Naturalization Ceremony

Seattle Center hosts the 39th Annual Naturalization Ceremony, noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, July 4th at the Fisher Pavilion, and invites the public to observe as The Honorable David G. Estudillo, Chief United States District Judge for the Western District of Washington, swears in over 400 candidates as new citizens of the United States of America.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services District 41 Director Leanne Leigh will present the candidates at this event, reaffirming the meaning of United States citizenship. It is an important day for the new citizens who come from diverse cultures across the globe.

Seattle Center, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington partner to produce the Naturalization Ceremony, held annually at Seattle Center for the past 38 years (event not held in 2020). Local and National dignitaries will provide remarks including: Seattle Center Director Marshall Foster and Governor Jay Inslee. All countries represented will also be announced, and the eldest applicant and military personnel for citizen will be introduced.

The program commences with the posting of the Colors by the Washington State Guard Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by soloist Victoria Rimoczi-Olson, accompanied by High Class Brass, followed by a Native American welcome by performers, Gene Tagaban, storyteller, and musicians, Peter Ali and Swil Kanim. Gospel singer Josephine Howell will give her heartfelt renditions of America the Beautiful. The Children of our Nations will lead the new citizens in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for their first time as U.S. citizens.