US Naturalization (US citizenship, N-400)

Who it's for

Naturalization is for lawful permanent residents who have held a green card long enough to meet the residence rules and who intend to remain in the United States. Applicants are generally at least 18 years old at the time of filing.

Different qualifying paths exist, including the standard five-year residence route, the three-year route for spouses of US citizens, and special provisions for certain members of the US armed forces and their families.

• Green card holders of at least five years
• Spouses of US citizens who have held a green card for at least three years
• Certain current and former members of the US military and qualifying family

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must satisfy several conditions at the time of filing and at interview. The continuous residence and physical presence rules differ depending on which qualifying route applies.

• Be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
• Be at least 18 years old at the time of filing
• Have 5 years' continuous residence as an LPR (or 3 years if married to and living with a US citizen)
• Have at least 30 months' physical presence in the US (or 18 months on the 3-year route)
• Have lived at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where the application is filed
• Show good moral character
• Demonstrate an ability to read, write and speak basic English (unless exempt)
• Pass a civics test on US history and government (unless exempt)
• Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance

How to apply

Form N-400 can be filed online through a USCIS online account, or on paper. Applicants requesting a reduced fee or a fee waiver must file on paper. The paper filing fee is $760 and the online filing fee is $710.

After filing, USCIS schedules biometrics where required, then a naturalization interview at which an officer reviews the application and administers the English and civics tests. Applicants may generally file up to 90 days before completing the required years of continuous residence.

• File Form N-400 online or on paper
• Attend a biometrics appointment if required
• Attend the naturalization interview and take the English and civics tests
• If approved, receive a notice for the oath ceremony
• Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a US citizen

Residence and physical presence rules

Continuous residence means maintaining a permanent home in the United States for the required period. Trips abroad of more than six months but less than a year may break continuous residence unless the applicant can show it was not interrupted, and absences of a year or more generally break it.

Physical presence is counted separately: it is the total number of days actually spent inside the United States. Standard applicants need at least 30 months of physical presence across the five-year period; those on the three-year spousal route need at least 18 months.

The tests and the oath

At the interview, most applicants take a two-part naturalization test. The English component checks the ability to read, write and speak basic English, and the civics component asks questions about US history and government. Certain applicants qualify for exemptions or modified testing based on age combined with years as a permanent resident, or a qualifying medical disability.

Approval of the application is not the final step. An applicant only becomes a US citizen after taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony, where the Certificate of Naturalization is issued.