The three possible outcomes at the end of your interview

At the end of the interview, the officer gives you Form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results. It shows one of three results. Granted means you passed the English and civics tests and the officer found you eligible; you will be scheduled for the oath ceremony. Continued means the officer needs more information before deciding, most often because you failed one part of the test or a document is missing. Denied means the officer found you ineligible, and the written decision will explain why and how to appeal.

If your case is continued

A continued case is not a denial. If you failed the English or civics portion, USCIS will schedule a second interview, usually 60 to 90 days later, and you retake only the part you failed. If the officer asked for documents, you will receive a Request for Evidence (Form N-14) with a deadline, and the case is decided after you respond. Respond by the deadline and keep copies of everything you send. If you fail the same test portion a second time, the application is denied, but you can file a new N-400 at any time.

The oath ceremony

Some field offices hold a same-day ceremony a few hours after the interview. Others mail Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, for a date weeks or months later. On the back of the N-445 there are questions about anything that has changed since your interview, such as travel outside the United States, arrests, or a change in marital status; answer them honestly and bring the form with you. At the ceremony you return your green card, take the Oath of Allegiance, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You are a U.S. citizen from the moment you complete the oath, not before.

Your first week as a citizen

• Check your certificate before you leave the ceremony. Name spelling, date of birth, and country of birth must be correct; errors are much easier to fix on the spot.
• Apply for a U.S. passport using Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility, bringing your original certificate. Many people do this within days because a passport is the easiest proof of citizenship for travel and employment.
• Register to vote. Many oath ceremonies have voter registration tables, and every state accepts registration online or by mail.
• Update the Social Security Administration. Visit an SSA office with your certificate so your record shows U.S. citizen status. This matters for future benefits and employment verification.
• Consider applying for citizenship for your children. Children under 18 who are permanent residents and live in your legal and physical custody may have automatically become citizens when you naturalized. Form N-600 gives them a Certificate of Citizenship as proof.

Keep your certificate safe

Do not laminate the Certificate of Naturalization and do not carry it daily. Replacing a lost certificate requires Form N-565 and can take many months. Store it with your other important documents and use your passport as everyday proof of citizenship.

Last reviewed and expanded by the USCitizenTestPractice Editorial Team in September 2026, based on the USCIS Policy Manual, the official 2025 civics test materials, and current USCIS fee and form instructions. This is an independent study resource, not legal advice.