Key Takeaways
• On May 9, 2025, 39 people became U.S. citizens at the historic Old Courthouse in St. Louis.
• Naturalization required completing Form N-400, passing interviews and tests, and taking the Oath of Allegiance.
• The ceremony’s location honored Missouri’s legal history and celebrated new citizens’ ties to American heritage.
On May 9, 2025, the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis 🇺🇸 once again opened its historic doors to welcome 39 people as new U.S. citizens. This special naturalization ceremony, the first at the Old Courthouse in more than five years, marked a major moment for both the participants and the city itself. Bringing together tradition, hope, and American history, the event gave many immigrants their much-awaited chance to officially join the United States 🇺🇸 family.
A Ceremony Five Years in the Making
The naturalization ceremony took place at 11:00 AM on a bright Friday, planned as part of the 2025 ceremony calendar for the Eastern District of Missouri. While most naturalization ceremonies in this region usually happen at the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse, special occasions sometimes call for a change in location. This year, the organizers chose the Old Courthouse, a site that has stood as a symbol of American values and justice for nearly two centuries.
Many of the participants had waited years for this day. Some faced long journeys, learning new languages, adjusting to life far from home, and fulfilling every requirement needed for citizenship. Standing with friends and family inside a landmark known for its deep ties to the nation’s story, their achievement felt even more meaningful.
The Path to Citizenship: What It Takes
For the 39 new citizens, the naturalization ceremony did not mark the start of their U.S. journey, but the end of a long and careful process. Every immigrant who applies for citizenship in the United States 🇺🇸 needs to follow a clear set of steps:
- First, fill out Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This is the official request sent to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants share personal details, work history, and other important information about their time in the country. This form can be found and filed through the official USCIS Form N-400 page.
- Applicants must then pass interviews and tests. The interview includes questions about the applicant’s background. They are also tested on English reading, writing, and speaking, as well as U.S. history and government.
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USCIS must approve each application. If an applicant meets all requirements, officials issue a formal approval.
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Finally, if approved, the applicant gets a Notice to Take the Oath of Allegiance (Form N-445). This document tells the person where and when to attend their naturalization ceremony.
Before the ceremony, each new citizen meets with USCIS staff to check their documents and sign any last papers. They must also return their green cards (Permanent Resident Cards). After this, the most important moment arrives: taking the Oath of Allegiance. This oath, delivered by a federal judge or official, means the person pledges their loyalty to the United States 🇺🇸 above any other country. At the end, the new citizen receives a Certificate of Naturalization, their official proof of U.S. citizenship.
For more about what happens during these ceremonies, you can visit the USCIS Naturalization Ceremonies page.
Why the Old Courthouse Matters
Choosing the Old Courthouse in St. Louis 🇺🇸 was not just a matter of convenience. This building carries deep meaning for people in the city and across the nation. Built in the early 1800s, the Old Courthouse forms part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, just steps away from the famous Gateway Arch.
Most importantly, the Old Courthouse is where Dred and Harriet Scott, two enslaved people, fought for their freedom in one of the most talked-about legal battles in U.S. history. Their struggle, and their bravery, became central to the national debate over slavery and helped shape the path to the American Civil War. For generations, the building has stood as a symbol not only of law and order, but of the hunt for justice and equality.
By holding the naturalization ceremony here, the Eastern District of Missouri highlighted the ties between historic fights for liberty and the modern hope of immigrants searching for a better life. For the 39 people sworn in on May 9, it was more than just a legal step—it was a moment to reflect on what it means to be part of America’s long story.
A Ceremony to Remember
Naturalization ceremonies all over the country follow a standard pattern to make the event special. The one at the Old Courthouse was no different, but the surroundings added extra emotion. The process usually includes:
- The Pledge of Allegiance: New citizens, many of them reciting these words for the first time, stand together to say the pledge.
- The national anthem: As the familiar music plays, families celebrate the moment.
- The Oath of Allegiance: This is the heart of every naturalization ceremony. It’s a clear promise to defend the Constitution and accept the rights and duties of citizenship.
- Certificate presentation: Each new citizen is handed their Certificate of Naturalization. This piece of paper is much more than a document—it represents years of hard work, patience, and the start of a new chapter.
For many participants, these ceremonies mark both an end and a new beginning. The sense of pride and accomplishment fills the room, and the connection to history at sites like the Old Courthouse makes it even more special.
The Importance of Local Venues
Usually, the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse serves as the main site for naturalization ceremonies for the Eastern District of Missouri. However, holding occasional events at sites like the Old Courthouse honors traditions and allows citizens to make deeper connections with their community’s heritage. This year’s ceremony, returning to the Old Courthouse after a long gap, was especially meaningful for those attending in person.
These unique ceremonies help remind everyone—new citizens and those born in the United States 🇺🇸 alike—of the country’s core values. By making the event personal and tying it to local history, the Eastern District of Missouri keeps the spirit of citizenship alive for everyone.
What the Ceremony Means for New Citizens
Becoming a U.S. citizen comes with many new rights and responsibilities. New citizens can now:
- Vote in national, state, and local elections
- Apply for a U.S. passport
- Serve on a jury or in public office
- Bring family members to the United States 🇺🇸 under more favorable rules
At the same time, citizenship comes with duties:
- Serving on juries if called
- Obeying U.S. laws
- Supporting American values
- Defending the country if necessary
For many immigrants, this ceremony is more than just a party. It confirms their hard work, sacrifice, and belief in the possibilities America offers. According to people present at the Old Courthouse, some had spent several years, even decades, working toward this day. The hope, joy, and tears seen at the end of the ceremony tell just a small part of what citizenship means to them.
A Personal Touch: Stories and Emotions
The significance of the Old Courthouse brought an extra layer of feeling to the day. Many new citizens spoke about the long road to this moment and the pride they felt taking the Oath of Allegiance inside a place connected to so much history. Family and friends in attendance often carried flags, offered flowers, and celebrated with hugs and photos. The smiles, laughter, and sometimes tears in the crowd reflected just how much this change means—not just for the individual, but for the entire community.
Some attendees mentioned how the event gave them a chance to think about those who came before them, building a bridge between today’s immigrants and the challengers for justice who once stood within those same walls.
Why Naturalization Ceremonies Matter
Naturalization ceremonies serve multiple purposes. For newcomers, it’s a day of legal and personal transformation. For the city and wider society, the event offers a reminder of the principles America was built upon: freedom, equal opportunity, justice, and unity. These events often draw the attention of local officials and members of the public, who come to show support and share in the happiness of new citizens.
The return of the naturalization ceremony to the Old Courthouse after more than five years reminded everyone present that the journey to U.S. citizenship remains a powerful part of American life. By combining tradition with new beginnings, the ceremony honored both the past and the present.
What to Know About the Next Steps
Once the ceremony ends, each new citizen can take immediate steps to get the most out of their new status. This can include applying for a U.S. passport, updating Social Security records, registering to vote, and learning about other rights and duties that come with citizenship. Official government sites, such as USCIS, provide simple guides to these next steps.
Broader Impact: What This Means for Missouri and the Nation
Naturalization ceremonies in the Eastern District of Missouri are part of a larger push to welcome and include immigrants in American society. By holding a well-known event at the Old Courthouse, local leaders showed a clear respect for history while embracing the future. These ceremonies help build stronger communities, support newcomers, and celebrate diversity.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that such events offer both inspiration and practical help for those considering the path to citizenship. They demonstrate how long-term residents, who work, study, and raise families in America, are welcomed as full members of the nation.
In Summary
Welcoming 39 new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis 🇺🇸 was a powerful experience for all involved. With the historic venue, careful planning by the Eastern District of Missouri, and personal stories of hope and achievement, the ceremony showed the ongoing importance of immigration to America’s story. For anyone interested in starting their own journey, the USCIS Naturalization page provides all the needed details.
From filing Form N-400 to standing in a grand room and taking the Oath of Allegiance, the road to citizenship requires patience and determination. But for those 39 people—and the many who will follow—the reward is a new future in the United States 🇺🇸, officially recognized and celebrated in a way that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Learn Today
Naturalization Ceremony → An official event where immigrants take the Oath of Allegiance and become legal U.S. citizens.
Oath of Allegiance → A sworn pledge of loyalty to the United States, required to complete the citizenship process.
Form N-400 → The formal application immigrants use to request U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government agency handling citizenship and immigration requests.
Certificate of Naturalization → The official document given to new citizens as legal proof of U.S. citizenship.
This Article in a Nutshell
On May 9, 2025, thirty-nine immigrants became U.S. citizens at St. Louis’s Old Courthouse, symbolizing hope and tradition. This emotional ceremony, not held here for five years, highlighted the historic journey of naturalization and the vital contributions of new citizens to Missouri’s future and America’s ongoing story.
— By VisaVerge.com
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