N-400 During a Shutdown: Do Interviews and Oath Ceremonies Continue?

USCIS will keep moving citizenship cases even if most of Washington grinds to a halt. During the 2025 government shutdown, the agency continues USCIS processing for naturalization, including interviews on the Form N-400 and the scheduling and completion of oath ceremonies. The reason is simple: USCIS is mainly funded by application fees rather than yearly spending bills from Congress. That fee funding allows core services to keep running while other parts of the federal government pause.

Applicants who have interviews or biometrics appointments on the calendar should plan to attend as scheduled unless USCIS sends a new date. Officials and attorneys say some ripple effects can still appear when USCIS needs help from other agencies that do run on congressional funding. For example, delays in outside background checks could slow a small portion of cases. But the main message to naturalization applicants is clear: if you get an appointment notice, show up. Interviews are going forward, and so are ceremonies that complete the process and welcome new citizens.

Policy Status During the Shutdown

USCIS confirms that it will continue processing citizenship and naturalization applications (Form N-400) during the 2025 lapse in funding because the agency relies on fees. That means several core steps in the naturalization process remain active:

• Naturalization interviews are generally held as scheduled. Unless USCIS contacts an applicant with a reschedule notice, they should appear for the interview date listed on their notice.
• Biometrics appointments proceed as planned. If fingerprints or photos are required, applicants should attend the appointment on their notice.
• Oath ceremonies continue. When an officer approves the N-400, USCIS schedules the applicant for a ceremony. In many cases, that happens the same day as the interview; in other cases, USCIS sends a later date by mail using Form N-445, the Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony.

The agency’s online case tools also stay available during the shutdown. Applicants can continue to check their online account and case status for updates, including any rescheduling notices that may occur in specific cases.

At the same time, the shutdown affects some programs that sit outside the fee-funded lane. Systems that rely on Congress for funding, such as E‑Verify and the Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification, are paused. Those programs do not directly affect N-400 adjudication, so this pause should not halt naturalization steps.

The one caveat is the potential for slowdowns where USCIS depends on other agencies for background screening. Those checks can take longer when partner offices cut back operations, which could lengthen the wait for a final decision in a small number of files.

There is also a notable change in the courts. As of October 1, 2025, immigration court hearings—including both detained and non‑detained dockets—are proceeding as usual during this shutdown. That contrasts with some past funding lapses when non‑detained hearings paused. While court operations are separate from USCIS, this change reduces confusion for families with related matters in both systems.

Impact on Applicants and Practical Steps

The path to citizenship is deeply personal and time‑sensitive. Missing a step can cause long delays—or worse. Here is what applicants need to know to keep their cases on track during the shutdown period:

• Attend your interview. If you have a scheduled N-400 interview, plan to be there on time. USCIS has made clear that interviews are going forward. Bring your interview notice, green card, passport, state ID, and any documents the notice requests.
• Complete biometrics as scheduled. If your case includes a biometrics appointment, keep it. These sessions are operating.
• Prepare for same‑day decisions. Many applicants learn the result of their interview the same day. If approved, you may be placed into an available oath ceremony that day. If not, USCIS will mail you a notice with the date and time of your ceremony using Form N-445.
• Read your Form N-445 carefully. This notice lists the ceremony details and any instructions, such as whether to return your green card at the ceremony. Keep the notice with you when you go to take the Oath of Allegiance.
• If you can’t attend your oath ceremony, act fast. USCIS requires a prompt written request to reschedule. Skipping a ceremony without a good reason risks delays, and missing multiple ceremonies can lead to denial of the application.
• Watch for outside‑agency delays. Most cases will move normally, but if your file needs additional background checks, the shutdown could slow that step. Keep your address current with USCIS and check your online account for updates.
• Stay alert for official notices. The USCIS online case status system remains active during the shutdown. If USCIS needs to reschedule any interview or ceremony, it will send a notice. Do not assume a cancellation unless USCIS says so.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, applicants often feel uncertain during shutdowns because agency-by-agency rules can differ widely. The fee‑funded model at USCIS is the key reason naturalization continues. That funding source keeps USCIS processing moving, even while other parts of the immigration system slow down.

Practical tips to keep your case on track

1. Arrive early to your interview and oath ceremony.
2. Organize and bring all required documents (green card, passport, state ID, any requested supporting evidence).
3. Respond quickly to any USCIS message or mailed notice.
4. Plan transportation and childcare for the ceremony date listed on your Form N-445.
5. If illness or emergency prevents attendance, send your reschedule request in writing immediately and keep a copy for your records.

The shutdown has highlighted the most important point for would‑be citizens: USCIS is continuing interviews and oath ceremonies, and applicants must appear for scheduled appointments to avoid abandonment or denial. For many families, that means the final step of the journey—taking the Oath of Allegiance—will still happen on time.

Official Resources and Forms

Applicants who want official background on the ceremony process can review USCIS guidance on the naturalization ceremony and the Oath of Allegiance at the agency’s website. That resource explains what to bring, what the ceremony includes, and what happens if you need to reschedule. It also outlines what changes after taking the oath, including the ability to apply for a U.S. passport and to register to vote where eligible.

• For authoritative details, see: USCIS: The Naturalization Ceremony
• Form links:
  • Form N-400, Application for Naturalization: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
  • Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony: Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony

What to expect and final reminders

While raising broader political questions is outside the scope of a case‑by‑case decision, the on‑the‑ground effect for naturalization during the 2025 shutdown is straightforward:

• Interviews remain on calendars.
• Biometrics continue.
• Case status portals work.
• Oath ceremonies are still being held—some even on the same day as interviews, depending on local field office capacity and scheduling.

The only recurring risk is a knock‑on delay if an outside agency step takes longer than usual.

Applicants sometimes worry about whether a delayed oath date could affect their status. The key is to follow USCIS instructions and appear when scheduled. If you receive an approval but cannot attend the ceremony, send your written reschedule request promptly and keep all records. Do not ignore a ceremony notice. Repeated no‑shows can cause denial, and rebuilding a case after a denial is far more time‑consuming than asking for a new date before the ceremony.

Community groups that help with citizenship classes and interview prep also remain active during the shutdown, even if some partner agencies pause. While these groups are not part of USCIS, they can help applicants rehearse interview questions, organize evidence, and plan transportation. If you have a volunteer or legal advocate supporting your application, share any new USCIS notices with them as soon as they arrive so they can help you prepare.

For families watching closely, the continuation of USCIS processing means important life plans can stay on track. Parents can more confidently plan for travel after the oath to visit relatives, and new citizens can move ahead with job applications that require U.S. citizenship. Students finalizing federal forms after naturalization can also continue those steps once they receive their Certificate of Naturalization. The certificate is typically issued at the ceremony itself, and it remains the most important document you will take home that day.

The 2025 shutdown has also shown how different parts of the immigration system move at different speeds under the same budget pressure. E‑Verify and the Department of Labor’s foreign labor certification operations are paused because they rely on Congress for funding. Those programs matter to many employers and workers, but they do not touch the core naturalization flow. By contrast, immigration courts are open for both detained and non‑detained dockets. Amid that patchwork, USCIS’s fee‑funded naturalization track is among the most stable.

Applicants can take comfort in the clarity of the current message: attend your USCIS appointments, keep documents in order, and watch for official notices. With interviews and oath ceremonies going forward, the final steps toward citizenship remain in reach—even while much of the federal government is on hold.