ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionTaxes for N-400
I dont think you have to have filed jointly but you have to have filed them
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-16 20:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (phl_nov08 @ May 9 2009, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OATH DAY Part 2

Later.....

Catch an earlier train that expected, it just rolled in so I hopped on, so I am down town earlier than planned. Hang out again at the Borders Books at Broad St and Chestnut in Center City Philadelphia.

Arrive 15 minutes before start time. My wife beat me there, and was holding my place in the queue. Shock!! smile.gif

Proceedings were split into two phases

Phase 1 - 2pm - Everybody was called up individually to hand in green card, completed oath form and to check and sign the certificate.

Note on signature - I had previously signed my N-400 with my normal signature, so they said to sign the picture the same way, and finally sign the Certificate also with my normal signature (not full name).

Phase 2 - 3pm - Director arrives, countries are called out and folks from each country stand up (there were about 60 people taking oath, from 30+ countries) today.

Then we do the oath, YEAH!!!!

After that there's some welcome speeches, a video from Janet Napolitano.

Then the call up to get the certificate, followed by lots of photos. There were some folks handing out voter registration forms so I completed one of those and handed it in.

It was a really nice ceremony, kudos to the staff at the Philadelphia office. A great experience..!!!

Finally, we drive down to Rittenhouse Square, and sit outside of Rouge drinking expensive glasses of Champagne and basking in the sun........



Congrats...now for the passport!! kicking.gif kicking.gif

broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-09 11:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (phl_nov08 @ Apr 29 2009, 10:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok, back on track yet again.....

New Oath Date 5/8/09

Yeah!! kicking.gif kicking.gif



Yeah....now hopefully you will get to this one... kicking.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-29 15:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (phl_nov08 @ Apr 27 2009, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Off track again... ohmy.gif ... time was changed for tomorrow, wife and I can't both make it to the Oath Ceremony.
Am working to re-schedule

QUOTE (phl_nov08 @ Apr 16 2009, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah! Back on track

Oath letter arrived today 4/15, scheduled for 4/28/09

good.gif




Oh no....hope you get something suitable soon!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-27 12:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (phl_nov08 @ Apr 2 2009, 07:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
First the good news, the oath letter turned up on March 30, for April 10th - which is exactly 3 weeks after interview.

Unfortunately for me, I can't make it that day due to various reasons. So I will have to re-schedule cry.gif



Wow I have my interview on April 10th I wonder if I will get to take oath as well. Did they give you a time? If not I guess we will both be on the next one!!


broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-02 11:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
I am waiting to see when the oath is for Philadelphia, PHL 08 will post shortly I hope!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-01 19:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (phl_nov08 @ Mar 20 2009, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
PART 3

Interview went as follows

Swearing in
I only needed my passport, drivers license and green card. No other documents were asked for.
IO checked all the personal data sections by asking me.
Checked trips against passport stamps.
Went through all the yes/no questions.

Asked 7 questions, 7 correct answers

Who is the President
Longest river
How long is President elected for
When was declaration of independence adopted
Who is speaker of the house
What are the first 10 amendments called
Who were in America before the Europeans

Asked me to verify oath related info sheet,
Then I signed N400 in two places, and signed the two original photos (I have the two extras I brought with me for passport).
I asked about how to sign and IO said to sign same as on the N400, for which I used my standard check writing signature - i.e. not full name.

That was it, about 10 to 15 minutes. Got the Recommended for Approval check on the result sheet.
Oath 6 to 8 weeks at the moment (but 3 weeks is not impossible, no promises).

One more step completed on the long road..........

tongue.gif yes.gif yes.gif yes.gif yes.gif yes.gif yes.gif laughing.gif energy.gif content.gif dancin5hr.gif sleepy.gif




Thanks for the indepth report.....very useful for me going through Philly very soon....


broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-22 07:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (lomeshp @ Jan 29 2009, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (broma25 @ Jan 29 2009, 10:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For those whose interview dates are coming through, are you registered on the Case Status Online. If so did you see the date change prior to receiving your letter.

Thanks


No, the status did not change online.



Thank you! I guess there really is little point in checking it then.
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-29 12:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
For those whose interview dates are coming through, are you registered on the Case Status Online. If so did you see the date change prior to receiving your letter.

Thanks
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-29 11:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
Thanks Jenny....I think I still have a couple of months to wait yet, but thanks for the insight!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-05 20:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNovember 2008 Filers
QUOTE (JennySala @ Dec 5 2008, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Just to let you all know I completed my finger printing today at the Houston office. We did a "walk in" and had no problem.........we took a chance and they were not busy so we were in and out in under 20 minutes. good.gif



Jenny

What exactly do they do, is it just a case of taking all 10 fingerprints or is there paperwork?
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2008-12-05 17:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 test old or new!
Does it really matter which is easier, if you apply now there is no choice....new one it is!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-21 07:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 January 2009 Filers
January is a tough month for a lot of people financially following christmas. Maybe people are waiting to get a couple of paychecks before filing.
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-01-12 14:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Yeah....congratulations so2008 kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-06 08:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Congratulations to our newest citizens......and a special contrats to so2005 for finally receiving his interview....Good Luck!!

kicking.gif kicking.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-07-05 20:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
The list is looking good, everyone is almost done!! kicking.gif kicking.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-27 06:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
I wonder is some of those who are still black have just not been back to report!!

Congrats to all those who have received or attended their oaths.
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-31 07:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (Stella08 @ May 21 2009, 07:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (broma25 @ May 21 2009, 06:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
alwayswin needs to be in Red...come on Stella your slacking.....lol


No, I'm not. mad.gif

tongue.gif biggrin.gif

I just put the ones in red which ARE done. alwayswin didn't take her oath yet.



Sorry Stella!!! blush.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-22 09:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
alwayswin needs to be in Red...come on Stella your slacking.....lol
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-21 05:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
yeah congrats DoxATL......heres hoping the rest are on their way!!! whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-20 08:11:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
I am not dancing any more guys cos I think the gods take my dancing as a rain dance....

So I am going to whistle and whistle till they get their letters instead!!

whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif whistling.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-11 19:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (rilian @ May 4 2009, 05:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks stella. really glad this is gonna be over so soon!!!

By the way, if you need passport photos for the passport application during the oath ceremony. Just take them yourself, format them for free on epassportphoto.com, then upload it to walgreens to get printed in less than an hour. I took mine yesterday and got them back from walgreens in about 40 minutes. Best of all I paid 42 cents for 12 passport photos!

QUOTE (Stella08 @ May 3 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
radacos, good luck for your interview this week!!! good.gif good.gif good.gif

rilian and samsbs, congratulations on your upcoming oath ceremonies!!! kicking.gif star_smile.gif




Grrr just got mine done at CVS..lol
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-04 18:01:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Congratulations to those who have passed their interviews so far this week and an extra congrats for those who did their oath kicking.gif kicking.gif

kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Just doing the interview letter dance for those still waiting!!!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-28 18:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (ChinaBabe @ Apr 27 2009, 10:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey, everyone, i passed my interview today. i left at 8:00am, get to Altanta at 12:59, go to the 2nd floor and show them the interview letter, they tell me to go to the 3rd floor to wait. my interview should be at 1:25pm, but they didn't call me in untail 2:40pm. The IO was very nice. asked almost all the question on the N400 application. and asked me to read " who elects congress?", and write " The people elect congress." I wouldn't believe it's so easy. the 6 questions were very ease also
1. who wrote the declaration of independence?
2. what is the political party of the president now?
3. what are the two major political parties in the united states?
4. who is the commander in chief of the military?
5. Name one state that borders Mexico.
6. Name 3 of the first 13 states.
got my Cong. paper.
after the interview, i asked the IO if by any chance i can take the oath today, but she said the oath is already stated. If i can want, she can put me in for tomorrow. But i have final exams tomorrow,so i couldn't, i explained to her, she said then i have to wait for the letter, unless if i want to do it one day this week, she can put me in either wed. or Th. I said Th. will be good. then she asked me to go to the 2rd floor again to wait for some officer to bring me a doc. the whole interview was about 20 mins. then i went to 2nd floor wait for another 40 min. for the doc. final i got the doc. and 4 hours drive back to home. gotta do it again on the 30th.

hope this info helps. and good luck to all the people who have interview this week.


congratulations Chinababe

How amazing I had exactly the same questions as you and the reading an writing was the same too.......

broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-28 09:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (eltemp @ Apr 26 2009, 06:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrats....


I have a question for your guys.... is it mandatory to do the change at the Social Security office? because I have friends that did their naturalization, got their passports without any problems....

QUOTE (poppinslp @ Apr 26 2009, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just received my Oath letter, Yeah!!! I got the letter on Friday and am due to go this Wednesday, super fast! It is at 7:15 am, why i don't know but lets hope I get enough coffee in me to do the Oath!




Changing your status at SSA is nothing to do with your passport. But changes your status from Immigrant to Citizen status. It is recommeded just so they have accurate and up to date information on you, shows also that you would not be a charge on anyone should you claim benefits.
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-26 18:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (MsAnn @ Apr 26 2009, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Stella08 @ Apr 26 2009, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (MsAnn @ Apr 26 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I heard that USCIS was going to start using digital photos on certificates instead of hand gluing photos on. I was just wondering if the photo is a part of the paper or still glued on? smile.gif


It's still glued on. Of course that still makes it easy to counterfeit by taking the original picture off and putting another picture on. So, digital might be a good idea.



I'd still like to know about aizi's photo.



Mine is glued on also
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-26 14:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
I did my SSA visit because I cant get there normally due the hours I work, the passport I can take to the Post Office near where I work and can do this in my lunch hour so thats on my to do list for next week. I have no firm plans to travel but dont want to get caught with an emergency so going to apply regardless.
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-25 13:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Congratulations Stella.......we only had 61 at mine!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-24 15:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
ok that's it I am done with USCIS.......I AM A CITIZEN!!!!

Arrived at Philadelphia around 10:30am, letter said be there by 11:00am, lots of people in line so had to wait. Got inside around 11:10am and made my way up to the 4th floor, the ceremony room looked a lot like a court room.

Went inside and sat down and waited for my name to be called, went up to the gentleman and handed him my letter and Green Card. He looked to make sure the letter was completed on the back, and asked again if any of those things applied since my interview.

I then moved over to see a lady who had me check over my certificate and sign it. I then went and sat back down.

The ceremony itself started around 12:00pm. Started with the National Anthem, they then called out each country who had people for naturalization, when they called out your country you had to stand and remain standing until all the people for naturalization were standing. We were then asked to raise our right hands and say the Oath or Allegiance. We were then welcomed as New Citizens. We watched a short movie and a short speach from the Head of DHS. We then stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and following that we were called indivdiually to the from to receive our certificates.

After everyone received their certificates we were allowed to take photos, and then free to go. It probably took no more than 45 mins in total.

Hubby and I celebrated with lunch out, and then I went to SSA to update my records there. Now got to get a half decent pic and apply for the passport.

I am done.....I can't believe it kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-24 15:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Congratulations Jamieswith.... kicking.gif good.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-22 16:59:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (doxATL @ Apr 20 2009, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Stella08 @ Apr 16 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....04/24/09...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08
maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....04/24/09...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08
maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....04/21/09...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08
Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....04/24/09...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08
skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09
edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09
jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....04/22/09...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09
Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09


We got quiet a bit of activity going on this week.

Interviews:
edandying, skoopie, Aizi: Good luck for your interviews.

Oaths:
broma25, maimai, maz, Stella08 (the Only Stella!! good.gif ), and my buddy Jamiesmith: Good Luck for your Oath taking ceremonies.

Good Luck to All! kicking.gif kicking.gif



good luck everyone!!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-20 19:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Praise the Lord! I am done with USCIS... until tomorrow when I file mum and dad's I-130s!!


Congratulations......however you will now be dealing with them for another 2 years...lol Good Luck with it! good.gif
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-17 05:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (Stella08 @ Apr 16 2009, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (broma25 @ Apr 16 2009, 06:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Come on bring on the rest of those interviews.....

Stella what time is your ceremony???


It's in the morning. I have to call the court and confirm. My invitation letter states two hours earlier than the time listed online. I guess I'm supposed to be there early to do some paperwork... unsure.gif Just want to make sure what time the actual ceremony is because I would like my family to be there. But I don't want my kids to sit around for two hours and be bored.



Mine is 11am

broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-16 18:11:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

Come on bring on the rest of those interviews.....

Stella what time is your ceremony???
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-16 17:29:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Yeahhh oath letter received....April 24th
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-16 16:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Congrats to alwayswin, and those who have received their oath letters.... kicking.gif

QUOTE (shadow_dog @ Apr 13 2009, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I had my interview at 0745 this morning - lots of people in Chicago - was taken almost immediately..

The process (to a point) well very well...

Questions were: what is the rule of law ? how old do you have to be to vote ? what event happened on Sept 11th what ocean is on the west coast ? why does the flag have 13 stripes ? what is the name of the national anthem ?

The officer went through the rest of the procedure and marked that the recommendation was approval. We quickly picked an oath dat of the 22nd April. ZI was the advised to wait iin reception and someone would come out with my appt letter.

About 15 mins, the same officer came out and said that unfortunately my UK name check was still pending at that they would have to wait for that to complete before the oath ceremony. (in fact the officer said that the interview shouldn't even have been scheduled!) I don't know how accurate (timely) that information was "it said "pending") blink.gif

The officer advised to wait for a new oath ceremony letter to come through in the mail. I was so shocked I didnt even think to ask "how long ", "is this normal ", "who do I call for an update ?". My fear is that it will be stuck in inter-govt limbo for ever....

Actually a fun experience. I am disappointed that it is not yet over though....

Does anyone know who I can call for an update , or has anyone heard of this happening before ?



Seems like someone screwed up somewhere.....hopefully they wont have you waiting too long to resolve this!! Good Luck.
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-16 14:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Good Luck Shadow and Alwayswin on your upcoming interviews this week!


broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-12 20:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
Approved!!! kicking.gif kicking.gif

Interview should have been at 9:40am only got in at 11:00am was out by 11:10am.

IO asked for Passport, Green Card and Drivers License, then went through my N-400 double checking and clarifying all my questions.

He asked to look at my medical benefits card.

He asked me to read a sentence about congress and then write the answer to the question and I cannot remember what either was....sorry! lol

He then went on to ask my questions.

1. Who wrote the declaration of Independence.
2. What is the policitacl party of the president now
3. Name 3 of the 13 original states
4. Name one state that borders Mexico
5. What are the two major political parties in the United States
6. Who is the commander in Chief of the military.

He told me I was approved and would be receiving a letter in the mail for the Oath Ceremony.

All very civilized and straight forward....

Good luck to those who have yet to to theirs.

Broma25

broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-10 12:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 December filers
QUOTE (NigerLA @ Apr 6 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I got a VM from USCIS (the new standard for incompetence) today informing me that they canceled my appointment for tomorrow because they do not have my file.

To say that I am pissed or up set is an understatement at this point, considering that they had the last two months to get the file from wherever it is.

She left her number and her name and I can assure you that she will be getting an ear full from me tomorrow morning when I return her call.



They dont have your file, but they have your phone number...thats odd!
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2009-04-06 17:43:00
United KingdomThe World’s Best Candy Bars? English, of Course

....... Fru lemon cheesecakes.....


Dammmmmnnnnnnn you!!!!!

And now I really really really really want to eat my way through the entire Fru/Gu range of deliciousness. I too had an entire cupboard full of those little ramekins!



What is a Fru Lemon Cheesecake I have never heard of that?
broma25FemaleUnited Kingdom2007-07-17 10:06:00