Naturalization Delays 2026: Why Citizenship Approvals Fell and What It Means for Your N-400

Reviewed by: Andrew Diamond, Esq.

USCIS reports approving about 57,700 Form N-400 applications from April through June 2026, compared with about 241,300 in the same three months of 2025, a drop of roughly 76 percent according to USCIS’s own quarterly Form N-400 report. The share of decided cases that ended in denial roughly doubled, and the number of pending applications rose to about 742,000 by the end of June 2026 and above 810,000 by August 2026 per the USCIS monthly report to Congress. Naturalization delays in 2026 are real, but a slower, stricter process does not change who is legally eligible for citizenship. It changes how long the wait is and how closely a file may be reviewed.

The drop coincides with a series of changes USCIS made from mid-2025 onward: a longer civics test, a broader review of good moral character, the return of neighborhood investigations (written into the USCIS Policy Manual as of August 25, 2026), and, according to reporting, more time between interviews and oath ceremonies. USCIS describes these steps as screening and vetting. USCIS has not published an analysis attributing the decline to any one of them.

This article explains what the data shows, what changed in the naturalization process, what a delay does and does not mean for an application, which risks grow while a case waits, and which options exist when an N-400 has been pending longer than expected.

How much have naturalization approvals dropped?

The clearest comparison is the same quarter one year apart. USCIS publishes naturalization data on its Immigration and Citizenship Data page, and the figures below are the April to June totals reported in its quarterly Form N-400 reports for the third quarter of fiscal years 2025 and 2026. USCIS notes that counts can change between releases, so these figures should be checked against the current reports before being relied on.

The decline started before 2026. USCIS’s monthly reports to Congress show approvals falling from late 2025, from about 71,000 in September 2025 to about 33,000 in January 2026, and the share of decisions that were denials rising from about 8 percent across 2024 to about 18 percent in April to June 2026. New applications also slowed: receipts in early 2026 ran at about half the 2024 pace.

When the number of decisions falls while applications continue to arrive, the pending total grows. USCIS’s monthly reports for June, July and August 2026 show approvals falling from about 18,400 to about 15,300 a month while the pending total climbed from about 744,000 to about 813,000. As of November 3, 2026, USCIS had not published the quarterly report for July through September 2026 (FY2026 Q4). The figures change as USCIS updates its data; check the current numbers on the USCIS data page and your field office’s posted time on the USCIS processing times page rather than relying on any single estimate. Processing times vary by office and can change at any time.

Where is the slowdown showing up?

The slowdown is national, but it is uneven. In USCIS’s field office data for April to June 2026, about 19 percent of decided cases were denied in Los Angeles, up from about 9 percent a year earlier, and Baltimore rose from under 7 percent to 35 percent while its approvals fell from 5,064 to 254.

Processing time figures need careful reading, because USCIS publishes more than one kind. The USCIS monthly report to Congress put the average N-400 processing time at 12.7 months for August 2026, up from 6.4 months a year earlier. USCIS’s separate historical processing times page reports a national median of 7.1 months for nonmilitary N-400 cases for fiscal year 2026 through June 30, 2026. The office-level processing times page reports the time within which 80 percent of recently completed cases at that office were decided. None of these is a prediction for a particular pending case; they describe cases already decided, and they change month to month.

The field office matters because interviews, investigations and oath ceremonies are scheduled locally. Two applicants with similar files can see very different timelines depending on where they live.

What changed in the naturalization process since 2025?

USCIS’s own announcements and public reporting point to several changes made since mid-2025. USCIS has not published an analysis attributing the decline in approvals to any of them, and whether a given change adds time or review to a particular case depends on that case. The table lists what each change states or requires.

News reporting has also described two factors that cannot be measured from published USCIS data: a larger share of cases being scheduled for in-person interviews, and longer gaps between an approved interview and the oath ceremony at some offices. Reporting has also pointed to staffing reductions at some offices. USCIS has not published figures that isolate any of these.

How neighborhood investigations work under the current guidance

The Policy Manual guidance took effect on August 25, 2026 and applies to applications pending or filed on or after that date. According to Volume 12, Part B, Chapter 2:

• INA 335(a) calls for an investigation of every applicant unless USCIS waives it. USCIS states that, where conducted, the investigation is generally completed before the naturalization interview is scheduled, and that an officer may also request one at any time before the Oath of Allegiance, including after the interview.
• The scope should cover at least the five years immediately before the N-400 was filed. USCIS may cover a shorter or longer period depending on the circumstances.
• Investigators may interview neighbors, landlords, homeowners association representatives, supervisors, coworkers, and others in the vicinity of the applicant’s residences and employment or business, and may gather information on residence history, employment, family status, financial obligations, travel abroad, criminal history, reputation, and attachment to the Constitution.
• Character reference letters are optional. USCIS states that letters submitted with the N-400 can assist it in deciding whether a waiver is appropriate, that letters should preferably come from U.S. citizens who personally know the applicant, and that it does not consider letters from the applicant’s immediate family or relatives. A letter does not guarantee a waiver.
• USCIS states that an applicant’s failure or refusal to provide letters, or to respond to a request for evidence on this point, may be a factor in its decision to conduct an investigation.
• If USCIS intends to deny based on derogatory information from an investigation, it must give the applicant notice of that information and an opportunity to respond.

Each of these points should be read against the live Policy Manual text before being relied on, because USCIS can revise the guidance without notice.

Does a slower decision mean my N-400 will be denied?

Not on its own. The legal requirements for naturalization are set by statute and did not change: lawful permanent residence, continuous residence and physical presence for the required period (generally five years under INA 316(a), or three years for certain spouses of U.S. citizens under INA 319(a) who meet that section’s marriage and residence conditions), good moral character during the statutory period, English and civics knowledge, and attachment to the principles of the Constitution. These are covered in INA 316 and INA 319 and in USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12.

What changed is how much of the file USCIS may examine and how long that can take. A higher denial share across all cases says nothing about a particular application. Reasons for denial include breaks in continuous residence, insufficient physical presence, unpaid taxes, criminal history, unlawful voting or registration, false statements on earlier applications, and failing the English or civics test at both the initial examination and the re-examination. Each of these turns on the applicant’s own record.

A longer wait also raises the stakes of consistency. The N-400 asks about travel, residences, employment, marriages, taxes, arrests, and voting. USCIS may compare those answers against the documents in the file, background check results, interview testimony, and, where an investigation under INA 335(a) is conducted, the information it gathers. If circumstances change while the case is pending (a new address, a new job, a new trip abroad, a divorce, a citation), the applicant should expect to update those answers at the interview. Because USCIS has separate guidance on referring naturalized citizens for revocation of naturalization under INA 340 where citizenship was procured by concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation, an inaccurate answer that goes unnoticed at the interview is not a safe outcome either.

What does USCIS say about the decline?

USCIS has framed the changes as a matter of vetting. Its Policy Alert of August 25, 2026 states that the agency is committed to enhancing the screening and vetting of all applicants for naturalization, and a Department of Homeland Security post on October 2, 2026 listed naturalizations down 75 percent among its results for the year.

Immigrant advocates read the same numbers differently. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has described the drop as an unprecedented naturalization cliff, and commentators have pointed out that an applicant who had not taken the oath before the applicable registration and voting deadlines could not vote in the November 2026 elections. The underlying count is not in dispute: USCIS data shows far fewer people becoming citizens each month than a year ago.

What options exist when an N-400 has been pending a long time?

The right step depends on where the case is stuck. The options below are general; which one fits a particular case depends on its facts and stage.

1. Before the interview, case outside posted processing times. If the case is older than the time USCIS posts for the field office, an applicant can submit a case inquiry (service request) through USCIS. Contacting a member of Congress or the CIS Ombudsman is also available when USCIS inquiries do not resolve the delay. None of these steps forces a decision by a set date.
2. After the interview, no decision within 120 days. USCIS’s own regulation, 8 CFR 335.3(a), directs it to grant or deny the application at the time of the initial examination or within 120 days after that examination. If that does not happen, INA 336(b) (8 U.S.C. 1447(b)) allows the applicant to apply to the U.S. district court for the district where the applicant resides, and the court may decide the case itself or remand it to USCIS with instructions. The statute counts 120 days from the date of the examination. Federal courts have differed on whether the examination means the initial interview or the whole examination process, so when the clock starts can depend on the circuit; confirm the controlling law with counsel before filing.
3. No interview scheduled after a long wait. Some applicants file a federal lawsuit asking a court to order USCIS to act within a reasonable time under the Administrative Procedure Act or the mandamus statute. News reporting in October 2026 described such a suit filed in the Southern District of Ohio by a permanent resident who had waited about 18 months without an interview. Whether a delay is unreasonable is decided case by case, and filing suit does not guarantee a faster or favorable decision.
4. After a denial. An applicant may request a hearing before a USCIS officer by filing Form N-336 within 30 days after service of the denial (8 CFR 336.2(a)); when USCIS serves the decision by mail, 8 CFR 103.8(b) adds three days to that period. Under 8 CFR 336.2(c)(2), an untimely Form N-336 is not considered as a hearing request, but USCIS may treat it as a motion to reopen or reconsider if it meets the requirements for such a motion. If the denial is upheld after the hearing, the applicant may seek review in federal district court under INA 310(c). An applicant may also file a new N-400 if eligible.
5. Approved, waiting for the oath. Approval is not citizenship. A person becomes a citizen only after taking the Oath of Allegiance, so the requirements, including continuous residence and good moral character, continue to apply until the ceremony, and USCIS may still request a neighborhood investigation before the oath. If an oath notice arrives and the applicant cannot attend, the notice should be returned with an explanation. Under 8 CFR 337.10, an applicant who fails to appear without good cause for more than one scheduled oath ceremony is regarded as derogatory information and USCIS may then reopen and deny the application under 8 CFR 335.5.

Can a green card holder vote while the N-400 is pending?

No. A pending or even approved N-400 does not make a person a U.S. citizen until the Oath of Allegiance is taken. Federal law generally prohibits noncitizens from voting in elections in which a federal candidate is on the ballot, subject to limited statutory exceptions (18 U.S.C. 611), and separately penalizes false claims to U.S. citizenship made to register or vote when the statutory elements are met (18 U.S.C. 1015(f)). On the immigration side, unlawful voting is a ground of deportability (INA 237(a)(6)), and a false claim to U.S. citizenship can be a ground of inadmissibility and deportability (INA 212(a)(6)(C)(ii); INA 237(a)(3)(D)), in each case where the conduct falls within the exact terms of the provision, including its knowledge and timing requirements and its exceptions. USCIS has also stated that it treats unlawful voting, unlawful registration, and false claims to citizenship as conduct that can bar a finding of good moral character.

Enforcement has been active. In October 2026, federal prosecutors in California announced charges against a group of permanent residents for unlawful voting or registration. Anyone who registered or voted before naturalizing, even by mistake (for example, by checking a box at a motor vehicle office), should raise it with an immigration attorney before filing or attending an interview, because the N-400 asks about it directly and the answer may be checked against voter records.

What should applicants keep in mind before filing in 2026?

Filing earlier in the eligibility window does not shorten the review. Applicants may file up to 90 days before completing the continuous residence requirement (INA 334(a); 8 CFR 334.2(b)). That provision advances only the continuous residence date; every other requirement, including the physical presence period and residence in the state or USCIS district for three months, must be met at filing, and filing even one day before the window opens can lead to denial. With more cases going to interview, closer good moral character review, and investigations, the file should be complete and consistent with earlier immigration filings, tax returns, and travel records before it is submitted.

The 2025 civics test applies to anyone filing now, and the study materials are on the USCIS 2025 Civics Test page. As of November 3, 2026, the USCIS fee schedule lists the N-400 filing fee at $760 for paper filing and $710 for online filing, with a reduced fee of $380 for paper filers whose documented household income is at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, a fee waiver available on Form I-912 for those who qualify, and no fee for qualifying military applicants. Those amounts should be checked on the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) on the day of filing, because the June 2026 proposed rule would change the fee and end the reduced fee and fee waiver for the N-400 if finalized, and a payment in the wrong amount can lead to rejection.

Character reference letters are optional. USCIS states in its Policy Manual that letters submitted with the N-400 can assist its decision on whether to waive a neighborhood investigation, describes what the letters should contain, and states that it does not consider letters from immediate family or relatives. Whether to submit letters, and from whom, is a judgment to make with counsel based on the applicant’s own history.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is my N-400 taking so long in 2026?

  USCIS is deciding far fewer naturalization applications each month than in 2025 while new applications keep arriving, so the pending total has grown. Depending on the case, the policy changes since 2025 (the 2025 civics test, a broader good moral character analysis, and neighborhood investigations under INA 335(a)) may add steps, and an investigation, where conducted, is generally completed before the interview is scheduled but may also take place after. Check your field office’s posted processing time on the USCIS processing times page; it changes month to month and is not a prediction for your case.

• Can I sue USCIS if my naturalization application is delayed?

  If USCIS has not decided the case within 120 days after the naturalization examination, INA 336(b) allows the applicant to apply to the federal district court for the district where they reside, and the court may decide the case or remand it to USCIS with instructions. Courts differ on whether the 120 days run from the initial interview or from the end of the examination process. Before an interview, some applicants file suit asking a court to order USCIS to act within a reasonable time. Whether a delay is unreasonable depends on the facts, and a lawsuit does not guarantee approval.

• What is a naturalization neighborhood investigation?

  INA 335(a) calls for an investigation of each applicant for naturalization unless USCIS waives it. USCIS resumed the practice by memo on August 22, 2025 and added detailed guidance to Policy Manual Volume 12, Part B on August 25, 2026. According to that guidance, the investigation covers at least the five years before filing, may include interviews with neighbors, landlords, and coworkers, and is generally completed before the interview. USCIS decides whether to conduct or waive it.

• Do I have to submit character reference letters with my N-400?

  No. The letters are optional. USCIS states that letters, preferably from U.S. citizens who personally know you and are not immediate family or relatives, can assist it in deciding whether to waive the neighborhood investigation, and that a failure or refusal to provide letters may be a factor in a decision to conduct one. USCIS describes the content it expects: the writer’s contact details and citizenship or immigration status, the relationship and how long the writer has known you, and specific examples. A letter does not guarantee a waiver.

• Which civics test will I take?

  Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions from a pool of 128, with 12 correct answers needed to pass. Applicants who filed before that date take the 2008 test. Applicants who are 65 or older and have lived in the United States as permanent residents for at least 20 years take a shorter test from a designated set of questions.

• Can I travel abroad while my N-400 is pending?

  Travel is allowed, but the continuous residence requirement continues until the Oath of Allegiance. An absence of more than six months but less than a year creates a presumption that residence was broken, which can be rebutted with evidence; an absence of a year or more breaks continuous residence unless a statutory preservation provision applies. Applicants must also attend every biometrics appointment, interview, and oath ceremony, so long trips can cause missed notices. Keep records of every trip, because the dates will be reviewed.

• My green card expires while my N-400 is pending. Do I need to renew it?

  USCIS states that for N-400 applications filed on or after December 12, 2022, the Form N-400 receipt notice, presented with the expired green card, extends the card’s validity for 24 months from the expiration date printed on the card. Applicants who filed before that date, or whose card was lost or stolen, generally need Form I-90. Confirm the current rule on the USCIS green card page before traveling or starting a job with an expired card.

• If my N-400 is denied, do I lose my green card?

  A naturalization denial does not by itself end permanent resident status. However, if the record reviewed during naturalization shows a possible ground of removability, such as certain criminal convictions, unlawful voting, or fraud in an earlier application, USCIS may refer the case or initiate enforcement action, including a Notice to Appear, under the USCIS and DHS charging policies in effect at the time. Anyone with a concern in their history should have it reviewed before filing.

• Can I reapply after a naturalization denial?

  Yes. An applicant can file a new Form N-400 once they meet the requirements, with a new fee. Alternatively, they may request a hearing on the denial with Form N-336 within 30 days after service of the decision (three days are added when USCIS serves it by mail). Which route makes sense depends on the reason for the denial; a denial for failing the civics test and a denial for a break in continuous residence call for different responses.

• Does the proposed N-400 fee increase apply if I already filed?

  The proposed rule published June 23, 2026 (corrected July 8, 2026) is not a final rule, so it does not change what applicants pay today. If a final rule is published, it will state its effective date and which filings it applies to; applicants must pay the fee USCIS requires for their filing method and filing date. Check the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) on the day you file, because USCIS rejects filings with the wrong fee. If finalized as proposed, the rule would also end the reduced fee and fee waiver for the N-400 for filings covered by its applicability provisions.

• I was approved at my interview months ago but have no oath date. Am I a citizen?

  No. Citizenship begins when the Oath of Allegiance is taken. Until then, you remain a permanent resident, must keep meeting the continuous residence and good moral character requirements, may not vote, and should not describe yourself as a U.S. citizen on any form. If your oath has been pending well beyond the field office’s posted time, a case inquiry, the CIS Ombudsman, or an INA 336(b) petition (if more than 120 days have passed since the examination) may be available.