What is the oath of allegiance?

The Oath of Allegiance to the United States is the solemn promise that every applicant for naturalization must take in order to become a U.S. citizen. The text of the oath is set out in 8 CFR section 337.1 and is administered as the final legal step of the naturalization process under section 337 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. section 1448).

The oath has five basic elements: a promise to renounce all foreign allegiance and fidelity; a promise to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; a promise to bear true faith and allegiance to the same; a promise to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law, or to perform noncombatant service or work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law; and a declaration that the person takes the obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.

The official text begins: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen." The oath ends with the optional phrase "so help me God," which the applicant may omit on grounds of conscience under 8 CFR section 337.1(b).

The oath must be taken in English at a public ceremony administered by a federal judge in some districts and by a USCIS officer in administrative ceremonies. Citizenship vests at the moment the oath is taken, and the new citizen receives a Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) immediately afterward.