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Naturalization

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 Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes all naturalization applications and provides the court with a list of candidates selected to be naturalized in Federal Court.  The court does not have the ability to change the scheduled naturalization date.

2025 Naturalization Ceremony Dates:

Date Ceremony Times Location
Friday, January 17, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, February 21, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, March 7, 2025   1:30 PM Sioux City Courthouse
Friday, March 21, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, April 18, 2025   1:30 PM UNI Cedar Falls
Friday, June 6, 2025   1:30  PM Sioux City Courthouse
Friday, June 20, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, July 5, 2025 12:00 PM   Field of Dreams - Dyersville
Friday, August 15, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, September 5, 2025   1:30 PM Sioux City Courthouse
Friday, September 5, 2025   1:30 PM Cedar Rapids - Czech Slovak Museum
Friday, October 17, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, November 21, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse
Friday, December 5, 2025   1:30 PM Sioux City Courthouse
Friday, December 19, 2025 12:30 PM 1:15 PM Cedar Rapids Courthouse

The culmination of the naturalization process is the administration of the Oath of Citizenship.

Northern District of Iowa, approximately 600 petitioners take this oath in a formal ceremony each year.  The ceremony may be held at the Federal Courthouse or a nearby designated site.  The ceremony typically lasts for approximately one hour.  Cameras are allowed in the courthouse for this ceremony only.  There will be time to take pictures after the ceremony.

Link to naturalization photos of previous ceremonies

The only records maintained by the Clerk of Court is a copy of the Petition for Name Change.  For an attested copy of the original, contact the Clerk's Office in the location where you attended the ceremony.  You will need to know the date of the ceremony.

For specific questions regarding the ceremony, please contact the clerk's office in your location:  Cedar Rapids or Sioux City.

For specific questions regarding the naturalization process, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  To schedule an appointment with USCIS, go to INFOPASS.  ***USCIS does not take personal phone calls.***

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Resources: