District of Idaho Judges & Calendars
Naturalization

What is 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) (see below).

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) processes all naturalization applications and provides the Court with a list of the candidates selected to be naturalized in the Federal Court.

 

Currently, the selection consists of only those petitioners who have requested to:

  • Participate in the Naturalization Ceremony and swear the oath of allegiance in formal court proceeding.
  • Change their names legally and have their new names appear on the Certificate of Naturalization.

 

Note The U.S. District Court DOES NOT process name changes after the Naturalization process has been completed.  Citizens who wish to amend the Name Change Petition after it has been granted, or who are wishing to change their name after the Naturalization process has been completed will need to go through their county court system, and follow that county's procedures for a name change.

Naturalization Ceremonies are held in Boise and Pocatello.  For a schedule of hearings on petitions, click the Naturalization Schedule below.

If you need further information concerning the naturalization process, information in regard to old naturalization records, or more specific ceremony information: please call the U.S. Court Naturalization Clerk's Office at (208) 334-9387.


Naturalization Schedule for Idaho

Naturalization Ceremonies

Naturalization Ceremony currently set for:

2/22/2024 at 3:00 PM, Courtroom 3
James A. McClure Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
550 W. Fort St.
Boise, ID 83724

Note: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) also holds administrative Naturalization Ceremonies that do not involve the Court.  If you have a question about your ceremony or need additional assistance, please call the USCIS Contact Center at (800)375-5283 or visit the USCIS Contact Center website at: https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter.

 


Attending a Naturalization Ceremony

The USCIS mails citizen candidates a form “N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony”, informing them of the details regarding their scheduled ceremony. It is important to follow all directions on the form, including arrival time.

Candidates for Citizenship are to appear in-advance of the ceremony for check-in purposes.  If you plan to invite guests to attend the ceremony, please refer to your Notice for the check-in time and the ceremony start time, so your guests may plan accordingly.

Citizenship candidates will be seated separately from guests. Parents of young children, if you are the citizenship candidate, please make sure another adult is present to sit with your children during the ceremony.

Limited seating is available for family members and visitors on a first come/first served basis.

If the ceremony is held in the courthouse, you must show a photo ID to enter the premises and will be required to pass through security screening.

Typically, cameras are not allowed in the courthouse, however, the Court has authorized the use of cameras during the Naturalization Ceremony.

No weapons of any type, drugs or other illegal items are allowed.


Immigration Services

The Idaho State Library has microfilm containing most of our older naturalization records.  The most recent information would only be available from the federal court or through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service in Boise or Helena, Montana.


Helpful Links
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
A Guide to Naturalization
Welcome to the United States
A Guide for New Immigrants
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Oath of Allegiance