Naturalization Process

You should file with the center that serves the area where you have lived for the last 90 days. You should carefully complete the N-400 form, making sure to provide all of the information requested and to answer all questions on the form. You should also carefully read the instructions to this form and be sure to send additional documents needed by INS to process your application along with it.

All N-400s must be filed by mail - in-person filings are no longer allowed. Once your application has been received, you will be scheduled to appear at the INS Applications Support Center that is nearest to your home to have a set of fingerprints taken.

These fingerprints are used to complete background checks which are required to see that you are a person of good moral character, and therefore, qualified to be a citizen of the United States.

After you have been fingerprinted, you will get an appointment letter to appear before a naturalization officer at your local INS office. The letter will indicate all the documents that you must bring to your interview.

When you arrive for your interview, you must check in with the INS clerk. He or she will give you a document that you must fill out with the correct spelling of your name and address. This will be used to prepare your certificate of naturalization.

You will then be called in to meet with an INS officer. Before you begin, you will be sworn in to tell the truth. The interview will be conducted in English, unless you are exempt from this requirement. The officer will verify and update the information on your application. He or she will also verify the documents you have brought to the interview.

The INS officer will carefully examine the exit and entry stamps in your passport to ensure that you have complied with the physical presence requirements. If you have ever been arrested, expect the officer to ask detailed questions about the circumstances of your arrest. You should be honest with the officer. If you create the slightest suspicion, the officer will deny your application. It will then be very difficult to change the officer's decision or to have any future applications for naturalization approved.

Next, you will be tested on U.S. history and government and asked to write a sentence in English such as, "I went to school with my brother this morning." If you pass these tests and all of your documents are in order, you will be approved and a date to swear in as a U.S. citizen will be selected for you. Sometimes there are delays in scheduling oath ceremonies, and you will receive an appointment by mail. If you can, make sure you select your oath ceremony date when you are interviewed. Otherwise, you may have to wait several months to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

Remember, there are excellent reasons to naturalize. If you're a legal permanent resident and you plan to stay in the United States, you too may be able to receive the full rights available to naturalized U.S. citizens.