Naturalization Ceremony Introduction

The term immigration refers to people moving internationally to countries that are neither their native nor do they possess citizenship of those countries. However, for the movement to be called immigration, the main aim must be to reside or settle as naturalized citizens or permanent residents, in the foreign country. Some people migrate to foreign countries to go and work as migrant workers or as foreign workers. Most of the countries usually encourage this move as it is beneficial to both the sending and receiving countries. However, there are rules and regulations that control these movements. Different countries have different rules and regulations that one is required to meet before immigrating to their country. In the United States, a green card holder can become a citizen through applying for naturalization. Naturalization refers to a legal process which is used to transition a citizen of one country to become a citizen in another country. In the United States, the naturalization ceremony refers to the act of people who would like to become American citizens by taking an oath of Allegiance, for them to become U.S. citizens.

Eligibility requirements for the naturalization application

For you to be eligible to apply for naturalization, they have to fulfill the set requirements. This helps to control the process. Apart from being a green card holder, having to stay in the U.S. for at least five years, other requirements that need to be fulfilled are as follows.

• By the time you will be filing the naturalization request, you should be at an age of 18 years old or above.
• The applicant must have lived with the U.S. or an area that has a jurisdiction of USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) district over the place of residence of the applicant for three months before the application filing date. If the individual is a student, they have the option of applying for naturalization from where they go to school or if they still depend on their parents financially, they can apply from where their family lives.
• The applicant must have a continuous residence in the U.S. for five years as green card holders, immediately preceding the application filing date.
• The applicant must have been physically present in the U.S. for a minimum of 30 months out of 5 years immediately preceding application filing date.   
• The applicant must continue residing within the boundaries of the United States from the date they apply for naturalization up to the time of naturalization.
• The applicant is also required to be able to write, read and speak English and have an understanding and knowledge of the United States history and government (civics).
• The applicant must be of a good moral character, attached to the United States constitutional principles and be in support of good order of the United States during all the periods relevant under the low.

Naturalization Oath Ceremony

After the application for naturalization is approved, the following activities take place.

Receive a ceremony date

• You must attend the naturalization ceremony and take an Oath of Allegiance for him or her to become an American citizen. However, an invitation is required before attending the ceremony. The invitation is only sent to a person who has gone through all the necessary steps in the naturalization process and has qualified for the naturalization oath ceremony. The naturalization process is long and involving. You need to make an application through filling form N-400. After the form submission, the applicant is subjected to a biometrics screening before going for an interview. After that, a decision is made on whether the applicant is fit for naturalization. If permission is granted, they are then qualified for an invitation to the ceremony. This is done by being officially informed of the date of the ceremony. In the United States of America, time and date of the ceremony are communicated by USCIS through the mail. The notice sent by the USCIS is form N-445, which is the Notice of Naturalization Oath. After receiving this notice, he or she is then required to avail themselves to the ceremony on the set date.

Check in at the ceremony

• Upon arrival at the ceremony, the individual is required to sign in with USCIS. This is to officially show that you attended the ceremony. The record can be kept for future reference. If you do not check in, it will be considered as if you never attended. You should arrive early enough due to the huge number of invites. Arriving in good time helps you avoid rushing at the last minute. Although there is no specific dress code set for this ceremony, you should be properly dressed to respect the significance of this event.

Return Permanent Resident Card

• You are required to return their Permanent Resident Card to the USCIS when they check in for their oath ceremony. Since you will get a certificate of naturalization at the ceremony, the Permanent Resident Card will be of no use. Therefore, you do not need it anymore and is required to return it. It is an offense for anyone not to return the permanent resident card when they have a certificate of naturalization.

Answer questions about what you have done since your interview

• If you stays for more than a day after the interview, you will be required to answer several questions. Some questions asked are if the applicant has traveled out of the United States. This is because you are not supposed to travel out of the country after the interview until you take the oath of naturalization.

Take the oath

• The oath is taken by an official reading each part of the oath slowly and asking the applicants to repeat the words. For those who provide enough evidence to show that their religious beliefs prevent them from bearing United States arms, they may request for a modified oath. Before taking the oath, you will be asked to sing the United States National Anthem and pledge the allegiance to the flag.

Receive Certificate of Naturalization

• Once the oath is taken, a certificate of naturalization is issued. The document can be used as a proof that one is a United States citizen.