The Oath of Allegiance: full text, the ceremony and what to bring
Short answer: the naturalization ceremony is the last step. You become a U.S. citizen only when you take the Oath of Allegiance at the ceremony, not the day you pass the interview. Sometimes the ceremony is the same day; otherwise you'll get Form N-445 with the date, time and place.
What to bring
- Your N-445, with its questions answered (about anything that happened since your interview). Answer truthfully.
- Your green card: you turn it in at check-in.
- If something happened since the interview (a long trip, an arrest, a change in marital status) and you're unsure what to do, talk to an attorney or accredited representative before the ceremony.
The text of the oath
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 plain English: you give up loyalty to any other country or ruler; you'll support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States; if the law requires it, you'll serve the country (in the military, in noncombatant service or in civilian work of national importance); and you do this freely.
The oath is also on the test: question 67 (2025) asks for two promises new citizens make.
After the ceremony
- You receive your Certificate of Naturalization. Check it before you leave: name, date of birth, everything.
- Use it to get a passport, update your status with Social Security and register to vote.
- Keep it safe. Replacing it (Form N-565) has a fee.
More in after you pass.
Official sources (checked Oct 16, 2026): USCIS · Naturalization Ceremonies · USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part J · 8 CFR 337.1 (oath text) · USCIS · New U.S. Citizens
We are not USCIS or any government agency. This is an educational course built on the official USCIS lists; it is not legal advice. For your case, talk to an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative.