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For green card holders in Ontario and across the Inland Empire, the path to U.S. citizenship through naturalization should be a straightforward process. You file your N-400 Application for Naturalization, attend a biometrics appointment, pass an interview and civics test, and take the oath of allegiance. In practice, however, thousands of applicants experience significant and frustrating delays at multiple stages. USCIS processing times for the San Bernardino Field Office, which serves Ontario residents, have fluctuated considerably in recent years, with some applicants waiting well beyond the published estimates. At SoCal Immigration Services, we help Inland Empire families understand why delays happen and take concrete action to move their cases forward. Call us at (714) 421-8872 to discuss your naturalization timeline.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

Current N-400 Processing Times for Ontario and the Inland Empire

USCIS publishes estimated processing times for each field office on its website, and these times vary significantly depending on your location. The San Bernardino Field Office, which has jurisdiction over Ontario and much of the Inland Empire, processes N-400 applications with timelines that have ranged from 8 months to over 24 months in recent years. As of early 2026, the estimated processing time for N-400 applications at this office is approximately 10 to 16 months from filing to oath ceremony, though individual cases can take longer depending on the complexity of the applicant's background. These estimates include the time for biometrics scheduling, background check completion, interview scheduling, and the oath ceremony. It is important to note that USCIS processing times are rolling estimates based on 80% of cases completed — meaning 20% of applicants experience even longer waits. If your case has been pending beyond the normal processing time shown on the USCIS website, you have the right to submit a case inquiry and potentially take additional action to move your application forward.

•San Bernardino Field Office serves Ontario and the Inland Empire
•Current estimated processing: 10-16 months from filing to oath ceremony
•Processing times are based on 80% of cases — 20% wait longer
•Individual timelines vary based on background check complexity
•You can submit a case inquiry if your case exceeds normal processing times

Common Reasons for N-400 Processing Delays

Understanding why your naturalization application is delayed is the first step toward resolving it. Several factors commonly contribute to processing delays for Ontario-area applicants. The most frequent cause is extended background checks conducted by the FBI. Every naturalization applicant undergoes a name check through FBI databases, and if your name matches or is similar to a name in their records, additional investigation is required. For applicants with common Arabic names, this issue arises more frequently and can add months or even years to the process. Second, USCIS staffing shortages and resource allocation decisions directly affect how quickly cases are adjudicated. The San Bernardino Field Office has experienced periods of understaffing that created backlogs. Third, if your application has any errors, missing documents, or triggers a Request for Evidence (RFE), processing pauses until the issue is resolved. Fourth, criminal history — even minor infractions like traffic violations — can trigger additional review. Fifth, complex travel histories, extended absences from the United States, or issues related to continuous residence and physical presence requirements can cause delays as officers investigate whether eligibility requirements are met. Finally, administrative processing delays with no clear reason are unfortunately common, where cases appear to sit in a queue without active adjudication.

•FBI name check matches or similar-name flags (common with Arabic names)
•USCIS staffing shortages at the San Bernardino Field Office
•Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or missing documentation
•Criminal history requiring additional review, even minor offenses
•Complex travel history or continuous residence questions
•Administrative processing delays with no stated reason

When to File Your N-400 Application for Naturalization

Filing your N-400 at the right time is critical for avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring your application is processed smoothly. As a general rule, you can file your N-400 up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement — which is 5 years of permanent residence for most applicants, or 3 years if you obtained your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen and are still married and living together. Filing too early is one of the most common mistakes we see at our office, and it results in automatic denial, wasting both time and the filing fee. Before filing, confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements: continuous residence, physical presence (at least 30 months out of 5 years, or 18 months out of 3 years), good moral character, English language ability, and knowledge of U.S. civics. For Ontario residents, your application will be processed by the San Bernardino Field Office. We recommend filing online through your USCIS account for faster receipt processing, and immediately saving your confirmation number and receipt. Once filed, your priority is to respond promptly to every USCIS notice — missed appointments or deadlines are the most common self-inflicted causes of delay. Keep your address current with USCIS at all times through Form AR-11, as a missed notice due to an old address can result in case closure.

Background Check Delays and FBI Name Checks

The FBI background check is the single largest source of unexplained delays in naturalization processing. Every N-400 applicant undergoes three background checks: an FBI name check, an FBI fingerprint check, and a review of USCIS records (IBIS check). While fingerprint checks are typically completed within days and IBIS checks are automated, the FBI name check can take weeks, months, or in rare cases, years. The name check compares your name and any aliases against FBI investigative databases. If there is a match or a potential match, the case is flagged for further review by an FBI analyst. For applicants with common names — a frequent issue in Arab communities where many individuals share similar names — the likelihood of a false flag is higher. Historically, the FBI name check backlog was massive, with some checks pending for years. While processing has improved since the implementation of new systems, delays of 6 to 12 months for name checks are still reported. USCIS policy states that naturalization applications cannot be approved until all background checks are completed, but the agency is prohibited from denying an application solely because a name check is pending. If your case has been delayed more than 6 months after your interview due to a pending background check, you have strong grounds for escalation through congressional inquiry or legal action.

•Three background checks: FBI name check, FBI fingerprint check, IBIS check
•FBI name check is the most common source of extended delays
•Common Arabic names increase the likelihood of false-positive matches
•USCIS cannot deny your application solely due to a pending name check
•Delays of 6-12 months after interview warrant escalation
•Congressional inquiries and mandamus lawsuits can resolve stuck name checks

Interview Scheduling Delays at the San Bernardino Field Office

Even after background checks are completed, applicants in the Ontario area may face additional delays in getting scheduled for their naturalization interview. The San Bernardino Field Office handles a large volume of applications from across the Inland Empire, and interview slots are limited by the number of available immigration officers and physical interview rooms. During peak periods, the gap between background check completion and interview scheduling can be 3 to 6 months or longer. COVID-era backlogs, while largely worked through, created a ripple effect that continues to affect scheduling in some offices. If you have been waiting for an interview for an extended period, check your case status online regularly. Your status should change from 'Case Was Received' to 'Ready to Be Scheduled for an Interview' and then to 'Interview Was Scheduled.' If your case has been in 'Ready to Be Scheduled' status for more than 60 days, this is a strong indicator that something may be slowing your case down, and action should be taken. We also recommend ensuring that your application is complete and accurate before the interview, as officer requests for additional documentation during the interview can result in the case being continued rather than decided on the spot. Bring originals and copies of all relevant documents including your green card, passport, tax returns for the past 5 years, and any documents related to travel, criminal history, or selective service registration.

•San Bernardino Field Office serves high volume of Inland Empire applications
•Interview scheduling gaps of 3-6 months are not uncommon
•Monitor your online case status for changes to interview scheduling
•If 'Ready to Be Scheduled' for 60+ days, consider taking action
•Bring complete documentation to avoid continuances at the interview
•Tax returns, travel records, and criminal history documents are commonly requested

How to File an Expedite Request with USCIS

USCIS allows applicants to request expedited processing of their naturalization applications under certain circumstances. An expedite request asks USCIS to prioritize your case and process it ahead of the normal queue. To qualify, you must demonstrate one of several recognized grounds: severe financial loss to a company or person, an emergency situation, humanitarian reasons, a nonprofit organization whose request is in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States, a U.S. government interest, or clear USCIS processing error. For naturalization applicants in Ontario, the most commonly applicable grounds are severe financial loss (for example, if you need citizenship to qualify for a specific job or professional license) and USCIS error (if your case has been pending well beyond normal processing times without explanation). To file an expedite request, call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or submit a request through your online USCIS account. Be prepared to provide detailed documentation supporting your request, including evidence of the urgency and harm caused by the delay. Important: expedite requests are granted at USCIS discretion, and denial rates are high. If your expedite request is denied, it does not affect your underlying application — it simply means your case will continue to be processed in the normal queue. However, a denied expedite can be a useful stepping stone toward a congressional inquiry or ombudsman complaint, as it demonstrates that you attempted to resolve the issue through normal channels first.

Congressional Inquiries: Using Your Representative to Pressure USCIS

One of the most effective tools available to naturalization applicants facing delays is a congressional inquiry. Every U.S. Representative and Senator has a constituent services office that handles immigration casework. When you contact your congressional representative about an immigration delay, their office submits a formal inquiry to USCIS requesting a status update and explanation for the delay. While a congressional inquiry does not guarantee faster processing, it creates a record that a member of Congress is monitoring your case, which often prompts USCIS to take action. For Ontario residents, your congressional representative is determined by your district. The constituent services team will ask you to sign a privacy release form authorizing their office to access your immigration records. They will then submit the inquiry to the USCIS Congressional Liaison Office, which is required to respond within 30 days. In our experience at SoCal Immigration Services, congressional inquiries are particularly effective for cases stuck in background check purgatory or cases that have been in 'Ready to Be Scheduled for Interview' status for extended periods. The inquiry often shakes loose cases that were simply sitting without action. We recommend contacting both your House Representative and your two U.S. Senators for maximum impact. Multiple inquiries from different offices create additional urgency. There is no cost to you for this service — it is a free constituent benefit provided by your elected officials.

•Contact your U.S. Representative and both Senators for maximum impact
•Sign the privacy release form to authorize access to your immigration records
•USCIS Congressional Liaison must respond within 30 days
•Particularly effective for stuck background checks and scheduling delays
•Free constituent service — no cost to the applicant
•Multiple inquiries from different offices create additional urgency

Filing an Ombudsman Complaint with the CIS Ombudsman

The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman is an independent office within the Department of Homeland Security that assists individuals and employers in resolving problems with USCIS. Filing a complaint with the CIS Ombudsman is another avenue for addressing naturalization delays when USCIS has not responded to your inquiries through normal channels. To file a complaint, visit the DHS website and complete Form DHS-7001 (Case Assistance Request). You will need to provide your receipt number, a description of the problem, and documentation of your attempts to resolve the issue directly with USCIS. The Ombudsman's office reviews the complaint and, if it identifies a problem, contacts USCIS to request action. The Ombudsman cannot order USCIS to approve your application, but they can facilitate communication and bring attention to cases that appear to be unreasonably delayed. Response times from the Ombudsman's office vary, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. For the strongest possible complaint, include evidence of all previous attempts to resolve the delay: case inquiry receipts, expedite request denial notices, congressional inquiry responses, and a timeline showing how long your case has been pending compared to normal processing times. The Ombudsman is particularly helpful in cases involving systemic issues, such as when an entire field office appears to have a processing backlog affecting multiple applicants.

Mandamus Lawsuits: When Legal Action Becomes Necessary

When all administrative remedies have been exhausted — case inquiries, expedite requests, congressional inquiries, and ombudsman complaints — a mandamus lawsuit may be your most powerful option to force USCIS to act on your naturalization application. A mandamus action is a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court asking a judge to order USCIS to adjudicate your pending application. Under federal law, USCIS has a duty to process applications within a reasonable time, and when delays become unreasonable, the courts can intervene. For Ontario residents, the lawsuit would be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The legal standard for a mandamus requires showing that you have a clear right to the relief sought (adjudication of your N-400), that USCIS has a non-discretionary duty to act, that there is no other adequate remedy, and that the delay is unreasonable. In naturalization cases, the statute provides an additional tool: under Section 336(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, if USCIS fails to make a determination on your naturalization application within 120 days after your interview, you can file a petition in federal court to have the court determine your eligibility. This 120-day provision is particularly powerful because it gives applicants a statutory right to judicial review. The filing of a mandamus lawsuit frequently results in USCIS adjudicating the case before the court even rules, as the government often prefers to resolve the case rather than litigate. Attorney fees for mandamus actions vary, but the investment is often worthwhile for applicants who have been waiting years for a decision.

•Mandamus lawsuits are filed in U.S. District Court to compel USCIS action
•Section 336(b) allows court petition if no decision within 120 days after interview
•Filed in the Central District of California for Ontario residents
•USCIS frequently resolves cases after the lawsuit is filed
•Must demonstrate all administrative remedies were exhausted
•Attorney representation is strongly recommended for mandamus actions

How SoCal Immigration Services Helps Ontario Residents with Naturalization Delays

At SoCal Immigration Services, we have extensive experience helping green card holders in Ontario and across the Inland Empire overcome naturalization processing delays. Our approach is systematic and escalating: we start by assessing where your case stands, identifying the likely cause of the delay, and then implementing the most appropriate strategy to move your case forward. For cases stuck in background check processing, we work with congressional offices and the CIS Ombudsman to escalate your case through established channels. For cases where USCIS has failed to schedule an interview or make a decision within statutory timeframes, we advise on and assist with Section 336(b) petitions and mandamus lawsuits in federal court. We also help clients avoid delays in the first place by ensuring that N-400 applications are complete, accurate, and supported by thorough documentation before filing. Our team is familiar with the specific patterns and tendencies of the San Bernardino Field Office, which gives us insight into expected timelines and when intervention is needed. We serve families throughout the Inland Empire, including Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Riverside, San Bernardino, and surrounding communities. If your naturalization application has been pending longer than expected, do not wait passively for USCIS to act. Call us at (714) 421-8872 for a case evaluation and a clear plan to move your citizenship application forward.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:How long should my N-400 naturalization application take to process in Ontario?

A: Current estimated processing times for the San Bernardino Field Office, which serves Ontario, are approximately 10-16 months from filing to oath ceremony. If your case has been pending longer than the posted processing time on the USCIS website, you have the right to submit a case inquiry and pursue escalation options.

Q:Why is my naturalization case stuck after my interview?

A: The most common reason for post-interview delays is a pending FBI background check or name check. Under Section 336(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, if USCIS does not make a decision within 120 days of your interview, you can file a petition in federal court. Call (714) 421-8872 for guidance on your options.

Q:Can I file a lawsuit to force USCIS to decide my naturalization case?

A: Yes. A mandamus lawsuit in federal court can compel USCIS to adjudicate your pending N-400 application. Additionally, Section 336(b) specifically allows you to petition the court if no decision is made within 120 days after your naturalization interview. Many cases are resolved quickly after a lawsuit is filed.

Q:How do I file a congressional inquiry about my immigration case?

A: Contact your U.S. Representative or Senator's constituent services office. They will ask you to sign a privacy release form, then submit a formal inquiry to USCIS. The USCIS Congressional Liaison must respond within 30 days. This is a free service available to all constituents. We recommend contacting all three of your federal representatives.

Q:What qualifies for an expedite request on my naturalization application?

A: USCIS grants expedite requests for severe financial loss, emergency situations, humanitarian reasons, U.S. government interest, or clear USCIS processing error. For naturalization cases, the most common grounds are financial loss (needing citizenship for employment) and USCIS error (unreasonable processing delays). Call 1-800-375-5283 to submit your request.

Q:Will a congressional inquiry actually speed up my naturalization case?

A: In our experience, congressional inquiries are one of the most effective tools for resolving processing delays. While they do not guarantee faster processing, they create formal accountability and often prompt USCIS to take action on cases that were simply sitting without attention. We recommend contacting both your Representative and both Senators for maximum impact.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Ontario and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 9, 2026Last Updated: February 9, 2026

Stop Waiting — Take Action on Your Citizenship Application

If your naturalization application has been pending beyond normal processing times, the experienced team at SoCal Immigration Services can help. We assist Ontario and Inland Empire families with expedite requests, congressional inquiries, ombudsman complaints, and federal court actions to move stalled citizenship cases forward. Every day of delay is a day without the full rights and protections of U.S. citizenship.

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