USCIS Policy Manual - Volume 12 - Citizenship & Naturalization Part J - Oath of Allegiance - Chapter 5 - Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies

Sep 19, 2026

USCIS guidance for conducting administrative naturalization ceremonies in a meaningful and consistent manner, focusing on the role of the ceremony in recognizing citizens’ rights, responsibilities, and importance of citizenship. Describes required and optional materials for distribution, including the U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet, American flag, Citizen’s Almanac, and pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Details restrictions on congratulatory letters and other publications, and outlines the ceremony check-in process using required USCIS forms.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Materials Distributed

Contents of U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet

Distribution of U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet

The American Flag

Citizen’s Almanac and Pocket-size U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution

Other Materials

Ceremony Check-In Process

Attachment A USCIS Policy Manual Current as of August 23, 2017 Volume 12-Citizenship & Naturalization Part J-Oath of Allegiance Chapter 5-Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies USCIS is committed to elevating the importance of the naturalization ceremony as a venue to recognize the rights, responsibilities, and importance of citizenship and provide access to services for new citizens. The naturalization ceremony is the culmination of the naturalization process. USCIS aims to make administrative naturalization ceremonies positive and memorable moments in the lives of the participants. USCIS honors the Oath of Allegiance with policies and practices that reflect the importance of the occasion. The following information provides USCIS officials with guidance for conducting administrative naturalization ceremonies in a meaningful and consistent manner. [1] A. Materials Distributed USCIS may distribute materials at administrative naturalization ceremonies, including: • U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet (including the President’s Congratulatory Letter); • American flag; • Citizen’s Almanac ( Form M-76 ); and • Pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States. 1. Contents of U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet USCIS distributes the U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet (Form M-771) to every naturalization candidate participating in an administrative ceremony in the United States. [2] The U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet consists of the following: • President’s, Secretary’s, or Director of USCIS’ Congratulatory Letter and Envelope; • Application for U.S. Passport ( Form DS-11 ); • Important Information for New Citizens (Form M-767); • Oath of Allegiance/The Star Spangled Banner/Pledge of Allegiance Flier (Form M-789); • Certificate Holder; and • A Voter ’s Guide to Federal Elections. The official congratulatory letters from the President of the United States, Secretary of Homeland Security, or Director of USCIS are the only congratulatory letters USCIS distributes at naturalization ceremonies. Guests, elected officials, other U.S. government entities, and non-governmental organizations may not provide candidates with congratulatory letters within the venue. 2. Distribution of U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet USCIS may distribute the U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet during the check-in process before the naturalization candidate has been administered the Oath of Allegiance but only after a USCIS officer has determined that the applicant is eligible to take the Oath of Allegiance on the day of the ceremony. [3] The U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet contains information for naturalized citizens. Before distributing the packet, officers must: • Make a statement that an applicant does not become a U.S. citizen until he or she takes the Oath of Allegiance, regardless of the contents ofthe packet; • Make a general statement about the contents ofthe packet; and • Answer the candidates’ naturalization-related questions. 3. The American Flag Officers distribute the American flag to naturalization candidates. Only USCIS-issued flags made in the United States may be distributed to naturalization candidates. 4. Citizen’s Almanac and Pocket-size U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution The Citizen’s Almanac ( Form M-76 ) and the Pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States (Form M-654) must be made available to all interested naturalization candidates or newly naturalized citizens at the: • Check-in process; • Conclusion of the oath ceremony program; or • Conclusion of the naturalization examination. Officers are not required to distribute these publications to each naturalization candidate, but must make the publications available. The items may be placed on a table in an area accessible to the naturalization candidates. USCIS may also inform candidates that both publications are available for download at [www.uscis.gov/ci

FAQs

What is the purpose of USCIS administrative naturalization ceremonies according to the policy guidance?

The policy frames the ceremony as the culmination of the naturalization process and a venue to recognize the rights, responsibilities, and importance of citizenship for new citizens.

What materials may USCIS distribute at administrative naturalization ceremonies?

USCIS may distribute a U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet, an American flag, Citizen’s Almanac, and a pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States.

When can the U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet be distributed during the ceremony?

It may be distributed during the check-in process before the candidate is administered the Oath of Allegiance, but only after a USCIS officer determines the applicant is eligible to take the Oath of Allegiance on the day of the ceremony.

Sep 19, 2026

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