July 4th Naturalization Ceremony

Please join us for the Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony on Wednesday, July 4th. It is the largest ceremony of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The Honorable Richard C. Tallman, U.S. Circuit Court Judge will swear in over 500 candidates from more than 80 countries as new citizens of the United States of America. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services District Director Anne Corsano will also be on hand to present the candidates in this event that reaffirms the meaning of United States citizenship.  It is an important day for the new citizens, who come from diverse cultures across the globe to make the United States–and Seattle–their new home.

Seattle Center, City of Seattle, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and United States District Court for the Western District of Washington partner to produce the Naturalization Ceremony, held annually at Seattle Center for the past 34 years. All countries represented will be announced. The eldest applicant and military personnel for citizenship will be introduced.  Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams will welcome attendees and King County Executive Dow Constantine, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell will address the new citizens.

Come early for a pre-ceremony performance by Navy Band Northwest beginning at 11:15am. The formal program starts at 12 noon, commencing with the presentation of colors by the Washington State Guard Color Guard and the singing of the United States National Anthem by soloist Maria Plancich Kesovija, followed immediately by a Native American welcome by performers Gene Tagaban, storyteller, and musicians Peter Ali and Swil Kanim. Total Experience Gospel Choir, directed by Patrinell Wright, will also perform during the ceremony, and the Children of our Nations, representing several of the represented cultured, will lead the new citizens in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for their first time as U.S. citizens.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 206-684-7200 or visit www.seattlecenter.com/naturalization.