October 2014:
Around the 17th of October I received another letter from Bern saying that they needed me to A: Confirm I was still in a lawful marriage with Kay (he needed to sign too) and B: Confirm in writing again that I have not committed any crimes in the past 10 years.
I signed them and sent them off while joking to Kay that they must pull some random “to do” forms for me every time my file lands in the “in box” on their desk. Anything to avoid having to work on my case! These requests were just weird because it was only a few months ago that I signed some very similar papers confirming the same things.
I thought that this would mean it was still some months before I would receive my letter, but last week, there it was in the mail. My post slip from Bern, noting that I would need to pay 765CHF in cash to pick the letter up from the post office.
I was so excited! This was it!
So excited that instead of waiting until the next day for pick up as it stated on the post slip, I waited until 5pm, withdrew some a lot of money at the ATM and headed to the post to see if the letter was there already. Sometimes the letters don’t return to the post until the next day, but it’s worth checking.
The post was really busy at 5 and when my number was called I asked if the postal worker could check if my letter was in yet. She gave me an exasperated look and asked if I noted the pick up day. Yes, yes I can read. I’m asking to check anyway. When you show up at the post with 800CHF cash for a letter, it must be pretty important!
I tore it open on the way home and read with a smile on my face, “we have made a positive decision regarding your application for citizenship.”
I will be Swiss!! Squee!
The letter went on to say that it’s not official yet, but if there are no appeals then I will receive another letter in two months welcoming me into the club and explaining how to update my Heimatort to my current canton. After that I will be able to go to the town hall and apply for my Swiss passport and identity card.
I’m almost there! 😀
Missed something?