The timeline:
Applied in January 2003, Fingerprinted in April 2003. Interview and oath was yesterday Feb 3, 2004.
Interview was in Newark, NJ. No problem finding parking there - plenty of lots nearby. The appointment letter required us (wife and myself) to report at 8am.
The waiting room on the 13th floor was packed with people and very warm. Lots of anxious people studying the 100 question list
Both of our interviews were at about 8:45. The interview was fine and I passed the test but when I showed my passport, the officer said that it was too new! Its only a year old. She wanted to see the previous passport as well (to verify entries and departures from the US I guess). I suppose I should have thought of this but in my defence, the letter only asked for the current passport!
Fortunately, the officer was very pleasant, she suggested that I go home immediately and bring the old passport. Since I live within 20 miles of Newark, this was not a big problem. I then ran home and brought the old passport which she looked through and gave her approval.
At about 1pm, our names were called, we signed the certificates and were told to go to the 16th floor for the oath ceremony. The ceremony itself started at about 2pm. After taking the oath with about 100 other applicants, we were handed our naturalization certificates immediately.
From what I read here, other centers do not seem to operate in this way. It was certainly gratifying to have everything completed in one day.
Applied in January 2003, Fingerprinted in April 2003. Interview and oath was yesterday Feb 3, 2004.
Interview was in Newark, NJ. No problem finding parking there - plenty of lots nearby. The appointment letter required us (wife and myself) to report at 8am.
The waiting room on the 13th floor was packed with people and very warm. Lots of anxious people studying the 100 question list
Both of our interviews were at about 8:45. The interview was fine and I passed the test but when I showed my passport, the officer said that it was too new! Its only a year old. She wanted to see the previous passport as well (to verify entries and departures from the US I guess). I suppose I should have thought of this but in my defence, the letter only asked for the current passport!
Fortunately, the officer was very pleasant, she suggested that I go home immediately and bring the old passport. Since I live within 20 miles of Newark, this was not a big problem. I then ran home and brought the old passport which she looked through and gave her approval.
At about 1pm, our names were called, we signed the certificates and were told to go to the 16th floor for the oath ceremony. The ceremony itself started at about 2pm. After taking the oath with about 100 other applicants, we were handed our naturalization certificates immediately.
From what I read here, other centers do not seem to operate in this way. It was certainly gratifying to have everything completed in one day.