The Naturalization Oath Ceremony: What Happens and What the Oath Means

The naturalization oath ceremony is the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen. According to USCIS, you are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at the ceremony. The general order is: complete the questionnaire on Form N-445, check in with USCIS, return your Green Card, take the oath, then receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

This article explains each step, what the oath means, and what to do after the ceremony.

When are you invited to the oath ceremony?

After your Form N-400 is approved, USCIS schedules you to take the oath. You may be able to attend a ceremony on the same day as your interview. If not, USCIS will mail you Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, with the date, time, and location.

What happens on ceremony day

1. Complete the questionnaire on Form N-445 before you arrive. The questions only cover events after your interview, such as a change in marital status, travel outside the United States, or being arrested or cited, including for traffic violations.
2. Check in with USCIS. An officer reviews your answers on Form N-445.
3. Return your Green Card. If you showed at your interview that it was lost and that you tried to recover it, you do not have to.
4. Take the Oath of Allegiance together with the other new citizens.
5. Receive your Certificate of Naturalization and check it right away.

Answer Form N-445 truthfully. If you answer "Yes" to any question, the form asks you to bring supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you are unsure about any question, ask an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice recognized organization.

A USCIS ceremony usually includes a video, the national anthem, a call of countries, the oath, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the presentation of certificates. When music is played, you are not required to stand or sing.

The oath is given in English

According to the USCIS Policy Manual, the oath is administered in English, even for people who were exempt from the English test. However, you may bring an interpreter to interpret the oath, and the oath text is available to repeat during the ceremony.

Here is the full text of the oath in English, as published by USCIS:

What does the oath mean? Line by line

The plain-language explanations below are only to help you understand the meaning. At the ceremony, you take the oath in its English wording.

1. "I hereby declare, on oath,": I formally state, under oath,
2. "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 completely give up all loyalty and faithfulness to any foreign ruler, power, country, or sovereign authority whose subject or citizen I was before;
3. "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 support and protect the U.S. Constitution and laws against every enemy, from outside or inside the country;
4. "that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;": that I will be truly faithful and loyal to that Constitution and those laws;
5. "that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;": that I will carry weapons for the United States if the law requires it;
6. "that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;": that I will do non-fighting service in the U.S. military if the law requires it;
7. "that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law;": that I will do work important to the nation, directed by civilian authorities, if the law requires it;
8. "and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.": and that I accept this duty of my own free will, with no hidden doubts and no intention of avoiding it; so help me God.

This article only explains what the words mean. Legal questions about your previous nationality should go to an immigration attorney.

Can the oath be changed?

• You may ask to say "solemnly affirm" instead of "on oath" and leave out "so help me God", for any reason, with no proof needed.
• People opposed to bearing arms or military service because of religious training and belief or a deeply held moral or ethical code may ask to remove the bearing arms clause, the noncombatant service clause, or both, but must show they qualify. The clause about work of national importance cannot be removed.
• People who cannot understand the meaning of the oath because of a disability or mental impairment may have it waived, based on an evaluation by a medical professional.

These requests are decided case by case.

Getting your Certificate of Naturalization: check it on the spot

As soon as you receive it, check your name, date of birth, and other details carefully. If anything is wrong, tell USCIS before you leave the ceremony site. The certificate is proof that you are a U.S. citizen, so keep it safe. If you lose it, you can request a replacement with Form N-565.

What to do after the ceremony

• Apply for a U.S. passport: an application is in the welcome packet you receive at the ceremony, at most post offices, or on travel.state.gov. If you plan to travel, allow enough time to receive your passport.
• Update your Social Security record: USCIS says new citizens generally need to wait at least ten days after the ceremony, then submit Form SS-5 by mail or at a Social Security office. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you can also apply online for a replacement card, then bring proof of your identity and new status to your appointment. The new card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.
• Register to vote: after taking the oath, you will receive a voter registration application at the ceremony. You may also register at post offices, motor vehicle offices, or local election offices. Each state sets its own rules and deadlines, and most offer online registration. See vote.gov for details.