“HOW long are fingerprints good for? My citizenship case was delayed due to a change of address. I was interviewed several months ago with no problem and am still waiting to be sworn-in. I just received a notice stating that need new fingerprints. Can this be, and will I have to start from scratch again?”

MOST applicants for immigration benefits must have their fingerprints taken at a USCIS location after their paperwork is submitted. The prints are good for 15 months after the date they are taken, and are used to conduct background security checks with the FBI.

Because, as many readers know, it can take more than 15 months for a case to be completed from start to finish, it’s not unusual that prints may have to be taken again. When it comes to naturalization, a case is not considered finished until the applicant is formally sworn-in as a new U.S. citizen. Therefore, the USCIS was correct in notifying you that your prints have expired and that new ones would be needed.

That doesn’t mean, though, you’ll have to be re-interviewed or re-tested. Once your prints have been cleared — usually no more than 45 days after they’ve been taken — you can expect to be notified about your swearing-in date.