The Fingerprinting Requirement for Citizenship Applications Under Naturalization Law

USCIS Collects Fingerprints and Photographs During the Biometrics Services Appointment

As part of the U.S. naturalization process, applicants must undergo a criminal background check. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) collects fingerprints, which are then sent to the FBI and other government agencies to check for any matching records.

The FBI conducts background checks through its National Name Check Program, searching law enforcement databases for any records linked to the applicant’s name. If the fingerprint scan is unclear, the applicant may need to redo their fingerprints.

Important Fact
The FBI background search is valid for 15 months. If an applicant does not receive U.S. citizenship within that period, they must undergo another background check before proceeding further.

Meeting the Fingerprinting Requirement

Fingerprinting, along with photographs and signatures, is collectively referred to as biometrics.

Biometrics Includes

  • Fingerprints
  • Photographs
  • Signatures

Every applicant, regardless of age, must provide biometrics when applying for U.S. citizenship.

USCIS schedules biometric appointments at Application Support Centers (ASCs). Applicants must appear in person unless they provide a valid excuse. Failure to appear may result in USCIS denying the application.

Accommodations for Applicants with Disabilities

If an applicant cannot travel to a biometric center due to a disability, hospitalization, or confinement, USCIS will not excuse them from the requirement. Instead:

  • The applicant must inform USCIS of their situation.
  • A USCIS officer may visit the applicant at their home or hospital to collect biometrics.
  • The applicant might need to submit supporting documentation to justify their request.

Inability to Provide Fingerprints

Fingerprint Waivers

An applicant must receive a waiver from USCIS before alternative procedures are allowed.

Some applicants may be unable to provide fingerprints due to:

  • Medical conditions
  • Birth defects
  • Skin disorders
  • Psychiatric conditions

USCIS will first attempt to take the fingerprints to determine if they are usable. If the issue is temporary, the applicant must wait until the condition resolves before completing the process.

If fingerprints cannot be collected, the applicant must:

  • Submit police clearance letters from every place they have lived in the past five years (or three years if they qualify under the three-year residency rule for spouses of U.S. citizens).
  • Provide a sworn statement disclosing any criminal history during this period.

By fulfilling these fingerprinting and biometrics requirements, applicants can move forward in their naturalization process without delays.

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