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Naturalization

Naturalization Ceremony Photos

 

Oath Administration Photos

 

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. Citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes all naturalization applications and provides the Court with a list of the candidates selected to be naturalized in the Federal Court.

The Naturalization Ceremony

Naturalization ceremonies in the Eastern District of Louisiana are held in the courthouse in New Orleans. Ceremonies are set when USCIS has enough applicants to hold a ceremony.

On the day of the ceremony, applicants are processed by USCIS Officers. Each petitioner should bring the U.S. issued Permanent Resident Card (green card), U.S. Issued visas and all other travel documents. A petitioner who is not fluent in English, but who is age 50 or older and has a U.S. permanent residency of more than 20 years, may be accompanied by someone who can interpret in the petitioner’s native language.

Everyone is expected to comply with federal court rules and any other rules of the Court. Please remain quiet during the proceedings and stand when the judge enters or leaves the courtroom. If you must leave while court is in session, please exit quietly. Children are welcome, but if they become unruly or loud, they must be taken out of the ceremony. This is an important day for all the applicants.

 

To Apply for Naturalization

Applicants for citizenship must file an Application for Naturalization (form N-400) with the Citizenship & Immigration Service (CIS). All requirements of the CIS must be fulfilled prior to receiving the Certificate of Naturalization. To obtain petition forms and naturalization information, please contact the CIS office.

Citizenship & Immigration Service
1250 Poydras St., Suite 1800
New Orleans, LA  70113
1-800-375-5283
http://www.uscis.gov

The Court's Naturalization Records

Clerk's Office
U.S. District Court
500 Poydras St., Room C-151
New Orleans, LA  70130
(504) 589-7654

Notification of Naturalization Ceremony

Approximately two to three weeks prior to the ceremony, the Citizenship & Immigration Service will send you a written notice of the date and time to report.

Replacing Lost Certificate of Naturalization

Contact the Citizenship & Immigration Service office that issued the certificate or visit their website for form N-565.