Naturalization

How long does it take to get my US citizenship?

It varies by location. You can check the USCIS website here to see how long it is taking USCIS to process N-400s. You will need to select which office has jurisdiction over your case.

Which field office has jurisdiction over my case?

Click here and type in your zip code. This will tell you the address of the office that has jurisdiction over your case and it will likely be the office where you will have your naturalization interview.

Where can I check the status of my case?

After USCIS receives your case, they will send you a receipt number. They will send you a receipt notice with the receipt number in the mail; they may also send you the receipt number via text message and email. Once you have your receipt number, click here and type in your receipt number to look up the status of your case.

What should I bring to the naturalization interview?

Your interview appointment notice from USCIS
Your green card
Your passport and any other travel documents
A copy of your application and the original supporting documents
If you applied for naturalization as the spouse of a U.S. citizen bring:
- Your original marriage certificate
- Original proof of death or divorce of your prior spouses and your current spouse’s prior spouses
- Original proof of your spouse’s US citizenship
- Updated documents showing you are currently living in a marital union with your US citizen spouse (updated tax documents, bank statements, etc.)
If you are applying for naturalization as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces bring your DD 214 or military orders.

Am I required to take an English test?

Yes, you must show you can read, write, speak, and understand English unless you fall into one of the categories below: :

You are 50 years or older and you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, or
You are 55 years or older and you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years., or
You have been diagnosed with a mental or physical disability that prevents you from learning the English language. In this case, a medical doctor must complete and sign Form N-648 and you should submit it with your naturalization application.

Am I required to take a US history and Civics test?

Yes. With a few exceptions, you must demonstrate your knowledge of US history and civics. During your naturalization interview, the officer will verbally ask you 10 questions out of a possibility of 100 questions. You need to answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly. You can view the 100 questions here.

If you are 65 years or older and you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you will be given a simplified US history and civics test where you will be required to answer 10 questions out of a possibility of 20 questions. You need to answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly. You can view the 20 questions here.

If you have been diagnosed with a mental or physical disability that prevents you from demonstrating your knowledge of US history and civics, you may be exempt from taking this test at the naturalization interview. In this case, a medical doctor must complete and sign Form N-648 and you should submit it with your naturalization application.

How should I prepare for the naturalization interview?

During your interview, you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English.

A USCIS officer will determine your ability to speak and understand English during your naturalization interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Study the questions on this form as the immigration officer will be asking you these very questions at your interview.
For the reading test, you will need to read out loud one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English. If you can read aloud this list of words, you will be sure to pass this test.
For the writing test, you must write one out of the three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English. If you can write out this list of words, you will be successful on this test.

Also during your interview, you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient knowledge of US Civics. The immigration officer will ask you up to 10 questions from this list of 100 civics test questions. You will need to answer 6 questions correctly to pass this test.

What will the USCIS officer say to me during the interview?

The following words and phrases will likely come up during your interview. Being familiar with these will increase the likelihood that you have a successful interview.

“Raise your right hand” – At the beginning of the interview, the USCIS will place you under oath which requires you to raise your right hand.
“Have you ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen?” – The officer is not asking if you want to be a citizen of the U.S.; rather, the officer is asking if you have ever said or written that you were a U.S. citizen when you really were not a U.S. citizen. In other words, the officer is asking if you have ever lied about being a U.S. citizen.
“Oath of Allegiance” – The officer will ask you if you agree with and are willing to take the oath of allegiance. The officer will also have you sign your name on Form N-400 acknowledging your willingness to take the oath of allegiance. It’s a good idea to be familiar with this phrase and to know what the oath of allegiance really is. More on this below.
Questions on the N-400. The USCIS officer will ask most if not all, questions on the N-400. You will need to understand the meaning of the questions to successfully complete your interview.

What happens after the naturalization interview?

After successfully completing the naturalization interview, you will be invited to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Naturalization Ceremony. Usually, you will be with other candidates for naturalization and a designated USCIS employee or a judge will administer the oath of allegiance. After taking the oath of allegiance, you become a U.S. citizen and a certificate of naturalization will be issued to you.

What should I bring to the naturalization ceremony?

Your green card. The officer will take your green card from you and you will not be getting it back.
Your Notice of Naturalization Ceremony (N-445). Be sure to fill out the questions included with this notice before you check-in at your ceremony.

What is the oath of allegiance?

To become a citizen the final requirement is that you take the Oath of Allegiance. An oath is a solemn promise. You promise you will do the following things:

To give up all loyalty to leaders and governments of other countries where I was a subject or citizen,
To support and defend the laws and constitution of the United States of America,
To be loyal to the United States of America only,
Bear arms (fight, go to battle) for the U.S. when required by the law,
Perform non-combatant service (serve in the military in a non-fighting role) in the military when required by the law,
Perform work of national importance when required by the law.

A judge or designated USCIS employee will administer the oath of allegiance. You will be asked to stand and raise your right hand and repeat the oath of allegiance. The oath of allegiance is as follows:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Naturalization

How long does it take to get my US citizenship?

Which field office has jurisdiction over my case?

Where can I check the status of my case?

What should I bring to the naturalization interview?

Am I required to take an English test?

Am I required to take a US history and Civics test?

How should I prepare for the naturalization interview?

What will the USCIS officer say to me during the interview?

What happens after the naturalization interview?

What should I bring to the naturalization ceremony?

What is the oath of allegiance?

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