Naturalization Oath Ceremonies
We received a question a while back on The Beacon about naturalization ceremonies, and thought it might be good to clarify a few things. Under the law, U.S. Federal courts have the right to exclusively administer the oath of allegiance. Some courts have waived this right and allow USCIS to administer the oath of allegiance.
If you attend a ceremony in which the court administers the oath of allegiance, this is called a judicial ceremony. An oath administered by USCIS is called an administrative ceremony.
You will have a judicial ceremony if you live in an area that is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the court. Because USCIS field offices often service more than one state or more than one court district, different applicants may have different types of ceremonies, depending on where they live. For example, the Washington Field Office services both the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia. If an applicant lives in DC, he or she will have a judicial ceremony, while applicants from Virginia may have an administrative ceremony.
You will also have a judicial ceremony if you indicate on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, that you would like to change your name. Your name change must be approved by a judge; therefore, your name change will be changed at a judicial ceremony.
Offices that conduct administrative ceremonies may have same-day naturalization ceremonies. USCIS will post on its field office web pages which offices have same-day ceremonies when we revise the pages in the coming months.
Finally, you may have a judicial ceremony even if you do not live in an area under the exclusive jurisdiction of the court if it is a special ceremony or if it is convenient for the office to schedule you for a judicial ceremony. Similarly, you may have an administrative ceremony in certain circumstances if you are not changing your name and the court has waived its right to administer the oath as a one-time event or under special circumstances.
Please also note that the court does not have the exclusive right to administer the oath of allegiance in certain military naturalization cases.
Labels: Citizenship
posted by USCIS Blog Team @ 3:59 PM
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82 Comments:
This information is helpful.
However, I have a follow up question:
- My wife will be applying for Naturalization based on being married to a US Citizen (myself) for 3 years. We also have a marraige cert. She intends to change her name during the Nat process.
On the N-400 form if she selects the option to legally change her name during naturalization, will the USCIS or Courts, give you a separate document (apart from the Nat Cert with the new name) that states "the persons name has been changed from "ABC" to "XYZ"? Will we get a separate "court order of name change" document. The reason I ask this is because when changing the name on driver's license and other places, they require this document. I have heard that some times the USCIS just issues the Nat Cert with new name based on Marriage Cert and don't issue the "court order of name change" document.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide this answer in this blog. Thank you.
The Blog states: "You will also have a judicial ceremony if you indicate on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, that you would like to change your name. Your name change must be approved by a judge; therefore, your name change will be changed at a judicial ceremony." Where the USCIS offers an administrative ceremony in my jurisdiction, may I request and receive a judicial ceremony or do I need to provide a court ordered name change document at the administrative ceremony?
After the naturalization interview on December 12 (in Louisville), I received the form N-652. It said that my application has been recommended for approval. Today is January 31 and I haven't received any document about the date for the naturalization ceremony. Why is taking so long? I know people who hay the ceremony after the interview. On February 7th, will be 5 months since I sent the form N-400.
WHY WE CAN NOT CHECK OUR CERMONY DAY ONLINE?
@ anonymous posting from January 30: The answer is "yes" - a person in that scenario does get a document showing the legal name change along with his/her natz certificate.
I am scheduled to attend my naturalization ceremony at the end of this month. I cannot find any instructions as to how many guests can attend. Any idea where I can find this information. It would be helpful if this was detailed on form N-445?
We were recommended for approval at the interview on January 3 pending name change. The name change was approved on January 13 and we were placed in Que for the ceremony. It's February 9 and we still haven't received anything. I know there were a number of ceremonies since then. Why is it taking so long?
It takes long to be scheduled for a judicial ceremony because they are not held as often as the administrative ceremony. Where I live the judicial ceremonies are held only twice a year. But here is a little thing you guys might not know: You can request a federal judge to perform a ceremony just for you. Federal judged are public officials and is within their power to perform these ceremonies and within your right to request one. This is what I am doing, and I after being interviewed in November and approved for a name change just a week later, I am finally getting my citizenship because I took matters into my own hands and because of the great expertise and help of my lawyer. So, if you cannot wait months, like me since I need to be reunited with my husband working for the US Government overseas, try the route of an individual judicial ceremony. The easiest way is to google the federal courthouse of the district where the USCIS office is or of the district where you live, and call the federal judges chambers one by one and ask politely. Eventually one of them will accept the request.
Good luck fellow future citizen!
I was recommended for approval more than 3 months ago, and still waiting for my oath ceremony. I suggest that USCIS put a maximum wait ler us say 60 days after recommended approval, after that the candidate gets to nearest court for oath ceremony . Please consider that as this will lift the burden on many individual and families. Thank you
"I am scheduled to attend my naturalization ceremony at the end of this month. I cannot find any instructions as to how many guests can attend. Any idea where I can find this information. It would be helpful if this was detailed on form N-445?"
When I atended my ceremony earlier this month, most people bring 2-3 relatives, but there were exceptions, some guy bring like 10 relatives with him. Not sure if you can find this info online, but if I were you I would call the court or USCIS office where you would be attending to double check.
I applied for my citizenship and since my birth certificate was in Spanish due to my grandmothers descent. But my real name was taken from a Belgian heroin. My concern is I have not used that spanish name in my school records,nor citizsenship from Canada nor my 6 passports that I have used to go around the world and upon getting my green card here. How come now I have to be sworn on a judicial way when I believe my real name is what is on my drivers license, green card and original canandian passport. Pls advise Thank you
My application was put in oath scheduling ceremony almost 4 months ago, I called the USCIS customer service and a service request was placed, I was told to call back if I no response in 15 days, so I called back and was told by customer service representative, that my application was approved and I should wait for the scheduling. In my area at least 2 ceremonies are taking place. and of coarse I can not travel in or outside the country for more that one week because I am afraid to miss the oath ceremony in case it was scheduled and i an away. Please advise what to do and if there a way to speed up this important step. Thank you very much.
Dear UCSIS,
I requested a name change on my N-400 application, but I only received my certificate of naturalization after the oath ceremony. I did not get a separate document showing my legal name change. DMV is asking me to show court order of name change in order to update my name on driver license. Should I contact my local field office for not getting the court order of name change? Please advise me on this issue.
Anyone know how long it takes for a judicial ceremony in atlanta georgia, it is almost 4months am in oat schelduling ceremony.
I am married to U.S. citizen and will be submitting form N-400 soon. I would like to change my complete name to something other than my husbands last name. Can this be done during the process of getting U.S. Citizenship.
Anyone knows how long does it take for a judicial ceremony in Dallas, Texas? I have been in the oath scheduling que for almost two months now and I have not received anything. Also, since I am changing my name, do I need to ask for additional documents aside from the certificate? Thanks
The same usual problem with others about changing of name. I also received my certificate of naturalization with my original/old name written during oath taking , prior on that they did not informed me on where and when can I attend the court ceremony so that my change name will approve by judge.
Hello,
After l did my citizenship interview l passed the test and the officer congratulated me and recommended for approval and she said they will mail me letter to report where l will do my oak of ceremony. How long it will take to get feedback? and l am planning to go for trip outside the country in two months time. What can l do? Can l get my citizenship before l go for the trip or not?
I am living in Providence Rhode Island and I got my recomandation for approval 4 week ago. The day after the interview I was placed on oath ceremony schedule que. Sice that time i have not received any thing else. I have not idea waht is going, somebody else in Rhode Island having the same situation?
Dear UCSIS,
Yesterday I just got my certificate of naturalization with my new name in the oath ceremony. But I did not get a separate document showing my legal name change. So I went to Court Clerk's office this morning asking for the copy of court order. The clerks told me that UCSIS should mail this document to me. Is it true? How long may it take for me to get this document?
It is a very important document to change my name in DMV and the banks. It will be highly appreciated if you could provide the answer in this blog. Thank you a lot.
Excellent article, it is a special ceremony or if it is convenient for the office to schedule you for a judicial ceremony. Similarly, you may have an administrative ceremony in certain circumstances if you are not changing your name and the court has waived its right to administer the oath as a one-time event or under special circumstances.
To: May 17, 2012 9:34:00 AM EDT
Hi, same issue here, only certificate of naturalization was received. NO name change form was included and they never mail it to me either. Which state did you get your certificate of naturalization?
how do i get a copy of document showing my legal name change.
Hi, I had my citizenship interview back in January; since January 31, 2012 I have been place in a queue for oath ceremony. I called USCIS several times to ask about my case, but all they say is to wait for the oath ceremony notice. I live in Lubbock, Texas. I placed an e-request recently, but other than that I am not sure what I should do. Somebody advised me to contact the House representative for this area and to ask for help. Do you have any advice for me?
its a very good blog
Does anyone know how long will it take to get the oath after interview. I llive in Rhode Island
Yes - I passed the interview in March 2012 and have neither received confirmation nor been scheduled for an oath ceremony - how long does it normally take in the Washington DC field office?
how long does it take to get the notes to the oath ceremony in memphis, tn and changing of name ? thank you !
I passed interview but have not heard back re oath ceremony in new york. When will it be??
Why same day oath for NoVA residents is not applied anymore. If it was done to streamline and speeden the process why please it takes a lot of time after the interview for many to get the Oath Letter and Interview. Should not an improvement be better than the previous since same-day oaths is the best, the next best thing would be at least providing applications with a oath letter after the interview (for most of the candiates who pass successfully, if not for all) and remove the uncertainty in the process there by giving the applicant the most important thing, that is, the piece of mind. I know you guys are working hard and doing the best with the resources available and so on (and definitely I/we appreciate). But, if the uncertainty could be cut down and all things were considered before hand it would be so much more easier for all of us. I hope someone in the USCIS management reads this and does the needful to speeden up things and add more clarity and transparency to the process and provide necessary piece of mind to the applicants. Thanks.
This agency is pathetic. The only agency (USCIS) that does not get enough funds and yet they are spending money on ridiculous oath ceremony in a fancy place. I don't see why not saving all that money and get the certificate at the same office where the citizenship test is taken. Get rid off the red tape and spare this uncertainty of waiting for a response. once again...PATHETIC.
Based on what I'm Reading here, now I have a big concern...
The day I went to the interview, I remember the officer told me that my name was gonna be change at the oath ceremony and I also signed some papers with me new name, he never said anything about another judicial ceremony.
My ceremony is next week, but I was palanning to buy in advance a plane ticket based on my new name (because airlines ask you for the exact name in your passport) wich I suppouse to have in my naturalization certificate and my us passport so I can travel with no problems.
So all this comments make me doubt if I am gonna receive my certificate with my new name or not? and if I can't get my passport until I have my new name? Please advice me, I wouldn't like to ruin my family vacations.
I would say do your passport after you receive your naturalization form and just use your new name. By the way, I didn't receive a separate foam for my name change. Naturalization was the only form I got on the day of the oath ceremony. Hope that helps answer your question.
I had a test on April 11, and the ceremony was on June 13. 2 months!!! It was so long. I changed my last name and got the paper about it right away. And a new name in certificate. The same day I applied for passport, they told me that I will get it in 4 weeks or earlier. I live in PA.
I hope, someone got some answers.
I would like to know when is the August 2012 ceremony in houston,Texas
I would like to know when is the July or August ceremony in Albuquerque ,NM
The next ceremony in Albuquerque is on August 10th, 2012. My husband is getting his citizenship then!
Does DO in Memphis,TN offer same-day oat ceremony after passing the interview?
Thanks.
Re: "USCIS will post on its field office web pages which offices have same-day ceremonies when we revise the pages in the coming months." There is nothing about this in the Seattle field office page, although I understand that they do hold same-day ceremonies. I just don't know if it's only on certain days, or any day that interviews are scheduled (mine is set for Thursday, 8/9.) I can't find anything online, so I tried calling the Customer Service Number to find out if an oath ceremony was scheduled for the day of my interview, but they wouldn't tell me. It sounded to me like they didn't want me to assume that I would become a citizen that day just because an oath is scheduled. I'm not sure why it would be okay to post it online but not to tell an applicant on the phone, but please, I do want to encourage you to add that information to the field office pages as soon as possible. It would be very helpful for those of us who live a long way away from the USCIS office and need to make plans for the day for ourselves and our families.
Thanks for the clarification, it does help.
Just saw a really good friend have her oath ceremony a couple of weeks ago. I know she endured a few little administrative snafus, but it worked out in the end. Best of luck to everyone here!
-Bob
Dear all:
Does anyone know how to find the schedule of oath ceremony in Houston? or does anyone know the ceremony dates of October in Houston?
Thanks
Great to read about that. This is really very informative I have got I always enjoy reading the unique content. Well, Thank you for sharing.
I am soon going to my oath ceremony - can anyone tell me approx. how long the ceremony takes? One, two, three hours? I am taking it downtown Manhattan. Thank you!!
I am soon going to my oath ceremony in front of a Jedge - Can any one tell me whether my Naturalization certificate will contain my both old and new names. or should i have to ask for a seperate name change certificate?
I Apply for my Naturalization October last year, I pass both test, and one year later still not having my Oath Cerinomy scheduled yet. I call Oakland Park, FL Office 3 times and they ask me to wait 90 days, and another 90 days and another 90 days. What can I do ? They don't have any answer for me, they only ask me to wait. I know friends with 180 days get everything done ! Any one with the same problem ?
Anyone knows if an Oath Ceremony will be held soon in Albuquerque, NM? I had my test 2 months ago and have not received any news. I'm planning on traveling abroad for Christmas and would love to do so with my new US passport.
hi..i changed my last name during naturalization to my husbands last name. the USCIS office said i did not have to do anything. looks like an official name change during naturalization certificate is required for other things. how do i get this now? should i go back to USCIS? i took my oath at San jose, monterey st USCIS office.
thank you.
I applied to change my name on naturalization application and at interview but haven't received my oath letter. Is it too late to contact USCIS to cancel that name change request? For various reasons, I no longer want to go through the name change.
Does anybody know when is the next Oath Ceremony for Los Angeles CA this month?
Thank you
How do i get a copy of document showing my legal name change? I called immigration 1800 # and they said once your citizenship certificate is issued with the "new" name, I should be able to change my driver's license...not true. Went to DMV and wasted 3 hours there and was not able to change my license's name. I showed my passport and citizenship certificate with new name and still was not able to get a name change on my license. Any help, please!
Does anybody know when is the next Oath Ceremony for Houston TX? I get to take a licence test on March and I need the naturalization certification to apply. Tks!
During the Naturalization Process my name was changed. Iwasnt advasided about the needed to attend a court Ceremony and attended the Ceremonyon the same day. The gave me my certicicate of Naturalization with the name changed, but not court order change name. Please if you agree in during the interview in changing your name be aware that this can not happen in during an administrative oath Ceremony, because you will have a legal problem to fix and the USICS will not help you or accept that having a certificate without a legal court order document is illegal since they dont have the faculty to change your name
I have my interview on Nov 19 2012 in the Fairfax, VA office and they did offer the same day Oath Ceremony. However,since I have a name change I have to do my Oath ceremony in a different location. I m now still waiting for the notice of the oath ceremony, it is almost 45 days now. Anyone is on the same boat?
i passed my naturalization test yesterday in Atlanta,GA because of change in middle name they want me to do judicial oath ceremony. does any one know how long it is going to take?
Hi, I will soon apply for citizenship and will like to change my name..anyways..did u get this issue solved? Or did u receive a legal document saying ur name has been legally changed?
@Anonymous Posted January 9, 2013: I was in the same boat as you. I called them and they said they will put a note in my file. Today, I received my oath taking appointment schedule. Best of luck to you!
My concern is, on that form, they put my name wrong. I had requested a change of middle name and last name to reflect my husband's last name. And then also to change my old middle name to my maiden name. Well, they got my new last name right but my middle name is incorrect. I am afraid that's what they're going to put on my Nat Cert. I will call on Monday and see what they say. The last thing I want is a snag on this very last step.
Does anyone knows when is the next judicial ceremony in Dallas TX? I passed my interview test back in Oct. 2012, and requested a name change, but have not yet gotten anything.
I passed interview on January 14. I changed my name that needs to be approved by the court. I was informed by the interview officer that I would receive a decision letter in a few weeks.
Does anyone know how long it will take to receive my decision letter?
Does anybody know where oath ceremonies normally take place in Phoenix?
I passed my test on jan 24 and still haven't received anything..does anyone knows when are the next oath ceremony schedules for providence ri?
You will receive the name change form on the day of oath ceremony.
I passed my test on Jan 16th, my ceremony was supposed to be on Jan 25th, because of my name change I have to wait on a Judicial Ceremony because the judge has to approve it. I am waiting indefinitely and totally regret putting in the name change request. How can I find out how long this would take? I need to travel soon because my dad is really ill in another country.
My wife and I passed the naturalization interview (recommended for approval)on January 11th but there is no communication about oath scheduling yet. Neither of us asked for name change.
Does anyone have the Dallas Judicial Oath schedule for 2013? I have only seen the 2012 schedule.
My case status online has been reading that on october 29th my application has been placed on oath scheduling que. At infopass the officer mentioned the delay was because I had requested for name chande on my N400 application. I live in a small town in GA. I understand I will have a judicial ceremony. My question here is how long should I wait for the oath ceremony?
Generally speaking most Courts have at least 1 ceremony every 3-4 months. Larger districts generally have more ceremonies.
I passed my test on Feb 12 in fairfax VA and the IO gave the congratulations paper but did not offer oath on the same day. There is no name change. Does any one know how long does it take between interview and oath ceremony? Some people get it the same day and some don't...any logic behind this?
Finally I will be a US Citizen on Monday February 25th 2013 at Houston. I really feel American since the first day I arrived to Houston, but now is official. I love my country
Anyone knows about a judicial oath ceremony date around Knoxville, TN. for March 2013?
Thanks...
Does Anyone knows how long does it take to process the name change cases and the schedule for judicial ceremony in Los Angeles CA ? I passed my interview last feb.5 but i haven't receive any notice yet.I had my name spelling fix because it was wrong.
Thanks...
why weren't there any ceremonies in Phoenix, AZ?? Do you know when ceremonies take are scheduled here that are not Judicial? I passes the test Feb 8th 2013 and still haven't rec'd a letter for my Oath ceremony while others I know have been getting their letter for the oath within 2 weeks of passing the test?
Any Ideas?
Does this procedure below look OK or do I need to change my name through USCIS before submitting my A-400 application?
I am presently a Legal Permanent Resident. Last week I applied at the NH State court to change my name. After I receive the court decree approval I intend to file it immediately with my completed A-400 application. It will list my new legal name in Part 1. Line A and my Permanent Resident Card name in line B. In line D I will indicate that I would like to legally change my name.
As my name has already been legally changed and the certified court decree included with the A-400 application I will note in my cover letter that Judicial Ceremony should not be required.
Does this procedure look OK or do I need to change my name through USCIS before submitting my A-400 application?
Has anyone experienced a Descheduled Interview withUSCIS before?. I was scheduled for N 400 interview after some weeks I received another letter that the interview has been descheduled due to an unforeseen circumstances. It this normal?
I became US citizen back in 1993 in Newark NJ and changed my last name. I have misplaced (lost) the document that had name change information. Is there anyway to get a copy from the court? Also i have moved to different state. Is there a phone number i can call and find out?
Is there a maximum number of friends and families we can bring to our ceremony? Does the number vary with administrative format or judicial one?
I applied certificate of citizenship(N600) for my 6 year old daughter.Her application status show that" we placed your application in the oath scheduling que;
I thought you have to be 14 years or old to take oath. Is this normal procedure or any one else in the similar situation? Thanks
In N400 I checked the box for name change, but I have changed my mind not to change it. Is is possible to revert it during interview? please advise.
Hi, does anyone know if you could travel abroad while the process for naturlization is going on? Also, how long does the whole process takes from filing the application to getting a passport. I am thinking of ssending the form N 400 and leave the US for couple months.
Thank you.
I believe , just tell the interviewer you change you mind and don't sign the name change form. You will be recognized in your original name still.
Hi:) While attending Heald College, I am excited to attend my Oath ceremony on April 16 and becoming a U.S. citizen. This is a huge deal for me and my family because I don't think I'll be considered Palauan anymore, wierd, but worth it considering our history and how our flag represents our freedom, very heartfelt. I'm excited to vote for the first time come November. Obama it is!
Does any one know when it is the next oath ceremony at Orlando?. Thank you.
Does any one know if we can take the children if both of parents attending for the Oath and no one to take care of child?
Well, if you plan to file the N400 form, you cannot leave the country. You have to remain in the country 90 days prior to your filing. Rules are pretty clear. If you go out during that period, your application could be rejected.
To be conversative, the whole process could take little less than six (6) months or more than six (6) depending on the volume of applications on hand.
Hope it helps. Thank you.
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