What Happens at a Citizenship Ceremony?
Eligible candidates for citizenship in the U.S. must have a resident alien permit (also known as a green card). A green card gives a non-citizen the right to live and work in the U.S. permanently. After the required time passes, the green card holder can become a naturalized U.S. citizen. The citizenship ceremony is the last step in the process of becoming a naturalized citizen. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) presides over the ceremony.
Other People Are Reading
-
Check-in
-
Prior the commencement of the ceremony, every naturalization candidate must check-in. The USCIS officer will review the answers provided by the candidate on Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony. If the candidate provides new answers, the officer must update the form. If the candidate is still eligible to become a naturalized citizen, the officer will request the candidate turn over any travel documents issued by the USCIS and his green card.
Welcome Packet
-
Every citizenship ceremony is conducted according to a standardized process created by the USCIS. Each participant receives a U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet at check-in time or after the conclusion of the ceremony. The Welcome Packet includes the President's congratulatory letter and envelope; the Citizen's Almanac; a pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the U.S.; a passport application; a form containing Important Information for New Citizens; Oath of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance flier; a certificate holder; and a voter's guide to federal elections. A small, U.S. flag may also be distributed to naturalization candidates.
-
Ceremony
-
The ceremony begins with the Faces of America video and is followed by the national anthem. The master of ceremonies will provide an overview of the ceremony. Next, an official will read the names of the countries, also referred to as the "call of countries," represented by the naturalization candidates. The candidates then recite the Oath of Allegiance. In celebration of the event, a keynote speaker makes remarks about civic responsibilities and principles. The ceremony concludes with the video of the Presidential congratulatory remarks, the pledge of allegiance, concluding remarks presented by the master of ceremonies and the issuance of the certificate of naturalization.
Oath
-
Just prior to the conclusion of the citizenship ceremony, the participants will recite the Oath of Citizenship: "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."
-
