1. Receive a ceremony date
   If USCIS approves your application for naturalization, you must attend a ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. USCIS will notify you by mail of the time and date of your ceremony.
   
   The notice USCIS sends you is called the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" (Form N-445). In some cases, USCIS may give you the option to take the Oath on the same day as your interview. If you decide to take a "same day" oath, USCIS will ask you to come back to the office later that day. At this time, you will take the Oath and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
   
   If you cannot go to the oath ceremony, you should return the "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" (Form N-445) that USCIS sent to you. You should send the N-445 back to your local office. Include a letter saying why you cannot go to the ceremony. Make a copy of the notice and your letter before you send them to USCIS. Your local office will reschedule you and send you a new "Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony" (Form N-445) to tell you when your ceremony will be.
   
   
2. Check in at the ceremony
   When you arrive at the ceremony, you will be asked to check in with USCIS. Try to arrive early. Remember that often there are many other people being naturalized with you who must also be checked in with the USCIS.
   
   The naturalization ceremony is a solemn and meaningful event. Please dress in proper attire to respect the dignity of this event (please no jeans, shorts, or flip flops).
   
   
3. Return your Permanent Resident Card
   You must return your Permanent Resident Card to USCIS when you check in for your oath ceremony. You will no longer need your Permanent Resident Card because you will get your Certificate of Naturalization at the ceremony.
   
   
4. Answer questions about what you have done since your interview
   If more than a day has passed between your interview and the ceremony, USCIS will ask you several questions. These questions will be on the back of the notice USCIS sends you (Form N-445). Some questions on the back of the N-445 are: "Have you traveled outside the United States?" and "Have you claimed exemption from military service?" You should read the questions carefully and mark your answers before you arrive at the ceremony.
   
   Important
   Answer the questions on the back of the Form N-445 only for the time since your interview.
   
   
5. Take the oath
   You are not a citizen until you have taken the Oath of Allegiance at a formal naturalization ceremony. You will take the Oath during the ceremony. An official will read each part of the Oath slowly and ask you to repeat his or her words. The Oath can be found below.
   
   Request a Modified Oath. If you provide enough evidence that your religious training and beliefs prevent you from bearing arms for the United States, you may take the Oath, without the words "to bear arms on behalf of the Unites States when required by law.."
   
   If you provide enough evidence and USCIS finds that you are against any type of service in the Armed Forces because of your religious training and beliefs, you will not be required to say the words "to perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law."
   
   If USCIS finds that you are unable to swear the Oath using the words "on oath," you may replace these words with "and solemnly affirm." Finally, if USCIS finds that you are unable to use the words "so help me God" because of your religious training or beliefs, you are not required to say these words.
   
   If you believe you qualify for a modified Oath, you should write USCIS a letter explaining your situation with your application. USCIS will ask you to provide documentation from your religious organization explaining its beliefs and stating that you are a member in good standing.
   
   If you cannot communicate an understanding of the meaning of the Oath because of a physical or mental disability, the USCIS may excuse you from this requirement.
   
   Hereditary Titles. If you have any hereditary titles or positions of nobility, you must give them up at the oath ceremony.
   
   Just before taking the oath, you will be asked to pledge the allegiance to the flag and sing National Anthem of United States. You don't have to memorize any of these. You will be given sheets of paper with these written on them.
   
   After taking the oath, you may also hear the pre-recorded congratulating speech from the president of United States on TV, welcoming all new U.S. citizens.
   
   
6. Receive your Certificate of Naturalization
   Once you have taken the Oath, you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You may use this document as proof that you are a U.S. citizen.
   
   Important
   We strongly recommend that you go to your nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office to update your Social Security record soon after your naturalization ceremony.
   
   This is important because your Social Security record will be used to establish eligibility for benefits and to demonstrate authorization to work. The nearest SSA office can be found by calling 1-800-772-1213 or at www.socialsecurity.gov.
   
   To Update your Citizenship with SSA. In order to update your citizenship status in your SSA record, you will need to present your Certificate of Naturalization or your U.S. passport to the SSA.
   
   To Change your Name in SSA's Records. If at the oath ceremony you also changed your name from that shown in your SSA record, and your Certificate of Naturalization does not show your old and new names, you will also need to present:
   • A State driver's license or other acceptable form of identification in your old name as shown in your SSA record. This identity document in your former name can be unexpired or expired. It must contain your photo and/or biographical information about you.
   • If you changed your name more than two years ago, you will also need to present a recently issued identity document showing your new legal name as shown on your Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. passport.
   Important
   We strongly recommend that you apply for a U.S. passport soon after your naturalization ceremony.
   
   A passport serves as evidence of citizenship and is easier to carry around than a Certificate of Naturalization. If you lose your Certificate of Naturalization, you may request a replacement by filing an "Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document" (Form N-565). You can often get an application for a passport at your oath ceremony or at most United States Post Offices or download from this web site.
   
   Details about applying for US passport.

The oath of allegiance is:

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;

that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;

that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;

that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;

that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;

that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and

that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

In some cases, USCIS allows the oath to be taken without the clauses:

". . .that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law. . ."

• Before the oath, you will be shown the certificate of naturalization to make sure all the details are correct. Verify your name, date of birth and all other details.
• Make sure that it has the signature of director of USCIS on it, otherwise. The certificate is not valid.
• Once you receive your certificate of naturalization, make sure to sign it. Do not put your usual day to day signature on it. You have to write (NOT print) your entire name in cursive letters in the designated area.