What happens at a naturalization oath ceremony?

At a naturalization oath ceremony you take the Oath of Allegiance before a judge or a USCIS official, surrender your Permanent Resident Card, receive a Certificate of Naturalization, and become a U.S. citizen at the moment the oath is completed. Procedures are governed by 8 CFR sections 337.2 through 337.10. Check-in usually begins 30 to 60 minutes before the scheduled start. Applicants surrender Form I-551 (the green card) and present Form N-445 (the Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony) signed and dated to confirm continued eligibility (specifically that the applicant has not traveled outside the United States since the interview, has not been arrested, has not changed marital status, and continues to be willing to take the oath).

Applicants are seated in a ceremony hall while family and guests sit in a separate area. The presiding official (a federal judge in court ceremonies, a USCIS Field Office Director or other USCIS officer in administrative ceremonies) opens the proceedings, typically with remarks about the meaning of citizenship. A roll call of countries of origin invites applicants to stand when their country is named.

The presiding official then administers the Oath of Allegiance: applicants stand, raise the right hand, and recite the oath in unison. After the oath the new citizens recite the Pledge of Allegiance and often hear or sing the national anthem. Each new citizen is called forward (or processed by row) to receive the Certificate of Naturalization. Total length is typically 60 to 90 minutes. New citizens leave with their certificate and can immediately register to vote and apply for a U.S. passport.