u/bernardobrito

Please forgive any loud music or bad photography.

I just picked up this 2007 Honda Element EX with 229K miles.

Single owner car and the owner is a good friend. Largely Southeast US highway miles.

I drove her 300 miles back home and everything felt pretty tight and steady.

Although well-maintained, I want to tap into the knowledge base in this sub. What do I need to work on first? What are some key watchouts?

Thanks a billion!

Took Naturalization Oath on May 1, 2026. Please read details below.

Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed	April 9, 2026
Your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, was placed in line for oath ceremony scheduling.	April 7, 2026
We cancelled the scheduled appointment for the oath ceremony for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.	December 7, 2025
We scheduled you for an oath ceremony for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.	October 20, 2025
Your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, was placed in line for oath ceremony scheduling.	April 7, 2026
We recommended that your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, be approved. Your case was submitted for quality review.	August 18, 2025
We scheduled an interview for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.	July 14, 2025
We are actively reviewing your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Our records showed nothing is outstanding at this time.	February 19, 2025
We received your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and sent you a receipt notice.	February 11, 2025

I am from a banned country.

I had my interview in August 2025, and it went well. Atlanta FO. I was scheduled for December 12, 2025 Oath Ceremony. On December 7, I received notice of cancellation.

I was gutted. Christmas and New Year celebrations were not joyful. I was very upset.

I read this sub and commiserated with many of you. And earlier this year, I lost my father to cancer, and my uncle who I was closest to. It was a bad time.

I had been checking myUSCIS frequently, then just kind of gave up in March because the "90 days" period passed and DHS gave no substantial updates. Then after the Easter weekend, I checked again and saw that my Oath Ceremony was being scheduled.

Wait - what?

I did not get my hopes up initially, but then the notification came in the mail.

One thing that was strange was that USCIS scheduled me for Gainesville, GA courthouse, which is about 60 miles away from Atlanta. I got a hotel room and checked in the night before. My hotel was literally one block from the courthouse. I did not want to chance any traffic delays or a flat tire or anything.

I arrived at 8:20a for a 9:00a appointment. I brought my Green Card and completed the N-445 form as instructed.

There were 49 new citizens, the court security and staff were VERY upbeat and encouraging to all of us. The judge was great, as was the US Attorney assigned to the ceremony.

Ceremony was smooth, and the judge came down from the bench and invited us to take photos with her. Additionally, the courthouse is an older building that is photogenic (deep red carpeting, big flags, lots of wood) so many of us new citizens took photos in the hallways.

Such a relief.

There were volunteers on site who helped us complete the voter registration forms. Today (Sat 5/2), I took new passport photos and my passport appointment is Mon 5/4 at the post office.

Please let me know if I can help in any way.

I am SUPER appreciative to all of you who shared info, provided education, or just shared experiences and encouragement.

Also, big shout out to Jackie ... "Citizenship with Jackie" (YouTube channel: US Citizenship Test. Org)

YOU ARE NEXT!! Do not lose faith. You will have a Certificate of Naturalization in your hands soon, and that blue passport shortly thereafter.