FAQ: What happens at a Naturalization Oath Taking Ceremony?
Photo by cottonbro studio. The naturalization ceremony is the culmination of the naturalization process. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is committed to elevating the importance of the naturalization ceremony as a venue to recognize the rights, responsibilities, and importance of citizenship and provide access to services for new citizens. Find out what happens at a naturalization oath ceremony.
What is Naturalization?
Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) applies for and is granted U.S. citizenship. U.S. citizenship is a legal status that offers many benefits and responsibilities, including the ability to vote in U.S. federal elections, serve on a jury, travel with a U.S. passport, and bring family members to the United States. Importantly, once obtained, U.S. citizenship cannot be abandoned or lost by spending extended periods of time outside of the United States (as is the case with permanent residence).
When you apply for citizenship, you are taking an oath to support the principles of the U.S. Constitution, to renounce allegiance to a foreign state, and to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law. In some cases, obtaining U.S. citizenship may mean losing the citizenship of your home country. This can make applying for U.S. citizenship a very personal and important decision.
What are the requirements for naturalization?
Not every permanent resident is eligible to become a U.S. Citizen. Generally, applicants must have been legal permanent residents for at least five years (three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet the following other requirements:
Be at least 18 years old.
Be able to demonstrate physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the last five years prior to filing (or 18 months out of the last three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).
Be able to demonstrate continuous residence in the United States (meaning you have not been outside the United States for more than six months in a row, with some limited exceptions).
Have resided for at least three months in the state where you are filing the naturalization application.
Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
Understand the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.
Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Meet the good moral character requirements.
I passed the naturalization testing and interview. What should I expect to happen next?
After an applicant passes the naturalization testing and interview, they will receive a notice to appear for a Naturalization Oath Ceremony which could be an administrative ceremony conducted by USCIS at a Field Office or a judicial oath ceremony in front of a judge.
Before the official start of the ceremony, applicants are asked to check in with an officer who will review the responses on each naturalization candidate’s Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445) and updates responses as necessary. Once the officer verifies each candidate’s eligibility for naturalization, the officer then collects all USCIS-issued travel documents and lawful permanent resident cards from each candidate.
In addition to the administration of the oath of allegiance to the naturalization candidates, the ceremony may also include keynote remarks by the judge, USCIS leadership or a guest speaker, which may be a:
Civic leader;
Government leader;
Military leader;
Member of Congress;
Judge;
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official; or
A person whom USCIS deems appropriate for the occasion.
Then, after the candidates recite the Pledge of Allegiance, there will be closing remarks from the judge or USCIS leadership and then the presentation of the citizenship certificates.
Is the process the same for those who requested a name change?
The application form provides for an option for the applicant to legally change their name as part of the naturalization process through the federal court where a Judicial oath ceremony will take place. If you requested a name change on your N-400 form, then you will be scheduled to appear for an oath ceremony presided by a judge.
After administering the Oath of Allegiance, the clerk of court must issue each person who appeared for the ceremony a document indicating the court administered the oath. In addition, the clerk must issue a document indicating that the court changed the applicant’s name (if applicable).
Can I request that USCIS expedite my oath ceremony?
Yes, with sufficient cause, either USCIS or the court can grant an expedited oath ceremony. In determining whether to grant an expedited oath ceremony, the court or the USCIS District Director may consider special circumstances of a compelling or humanitarian nature. Special circumstances may include but are not limited to:
A serious illness of the applicant or a member of the applicant's family;
A permanent disability of the applicant sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent the applicant's personal appearance at a scheduled ceremony;
The developmental disability or advanced age of the applicant which would make appearance at a scheduled ceremony improper; or
An urgent or compelling circumstances relating to travel or employment determined by the court or USCIS to be sufficiently meritorious to warrant special consideration.
We have over a decade of experience successfully assisting naturalization applicants. If you have additional questions or require further information or assistance for your naturalization process, please contact us. We are here to help! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, for up-to-date immigration news.
Torregoza Legal PLLC is the law firm for immigrants, by immigrants. We are founded on the motto of LegalEase: we do away with the legal jargon and make law easy to understand, so you can focus on what’s important to you – going for your American Dream.
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