Anatomy of a N-400 Application for Naturalization
One of the most frustrating aspects of immigration for most people is just the uncertainty regarding the nature and length of the process. This article will provide an overview of what the processing of an N-400 Application for Naturalization looks like and how long it typically takes. This article will not address any issues related to determining whether or not one qualifies for U.S. citizenship.
Filing of the N-400
The application for citizenship process commences when the applicant files the N-400 application with the USCIS. The application must be filed with the appropriate USCIS office with the required filing fee and supporting documents. For more information about the filing addresses, filing fees and required documents please visit the USCIS N-400 page. I would strongly encourage self-filing applicants to submit their applications via UPS or Fedex.
Assuming the application is properly filed it will be accepted by the USCIS. The USCIS will then issue an I-797 Receipt Notice indicating that the application has been accepted for filing. The applicant should expect to receive a receipt notice within about 30 days from the date the application is filed. The receipt notice will be mailed to the applicant and contain a receipt number. The receipt number can be used to track the status of your case online using the USCIS case status tool. As a practical matter I do not find this tool entirely useful because it generally only provides two status updates: one when the case is accepted for filing and another when the case is adjudicated. It doesn't ever give any indication of how much longer a case will take before processing is complete.
Biometrics Appointment
The next step in the processing is completing the biometrics. Biometrics is a fancy way of describing fingerprints and photographs. You will receive a Biometrics Appointment Notice in the mail from the USCIS instructing you to appear at a USCIS office to have this done on a certain date and time. The biometrics notice usually arrives in the mail reasonably soon (30-60 days) after the receipt notice.
Requests for Evidence
In some cases the USCIS will find that the N-400 application is somehow deficient. In such cases they will mail the applicant a Request for Evidence which requests some additional documentation be sent by a specific date. The case will not move forward until the requested evidence is received; thus, it is best to respond to the request as soon as possible if one is received.
Naturalization Interview
After initial processing of the case has been completed and if it appears to the adjudicating officer that the applicant meets the basic criteria for naturalization the case will be scheduled for a naturalization interview. The applicant will receive a notice in the mail requesting that the applicant appear at a local USCIS District Office for the interview. Upon completion of the naturalization interview (which includes administration of the naturalization test) the USCIS officer will make a final decision on your case and either approve or deny the application. Some applicant's who otherwise qualify for naturalization but fail to pass the naturalization test will be given an opportunity to take the exam again.
Naturalization Oath Ceremony
The final step in the naturalization processing is the oath ceremony. The oath ceremonies are commonly held in a federal court building and the oath is administered by a federal judge or magistrate. In certain locations the ceremonies are held at other federal buildings. You will receive a notice in the mail instructing you to appear at a specific place and time for your oath ceremony.
At the oath ceremony you (and several other applicants) will appear before a federal judge or magistrate and be asked to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Upon completion of the oath ceremony the applicant is officially a U.S. citizen and will receive his or her Certificate of Citizenship.
Overall Processing Time
Processing times for N-400 applications at the time of writing this article are longer than normal due to COVID-19 related shutdowns. You can view current USCIS case processing time reports to get an idea of average processing times. The numbers reported in these reports are not static numbers and are continually changing depending on case volume and USCIS resources. The reported processing times are also an average of all the cases processed by that particular office. Any specific case may be processed more quickly or may take more time depending on the specific facts and circumstances related to that case.
For example, the current processing time for an N-400 at the USCIS Detroit District Office is reported to be 10-15 months. I am currently seeing client's cases being processed right around the 10-12 month time frame so this appears to be relatively accurate.
If you would like assistance processing your N-400 Application for Naturalization please contact me.