N-400 Processing Time by Field Office 2026 — All 26 Offices Ranked
Find your exact USCIS field office. See how long N-400 is taking there right now — ranked fastest to slowest. Filter by state, speed, or search by city.
2026 POLICY ALERT — ADJUDICATION PAUSE FOR CERTAIN COUNTRIES
Since late 2025, USCIS has paused naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies for nationals of 39 designated countries under expanded screening procedures (USCIS memo PM-602-0194). If you are a national of an affected country, your N-400 may be on hold regardless of your field office's normal processing time — even if you have already passed your interview. This pause is the subject of ongoing federal litigation and may change. Verify your case status at egov.uscis.gov and consider consulting a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.
1. Hialeah FL — 5.5 months 2. Miami FL — 6.5 months 3. Seattle WA — 6.5 months 4. Chicago IL — 7 months 5. Los Angeles CA — 7.5 months All USCIS verified May 2026 ✓
SLOWEST 5 OFFICES — 2026
1. Fort Myers FL — 12.5 months 2. Tampa FL — 11.5 months 3. Jacksonville FL — 11.5 months 4. Buffalo NY — 11 months 5. Dallas TX — 10 months All USCIS verified May 2026
Showing all 26 field offices
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FIELD OFFICE
STATES SERVED
EST. TIME 2026
SPEED
How USCIS calculates processing times: Published times reflect how long it took to complete 80% of cases in the prior 6 months — not a real-time queue estimate. Your case may move faster or slower. Always verify at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times and select Form N-400 + your specific office.
BROWSE BY REGION
WEST COAST & SOUTHWEST
SOUTH & SOUTHEAST
NORTHEAST & MID-ATLANTIC
MIDWEST & PLAINS
Important: These are estimates based on USCIS May 2026 data. Processing times change monthly. Always verify your specific office at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times before making decisions.
WHAT AFFECTS YOUR PROCESSING TIME
Your field office location is the biggest factor — but not the only one. These will slow down any case regardless of office:
Incomplete application — any missing field or document triggers an RFE, adding 3–6 months
Criminal history — requires additional FBI background check review
Extended trips outside the U.S. — any single trip of 6+ months requires additional review
Tax compliance gaps — unfiled returns are flagged during the good moral character review
Address not updated — if you moved without notifying USCIS, interview notices go to the wrong address
Fastest path through any office: File a complete, error-free application the first time. One RFE adds more time than the difference between the fastest and slowest field offices.
Which state has the fastest N-400 processing time? +
States served by smaller field offices — Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, Iowa, the Dakotas — consistently have the fastest processing times, often 6 to 11 months. This is due to lower application volume, not faster staffing. If you live in one of these states that is a meaningful advantage.
Which USCIS field offices have the slowest N-400 processing in 2026? +
As of May 2026, Florida dominates the slowest list — Fort Myers (12.5 months), Tampa (11.5 months), and Jacksonville (11.5 months). Buffalo NY is next at 11 months, followed by Dallas TX at 10 months. California is no longer slow — both Los Angeles and San Francisco process N-400 in 7.5 months as of May 2026. Always verify current times at egov.uscis.gov.
What happens if my case exceeds the published processing time? +
If your case has been pending longer than the published range for your field office, submit an outside normal processing time inquiry through your USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.gov. Wait until you are at least 30 days outside the published range. This creates an official record and may prompt a review of your file.
I moved to a different state after filing — what happens? +
Update your address with USCIS immediately using your online account or Form AR-11. Your case may be transferred to the field office covering your new address. This can reset your position in the queue — positively if you moved to a faster office, negatively if you moved to a slower one. Update your address the same day you move.
Does filing online make the N-400 process faster? +
Online filing gets you your receipt notice within days instead of weeks and makes it easier to receive case status updates. USCIS processes online applications before paper ones in most cases. There is no confirmed data showing dramatically faster completion times, but online filing reduces the risk of errors that cause RFEs and delays.
How do I check my N-400 case status? +
Use your receipt number from Form I-797C at uscis.gov/case-status. Or create a free USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.gov to receive automatic email and text alerts when your status changes. If your case is outside normal processing time for your office, you can submit a case inquiry through your online account.
Processing times are estimates based on USCIS published data as of May 2026. Times change monthly. Always verify at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. LEGALIAI is a preparation tool, not a law firm.