What to Expect During a Naturalization Ceremony
If you were born abroad, you can become a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process. You must have a green card before becoming a naturalized citizen. Once naturalized, you enjoy almost all the same rights as any citizen born in the United States. To complete the naturalization process, you must attend a naturalization ceremony given by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
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Qualifying
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Not all permanent residents can qualify for naturalization. An eligible applicant must be at least age 18 or older, a legal permanent U.S. resident, must be a resident that has physically resided in the U.S. for at least five years at the time of the application and is of good moral character. An applicant must file Form N-400 with the USCIS and have fingerprints taken.
Interview and Tests
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Before the USCIS approves your naturalization application, you must attend an interview and take a civics and English test. At the interview, the applicant should be prepared to answer questions about the information provided on the application and background information. After the interview, the applicant must pass the tests in civics and English. The USCIS will determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for naturalization after the completion of these preliminary matters.
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Preliminary
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If the USCIS approves the application, the applicant will receive by mail a Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (Form N-445) with the date of the ceremony. In some circumstances, the applicant may be able to attend the ceremony on the same day of the interview if his application has been approved at that time. Before the ceremony begins, the applicant must check in, give back his Permanent Resident Card (green card) and answer questions about his actions since the interview if more than a day has passed since the interview. The applicant can find the questions on the back of Form N-445.
Packet
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On the day of the ceremony, each participant will receive a Citizenship Welcome Packet at check-in or at the conclusion of the ceremony. The packet includes the President's Congratulatory Letter and Envelope, the Citizen's Almanac, a pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States, Ceremony Oath of Allegiance handout, passport application, a certificate holder and a Voter's Guide to Federal Election brochure. Participants may also receive a small U.S. flag.
Ceremony
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After each participant finishes the check-in process, the ceremony will begin. The ceremony commences with the playing of "Faces of America" and the national anthem ("The Star Spangled Banner"). It proceeds with opening remarks by the master of ceremonies and the reading of the names of the countries represented by the candidates for citizenship. Next, the applicants will recite the Oath of Allegiance. This is followed by keynote remarks about civic principles and responsibilities of citizenship, which is delivered by a guest speaker. The ceremony concludes with playing the "Presidential Congratulatory Remarks," recitation of the pledge of allegiance, concluding remarks delivered by the master of ceremonies and the presentation of the Certificate of Naturalization to the new citizens.
Oath
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The following is the Oath of Allegiance:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
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