# I became a U.S. Citizen today! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 11, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200 "2003-06-11T21:04:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/1 "2003-06-11T21:04:31Z")
I had my Oath Ceremony today, and now I am officially a U.S. Citizen. Hooray! In case anyone is interested in the Naturalization timeline, mine was relatively quick by today’s standards, considering the fact that during my application process the INS became part of the Department of Homeland Security and is now known as BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services), and the FBI background checks are more rigorous than ever. My application process took almost a year to the day since I initially filed my application. I also registered to vote today, so it will be the first time I will be able to vote in my entire life! I am very proud to be a citizen of two of the greatest nations on this planet, the USA and Australia! 🙂 Yay!!! **an eagle swoops in and lands on Lola’s shoulder** _curtseys_ ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/2 "2003-06-11T21:07:30Z")
Well, congratulations, and welcome to the fold! ---
**Author:** ![Peg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Peg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peg)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/3 "2003-06-11T21:08:13Z")
Mucho congratulations, Lola! Oh, and for the BCIS record, you are not a citizen of Australia, right? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/4 "2003-06-11T21:08:22Z")
Congratulations and welcome! Haj ---
**Author:** ![RickQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@RickQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickQ)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/5 "2003-06-11T21:12:00Z")
Congratulations, Lola. I moved over here just over a year ago so I am still a conditional permanent resident so I have a long way to go. How long did it take from when you actually became a resident in the US? ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/6 "2003-06-11T21:20:10Z")
Welcome Lola! ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/7 "2003-06-11T21:21:21Z")
Thanks, folks! (and riiiiight, **Peg** ;)) **RickQ** , I’ve had my green card for many years and I didn’t file for citizenship until last year because Australia only just allowed dual citizenship since April of last year. But I understand that one must reside in the U.S. for 3 years until they can apply for citizenship if they’re married to a US citizen, and 5 years if they’re not married to a citizen, counting from the date you received your green card. I may have that info wrong, but you can double check on the BCIS website. Good luck to you! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/8 "2003-06-11T22:13:48Z")
Hot damn! Congratulations **Lola**! Tripler Awesome news for a change!! ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/9 "2003-06-11T22:38:08Z")
Congrats! They still have that “So You Wanna Be an American” exam, right? How does it feel to know more about American history than half of the native folk? ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/10 "2003-06-11T23:23:01Z")
From one immigrant to another, congratulations!!! It’s been over 20 years, but I still remember how foolishly proud I felt, and I still have the flags from my naturalization ceremony. Then again, I still get a big goofy grin on my face whenever I vote (usually after grimacing at the candidates). CJ ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/11 "2003-06-11T23:26:31Z")
'Grats, **Lola**! ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/12 "2003-06-11T23:49:36Z")
Congratulations, Lola! ---
**Author:** ![earthpuppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8c91f0/32.png) [@earthpuppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/earthpuppy)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/13 "2003-06-11T23:59:06Z")
Wonderful **Lola**! Welcome Mate! (err…uh…) Friend! ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/14 "2003-06-12T00:34:39Z")
Sweet! Welcome to the US! Can we ask where you’ll be settin up residence? If not a city how 'bout the region? ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/15 "2003-06-12T01:25:48Z")
Thanks for the welcome, fellow citizens. Heh. **Bruce\_Daddy** , I am in NYC and have actually been here for quite a while ~ I was a permanent resident before I got my citizenship today. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/16 "2003-06-12T01:54:59Z")
Did you go eat at a McDonald’s to celebrate? Seriously, congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![insomnia4AM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@insomnia4AM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insomnia4AM)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/17 "2003-06-12T02:19:18Z")
Way to go, **Lola**! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/18 "2003-06-12T02:53:33Z")
That’s right! She’s ours! In your face, Canada! Oh, and congratulations Lola. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/19 "2003-06-12T03:20:36Z")
Congrats Lola! Glad to have you as a citizen of the greatest nation on earth. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200/20 "2003-06-12T03:56:56Z")
Lola, that’s great! My BIL just got his “temporary resident alien” status approved this week! He is Brit/Aus, married to a US citizen, been here for years, has a PhD, teaches at a major univ, and had to jump through hoops like a trained poodle just to get that far! Luckily, they decided that since he comes from a “low immigration” country, they would approve him. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-became-a-u-s-citizen-today/181200.md?page=2)