USCIS says you are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony, and that you receive your Certificate of Naturalization after taking it. USCIS then points new citizens to a short list of next steps: check the certificate for errors before you leave, apply for a U.S. passport with the State Department, and contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) so your record shows you as a citizen. This post walks through what USCIS says about each step.
At the ceremony: check your certificate
USCIS says, "You will receive your Certificate of Naturalization after taking the Oath of Allegiance." It also tells you to "carefully review your Certificate of Naturalization and notify USCIS of any errors before leaving the ceremony." This is the one step USCIS ties to the ceremony itself, so read the certificate while you are still there.
USCIS says: "You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony." The passport and Social Security steps below come after the oath.
You also have something to hand in. USCIS says, "You must return your Permanent Resident Card to USCIS when you check in for your naturalization ceremony." USCIS waives this if you proved at your interview that the card was lost and you tried to recover it, or if military service meant you never received permanent residence.
The oath can be given in two ways. In a judicial ceremony "the court administers the Oath of Allegiance." In an administrative ceremony "USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance." If you want to know where your case stands before the ceremony, see our oath ceremony status page.
If a same-day ceremony is not available, USCIS says "we will mail you a notice with the date, time, and location of your scheduled naturalization ceremony." It also warns that "Failing to appear more than once for your naturalization ceremony may lead to a denial of your application."
Applying for a U.S. passport
The USCIS page for new citizens says, "As a U.S. citizen, you are now eligible for a U.S. passport from the U.S. Department of State." It also says that "In addition to your Certificate of Naturalization, a U.S. passport serves as official proof of citizenship." For the application, USCIS says you will need to submit your original Certificate of Naturalization and a photocopy.
USCIS adds that you may also apply for a passport for any child under the age of 18. The State Department sets the passport fees, forms and processing times, so check travel.state.gov for the current steps.
Updating your Social Security record
USCIS says, "You will need to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to update your records." It explains why this matters: when you are hired, your employer can use E-Verify to check eligibility to work, and if your record has not been updated, "this may impact the information your employer receives about your work eligibility."
The USCIS ceremonies page adds that, after your ceremony, you should update your Social Security record, and that "Generally, new citizens need to wait at least ten days after the ceremony to update SSA records."
There is a second route that happens before the ceremony. The Form N-400 instructions say you can consent on the application to share your information with SSA. If you gave consent and USCIS approves your application and you take the oath, the instructions say USCIS will provide information from your application and its systems, including your immigration status, to SSA. They add: "The SSA will also update your immigration status to that of U.S. citizen after you take the Oath of Allegiance." If you asked for a name change on the N-400, the instructions say USCIS will send your updated name to SSA. If you did not give that consent, or you are not sure what you ticked, use the contact step above.
The instructions also note that you are not required to request a Social Security card on the N-400, but you must have a Social Security number properly assigned in your name to work in the United States.
Other items on the USCIS list
- Driver's license or state ID. If you change your name or address, USCIS says "you should update your record with the agency that issues driver's licenses in your state."
- Your children. A child who is a permanent resident and under 18 on the day you naturalize "may have automatically derived U.S. citizenship." To get proof, USCIS says to file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, online.
- A lost certificate. If you lose your Certificate of Naturalization, you can file Form N-565 online. Until you receive a replacement, "You may use your U.S. passport as evidence of citizenship."
- Relatives. USCIS says that as a U.S. citizen "you may petition for certain relatives to become lawful permanent residents," and that you must show enough income or assets to support them.
Our Form N-400 guide and our post on what happens after the USCIS interview cover the steps that come before the ceremony.
Common questions
Do I get my Certificate of Naturalization at the ceremony?
Yes. USCIS says you receive it after taking the Oath of Allegiance.
Do I keep my green card after the oath?
USCIS says you must return your Permanent Resident Card when you check in for the ceremony, unless one of the waivers described above applies, and that you will no longer need it because you receive your Certificate of Naturalization after the oath.
Is my passport the only proof of citizenship I need?
USCIS says your certificate and a U.S. passport both work as proof of citizenship. If you lose the certificate, USCIS says you may use your passport as evidence until you get a replacement.
What if my certificate has a mistake?
USCIS tells you to notify it of any errors before leaving the ceremony. After you leave, the right path depends on the kind of error, and a licensed immigration attorney can advise you.
Official sources
GreenLight is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.