Oath at Charlotte, NC

[harry2005]

Finally took my oath today and became a US citizen. After the initial wait, actual oath ceremony was exciting and puts things in perspective. It was like graduation ceremony. Letter and video from the president was pretty cool. Take your camcorder and record the whole thing, its one of those moments you want to remember.

I'm glad I'm now a citizen of this great nation. Though felt sad to have lost my birth citizenship (India). I know I can get PIO or OIC etc, but its not the same at emotional level. Gave one last salute to Dharma Chakra and the Lions.

Thanks everyone for this great forum. Good luck.

 

[brian0]

Congrats Harry!

We were probably in the waiting room together as my wife and I had our interviews yesterday in Charlotte as well! We came in and were wondering why there were so many people in the waiting room - we thought they might be way behind and we would be in for a long wait. My wife got called back at 12:50 (only 10 minutes late for her 12:40 appointment time) and then the guy comes in and calls for all the Oath Cerimony people to go and the waiting room emptied out!

Our interviews also went well - we both had really nice officers. 10 out of 10 on the civics questions, and the only issue was my photo had a crease in it so I needed to shell out the $13 to get new photos done at the office. Our oath was originally going to be Feb 9th, but due to travel plans we delayed it to March 2nd. They were really nice about doing the rescheduling with no complaints at all. Overall a very pleasant experience, with the one exception of the really uncomfortable and very dull waiting room. It seems to me they could put a bit more effort into making it comfortable as some people end up spending hours in there! Ah well, a small price to pay!

Cheers,
Brian

Finally took my oath today and became a US citizen. After the initial wait, actual oath ceremony was exciting and puts things in perspective. It was like graduation ceremony. Letter and video from the president was pretty cool. Take your camcorder and record the whole thing, its one of those moments you want to remember.

I'm glad I'm now a citizen of this great nation. Though felt sad to have lost my birth citizenship (India). I know I can get PIO or OIC etc, but its not the same at emotional level. Gave one last salute to Dharma Chakra and the Lions.

Thanks everyone for this great forum. Good luck.

 

[guy_in_philly]

brian0,
Do you need to take photos for the interview ? How many? I have an interview in Philly on Feb 16. My interview letter does not say anything about bringing photo.

Also were you given a choice for the OATH day? Will the interview officer be able to tell me ,on feb 16 ,when my oath will be. I am concerned as i want to go to India before i get the oath. If they will be able to tell me on the interview date that would be great!

Our interviews also went well - we both had really nice officers. 10 out of 10 on the civics questions, and the only issue was my photo had a crease in it so I needed to shell out the $13 to get new photos done at the office. Our oath was originally going to be Feb 9th, but due to travel plans we delayed it to March 2nd. They were really nice about doing the rescheduling with no complaints at all. Overall a very pleasant experience, with the one exception of the really uncomfortable and very dull waiting room. It seems to me they could put a bit more effort into making it comfortable as some people end up spending hours in there! Ah well, a small price to pay!

Cheers,
Brian

 

[brian0]

You don't need to bring photos unless it asks for them on your letter for some reason. Mine had to be re-done as one of the original ones that were included with the N-400 had a flaw in it which the officer did not like. At the Charlotte office they have a photo booth right on site so you can get new pictures done in 5 minutes for only $13 (I actually got 4 photos for $13 and only needed 2 to be signed at the interview, so I might use the extras for my passport application!).

As for the oath, we did not really have a choice exactly, but we did inform them that we would be out of the country from Feb 4th through the 20th and would not be able to do the oath during that time. We requested an oath date at the beginning of March and the officers coordinated the two applications so that we both got the same oath date. They gave us a date of March 2nd, which was perfect for us. If you just tell the officer at the end of the interview that you have restrictions on the oath date they seem willing to work around them. My oath letter actually has the old date on it (Feb 9th) which is just crossed out in pen and the new date written in it's place (with the change initialed by the officer). I don't know how quickly they go from interview to oath in Philly, but in Charlotte it's right about a week apart (would have been 9 days in my case).

Good Luck!
Brian

brian0,
Do you need to take photos for the interview ? How many? I have an interview in Philly on Feb 16. My interview letter does not say anything about bringing photo.

Also were you given a choice for the OATH day? Will the interview officer be able to tell me ,on feb 16 ,when my oath will be. I am concerned as i want to go to India before i get the oath. If they will be able to tell me on the interview date that would be great!

 

[harry2005]

Thanks Brian. Congratulations to you too. Good luck with your travel and oath ceremony.

Congrats Harry!

We were probably in the waiting room together as my wife and I had our interviews yesterday in Charlotte as well! We came in and were wondering why there were so many people in the waiting room - we thought they might be way behind and we would be in for a long wait. My wife got called back at 12:50 (only 10 minutes late for her 12:40 appointment time) and then the guy comes in and calls for all the Oath Cerimony people to go and the waiting room emptied out!

Our interviews also went well - we both had really nice officers. 10 out of 10 on the civics questions, and the only issue was my photo had a crease in it so I needed to shell out the $13 to get new photos done at the office. Our oath was originally going to be Feb 9th, but due to travel plans we delayed it to March 2nd. They were really nice about doing the rescheduling with no complaints at all. Overall a very pleasant experience, with the one exception of the really uncomfortable and very dull waiting room. It seems to me they could put a bit more effort into making it comfortable as some people end up spending hours in there! Ah well, a small price to pay!

Cheers,
Brian

 

[ICU Doc]

time line

Congratulations Harry and Brian. Can you guys post your time lines from applications to oath?. I am in NC too and have been waiting for ever.

 

[brian0]

My timeline:

- Applied: Feb 2005
- Fingerprints: May 2005
- Interview: January 31, 2006
- Oath: March 2, 2006

Cheers,
Brian

Congratulations Harry and Brian. Can you guys post your time lines from applications to oath?. I am in NC too and have been waiting for ever.

 

[harry2005]

Congratulations Harry and Brian. Can you guys post your time lines from applications to oath?. I am in NC too and have been waiting for ever.

My Timeline:
Application sent: Feb '05
Finger Prints Done: Apr '05
Interview: Jan '06
Oath: Jan '06

 

[ICU Doc]

Thanks

Thank you Brian and Harry. I envy you guys (in a good way). I sent my N400 application in April 2004 and have not been called for interview yet. I think I have a name that is hard to check . Enjoy your citizenships.

 

[harry2005]

Sorry Doc. I know how it feels to be in that limbo. Spent over 5 years in green card hell myself. Have you tried taking an appt (infopass?)? They should be able tell you whats holding your appl. See if you can get some help from senator or representatives office.

Good luck.

Thank you Brian and Harry. I envy you guys (in a good way). I sent my N400 application in April 2004 and have not been called for interview yet. I think I have a name that is hard to check . Enjoy your citizenships.