M-1051 (09/12)

10 Steps to 

Naturalization

Understanding the Process 

of Becoming a U.S. Citizen
Determine if you are already a 

U.S. citizen.

You can become a U.S. citizen by birth or through 

naturalization. Generally, people are born U.S. citizens 

if they are born in the United States or if they are 

born abroad to U.S. citizens. You may also derive U.S. 

citizenship as a minor following the naturalization of 

one or both parents.

; Were you born in the United States or a territory of 

the United States? 

If yes, you may already be a U.S. citizen.

; Is at least one of your parents a U.S. citizen? 

If yes, refer to Form N-600, Application for 

Certificate of Citizenship or Form N-600K, 

Application for Citizenship and Issuance of 

Certificate for more information. If you have a U.S. 

citizen parent who is a U.S. citizen by either birth 

or naturalization you may already be a citizen.

WHAT TO DO:

If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth, or did not 

acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from your parent(s) 

automatically after birth, go to the next step.

If you are not a U.S. citizen—

Go to STEP 2
Determine your eligibility to 

become a U.S. citizen.

In general, you may qualify for naturalization if 

you are at least 18 years old and have been a 

permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years 

if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all 

other eligibility requirements.

WHAT TO DO:

; Read Form M-476, A Guide to Naturalization

available at www.uscis.gov/natzguide to 

learn more about naturalization and eligibility 

requirements. 

; Visit the Citizenship Resource Center at 

www.uscis.gov/citizenship for information on 

the naturalization test and available study 

materials.

Not Eligible—We encourage you 

to apply when you are eligible.

Eligible—Go to STEP 3
Prepare Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization.

When you meet all requirements to become a 

U.S. citizen, complete Form N-400 to apply for 

naturalization. Download Form N-400 at 

www.uscis.gov/n-400 or call the USCIS Forms 

Line at 1-800-870-3676 to request a copy. 

WHAT TO DO:

; Complete and sign your Form N-400.

; Get 2 passport-style photos taken.

; Collect the necessary documents to 

demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization. 

Refer to A Guide to Naturalization for more 

information at www.uscis.gov/natzguide. 

; Review your Form N-400 and supporting 

documents.

Note: USCIS may ask for additional information 

if your application is incomplete. This will 

delay the processing of your application. 

Go to STEP 4
Submit Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization.

Send in your application, photographs, documents, 

and fees to USCIS. (Refer to www.uscis.gov/n-400

for filing addresses.) 

Once you submit Form N-400 and get a receipt 

notice, you can check current processing times and 

the status of your application by visiting www.uscis.

gov or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-375-

5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (hearing impaired). 

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

; Form N-400 and biometric services fees, if 

applicable.

; Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability 

Exceptions, if applicable. If you are seeking 

an exception to the English and/or civics 

requirement for naturalization because of a 

physical or developmental disability or a mental 

impairment, submit Form N-648 with your 

package.

; 2 passport-style photos and any additional 

evidence demonstrating your eligibility for 

naturalization. 

Refer to Form N-400 instructions for additional 

documentary requirements. Keep a copy of 

your completed Form N-400 and any supporting 

evidence for your records. You will be required to 

answer questions about your Form N-400 at your 

naturalization interview.

Go to STEP 5
Go to the biometrics 

appointment, if applicable.

USCIS requires applicants to be fingerprinted 

for the purpose of conducting Federal Bureau 

of Investigation (FBI) criminal background 

checks. All applicants must have background 

checks completed before USCIS will schedule 

an interview. If you are 75 years old or older at 

the time of filing, you are exempted from the 

fingerprint requirements, but are subject to all 

other background checks. 

WHAT TO DO:

; Receive an appointment notice that will include 

your biometrics appointment date, time, and 

location.

; Arrive at the designated location at the 

scheduled time.

; Have biometrics taken.

; At a later date, you will receive an appointment 

notice for your naturalization interview.

Go to STEP 6
Complete the interview.

Once all the preliminary processes on your case 

are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview 

with you to complete the naturalization process. 

You must report to the USCIS office at the date 

and time on your appointment notice. Please 

bring the appointment notice with you. 

It is very important not to miss your interview. 

If you have to miss your interview, you should 

write to the office where your interview is to 

be conducted as soon as possible and ask to 

have your interview rescheduled. Rescheduling 

an interview may add several months to the 

naturalization process, so make all attempts 

to attend your original interview date.

Note: You must notify USCIS if you change your 

address after filing your Form N-400 within 

10 days of your relocation by filing Form 

AR-11, Change of Address, with USCIS. For 

information on filing a change of address, 

go to the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/

addresschange or call Customer Service at 

1-800-375-5283. You must notify USCIS 

EVERY TIME you change your address. 

Continued on next panel
Step 6 continued from previous panel

WHAT TO EXPECT:

; At the interview, you will meet with a USCIS 

officer and answer questions about your Form 

N-400.

; If you are requesting a medical exception to the 

English and civics testing requirements, submit 

Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability 

Exceptions if you did not submit it at the time you 

filed your Form N-400. 

; You will take the English and civics tests, unless 

exempt. Refer to A Guide to Naturalization for 

more information on exemptions. Visit 

www.uscis.gov/citizenship for test preparation 

study materials.

; USCIS will provide you with a notice of interview 

results following your interview.

; In some cases, the USCIS officer will not be 

able to make a decision on your Form N-400

the day of your naturalization interview. In those 

cases, the USCIS officer will continue your 

case. This may include a request for you to 

provide additional evidence or require a second 

interview. Go to STEP 6A for more information on 

a continued application.

If your application 

is continued—Go to STEP 6A

If your application receives 

a final decision—Go to STEP 7
Application Continued

The most common reasons for continuation are: 

•	 You fail the English and/or civics test. USCIS

will schedule you to come back for another 

interview within 60-90 days of your first 

interview. USCIS will only retest you on the 

part (English or civics) that you failed. USCIS 

will deny your Form N-400 if you fail the test(s) 

a second time.

•	 The USCIS officer determines you need to

provide additional documents/evidence. USCIS 

may ask you to submit additional documents 

by giving you Form N-14, Request for Additional 

Information, Documents or Forms. You will 

need to provide the additional documentation 

requested to continue the naturalization 

process.

•	 You fail to provide USCIS the correct

documents. 

Go to STEP 7
Receive a decision from USCIS 

on your Form N-400, Application 

for Naturalization.

You will be issued a written notice of decision. 

•	 Granted—USCIS may approve your Form N-400 if 

the evidence on record establishes your eligibility 

for naturalization. 

•	 Denied—USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if the 

evidence on record establishes you are not eligible 

for naturalization.

If your application is granted—

Go to STEP 8

If your application is denied—

Go to STEP 7A
Application Denied

You will receive a letter from USCIS explaining the 

reason for your Form N-400 denial. If you believe that 

USCIS incorrectly denied your Form N-400, you may 

request a hearing to appeal this decision.

WHAT TO DO:

The denial notice you receive will have instructions 

on how to appeal the USCIS decision by filing 

Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in 

Naturalization Proceedings. Visit www.uscis.gov/n-336

to download the form and detailed instructions. 

You MUST file Form N-336 with the appropriate fee 

within 30 days of the Form N-400 decision date. 

If a request for hearing is not filed within the time 

allowed, the denial decision is final. Refer to A Guide 

to Naturalization for more information by visiting 

www.uscis.gov/natzguide. 
Receive a notice to take the 

Oath of Allegiance.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

You may be able to participate in the oath ceremony 

on the same day as your interview. If a same day 

oath ceremony is unavailable, USCIS will mail you a 

notification with the date, time, and location of your 

scheduled oath ceremony.

If you cannot attend the oath ceremony on the day 

USCIS scheduled you, return the USCIS notice Form 

N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, to your 

local USCIS office. Include a letter explaining why 

you cannot attend the oath ceremony. Ask USCIS to 

reschedule you.

Go to STEP 9
Take the Oath of Allegiance to 

the United States.

You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath 

of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. 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. 

You receive your Certificate of Naturalization after 

taking the Oath of Allegiance. 

WHAT TO DO:

; Complete the questionnaire Form N-445, Notice of 

Naturalization Oath Ceremony. 

; Report for your oath ceremony. 

; Check-in with USCIS. 

; A USCIS officer will review your responses to 

Form N-445.

; Turn in your Permanent Resident Card.

; Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. 

citizen.

; Receive your Certificate of Naturalization and 

review it before leaving the ceremony site. 

Notify USCIS of any corrections to your certificate 

at that time.

Go to STEP 10
Understanding U.S. citizenship.

Citizenship is the common thread that connects 

all Americans. Below is a list of some of the 

most important rights and responsibilities that all 

citizens—both Americans by birth and by choice—

should exercise, honor, and respect. While some of 

these responsibilities are legally required of every 

citizen, all are important to ensure the continued 

vitality of our country and democracy.

Rights 

•	Freedom to express yourself.

•	Freedom to worship as you wish.

•	Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.

•	Right to vote in elections for public officials.

•	Right to apply for federal employment requiring

U.S. citizenship.

•	Right to run for elected office.

•	Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of

happiness.”

Responsibilities

•	Support and defend the U.S. Constitution.

•	Stay informed of the issues affecting your

community.

•	Participate in the democratic process.

•	Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.

•	Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.

•	Participate in your local community.

•	Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time,

to federal, state, and local authorities.

•	Serve on a jury when called upon.

•	Defend the country if the need should arise.
Helpful Resources

The decision to apply for U.S. citizenship is up to 

each individual. USCIS has a variety of educational 

resources to help you prepare. You will find information 

on eligibility and testing, the application process, 

and study materials. You can also learn more about 

citizenship rights and responsibilities and find a free 

USCIS information session in your area.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

is the government agency that oversees lawful 

immigration to the United States. 

www.uscis.gov

The USCIS Citizenship Resource Center provides 

learners and applicants with a one-stop resource for 

locating citizenship preparation materials.

www.uscis.gov/citizenship

USCIS regularly holds free information sessions for 

the public. Topics covered at these sessions include 

naturalization eligibility requirements, the naturalization 

process, and the naturalization test. 

www.uscis.gov/citizenshipsessions

Form M-476, A Guide to Naturalization provides 

information on the benefits and responsibilities of 

citizenship, an overview of the naturalization process, 

eligibility requirements, and what to expect at your 

naturalization interview.

www.uscis.gov/natzguide

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization is the form 

you will use to apply for U.S. citizenship.

www.uscis.gov/n-400

If you believe you are already a U.S. citizen, determine 

if you are eligible to file Form N-600, Application for 

Certificate of Citizenship or Form N-600K, Application for 

Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate.

www.uscis.gov/n-600

www.uscis.gov/n-600k

To update your address with USCIS, file Form AR-11, 

Change of Address.

www.uscis.gov/addresschange