N-400 Processing Averaging 6.7 Months: How Long Does it Take to Become a U.S. Citizen in 2026?
Immigrants who have resettled in the United States may want to take steps to become U.S. citizens. This can be an important milestone, providing a person with the full protections and benefits that citizenship provides and making sure they can live in the country permanently. As with other steps during the immigration process, applying for citizenship through naturalization can be complicated, and people will often wonder how much time will be needed before they can become citizens.
N-400 Processing Times
The time required during the naturalization process can vary depending on the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office where a person applies, the issues that may be addressed in a background check, and the current volume of naturalization applications. During the fiscal year of 2026, which includes applications received between October 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026, USCIS has reported that the median number of months needed to process Form N-400 (the application for naturalization) is 6.7 months. This is an increase from the average of 5.6 months for N-400 processing in fiscal year 2025.
The actual time required to process N-400 applications may depend on the field office or service center where an application is handled. As of July 2026, USCIS reports that the Washington, D.C. field office is able to process 80% of applications within 10 months. The Albuquerque, New Mexico field office is taking around 9.5 months to process the same number of applications, and the Miami, Florida field office is taking around 7.5 months. Applicants can check processing times at specific field offices on the USCIS website.
The Timeline for Naturalization Applications
Before a person can apply for citizenship, they will need to make sure they are eligible. In most cases, a person must have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least five years, and they must have maintained a continuous residence and physical presence in the country for at least half of that time. A person who obtained a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen may be eligible to apply for citizenship after three years.
The process of applying for naturalization will include the following steps:
Filing Form N-400
A person can file an Application for Naturalization online or by sending Form N-400 through the mail. After receiving the application, USCIS will send the applicant a notice of receipt through a form known as Form I-797C. An applicant will usually receive this notice within one to four weeks. It will contain a case number that will allow a person to track the progress of their application.
Biometrics Appointment
USCIS will schedule an appointment where a person’s fingerprints and photograph will be taken. As of December 2025, USCIS requires all applicants to have their biometrics taken during the naturalization process. An appointment will usually be scheduled within one to two months after USCIS receives an application.
Background Check and Case Review
USCIS will conduct a background check of an applicant, which may include a review of a person’s criminal history, records related to immigration, tax filings, or other information. This process may take a few months to complete.
Interview and Citizenship Tests
After completing a background check, USCIS will schedule an interview with the applicant. During this meeting, a USCIS officer will ask questions about the person’s background and review the information provided on the application. They will also administer a civics test to check a person’s knowledge of the history of the United States and the structure of the country’s government. A person will also be required to take a test to show that they can speak, understand, read, and write English. An interview will usually take place around four to 10 months after submitting an application.
Final Decision and Oath of Allegiance
In some cases, a person’s application may be approved immediately after their citizenship interview, but USCIS may take up to 120 days to review the case before issuing a final decision. After an application is approved, an Oath of Allegiance ceremony will be scheduled within two weeks to two months. The Oath of Allegiance is the final step in the process, and once it is completed, a person will officially become a U.S. citizen.
Legal Help With Citizenship Applications
The naturalization process can be complicated, and applicants may be unsure about the steps they will need to follow. An immigration attorney can provide guidance and legal help, ensuring that an application is completed correctly, responding to any requests from USCIS, and helping to prepare for the interview and tests. This can help a person avoid potential pitfalls and complete the process with confidence.