The oath ceremony: what to bring and what happens

Sometimes you can take the oath on the same day as your interview. Otherwise USCIS sends Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, with the date, time and place.

There are two kinds of ceremonies: judicial ceremonies, where a federal court administers the oath, and administrative ceremonies, run by USCIS. You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the oath. Until then, keep using your green card and do not register to vote.

Form N-445 includes a questionnaire about the time since your interview, for example whether you have traveled outside the U.S., married or divorced, or been arrested or cited. Answer them before the ceremony.

Answer truthfully. An officer reviews the questionnaire at check-in, and a new problem can delay or stop your oath. If something has changed, bring documents that explain it.

• Your Form N-445 notice with the questionnaire completed.
• Your Permanent Resident Card (green card). You must return it at check-in, unless you already showed at the interview that it was lost.
• A government photo ID.
• Any other documents your notice asks for.

You go through federal building security, so check the Federal Protective Service list of prohibited items before you leave home. Arrive early: check-in can take time.

• Check-in: an officer reviews your N-445 answers and collects your green card.
• The Oath of Allegiance: you stand and repeat the oath with the other candidates. You may ask to say “solemnly affirm” instead of “on oath” and leave out “so help me God,” for any reason, without documents. A modified oath without the bear-arms clauses is possible for religious or conscientious objection if USCIS approved it.
• Certificate: you receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

If you asked on your N-400 for a court to change your name, the change is completed when you are naturalized by the court.

Read every detail on the Certificate of Naturalization, including the spelling of your name and your date of birth. Tell USCIS about any error before you leave the ceremony.

Fixing or replacing it later uses Form N-565 ($555 on paper, $505 online as of October 2026). There is no fee if the error was USCIS's mistake.

Return the N-445 notice to your local USCIS office with a letter that asks for a new date and explains why. Do this as soon as you know. Missing the ceremony more than once without a good reason can lead to denial of your application.

• Passport: apply using the application in your welcome packet, at most post offices, or through travel.state.gov. Allow time before any trip.
• Vote: you receive a voter registration application after the ceremony; you can also register at local offices such as motor vehicle offices.
• Social Security: update your record to show you are a citizen. USCIS suggests waiting at least 10 days after the ceremony.
• Keep the original certificate safe. If you lose it, a replacement takes Form N-565 and its fee.