If the USCIS approves your Form N-400, then you will be able to take the Oath of Allegiance and become a U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony. This is a very significant ceremony where you will be required to take the oath in front of a court. Oftentimes, there are actually two ceremonies involved with naturalization.
The first is the judicial ceremony, where an immigrant takes the oath in court. Next, there is often an administrative ceremony, which is when the USCIS administers the Oath of Allegiance. You may be permitted to take place in an oath ceremony on the same day that you have your interview for naturalization. If a ceremony date is unavailable, then the UCSIS will mail you with a notice, date, time, and location of your ceremony.
It is essential that you attend your naturalization ceremony on the scheduled date if you would like to become a citizen of the United States of America. If you do not attend the ceremony, then you will need to write the USCIS a letter explaining why you cannot attend and why you need a new date. If you fail to appear more than one for your ceremony, then you risk the possibility of having your application denied. At this point, you will be required to start all the way over from square one.
When you arrive at your ceremony on the appointed date, you will need to check in. A USCIS officer will probably review your responses to your questionnaire Form N-445. You will need to make sure that this form is completed before you arrive for the ceremony, or else the court may make you reschedule. You will also need to return your permanent resident card to the USCIS when you check in.
This is waived if you provide proof during the naturalization interview that you have lost your card and have attempted to recover it, or if you were never granted permanent residency because if military service. You will no longer need a permanent resident card following the ceremony because you will receive your certificate of naturalization which will declare that you are a US citizen.
Once the ceremony commences, you will take the Oath of Allegiance. You will then be granted your certificate, and will want to notify the USCIS of any errors that you see on the document before you leave the ceremony. For example, if your name is spelled wrong you will want to get that corrected right away. If you lose your certificate of naturalization, then you will want to request a replacement by filing Form N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship. If costs about $345 to get a new certificate if you lose your old one.
Once you have your certificate, you have the right to apply for a U.S. passport, and to register to vote. You also have permission to update your social security record. You now not only have the privileges of being a U.S. citizen, but the duty to be a U.S. citizen. This means that after naturalization you will be required to pay all taxes that you were not yet paying, and will be required to serve jury duty if chosen for this position.
You will want to talk to an immigration lawyer today if you are in the process of working towards naturalization and are having a difficult time doing so. With the right lawyer on your side, you may be able to work out any discrepancies in you have in your case. Don't hesitate to get legal help when you become caught up in difficult situations, as this can be very valuable for you in your case.