How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen?
Naturalization timeline, step by step
| Step | Typical timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Become eligible | 5 years (3 if married to a citizen) | You can file up to 90 days before the anniversary of your green card. |
| 2. File N-400 | Day 0 | Online or by mail; USCIS sends a receipt notice. |
| 3. Biometrics | usually within 1–2 months | Fingerprints and photo at an Application Support Center. |
| 4. Interview and test | median decision: 9.5 mo | English and civics test at your field office; many decisions are made the same day. |
| 5. Oath ceremony | same day to a few weeks later | You become a citizen when you take the oath. |
N-400 processing time since 2021
The median fell to 4.7 mo in 2024 and has risen since. 727,371 applications were pending at the end of Apr–Jun 2026. See all details on the N-400 processing time page.
Your field office matters
Interviews happen at your local field office, so waits differ a lot by city. At the recent pace, the national N-400 queue would take about 16 months to clear.
| Office | Pending N-400s | Backlog estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Providence | 2,105 | 8 mo |
| Cincinnati | 2,362 | 8 mo |
| Queens | 11,953 | 8 mo |
| Manchester | 1,215 | 9 mo |
| Columbus | 3,622 | 9 mo |
| Las Vegas | 8,230 | 25 mo |
| San Jose | 20,899 | 27 mo |
| St. Paul | 11,279 | 27 mo |
| Portland | 8,599 | 28 mo |
| Lawrence | 14,036 | 41 mo |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen in 2026?
After you file Form N-400, USCIS decided half of all applications within 9.5 mo in Apr–Jun 2026. Add a few weeks for the oath ceremony. Before that, you need 5 years as a permanent resident (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), so from green card to citizenship it is usually at least 5½ years.
Why is citizenship taking longer now?
Pending N-400s grew to 727,371 at the end of Apr–Jun 2026 while USCIS received 140,179 and completed 67,565 in that quarter. When completions fall behind receipts, the queue and the waiting time grow.
Which offices are fastest?
By pending cases versus monthly completions, the shortest N-400 queues (1,000+ pending) are Providence (~8 months), Cincinnati (~8 months), Queens (~8 months); the longest are Lawrence (~41 months), Portland (~28 months), St. Paul (~27 months). You cannot pick your office; it depends on your address.
Figures are copied from the official files without changes; derived numbers (changes, backlog estimates) are explained on the methodology page. Not legal advice.