Legal Definitions - naturalization court

A naturalization court is a court that has the power to hear and decide on petitions for naturalization. In the past, naturalization courts were responsible for granting citizenship to foreign-born individuals. However, they were abolished in 1990, and now the Attorney General has the sole authority to naturalize citizens.

If an applicant is denied naturalization, they can seek review of the decision in the federal district court for the district in which they reside. If an applicant is certified to be eligible for naturalization, the oath of allegiance may be administered by the Attorney General, a federal district court, or a state court of record.

For example, if a person from Mexico wants to become a U.S. citizen, they would need to go through the naturalization process. They would need to fill out an application, take a citizenship test, and attend a hearing in front of an immigration officer. If their application is denied, they can appeal the decision in a federal district court.