Naturalization

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

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. The USCIS website provides resources that will answer many questions about the naturalization process. You can learn about how to apply for naturalization or if you qualify for naturalization by visiting the USCIS’s Citizenship through Naturalization page.

The USCI's field office in Montgomery (AL) is the nearest immigration office that services the Middle District of Alabama. You can email the Montgomery Office, or call them. The phone numbers for the Montgomery (AL) office are:

Regular Toll-free (800) 375-5283
TDD for hearing impaired (800) 767-1833
Toll-free for Military (877) 247-4645
(These are automated systems -- if you need to speak with a person you will be given an option to do so.)

Contact the Immigration Office in Montgomery if you have questions about which forms you need or have questions about other parts of the process. In order to visit the Montgomery office or to speak with an immigration services officer, you must have an appointment scheduled by USDCIS, or you must schedule an InfoPass Appointment.

Most of the necessary forms may be obtained by clicking here. Forms may also be obtained by calling (800) 870-3676 and requesting that the forms be mailed to you. The Clerk's Office of the Middle District of Alabama does not keep blank forms on file.

Additional information about naturalization ceremonies is available here.

Attorney or Representative Procedures

If you are an attorney seeking information, you must make an InfoPass appointment with the office that has jurisdiction over your client's residential address. You must make a separate appointment for each client you wish to discuss.

If you are not an attorney and wish to provide the public with immigration services, you must be authorized by the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). More information is available on how an organization can apply for recognition and accreditation at the District Office.

Local Ceremonies

If USCIS approves your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, you will be scheduled to  take  the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. Taking the oath will complete the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Naturalization ceremonies in our Court are usually held in February, May, July and October. The dates may vary and are dependent on the headquarters office and whether there are any candidates to be naturalized at that particular time. These events are typically conducted in our Ceremonial Courtroom (2F) to accommodate the candidates for citizenship, their families and other interested groups like the Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution and other civic and philanthropic organizations.