received the oath letter the following week on the 7th. My ceremony would be on the 18th.
Oath Ceremony day:
Date: 03/18/2010
Appointment Time: 1:30 pm
I arrived there at 1:20 pm, passed the security. Got in line for about 10 minutes, handled the oath letter and green card to a lady sitting on a blue table. One thing I noticed here was that the people don't read or don't understand the questions on the oath letter. The letter is clear to say that if after the interview you have either married, divorce, travel out of the country, join the communist party (basically the same question you had in the application). The officers had to asked some people again, are you sure you understand your answers. Then, they figured out they don't. Please read the questions carefully, you suppose to answer no to all of them, unless something have happened AFTER the interview.
At the blue table a lady showed me my naturalization certificate and asked me to check if everything was correct, then sign it. Then, I was instructed to sit. We wait until 2 pm to start. The same officer that was my interviewer opened the ceremony asking each person to stand up once his native country was called. Then a video, words from some immigration official, oath, video from the President. Finally, they started calling each person to handle the certificate, picture and done.
Sorry for the typos and spelling errors.
Thanks to all and good luck.