United States — Residency: Citizenship

Why this matters

Acquiring U.S. citizenship grants individuals the right to live and work in the country without restrictions, as well as vote in federal elections.

Key facts

• General rule: five years as a lawful permanent resident, with at least 30 months (913 days) of physical presence in the five years before filing Form N-400.
• Marriage rule: three years as a permanent resident living in marital union with a US citizen spouse who has been a citizen for three years, with at least 18 months of physical presence in the three years before filing.
• Applicants must have lived in the state or USCIS district where they file for at least 3 months before filing and show good moral character.
• A trip longer than 180 days may lead USCIS to find continuous residence was broken; spending more than half the time outside the US makes an applicant ineligible.
• USCIS provides a Naturalization Eligibility Tool for a quick check.

Steps

1. Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements — The applicant must be at least 18 years old, a lawful permanent resident, and have been physically present in the United States for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) prior to filing the application.
2. Step 2: File Form N-400 — The applicant must submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with supporting documentation and required fees.
3. Step 3: Attend a Biometrics Appointment — The applicant will be required to attend a biometrics appointment, where their fingerprints will be taken and submitted to the FBI for a background check.
4. Step 4: Take the Citizenship Test — The applicant must pass a citizenship test, which includes a civics test, an English language test, and a history of the United States test.
5. Step 5: Attend a Naturalization Interview — The applicant will be required to attend a naturalization interview with a USCIS officer, where they will be asked questions about their application and background.
6. Step 6: Take the Oath of Allegiance — If the application is approved, the applicant will be scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance, which marks the completion of the naturalization process.