Naturalization Experience at New York

So I just got back from my interview. I passed!! I know I know but one gets so nervous for no reason, even fully prepared. And it does not help when you see someone coming back from the interview indicating they have not passed (even if others who come out did).

So here is my interview experience. Overall, not bad, just really really really long wait time. I went over an extended lunch break figuring the most it would take would be 1.5 -2 hours. Ha ha. I arrived at about 10:55am and my scheduled interview time was 11:30am (following the instructions not to arrive more than 30min prior). My interview was at the Federal Plaza building in Lower Manhattan. First there is a line to go through security but that goes pretty fast. Then you go to the 7th Floor and you enter a huuge room full of maybe 500 people (I am guessing it was 500 because that was the max capacity posted on the wall and the room looked really full). You hand in your letter and wait for them to call your name. Now, given all the foreign names, that may not be the best system. Either way, I was called in about 25 min and I got very excited. It was about 1125pm by then. An officer took me to another smaller room this time. This one was very crowded and I would estimate had about 200 people, most of them seemed to be waiting for their oath letter. And I guess few of us for the interview. I was told to wait to be called again. And waited and waited. Most often they came in calling out people for their oath letters and few times swearing in minors. A lady sitting next to me said her interview time was for 1030am and she was done by 1045am but she had been waiting for her oath letter ever since then. One hour passed, second, and I was starting to get really nervous as I had to go back to work. I could not believe it was taking this long. But there is not much you can do about that. Finally at about 145pm (2 hours 45 min after arriving) I was called in. My IO was very nice though she was taking a really long time. I spent with her maybe 25 minuts, the test was done within the first 5-7 minutes and was very fast. First though, after swearing me in, she asked me for my passport, greencard, driver ID and social security card. luckily, I brought my SScard though it was nowhere mentioned you need to bring that one in. So just make sure you bring yours to the interview as well. She did not want to see any other documents I brought in. The test was very easy and fast.
She asked me to read the sentence: "Who was George Washington?" and then write down "George Washington was the first president". Then she asked me the following 6 questions;
1) The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
2) We elect US Representative for how many years?
3) In what month we vote for President?
4) Who is Chief Justice of the United States now?
5) Who is the Father of Our Country?
6) Name one war fought by the United States in 1900s.

After I answered all the questions correctly, she congratulated me on passing the test. The remaining 20 minutes was spent on going over my application in detail, any changes and corrections, and asking me all the yes/no questions at the back. And then I had to sign couple pieces of paper, my photos and she kept checking the application and her file. Finally she left to make copies of my ID. She was friendly and easygoing, even chatting with me about my profession and job, my new middle names I am adding that were her kids name as well etc. Then she said I was done and handing me the paper confirming I passed and would receive my oath letter in 30 to 60 days. I asked her then if it would be ok for me to leave the country for short time at the end of December and she said that should be fine and that I might receive my oath letter by then and that I just need to mention at the oath that I travelled. that was it. I went back to the 'hold room" where people were still waiting for their oath letters but by then I really had to get back to work and decided to just wait for mine to be mailed. I did ask while waiting for the interview before the officer who was handing out the oath letters when my oath could possibly be scheduled for and he mentioned that because I was Manhattan and had a name change (even if a minor one), the earliest would be Dec. 7. Whether I get that date still if they mail it, who knows. I will just wait and see. If I do get the oath for 7th, then I will have to pay special expedited passport service to get mine in time before leaving. by the time i left the builing it was 230pm, so only about 3 1/2 hour later. So just come prepared for the wait. Other location may not be so bad and it may be the Manhattan thing, but one never knows. And bring your SScard too. Good luck to all!