After you pass: the oath ceremony and what's next

By the Abuelito Citizenship team · Reviewed October 12, 2026 against official USCIS pages

The results sheet, the ceremony, the N-445 and your certificate. Passport, Social Security, voting and your new rights and duties.

From approval to the ceremony

The result: Form N-652

At the end of the interview you get Form N-652 with one of three results: «Granted», «Continued» (documents missing or a part of the test to repeat) or «Denied».

If they ask for more evidence, you generally have 30 days to send it. The list comes on Form N-14.

The oath ceremony

Sometimes the ceremony is the same day as the interview. If not, Form N-445 arrives by mail with the date, time and place.

You are a citizen only after you take the Oath of Allegiance at the ceremony. Not before.

If you can't go, return the N-445 to your USCIS office with a letter explaining why and ask for a new date. Missing it more than once can lead to a denial.

The N-445 questionnaire

The N-445 has questions about what happened since your interview. Answer them before you arrive; an officer reviews them with you at check-in.

Tell the truth about anything that changed. If something happened (a trip, an arrest, a change in marital status) and you don't know what to do, talk to an attorney or accredited representative before the ceremony.

The exact questions are on your own N-445; we couldn't find a public copy on uscis.gov. Confirm it at uscis.gov.

Free legal help →

Your green card and your certificate

When you check in at the ceremony you return your green card. After the oath you receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

Review it carefully BEFORE you leave: name, date of birth, everything. If you see a mistake, tell USCIS right there.

If you notice later, or if it's lost, there's Form N-565. If the mistake was USCIS's, there's no fee (confirm it at uscis.gov/n-565).

It's official proof that you are a citizen. Keep it in a safe place.

You're a citizen: what's next

Your passport

At the ceremony you get a welcome packet with the passport application.

USCIS says that when you apply you send your original Certificate of Naturalization and a photocopy.

Leave time between the ceremony and a trip so it can arrive. The steps and the fee are on travel.state.gov: confirm them there.

• Open travel.state.gov ↗

Tell Social Security

USCIS says to wait at least 10 days after the ceremony to update your Social Security record.

You do it by requesting a replacement card: you make the appointment online and bring your ID and proof of your citizenship. The card arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.

If your record isn't updated, it may affect what your employer sees about your work eligibility.

• Open ssa.gov ↗

Register to vote

After the oath you may receive a voter registration application at the ceremony.

You can register any time after the ceremony. Each state has its own deadline: in some it's 30 days before the election, in others the same day.

Before you are a citizen, never register or vote: it can affect your citizenship.

• Open vote.gov ↗

What changes: rights and duties

Rights: voting in elections, applying for federal jobs that require citizenship, running for office, and freedom to express yourself and to worship as you wish.

Duties: support and defend the Constitution, obey the laws, pay your taxes on time, serve on a jury when called, take part in your community and defend the country if needed.

Only citizens vote in federal elections and serve on a federal jury.

Checklist

• I reviewed my certificate before leaving the ceremony
• I put my certificate in a safe place
• I applied for my passport
• 10 days went by and I updated my Social Security
• I registered to vote (vote.gov)

This is an educational course, not legal advice. We don't decide whether you qualify. Confirm it at uscis.gov or with an attorney or accredited representative.

More from the guide