How Long Does the U.S. Citizenship Application Take to Process?

The processing time for naturalization takes from 6 to 12 months according to the USCIS average over the last 6 years. After you submit your application for naturalization, there are a few more steps to take in before you can become a citizen. The steps in this guide assume that applicants have already confirmed that they are eligible to become U.S. citizens.

Here is a list of each step in the process from submitting your citizenship application to taking your Oath of Allegiance:

• Step 1. Submit your N-400, Application for Naturalization
• Step 2. Attend your Biometrics Services Appointment
• Step 3. Attend your Naturalization Interview and Exam
• Step 4. Receive a Decision From USCIS Regarding your Application
• Step 5. Take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization

The amount of time to complete the naturalization process which we will discuss in this guide, is only an estimate. The estimate is based on the USCIS historic processing time for the naturalization process, but it is impossible to predict possible delays in the future.

It is also worth noting that some field offices take longer to process naturalization applications than others. This happens for a number of reasons including staffing, application numbers, and other the zip code you’re applying from.

Step 1. Submit your N-400, Application for Naturalization

Sending your application for naturalization to USCIS is the first step, so it’s important to have everything in order from the start.

How long does the N-400, Application for Naturalization take?

The 6-12 month processing time for application N-400 includes every part of the process that we will discuss in this article from submitting the application, to the Oath of Allegiance. You can think of steps 2-5 as smaller steps along the timeline to have your application approved, and eventually become a citizen.

Submitting your citizenship application is the first official step in the naturalization process. You can file your form N-400 online, or by mail using a paper version of the form. If you are requesting a fee reduction or a fee waiver, you cannot submit your application online, you must submit your application by mail.

Make sure that when you send your application, you have checked it thoroughly to ensure your answers are accurate, your method of payment is correct, and you’ve included all the supporting documents that USCIS requires. If you fail to provide the proper documentation, you will slow down the process of having your application approved.

If any of your documents are in a language other than English, USCIS requires you to submit an English translation.To ensure that your naturalization application is processed quickly, it helps to use a certified translator. Some of the documents required for your citizenship application include:

• Photocopy of your green card
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Military service records

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Step 2. Attend your Biometrics Services Appointment

The biometrics appointment is how USCIS verifies your identity using fingerprints and photographs, and the visit should be less than 30 minutes.

How long does the biometrics appointment take?

The next step after submitting your naturalization application will be to attend your biometric services appointment. Although times vary for everyone, the biometrics appointment is scheduled between 3-8 weeks after you submit your application. You may wait several weeks to attend this appointment, but the appointment itself usually takes less than 30 minutes.

The USCIS will send you a Form I-797C, Notice of Action in the mail This will tell you the exact location, or USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) you need to go to. It will also tell you the exact date and time of your appointment.

The purpose of the biometrics services appointment is for USCIS to take your fingerprints, take a photo of you, and record your signature. With this information, USCIS will conduct a background check to help verify your identity.

The documents which you should bring to your biometric services appointment include Form I-797C, your Permanent Resident Card (your green card), and another photo identification such as your passport, or driver’s license.

If USCIS needs more information about you, they might make a “I-797E, Request for Evidence” (RFE). This request will be sent to your mailing address. Your RFE will also provide a date by which your missing evidence must be sent to USCIS. Make sure to provide this evidence before the stated deadline.

Some of the documents required in a RFE could include police records, marriage certificates, court records, or missing translations of documents. Any form that you submit to USCIS in a language other than English, should have an English translation accompanying them.

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Step 3. Attend your Naturalization Interview and Exam

During the naturalization interview and exam, USCIS verifies your background and then gives you a two-part exam for English skills and civic understanding.

When will the naturalization interview take place?

It’s hard to predict exactly when your interview and exam will be, but they are usually scheduled between 5-9 months after you submit your form N-400.

The USCIS will send you a notice in the mail telling the exact date, time, and address where your interview will be held. This notice will only be sent one time so make sure USCIS has your correct mailing address.

In the interview, a USCIS officer will check the accuracy of the information in your naturalization application. Usually, the interview happens at a USCIS field office determined by your zip code. When you attend your interview, you’ll need your Permanent Resident or Alien Registration Card, Passport, State Identification Card, and any Re-entry permits you’ve been given.

When will the naturalization exam take place?

The two-part naturalization exam takes place after your naturalization interview, on the same day.

In the first half, you’ll prove you can read, write, speak, and understand english. In the second half, you’ll take a civics test to prove your knowledge of U.S. history and government. You will be asked 10 questions from a list of 100 questions. You must get 6 of the 10 questions correct.

Applicants will have 2 chances to complete this test. The first chance will be during your interview. If you fail your first attempt, the second test will be scheduled by the USCIS officer within 60 to 90 days after the initial examination. The test is straightforward and USCIS provides materials for applicants to study and prepare.

It is very important not to miss your interview. If you must miss your interview, you should follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment.

If you miss your scheduled interview without notifying USCIS they will “administratively close” your case. If your case is closed, you will be notified at the most recent address you’ve provided. After the case is administratively closed, you have 1 year to schedule a new interview. If you fail to reschedule, USCIS will deny your application.

Step 4. Receive a Decision From USCIS Regarding your Application

After USCIS has reviewed your documents, identity, background, and interviewed you, they will approve, continue, or deny your application.

When will I receive a decision about my application?

If everything goes well, USCIS might approve your naturalization application on the same day as your naturalization interview and test. But, this is only if all your paperwork is correct and there are no delays.

If your application is not approved, USCIS is required to send you a decision by mail within 120 days. The notice is officially called “N-652, Naturalization Interview Results.” There are three possible responses from USCIS regarding your application.

1. Approved – This means that citizenship will be grated to you. Your last step is to take the Oath of Allegiance.
2. Continued – This means USCIS is going to continue processing your case. There are two common reasons why your case is continued:
   1. You failed the English or Civics exam mentioned in step 3. In this case, a second exam will be scheduled by the USCIS officer within 60 to 90 days after your first.
   2. You failed to provide all the correct documents to USCIS. In this case, USCIS will mail you Form N-14 which explains all the information and documents you need to provide to USCIS. Form N-14 also tells you when, and how to return the information to USCIS.
   3. Denied – If your application is denied, you will receive a denial letter which explains how to request a hearing, and the form you need will be included. This is Form N-336. You will only have 30 days after you receive the denial letter, to file Form N-336 along with the correct fee. After receiving your form, USCIS will schedule a hearing within 180 days to review your case.

Step 5. Take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization

The Oath of Allegiance ceremony is the final step in becoming a U.S. citizen and though it only lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, it is mandatory that you attend.

When will I attend the Oath of Allegiance Ceremony?

If your naturalization application is approved, there’s a chance that your Oath of Allegiance ceremony will happen on the same day as your naturalization interview (step 4).

If not, the USCIS will schedule you for a naturalization ceremony in about 2-6 weeks. The USCIS will send you Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony to tell you the date, time, and address of the oath ceremony you will attend.

You can think of this ceremony as the finish line. This is the final step, and you are not considered a U.S. citizen until you’ve attended this ceremony. When you check into the ceremony, you will give a USCIS officer your green card and you will no longer need it. After that you will take the oath of allegiance. After you take the oath of allegiance, you will receive your certificate of naturalization which is evidence that you are a U.S. citizen.

Why do some field offices take longer than others?

The USCIS has field offices all over the United States where they process naturalization applications, and take care of hundreds of other other tasks.

Each applicant is assigned a field office based on their zip code. This means simply that the field office where your applications are processed, is close to your house.

The USCIS offers a web page where you can input which immigration form you have submitted, along with the field office location where your form is being processed. The website will then calculate what percentage of cases are completed within a certain number of months. For example, the website might say 80% of N-400’s are processed within 12 months, in Queens, NY.

Each field office has different reasons for processing forms quickly or slowly. If a field office is receiving a high number of applications, it might take longer to have your naturalization application processed.

The historic processing times published by USCIS finds the median of all field offices in the U.S. For example, in 2022, the median processing time for Form N-400 was 10.5 months. However, this number reflects every field office, meaning your application could take more or less time.

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Author: Aaron Randolph | LinkedIn