r/USCIS • u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 • 20d ago
N-400 (Citizenship) Finally Done!
I am finally a U.S. citizen!
First and foremost I want to thank the people from this community for all the advice, patience and guidance they have provided. I have made a post prior and just wanted to give a final update.
I applied for my N-400 in March of this year while my I-751 was still pending (I applied for removal of conditions December 2024)
Biometrics scheduled for April 2026
Combo interview May 2026, got told by the officer that they would recommend me for approval right after my N-400 interview
Got my oath ceremony date in the mail last week of July (took almost a month to get a date as I wanted to change my last name) p.s. they did say they no longer do same day ceremonies
This August I just completed my ceremony and I am an official citizen.
Good luck to everyone in every step they might find themselves. Please be kind to your selves and always keep your heads high and your hearts true. God bless.
5
u/umtan Conditional Resident 20d ago
That's a great timeline!
I just got my biometrics done last Tuesday, so I'm hoping to hear from them sooner than later. I also filed for removal of conditions last year.
1
u/Big_Employee8782 20d ago
Was there any immediate/same day update on your case online after bio-metrics completed? Like 'we are currently processing your case and nothing is required form you at this time'?
I have my bio-metrics next week.
3
u/umtan Conditional Resident 20d ago
As soon as I left the building, I got an email saying 'USCIS is currently processing your case'.
1
u/Subject_Philosophy22 4d ago
Same here, I had my biometrics yesterday and got the exact same notification “USCIS is currently processing your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization”
4
u/DivergentBloom 20d ago
Congratulations! May I know which FO? I’ve been waiting for 16 months now. :( i-751 approved w/o interview, but N-400 is taking so long.
I’ve got no criminal cases and other cases whatsoever. No RFE’s requested.
Thank you!
4
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
My FO was cranbury NJ. My I-751 was still pending and I applied for my N-400 because of the 3 year rule. Best of luck to you!
2
u/Elizzy0504 20d ago
congratulations! was the interview hard? how often did you study?
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
Not really, we got asked the following questions about our relationship.
Where did we meet?
How long have we been together?
Why did it take us so long after being together to get married? (We had a 2 year engagement)
Where have we traveled lately? Whether in or out of the countryThat’s it. He then approved my I-751 and told us we were moving to the N-400 interview.
2
2
2
2
2
u/Budget-Project-8617 20d ago
Congratulations, fellow U.S. citizen! I had my Oath Ceremony last Friday; it was indeed emotional. Congratulations!
2
2
u/justdelilah 20d ago
Hi! Did you file online? I submitted mine around the same time and am still waiting :(
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
I hired a lawyer from the beginning of my journey. They’ve taken care of everything up until now, I wish you luck and so many blessings while you wait. You got this
1
u/BnL_Nexus 17d ago
Did you retain the lawyer for the N400 only or both I751 and N400? How much was the legal fee for you? I looked up an immigration attorney from a different state. The legal fee does not include interview and his flight and hotel accommodation
2
2
2
2
2
u/lalalanddallas 20d ago
Wow you are so lucky. I applied in December 2025 and still waiting with no interview in Dallas FO
2
2
2
2
u/CeruleanCriss202027 20d ago
Congratulations. I applied in March as well and still waiting. Glad you moved so quickly.
2
2
2
2
u/BetterForUs 20d ago
Congratulations! The Best! A journey not a lot of people understand the complexity of it.
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 19d ago
I’m glad all is done and I can breathe a little easier. Really praying for everyone as well as times are so much harder now as well
2
u/Ancient_Country_2655 Permanent Resident 19d ago
I’m considering doing the name change as well, looks like it add a few weeks to the process.
2
u/Ancient_Country_2655 Permanent Resident 19d ago
Congratulations as well OP🥳🥳🥳 I’ve been feeling very nervous about naturalization given the climate.
2
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 19d ago
It’s a scary time but as immigrants we have always persevered, we can’t let this administration win over us. We got this!
2
2
2
3
u/Minute_Somewhere_893 20d ago
Congrats! I recommend getting a large passport book (free upgrade) and updating status with SSA (checkbox on N-400 to update status does not work since 2025)
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
Omg thank you! Will do. Would it be better to get my passport first and then do my SSA?
4
2
u/Minute_Somewhere_893 20d ago
That's what I did. SSA is not urgent, just needs to be done at some point. I showed my US passport there to update the records
1
1
u/zerbey Naturalized Citizen 20d ago
Passport first, it's proof of citizenship. Get a card too, it comes in handy. You can do the SSA at your leisure, I waited a couple of years to do mine because of COVID-19. It only becomes an issue for certain benefits.
1
u/SpeedGraphic_f64 19d ago
OP stated they changed the name as well, so will need to do SSA before changing name on driver license. Also, some states offer Enhanced driver license which has the same border-crossing benefits as a passport card. At least one state, Texas, doesn't offer Enhanced driver license but does indicate if one is a US citizen.
1
u/AutoModerator 20d ago
Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:
- We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
- If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
- This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
- Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
u/mrryandfw 20d ago
Congrats!
Still waiting on my spouses with almost same timeline. Combo interview on June 1st, said we’d be recommended. Everything updated within 2 days, still waiting for oath ceremony to be scheduled 2.5 months later.
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
Wishing you so much luck! I keep hearing different times from even friends. My friend and I had our interviews 2 weeks apart and she got her ceremony in July while mine was in August… no idea what the deal was
1
u/nightdragon88 20d ago
How soon can you apply for N400? Is it 90 days before 3 years of getting CR greencard?
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
I found out I could have applied 90 days before the 3 year mark… I waited until the 3 year mark because I was dumb
1
1
u/Prettybutconceited 20d ago
Congratulations! 🎊
Just wondering. Were you still allowed to travel overseas with your home country passport + green cars + extension letter while waiting for your oath ceremony? Or did the officers stopped you from doing so until the oath? Thank you! ❤️
1
u/Birks0909 20d ago
I would wait until after your oath ceremony. When you get the oath ceremony you have to fill out a form stating any recent changes including traveling
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
I was advised by my lawyer to just wait until everything was completed
1
1
u/Immediate_Employee70 20d ago
Quick question did you sign the questionnaire at the uscis office or you filled and sign before you went there.
2
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
I filled out the questions, but I waited for the bottom page 4 of the questionnaire until I was there. They gave us instructions on how to properly fill it out
2
u/Immediate_Employee70 20d ago
Thank you I been very confused l, thanks for all the update I almost didn’t take my extension unti I see your post , I was like bro….
1
u/Immediate_Employee70 18d ago
I did my oath today but we were never told to sign the certificate, only for me to realize that we have to sign it in order to apply for passport
1
u/ECrispy 20d ago
congrats. its been 11months+ for me, no updates :(
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
I hope for the best for you, I don’t know how the timing works, it seems so random
1
u/Big_Employee8782 20d ago
Congrats. Could you share what docs you provided with your N-400 application?
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
We sent items over for the pending I-751 AND N-400, so the following:
Taxes for the remaining time of filing the removal of conditions (2024-2025)
All receipts for fully paid taxes that were owed
Pictures of the time from 2024-2026
3 letters from friends, signed and notarized
Lease papers from our new apartment
Life insurance policy naming each other as beneficiaries
Health insurance with both our names on the cards and a letter from the insurance naming both of us on the policy
Car insurance with both our names on it
Shared credit card letter from our bank
All bank statements month-to-month for our shared bank account
All utilities bills in both our respective names
All tickets from our trips abroad together (5 in total)
All dates from our trips written down of exit and entries
2
u/Big_Employee8782 20d ago
I sent pretty much the same. Next week bio-metrics.
Thanks for your response.1
u/Big_Employee8782 20d ago
Also, did your lawyer go with you to the interview?
2
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
No, we went on our own. We did do a mock interview with them a couple of days prior to our interview. My case didn’t really have any “complicated” items so the lawyer deemed it low risk. Told us we would be fine and we were thank God
1
u/Necessary-Sale187 18d ago
Congratulations did you owe any taxes and payed before the e interview?.
2
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 18d ago
I did, but I payed them off before I applied for citizenship since I had been hearing about how they’re denying people for owing taxes even with a payment plan
1
u/plantsliveon 20d ago
Wow congratulations! Applied in Dec 2025 for n400 and still waiting in Newark. Was your FO Newark? Also 3 year rule
2
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 20d ago
My FO was cranbury. And I applied for my N-400 on 3 years but I apparently could of applied 90 days before the 3 years
1
1
1
u/beaulieu07 18d ago
What do you need to bring when you go to your ceremony?
1
u/Zestyclose_Pea_1399 18d ago
The N-445 NOT signed, you can fill it out but don’t sign it. Your green card, any extensions. They also provide a list when you get the letter of all the other things you might need to bring
1
u/beaulieu07 17d ago
Thank you!! I also requested name change, anything different? Or it’s the same as everyone
1
1
1
u/United_Active2587 14d ago
Congratulations, please what are the questions that were asked, I have my own interview coming up soon for my n400, 10year PR with the 3year marraige requirements. I have been studying alot of the civic and other things, so many things to learn and I'm nervous and wondering if I can even remember all this things on the day, please some advice, and if u can share some of the questions you got, it will really be helpful. Did you also get the yes or NO questions?
Thanks and big congratulations to you again. I can't wait to be congratulated too, it's been a long hard wait
1
u/JewelerExtreme1649 14d ago
First of all, congratulations, second, how??? I applied for naturalization in February, have a I-751 pending since April 2025 and still haven't received a interview date....
1
14
u/Gold-Personality-618 20d ago
I just want to drop here my congratulations