Citizenship Guides
How the final step to citizenship works in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and Denmark: oaths, pledges, deadlines and what you receive.
After the test, the interview and the long wait for a decision, there is one last step. In some countries it is a formal oath without which you do not become a citizen. In others it is a celebration held after you already are one. The difference matters, because in the first group missing the ceremony can delay or even undo your citizenship.
Here is how the final step works in the eight countries CivicPass covers. Details vary by city and change over time, so treat this as an overview and follow the instructions on your own invitation.
You become a US citizen only when you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. Ceremonies are run by USCIS or by a federal court, sometimes on the same day as the interview. You complete a short questionnaire about anything that has changed since your interview, hand in your green card, take the oath with your right hand raised, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
The oath includes renouncing allegiance to other countries, although the US does not itself require you to give up another citizenship. Whether you keep it depends on your other country's law. Our US oath ceremony guide covers the details.
In Canada, too, the ceremony is the legal moment. You receive a Notice to Appear, take the Oath of Citizenship, which includes a pledge of allegiance to the Sovereign and a commitment to observe the laws of Canada and fulfil the duties of citizenship, and sign and receive your citizenship certificate. Ceremonies are held in person and, in many cases, online by video. Most end with the national anthem, "O Canada".
Once your application is approved, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony, usually arranged by your local council. You normally need to attend within 90 days of the invitation. At the ceremony you make an oath of allegiance (religious) or an affirmation (non-religious) to the King, and a pledge to respect the rights and freedoms of the UK and to uphold its democratic values. You then receive your certificate of British citizenship. You are a citizen from the date of the ceremony, and only then can you apply for a British passport.
In Germany, citizenship takes effect when you receive your naturalisation certificate (Einbürgerungsurkunde) from the naturalisation authority. Before that, you make a declaration of commitment to the free democratic basic order of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Many cities and states also hold naturalisation celebrations (Einbürgerungsfeiern), often with speeches and music. These are welcome events rather than a legal requirement: the certificate is what counts.
French citizenship by naturalisation is granted by a decree published in the Journal officiel. You are French from the date of publication. Some weeks or months later, the prefecture invites you to a cérémonie d'accueil dans la citoyenneté française, a welcome ceremony where you receive your decree and a copy of the Charter of the Rights and Duties of the French Citizen. The ceremony usually includes the national anthem, "La Marseillaise". It is a celebration of something that has already happened, not the moment it happens.
In Spain, approval of your nationality application is not the end. Within 180 days of being notified, you must swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws, and register the nationality at the Civil Registry. This step, the jura de nacionalidad, can be done before the Civil Registry and, in many cases, before a notary. Missing the 180-day deadline can cause the grant to lapse, so book the appointment as soon as the approval arrives. Our Spanish citizenship guide covers the full process.
Swedish citizenship is granted by decision of the Migration Agency, and you are a citizen from the date of that decision. Municipalities then invite new citizens to a citizenship ceremony (medborgarskapsceremoni). These are often held around Sweden's National Day on 6 June and are a welcome rather than a legal step. Attending is voluntary, but many people find it a meaningful end to the process.
Denmark is unusual: citizenship by naturalisation is granted by law. Parliament passes a naturalisation bill listing the people to be granted citizenship. Before that, applicants sign a declaration of loyalty and allegiance to the Danish nation and society. Applicants also take part in a constitutional ceremony held by their municipality, which has included a requirement to shake hands with the official conducting it. Because the rules have changed several times, read the current requirements carefully when you apply. Our Danish citizenship guide covers the process.
Looking at all eight, the ceremonies fall into three groups:
Whatever form it takes, the ceremony marks the end of a long road. Most people who have been through one say the same thing: it was more moving than they expected.
Stika Studio builds CivicPass, a citizenship exam prep app covering the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and Denmark.