Grade Northward-400 Processing Fourth dimension

What Happens Afterwards Filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

As an applicant for U.Southward. citizenship, you're probably anxious to know what happens later on filing Form Due north-400, Application for Naturalization, and how long it takes to go a naturalized denizen.

Although the steps that take place are fairly consequent, the Form Due north-400 processing time will vary based on the USCIS case load, the USCIS role where you filed, and your ability to properly file an accurately prepared naturalization awarding package. The post-obit outline describes the basic steps of the Due north-400 time line for most people.

Form N-400 processing time line, what happens after filing for naturalization

Receipt of Application

APPROXIMATELY 2 TO three WEEKS Subsequently FILING

If you lot properly file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, USCIS volition initially respond by mailing yous a receipt discover that confirms receipt of your application. Formally known as Class I-797C, Notice of Activeness (see case below), the receipt notice typically arrives two to iii weeks after filing. If you did not properly file your Form Due north-400, USCIS will send a Notice of Action to reject the application or may send a Request for Bear witness that requests additional items. Either will significantly filibuster your asking. Thus, it is vital to fix the naturalization application parcel correctly and submit all required supporting documents.

I-797c receipt notice during N-400 time line

Tip: Save this important letter. It contains your ten-digit receipt number. Yous can use this receipt number to check your case condition. If y'all didn't receive a Notice of Activity, you can make a case research.

Nearly 9% of Form N-400 applications are rejected, and thousands more are denied. A poorly prepared application can too delay the approval process and fifty-fifty create significant clearing problems. When you set up your N-400 on CitizenPath, we provide simple, step-past-step instructions and alerts to help yous avoid costly delays. We even guarantee USCIS volition approve your application. No credit carte is required to endeavor it.

approval guarantee for N-400 citizenship application

Appointment Notice for Biometrics

APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 WEEKS AFTER FILING

Next, you will receive an engagement notice that assigns your biometrics engagement date, fourth dimension and location. (The location volition generally be the USCIS Awarding Support Center nearest you.) USCIS requires applicants to be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a security clearance and criminal background check. Don't be alarmed — All applicants must have background checks.

Tip: If y'all are 75 years onetime or older at the time of filing, the biometric service fee volition be waived. Nevertheless, yous will be required to attend a biometrics engagement regardless of age. If you didn't receive your biometrics appointment detect, you tin make a case inquiry.

Biometrics Appointment

APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 8 WEEKS AFTER FILING

The biometrics appointment, also known as a biometrics screening, is generally a short date (approximately 30 minutes) so that USCIS can collect your fingerprints, photograph and signature. Your appointment notice volition tell y'all what you demand to take to the appointment. Expect to take some class of regime-issued photo identification to enter the building. USCIS can accept ID documents such as:

  • Passport or national photo identification issued past your country
  • Commuter's license
  • War machine photo identification
  • State-issued photograph identification bill of fare

biometrics appointment during naturalization processing time line

This is not an interview. The appointment's purpose is to collect your biometrics information simply. Effort to nourish the appointment as scheduled. Rescheduling the biometrics will touch on the N-400 processing time. To acquire more about the engagement, read USCIS biometrics appointment.

Tip: If you call back you might have a criminal tape (fifty-fifty a DUI), contact an immigration lawyer before going to a biometrics date. Some crimes will make you ineligible for immigration benefits. A lawyer can asking a background check before USCIS does and deal with it every bit necessary.

Date Find for Naturalization Interview

APPROXIMATELY v TO ix MONTHS AFTER FILING

After completing the biometrics appointment, USCIS will send another appointment notice for your naturalization interview. Brand every attempt to attend the interview time every bit scheduled for you. Rescheduling an interview may add several months to the naturalization process. By at present y'all should be preparing — become to How to Prepare for the Citizenship Interview and Test.

The interview notice volition arrive by mail service equally some other Grade I-797, Observe of Action. The naturalization interview volition be scheduled at a USCIS facility near you, and information technology probably volition last less than 30 minutes.

Tip: You must notify USCIS if you alter your address afterward filing your Form Northward-400 within 10 days of your relocation by filing Form AR-11, Alien'south Change of Address. You lot likewise must call USCIS at one-800-375-5283 to change the address with your awaiting Northward-400 application.

Naturalization Interview

APPROXIMATELY 7 TO eleven MONTHS AFTER FILING

At the interview, a USCIS officer volition typically go through the unabridged Northward-400 application to confirm that the answers previously provided are still correct. In fact, your ability to sympathize these questions and answers is part of your English comprehension test. Additionally, they volition enquire you to read and write a judgement in English, will administrate the history/civics test, and will review the results from your background check. If there are whatever problems that are out of the ordinary, like a previous arrest or if taxes are owed to the regime, then further questions and test are normally washed.

  • If you are informed at the interview that you lot've received a preliminary approval for naturalization, then the adjacent stride will be to wait for the notice with the place and time of the adjuration ceremony. An applicant does not officially go a U.s.a. citizen until after he or she is sworn in at the Oath Ceremony.
  • In some cases, the USCIS officer will not be able to make a decision on the application for naturalization on the day of your interview. In these cases, the USCIS officer will keep your case. This may include a request for you to provide additional prove or require a second interview. Read about the nigh common reasons Northward-400 applications are connected or denied.

naturalization interview during N-400 processing time line

Later on your interview, USCIS will requite you Form Due north-652, Naturalization Interview Results. It provides yous with information almost the results of your interview. They will either grant, go along, or deny your naturalization application afterward your interview.

  • Granted — USCIS may approve your Course Due north-400 if the evidence on record establishes your eligibility for naturalization.
  • Connected – USCIS may continue your Form Due north-400 if you failed a test or did not give USCIS the right documents. This will add time to your case as yous correct the problem.
  • Denied — USCIS will deny your Class N-400 if the testify on record establishes you are not eligible for naturalization.

Tip: There are numerous free resources to help you prepare for the U.S. citizenship examination and interview.

Observe of Oath Ceremony

APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 4 WEEKS AFTER INTERVIEW

If your interview was successful, you will soon receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance (Northward-445, Discover of Naturalization Oath Ceremony). The notice volition include a request to respond some additional questions that will be submitted at the bodily oath anniversary. See a sample >>

Tip: If yous cannot nourish your scheduled naturalization ceremony, return the notice, Form North-445, Discover of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, to your local USCIS role, along with a alphabetic character requesting a new date and caption why you cannot attend the scheduled naturalization anniversary. Failing to announced more than one time for your naturalization ceremony may pb to a denial of your application.

Adjuration of Allegiance Ceremony

APPROXIMATELY 8 TO 12 MONTHS AFTER FILING

Yous are not a U.S. denizen until you take the Oath of Fidelity at a naturalization ceremony. The oath is administered by USCIS at an administrative ceremony or by a estimate in a judicial ceremony. A court has sectional authority to conduct the ceremonies in certain USCIS districts. After taking the Oath of Fidelity, you will turn in your green carte du jour and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. Congratulations!

Tip: Review your Certificate of Naturalization and notify USCIS of whatsoever corrections to your certificate earlier leaving the ceremony site.

Form North-400 Processing Time Summary

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO Get A U.Due south. Denizen?

Afterwards filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and related forms, your N-400 processing time can take anywhere from viii to 12 months. This is an approximation. It may be shorter for some and longer for others. In some cases, USCIS will brand a asking for additional data or even schedule an additional interview. Don't forget — you can cheque your case condition online with your receipt number. The USCIS website also lists normal processing times. If you believe that your case is exterior the normal processing times, yous can brand a instance enquiry.