After taking the Oath of Allegiance, the newly naturalized U.S. citizens need to do the following.
Register to Vote
Naturalized U.S. citizens can take part in the election process and vote in federal elections. Registering to vote is the first step in the voting process and the new citizens can do that soon after they take the oath.
Apply for a U.S. Passport
U.S. passports will be issued only to the U.S. citizens. At times, passport applications will be made available at the oath ceremony. Otherwise, the new citizens can contact the U.S. Department of State and apply for their passports. U.S. passports can be used as proof of U.S. citizenship.
Report Change of Status to Social Security Administration
The new citizens need to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of their citizenship status. They will need take their Certificates of Naturalization to the Social Security Office and file Form SS-5 there. Once their citizenship is verified, the officials will update their records to show them as U.S. citizens.
Naturalized U.S. citizens can run for public offices and apply for federal and state jobs for which immigrants are ineligible. They can have full participation in the U.S. democracy and vote for the politicians they prefer. Changes to government policies will not affect U.S. citizens and they will never be deported.
Naturalization certificates will never expire so there is no need for a renewal process. However, they will need to update their passports every ten years. U.S. citizens can help more family members to immigrate to the U.S. They can sponsor their parents and their brothers or sisters, in addition to their husband or wife and children. They can travel abroad more freely and they will not lose their U.S. citizenship, even if they remain abroad for a long time.
Steps to Naturalization
Step 1 to Naturalization – File Form N-400
Step 2 to Naturalization – Biometrics Appointment
