8 U.S.C. § 1447
naturalization · 120-day period · district court · hearing
Source reviewed 2026-10-01The interview can end while the case keeps moving
N-400 Interview Finished, but USCIS Still Has Not Decided
A Polish-focused guide to delayed naturalization decisions, continued review, requests for evidence, the 120-day statute, and when federal district court becomes a real legal option.
Direct answer
Short answer
A delayed N-400 is not automatically a denial. USCIS may continue background, eligibility, or evidence review. But 8 U.S.C. § 1447(b) creates a specific federal-court mechanism if USCIS fails to make a determination within 120 days after the naturalization examination described by the statute.
On this page
First identify what actually happened at the examination
A passed English/civics component does not necessarily mean the entire N-400 was approved. Review the examination result, any request for evidence, continued examination notice, criminal-history issue, residence question, or document USCIS says remains open.
The 120-day rule is a statute, not a customer-service estimate
Section 1447(b) speaks to failure to make a determination within 120 days after the examination under section 1446. The date and legal meaning of the examination matter before a federal filing is considered.
Federal court is not a status-check button
A district-court action changes the legal posture. The court may determine the matter or remand with appropriate instructions. The record should be reviewed for any issue that USCIS may raise once litigation begins.
Before filing, check whether delay is hiding a substantive problem
Old arrests, travel, taxes, Selective Service, prior immigration statements, missing evidence, identity issues, or questions about lawful permanent residence can matter more than the age of the case.
Questions people actually ask
Frequently asked questions
Does passing the citizenship test mean USCIS must approve immediately?
No. The English/civics result is only part of the naturalization adjudication. Other eligibility or background issues may still require review.
Is the 120-day period measured from filing N-400?
No. Section 1447(b) ties the period to the examination under section 1446, not the original filing date.
Can a court grant citizenship?
Section 1447(b) gives the district court jurisdiction to determine the matter or remand it with appropriate instructions when its conditions are satisfied.
Authority and current-source review
Official sources supporting this page
These links identify primary or official materials used to control material legal and procedural statements. They are not a substitute for advice about a particular matter.
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
naturalization · interview · decision · Form N-400
Source reviewed 2026-10-01The next useful move
Start with the record, not the rumor
Bring the notices, filings, identity documents, court papers, travel history, criminal records if relevant, and the next deadline. The legal answer often turns on one date, one prior order, or one document that a headline cannot see.
Important legal and service limitations
General U.S. immigration information only. This page is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee eligibility, admission, approval, release, status, citizenship, or any other result.