Finally, you’ve reached the last step of your US citizenship journey: the long-awaited Oath ceremony!
We know it hasn’t been easy. It’s probably been stressful and nerve-wracking, with a few unexpected bumps. But you made it! There’s just one more step: attending your naturalization ceremony and officially becoming a US citizen.
If you’re feeling nervous, take a breath. The US citizenship Oath ceremony isn’t complicated. It’s a unique and inspiring moment you can share with your loved ones. Plus, we’re here to walk you through everything you need to know before, during, and after the big day.
What is the Oath ceremony for US citizenship?
The Oath ceremony is when you officially become a US citizen. Even if you have passed your US citizenship interview and met all the requirements, you are not a citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance.
This ceremony is a required step for anyone going through the naturalization process. But it’s not just a legal requirement; it’s also deeply symbolic and emotional. It represents a mutual commitment between you and the country. It’s how the United States welcomes you as a citizen and grants you all the rights and protections that come with it. In turn, you promise to uphold the values, laws, and Constitution of the United States.
Although it may seem like a modern tradition, this ceremony has existed for centuries. It began in 1790 when the first naturalization laws were passed. From then on, anyone wanting to become a citizen had to publicly commit to US laws and principles.
Five years later, the Naturalization Act of 1795 added another requirement: declaring your intention to become a citizen before applying. Then, in 1906, taking the Oath in front of a federal judge became mandatory. Over time, the ceremony evolved into what it is today.
What do you have to swear during the ceremony?
Every applicant is required to stand and recite the Oath of Allegiance during the ceremony. Here is the official wording:
“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.”
In plain terms, by saying this oath, you’re promising:
- To defend the Constitution and laws of the US from any enemy, whether foreign or domestic;
- To renounce any former loyalty, including to other countries or royal titles.
- And be willing to serve in the military or contribute through civilian service if needed.
How long after the interview does the US citizenship Oath ceremony take place?
After you pass the interview, USCIS will send you a notice with the ceremony’s date, time, and location. You will receive this notice by mail on Form N-445.
Sometimes, your ceremony is scheduled for the same day as your interview. If so, they will ask you to return later that day to take the oath.
However, if they don’t mention anything on the day of your interview, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean that something went wrong. It was just that no ceremony was scheduled for that day. So, you must keep an eye on your mailbox for your official appointment letter.
The Oath ceremony is usually scheduled two to six weeks after your US citizenship interview. It depends on your local USCIS office and its ceremony schedule.
One thing that might delay your ceremony is if you request a name change. If you used the naturalization process to change your name legally, it might take more time to schedule your ceremony. Only a judge can approve a new legal name, and judges don’t always attend every ceremony. So you must wait.
What should you do if you cannot attend the ceremony?
If you cannot attend your US citizenship Oath ceremony on the scheduled date, you must notify USCIS. To do so, return your Form N-445 to the local USCIS office listed on your appointment notice. Include a letter with the form explaining why you cannot attend and ask them to reschedule your ceremony.
But be careful—missing your ceremony more than once can lead to problems. If you miss your ceremony more than once, USCIS might assume you are no longer interested in becoming a citizen and could deny your application.
How long is the citizenship Oath ceremony?
The ceremony usually isn’t very long—it typically lasts about one hour. However, if you count the time for check-in before the ceremony and photos and congratulations afterward, the whole experience might take two to two and a half hours. So, yes, it’s pretty quick.
What should you wear to the US citizenship Oath ceremony?
Although USCIS has no strict dress code, it is highly recommended to wear formal or business-style clothing. After all, this is an official event that marks the moment you become a US citizen. Think of it as dressing for a job interview or a graduation ceremony.
Men can wear collared shirts, dress pants, or even suits. Women can wear a modest dress, a formal blouse with dress pants, or a nice two-piece outfit. Avoid jeans, shorts, tank tops, baseball caps, and flip-flops. While these items aren’t banned, they don’t fit the tone of the ceremony and may be seen as inappropriate.
Do you need to bring any documents to the ceremony?
You’ll need to bring a few essential documents to the Oath of Allegiance ceremony for US citizenship.
1. Your green card (Form I-551).
You may not need to bring your green card if:
- During your interview, you provided proof that your card was lost or stolen (like a police report), and you’ve already taken steps to replace it.
- You applied for naturalization based on military service and were never issued a green card.
2. Your appointment letter (Form N-445).
This letter is essential — don’t forget it! If your ceremony is scheduled the day after your interview, fill out the questionnaire on the back of the letter. The short form asks if anything significant has changed since your interview, such as a change in marital status, recent travel outside the US, or legal issues. Be honest when answering. Lying could lead to serious problems with your case.
3. A second government-issued photo ID
In addition to your green card, you’ll need to show another official photo ID. This could be a driver’s license, valid passport, or state-issued ID card.
4. USCIS-issued travel documents:
If you have any active USCIS travel documents — such as a reentry permit or Refugee Travel Document — that you haven’t turned in yet, bring them with you.
5. Any other requested documents
If you forgot to bring certain documents to your interview, USCIS may have asked you to bring them to your ceremony. Make sure to get everything they requested so you can avoid delays.
What is this day like? Do you need to memorize the oath?
Don’t worry — you won’t have to memorize the Oath of Allegiance for your citizenship ceremony. During the ceremony, you will receive a paper copy of the oath, which may be displayed on a screen for everyone to read together.
Now, let’s walk you through what will happen that day, from when you arrive to when you take the Oath and finish the ceremony.
When you arrive at the ceremony location
The first thing you’ll do is check-in. This process can take a while, so try to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Remember, you won’t be the only person there, so plan to avoid being late.
During check-in, a USCIS officer will review your appointment letter and go over the answers on the back of your Form N-445. If you answered “yes” to any of the questions, the officer may ask for more details to ensure nothing that could affect your eligibility has changed.
They want to confirm that you’re still eligible to take the oath, meaning that you passed your interview, completed all the requirements, and submitted all your documents.
If everything is in order, you will be asked to hand in your Green Card, which will be exchanged for your Certificate of Naturalization. If you have any active travel documents issued by USCIS, you must also turn those in.
In return, you will receive a welcome packet, a small US flag, and the Citizen’s Almanac, which includes helpful information about American history, rights, and responsibilities. You will also receive a pocket-sized booklet containing the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
After checking in
Once you and the other applicants have checked in, you will go into a room or auditorium where the citizenship Oath ceremony will take place. Before the Oathis administered, there will usually be music, videos, and an opening message from the person leading the ceremony.
Then comes the most important moment of the day. The officer will ask everyone to stand and raise their right hand. Together, you will recite the Oath of Allegiance out loud.
If you cannot say the Oath in its traditional form for religious or personal reasons, you may request a modified version. However, you must provide a valid reason for the change and have it approved in advance.
What happens after taking the oath?
Afterward, the ceremony host will give a few closing words, and you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization. That’s when you officially become a US citizen.
However, your journey doesn’t quite end there. Although the Oath grants you citizenship, a few things remain to take care of. For example, you must apply for your first US passport and update your Social Security records. Start the family reunification process or apply for citizenship for your minor children.
There’s a road ahead, but you don’t have to finish everything right after the ceremony. Take this day to celebrate, relax, and enjoy—you’ve come a long way and deserve it!
Summing up..
That’s everything you need to know about the US citizenship Oath ceremony. As you can see, there isn’t much to prepare. It’s a day to celebrate your achievement and take pride in how far you’ve come.
Just remember that the journey isn’t quite over yet. If you’re not sure what to do next, check out our blog post: “What to Do After Becoming a US Citizen”.