Photos and Oath question -- Passed interview (NYC)

L

lecinq

Registered Users (C)
Hi, just interviewed in NYC/Federal Plaza. Fairly straightforward.

Now, the officer mentioned that the photos I submitted were not really to the proper specification. I was a little confused (as I thought that had cut the photos to size). Too small she seemed to think.

I was given the option of taking an oath in Garden City that was coming up very soon, so I said yes, and I waited about half hour for the letter.

Should I bring new photos to the oath ceremony? Are they needed? Obviously I don't want to mess up in this final stage.

Timeline:

Sent N-400 around end of January.
Fingerprinting near end of May.
Interview letter came around end of July.

I'm thanking my lucky stars and keeping fingers crossed until past the oath ceremony.

Thanks!
 
Did they give you the oath date? if yes what is it and yes I would take the pictures with me on the oath day
 
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Congrats!

Congrats!

I would take a set of pictures that meet the new requirements or even both for peace of mind and let them take their pick :D Refer to the USCIS website for the new requirements.

During my oath, people with similar situations were able to retake it at the USCIS building on the day of the oath, can't say it doesn't meet the requirement that way. They have equipement for this in Atlanta, but I wouldn't take that chance. Also, you probably pay double for them :)

Again congrats, I know it's probably too late for you to register to vote, but give it a shot!
 
Thanks! I was sort of confused about the whole thing -- she raised an issue but didn't really suggest how I could go about resolving it. So, as usual, I sort of fear the worst.... But the appointment actually was scheduled. I guess I'll believe that all is well until after the fact.

So anyway, just these standard photos should be fine, right?

Link:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/04_08_02photo_release.pdf

I'll bring a new set just in case.

As far as registration is concerned, it looks like I'm past the deadline in NYC.

Link to voter registration deadlines:
http://www.fec.gov/votregis/state_voter_reg_deadlines02.htm

Are there other ways to register to vote on Nov. 2? I doubt it. In any case, as people have pointed out, my vote in NYC will not matter for the Presidential Elections, whatever I do.

Thanks again!
 
Congrts Leceing. It's amazing that you are done in less than a year( that's the way it should be ). As I am following the stats for NYC since I had applied last year ( 7/03 ), it is obvious that processing time for Manhattan is faster than other boroughs. I feel happy for you because atleast one person doesn't have to go through the pain and suffering that I am going through. I plan to visit Federal Plaza next week, which I already visited couple of times before without any fruitfull result, and plan to fight verbally with them. I need to express my anger & frustration to them. I know it may harm my case, but I cann't hold it anymore. I will definately share my exp with you guys.

Don't forget to share your oath exp with us. Good luck.

Choyty
 
Good Luck!

Yes, the new full face frontal should do fine, they look like the standard passport pictures for travel documents.

Just in case, take the old one's too, what's $10 or $15 bucks compared to the long wait and the hassle of them telling you you have to come back, besides some large passports places like CVS or Eckered might take them back for not being able to use them. :cool:
 
It's funny -- I brought two spare pictures I had that were the same (more or less) as the ones I submitted. She took those two and gave me back the ones I submitted. So I guess I can bring those again. I should get the new ones taken though.

Did the size specifications change? I'm usually very careful with these sorts of things....

Thanks for the well wishes, choyty. I don't read the forum that closely -- usually I check it when I've something to ask (selfish me). So I don't know your case. It's definitely unnerving. Obviously if you can find out what's holding you up, that'd be great. When I was applying for GC, my case was apparently improperly classified. I found this out by calling VSC and, out of pure luck, I got through and the officer who answered did something. I know this as my approval notice was dated the day after I called. It was truly amazing.

Good luck to you and to the others still waiting (and to me, as well, at least until after the oath ceremony).
 
Foreign-born,
So far what I know is my file hasn't moved from VSC to NYC DO yet. I wish I knew what's happening behind the scene or atleast knew how to move that file from VSC to NYC.

Choyty
 
Hi, I've sworn in.

Ceremony was in Garden City -- oath letter had good instructions on how to get there from NYC. It's not difficult at all -- Penn Station to Hempstead, then bus to 711 Stewart Avenue. Unfortunately trains only run once every hour or so. If you need to get this location for some reason, don't worry at all. Schedules can be found off the web.

The actual oath started around 10, but we were asked to get there at 9. Our green cards were taken away. Before the oath took place, people were encouraged to ask questions (one actually asked: "My child is under 18 and was born in the US. What does (s)he do to naturalize?" (!)).

I didn't have to use my new photos, but I was asked to sign my old photo again (looked to me that my old signature was erased).

Some discrepancies with a previous oath report I read here:

1. We were asked to sign the certificate when we got home, with a blue or black ballpoint pen. A previous poster was asked to sign right at the ceremony, with a black pen.

2. Cameras are allowed, and people took pictures.

I applied for my passport right away. I chose regular process. I hope it won't take long. My certificate was taken away.

Good luck, everyone!
 
Congrats!

Hey, congrats! I'm glad the picture's weren't an issue for you. Too bad you can't register to vote. You should recieve your passport relatively soon (slow season, one week maybe!)

The question of signing the cert's may be different for different areas. We were asked to sign on the spot using a black pen only, and it was one that was provided by USCIS. Thought this was a magical pen at the time :) , but later realized the type of pen can be used to determine autenticity, since everyone used the same pen.
 
Thanks. I guess the ink can't be used to determine authenticity (well, certainly I signed with a pen that was not provided by CIS).

Another thing was curious. I was asked to sign my picture again, but in the left margin. When I was at my interview, I was asked to sign in the top margin. That signature had disappeared. So the pen they had to sign with probably had erasable ink.

Anyway, as far as NY is concerned, it should be solidly Kerry. So my vote won't matter for the national elections anyway.
 
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