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.
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.
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.
Yes, you must show you can read, write, speak, and understand English unless you fall into one of the categories below:
Yes. With a few exceptions, you must demonstrate your knowledge of US history and civics. The version of the test you take depends on when USCIS receives your Form N-400.
Special Exemption for Certain Applicants: If you are 65 years or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you will take a simplified test with up to 10 questions from a list of 20 specially selected questions (marked with an asterisk in the study materials). You need to answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly to pass. You can choose to study either the 2008 or 2025 version of these 20 questions and may take the test in the language of your choice. View the 20 questions for the 2008 version here, or view the questions with asterisks in the 2025 version here.
Exemption for disabilities: 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.
Make sure to study the right version based on your filing date. For more details and updates, visit the USCIS Civics Test Updates page.
During your interview, you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
