Updated July 2, 2026
Check your naturalization eligibility
Confirm you clear the residency and presence bar before Form N-400 goes in the mail. Educational estimate only, not legal advice.
The N-400 naturalization process has five stages: filing the application and paying the fee, attending a biometrics appointment, waiting for an interview notice, passing the interview and civics test, and attending an oath ceremony. Total USCIS processing time from filing to oath has recently ranged from roughly 10 months to over 2 years, depending on the field office. Check uscis.gov for current estimates. Timelines shift. This is educational information, not legal advice.
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility
Before filing, confirm you meet all requirements: the statutory residency period (5 years for most applicants, 3 years for eligible spouses of U.S. citizens), continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character (USCIS reviews the record for the full statutory period), English language ability (with limited exceptions), and knowledge of U.S. history and government. Use the eligibility calculator to check your residency and presence counts. Consult an immigration attorney if anything in your history is complicated.
Step 2: Complete and file Form N-400
Form N-400 asks for your personal history, travel record, family information, and a series of yes/no questions about your background and character. Answer every question honestly and completely. Attach required documents: a copy of your green card, your travel records, and any court dispositions if applicable. The current fee is $760 filed on paper or $710 filed online (USCIS Form G-1055, effective April 1, 2024). Confirm the amount at uscis.gov before you send payment, since fee amounts change and a wrong-amount check gets your package returned. You can file online or by mail.
Step 3: Biometrics appointment
After filing, USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center to collect your fingerprints, photo, and signature. This typically occurs within a few weeks to a couple of months after filing. The appointment notice will arrive by mail. Do not miss it.
Things to Know Before Your Interview
- USCIS asks you to list every trip abroad of 24 hours or more on Form N-400, so pull passport records ahead of time.
- Biometrics appointments arrive by mail; missing one without rescheduling can stall the entire case.
- Bring originals of your supporting documents to the interview, not photocopies.
- A failed civics or English portion at the first interview typically earns one retest within 90 days.
Step 4: The naturalization interview
A USCIS officer reviews your N-400 line by line, checks your English language ability (reading, writing, and speaking), and administers the civics test. The standard test draws 10 questions from the published list of 100; you must answer at least 6 correctly. Applicants who are 65 or older with at least 20 years of lawful permanent residence take a shorter version (20 questions, same 6-correct threshold). If you fail the civics or English portion at the first interview, USCIS generally schedules one additional attempt within 90 days. Bring originals of all supporting documents to your interview.
Step 5: Decision and oath ceremony
If approved at the interview, USCIS may administer the oath the same day or schedule a later ceremony. At the ceremony you take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You are a U.S. citizen from that moment and may apply for a U.S. passport immediately. See the full timeline for context on how long the overall process takes.
Common reasons for delays
Missing documents, name check holds, or discrepancies in your application can all slow processing. USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking you to supply additional documentation. Respond fully and within the stated deadline. Late or incomplete responses extend your timeline further.
Check your naturalization eligibility
Confirm you clear the residency and presence bar before Form N-400 goes in the mail. Educational estimate only, not legal advice.