Complete Guide to the N-400 Naturalization Process

The N-400 process is straightforward but time-consuming. Most delays come from incomplete applications or missing the 90-day early filing window—not USCIS inefficiency. This guide walks you through each stage with realistic expectations.

Eligibility Requirements

Standard 5-Year Rule

• 5 years as permanent resident (green card holder)
• Physical presence: At least 30 months (50%) of past 5 years in U.S.
• Continuous residence: No trips over 6 months (breaks continuity)
• Good moral character: No serious crimes, tax compliance, child support paid
• English & civics: Pass tests (exemptions for age 50+/55+/65+)

3-Year Rule (Married to U.S. Citizen)

• 3 years as permanent resident
• Married to U.S. citizen for 3+ years
• Spouse must have been citizen for 3+ years
• Living together in marital union (USCIS scrutinizes this)

Filing Your N-400 Application

Required Documents

1. Form N-400 completed (21 pages, online filing recommended)
2. Green card photocopy (front and back)
3. Filing fee: $710 ($640 filing + $70 biometrics)
4. Selective Service proof (males who lived in U.S. ages 18-25)

Online vs. Paper Filing

File online through your USCIS account. Benefits:

• $50 cheaper ($710 vs $760)
• Instant receipt confirmation
• Real-time status updates
• Faster processing (no mail delays)

The 6 Processing Stages

Stage 1: Receipt (1-4 Weeks)

USCIS sends Form I-797C (receipt notice) with your case number. Status: "Case Was Received."

Stage 2: Biometrics Appointment (2-8 Weeks)

Scheduled at Application Support Center (ASC) for fingerprints and photo. Many applicants skip this—USCIS reuses biometrics from your green card if recent enough.

Stage 3: Background Check (2-8 Weeks, Sometimes 6+ Months)

FBI checks criminal history, DHS verifies immigration status, sometimes CIA/DOD for certain countries. Most clear in 2-3 weeks. Delays happen if:

• Name matches watchlist (common names like "Mohammed Ahmed")
• Disclosed arrests (FBI manually retrieves court records)
• Extensive travel to "countries of concern"

Stage 4: Case Transfer to Field Office (1-2 Weeks)

Status changes to "Case Was Transferred." You can now see which field office will conduct your interview.

Stage 5: Interview Scheduling (2-18+ Months)

This is where timelines diverge wildly. Depends entirely on your field office's workload:

• Fast offices: Kansas City, Seattle, Des Moines (2-4 months)
• Average offices: Most locations (4-8 months)
• Slow offices: Newark, Queens, LA, Miami (8-18+ months)

Stage 6: Interview & Decision (Same Day to 8 Weeks)

15-30 minute interview covering N-400 review, English test, civics test. 85% approved on the spot. Some cases placed under review (needs verification) or continued (missing documents).

The Citizenship Interview

What Officers Review

1. Identity verification: Green card, passport, state ID
2. N-400 accuracy: Address, employment, travel, marital status unchanged?
3. English test: Speaking (throughout), reading (1 sentence), writing (1 sentence)
4. Civics test: 10 questions asked, need 6 correct (60%)
5. Good moral character: Verify disclosed arrests, taxes, child support

What to Bring

• Original green card
• Passport (current or expired)
• State ID/driver's license
• Selective Service proof (males 18-25)
• Marriage certificate (if 3-year rule)
• Court records (if arrests disclosed)

Oath Ceremony

After interview approval, you receive Form N-445 (oath ceremony notice) by mail in 2-8 weeks.

Ceremony Formats

• Same-day oath: Some offices (Kansas City, Seattle) offer ceremony immediately after interview
• Scheduled ceremony: Most offices hold monthly or quarterly ceremonies
• Judicial ceremony: Federal court ceremony (more formal)

What to Bring

• Form N-445 (completed)
• Green card (you'll surrender it)
• State ID
• Any re-entry permits or refugee travel documents

What Happens

1. Check-in and document collection
2. Group oath of allegiance (recited together)
3. Receive Certificate of Naturalization
4. Register to vote (optional, on-site)

After the oath, you're officially a U.S. citizen. You can apply for a U.S. passport immediately (recommended—certificate alone is harder to replace if lost).

Realistic Timeline Expectations

• Best case: 3-5 months (fast field office, no issues)
• Typical case: 6-10 months (average office, standard background check)
• Slow case: 12-24 months (high-volume office, name check delays, combo interviews)

Your field office determines 70% of your timeline. Check USCIS processing times for your specific office at USCIS processing times.

Key Takeaways

• File online to save $50 and get faster processing
• Use 90-day early filing window carefully (one day early = rejection)
• Your field office determines timeline (2 months to 18+ months)
• 85% approved at interview on first attempt
• Background checks usually clear in 2-3 weeks (delays rare but possible)
• Practice civics test—97% pass but don't risk the 3%