Step 5: Naturalization Petition Processing

When the USCIS has received your petition it will be entered in their database and go through initial processing. You should receive a response from the USCIS within 30-45 days indicating that your petition has been accepted or rejected. If you petition has been accepted you will receive a "receipt notice." If your petition is rejected the USCIS will return the entire petition along with a letter explaining why the petition was rejected.

Assuming the petition was accepted, the next step in the process is to be fingerprinted. The USCIS will send you a notice in the mail directing you to attend a biometrics appointment at the Application Support Center nearest you. It is important that you do not miss this appointment. Although rescheduling is possible it could cause significant delays.

Once you have been finger-printed the next step is the naturalization interview.