Naturalization Processing Time

Approximately 2 ~ 3 weeks after filing of N-400

Once you complete the Form N-400 and properly gather all necessary documents, you then will submit the application along with the filing fee(s) either online or by mail. From the date of filing, the USCIS will send you a receipt notice, formally known as I-797C, notice of action. However, if you did not properly file your Form N-400, USCIS will send a notice of action to reject the application or may send a request for evidence(RFE). Either will significantly delay your naturalization processing time.

Approximately 3 ~ 5 weeks after filing of N-400

After receiving I-797, the receipt notice, you should expect to receive another notice notifying your Biometrics appointment. Within the appointment notice, you will be assigned biometrics appointment date, time, and location. USCIS requires you to be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a security clearance and criminal background check.

IMPORTANT: If you are 75 years old or older, you are waived from paying biometric services fee, but you still have to attend a biometric appointment regardless of age.

Approximately 5 ~ 8 weeks after filing of N-400

Approximately 5 ~ 8 weeks after filing of the Form N-400, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment (aka, USCIS fingerprint appointment). You will attend the appointment and will provide your fingerprints, photograph and signature.

This is not an interview. This is simply a part of the N-400 review process where USCIS collects your biometrics information to conduct background and criminal checks. If you are not able to attend your scheduled appointment, you will have to reschedule your biometrics appointment which will delay the N-400 processing time. If you fail to attend your scheduled appointment without your request for a new schedule, your N-400 may be considered abandoned.

IMPORTANT: If you believe to have or have a criminal record, even conviction of Driving Under Influence (DUI), we suggest that you need to consult with an experienced immigration attorney before going to a biometrics appointment.

Approximately 5 ~ 9 months after filing of N-400

After biometric appointment notice, you will receive another appointment notice for your naturalization interview. Interview notice will arrive by mail as another Form I-797, Notice of Action. Make sure to attend the scheduled interview appointment to avoid any delay in the naturalization processing time. The interview will be scheduled at a USCIS office near you. If you are not able to attend your scheduled appointment, you will have to reschedule your interview appointment which will delay the naturalization processing time. If you fail to attend your scheduled appointment without your request for a new appointment schedule, your N-400 may be denied.

Approximately 7 ~ 11 months after filing of N-400

You are almost at the end of the citizenship timeline. At the interview, USCIS officers will ask various questions about your N-400 application to confirm that the answers you provided are still correct. In addition, you will need to take the naturalization test (aka, citizenship test) to demonstrate that you are able to read, write, and speak basic English and that you have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics). Based on your understanding of the questions and responses to said questions will typically be considered as part of English test. In addition, you will be asked to read and write a sentence in English. Thereafter, they will administer the civics test. For more information, please see our “How to Prepare for the Naturalization Test” for a more detailed information

After your naturalization interview, USCIS will give you Form N-652, naturalization interview results. It gives you the result of your interview. They will either Grant, Continue, or Deny your Naturalization application.

• Granted – USCIS approves your naturalization application
• Continued – USCIS may continue your naturalization application if you failed a test or did not provide all or incorrect documents. This will add additional time to complete the naturalization process
• Denied – USCIS denies your naturalization application.

If you successfully complete your interview and receive a preliminary approval for naturalization, then the next step will be to wait for the notice with the place and time of the oath Ceremony. It’s almost the end of the citizenship timeline but you are NOT yet a U.S. citizen until you swear at the Oath Ceremony.

Approximately 1 ~ 4 weeks after naturalization interview

After the successful interview, you will soon receive a notice to attend oath Ceremony, Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony. The notice will provide you with the date, time, and location where the ceremony will be held.

If you cannot attend your scheduled ceremony, return the notice, Form N-445, to your local USCIS office with a letter requesting a new date along with an explanation why you can’t attend the scheduled ceremony. The rescheduling would delay the naturalization processing time, but failure to appear more than once for your Naturalization Ceremony may lead to a denial of your naturalization application.

Approximately 8 ~ 12 months after filing N-400

The oath is administered by USCIS at an administrative ceremony or by a judge in a judicial ceremony. A court has exclusive authority to conduct the ceremonies in certain USCIS districts. After taking the Oath of Allegiance, you will turn in your green card and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.