USCIS approved 54,974 Form N-400 applications in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, down from 236,924 in the same quarter of fiscal year 2025. That is a year-over-year decline of approximately 77 percent. During that period, applications received also fell, but by a smaller amount.
For lawful permanent residents considering naturalization, the figures point to fewer approvals and a growing queue. They do not predict the outcome or processing time of any one application. They do, however, make careful eligibility review and complete, accurate filing especially important.
What the USCIS numbers show
USCIS’s FY2026 Q3 Form N-400 data, covering April through June 2026, reports:
- 140,179 applications received
- 54,974 applications approved
- 12,591 applications denied
- 727,371 applications pending
- 9.5 months median processing time
For comparison, the FY2025 Q3 figures were 245,879 applications received and 236,924 approved. The comparison is based on USCIS quarterly data as reported by The Washington Post on October 23, 2026.
Receipts declined by about 43 percent year over year, while approvals declined by about 77 percent. The difference suggests that approvals fell faster than the flow of new applications. The figures alone do not identify the cause or establish why any particular applicant’s case is delayed.
The quarterly median of 9.5 months is not a guarantee for an individual case. It is also different from the average processing time reported in USCIS’s separate monthly report. In its August 2026 report to Congress, USCIS reported an average N-400 processing time of 12.7 months. These measures come from different reports and should not be treated as directly interchangeable.
The backlog and recent monthly approvals
The August report shows that the pending workload remained substantial: 813,453 N-400 applications were pending, and 513,462 had been pending for more than six months. In the same month, USCIS reported 54,492 applications received, 15,349 approvals, and 4,213 denials.
The monthly figures show a marked change from mid-2025. USCIS reported 70,704 N-400 approvals in June 2025 and 72,334 in July 2025. By August 2026, monthly approvals stood at 15,349.
These are counts of approvals, not the number of people who completed the naturalization process in that month. An approved applicant generally must still take the Oath of Allegiance before becoming a U.S. citizen. Ceremony timing can therefore affect when citizenship is completed.
Why approvals may be falling faster than filings
USCIS has stated that more rigorous screening is intended to ensure that only eligible applicants naturalize. Reporting by NPR and Bloomberg Law describes expanded vetting and background checks, more thorough interviews, and increased scrutiny of good moral character.
More extensive review can require additional agency work and may lead to more questions or further evidence requests in individual cases. At the same time, a slower approval count does not establish that every case is being reviewed more rigorously, nor does it show that a particular applicant will be denied. The public data report outcomes and pending cases; they do not provide a case-by-case explanation for the trend.
Who may apply, and what to review first
Most lawful permanent residents qualify to apply for naturalization after meeting a five-year residence period. Some spouses of U.S. citizens may qualify under a three-year rule if they meet the applicable requirements. The relevant period, exceptions, and evidence depend on the applicant’s individual history.
Before filing Form N-400, review each eligibility requirement:
- Continuous residence: Confirm that travel outside the United States has not disrupted eligibility.
- Physical presence: Calculate the time actually spent in the United States during the required period.
- State or USCIS district residence: Confirm that you meet the applicable residence requirement before filing.
- Good moral character: Review relevant conduct during the statutory period and any issues that may raise questions about conduct outside it.
- English and civics: Determine whether you must meet the testing requirements or may qualify for an exception.
- Five-year or three-year basis: If using the marriage-based three-year rule, confirm that the qualifying marital and residence requirements are met.
Address potential good-moral-character issues before filing
Tax filing and payment history, arrests or citations, prior immigration violations, and Selective Service registration issues can affect how USCIS reviews an application. Their significance depends on the facts and applicable law. Do not assume that an issue is irrelevant because it occurred years ago or did not result in a conviction.
Before filing, identify and address any potential risk factors. Gather relevant court records, tax transcripts, and other documents. If an answer is uncertain, obtain legal advice before submitting the N-400. Inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent answers can create serious immigration consequences.
Prepare evidence and interview responses
Organize records that support both eligibility and the information reported on the application. Depending on the case, useful materials may include:
- IRS tax transcripts and records addressing any tax compliance issues.
- A complete travel history, including dates of departure and return.
- Court dispositions and records related to arrests or citations.
- Marriage and shared-residence evidence for applicants relying on the three-year rule.
- Documents that help explain discrepancies or changes in personal history.
Review the filed application before the interview. Applicants should be prepared to answer questions truthfully and consistently, including questions about travel, residence, family, employment, and past conduct.
What to do if your N-400 is delayed
A pending case does not necessarily indicate a problem, but applicants should monitor it and keep USCIS contact information current.
- Check the case status and current processing information. Use the receipt number and USCIS’s processing-times page. Processing estimates vary by field office and do not guarantee a decision date.
- Submit an inquiry when appropriate. If the case is outside the applicable processing time or another qualifying issue exists, review USCIS instructions for a service request.
- Keep your address current. Update your address through your USCIS online account or submit Form AR-11 within the required period after moving.
- Consider contacting the USCIS Ombudsman. The CIS Ombudsman may provide case assistance in appropriate circumstances, generally after the applicant has first tried to resolve the issue with USCIS.
- Consult an immigration lawyer about prolonged delays. A naturalization lawyer can review the case history and assess available options. Depending on the circumstances, counsel may evaluate whether a federal court action, including mandamus or relief under the naturalization statute, may be appropriate. Litigation does not guarantee a particular outcome.
Voting, naturalization, and the importance of accurate answers
Naturalization is the lawful path to U.S. citizenship and the right to vote in federal elections. Green-card holders are not eligible to vote in federal elections and should not register or vote unless a specific local law expressly authorizes noncitizen participation in a local election. Voting rules vary by jurisdiction; do not assume eligibility. Blasingame Law has previously addressed voting-related charges and the separate immigration consequences of false answers on naturalization applications.
N-400 applicants should answer every question completely and truthfully. Closer review of past conduct makes accurate disclosure particularly important. A concern about prior registration, voting, or another past event should be reviewed with an immigration lawyer before filing or responding to USCIS.
Employer and HR note
The N-400 slowdown creates no new Form I-9 or E-Verify duties for employers. Employees in certain categories who rely on periodically renewed employment authorization documents may, in the long term, benefit from naturalization because U.S. citizens are not subject to reverification of expiring work authorization. HR teams may provide general information and direct employees to reliable resources, but should not give individualized immigration advice.
Get case-specific naturalization guidance
The USCIS data describe a broader slowdown, not the likely outcome of any individual citizenship application. Review eligibility and potential risks before filing, and seek legal guidance when your history includes complex travel, tax, criminal, voting, or immigration issues.
Blasingame Law LLC provides Naturalization & Citizenship Solutions and personalized guidance on eligibility, N-400 preparation, and interview readiness. To discuss your circumstances, contact the firm.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration law and agency practices may change. Consult an immigration lawyer about your specific facts.
