Naturalization & Citizenship
Are you ready to become a U.S. citizen?
Becoming a U.S. citizen through the process of naturalization has many benefits, including the right to vote. U.S. citizens can sponsor relatives for green cards more quickly than permanent residents can, and can also sponsor parents, siblings, and married children. There are also fewer risks of losing citizenship or having travel issues than with permanent residency.
Naturalization also carries responsibilities, including swearing allegiance to the United States, promising to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, and serving the country when required.
The naturalization process involves filing an N-400 application, attending an interview, and then taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States during a naturalization ceremony. The process usually takes about half a year.
Eligibility for Naturalization
To qualify for naturalization, you must meet the following requirements:
- At least 18 years old. There are other paths to citizenship for those under 18 (discussed below).
- Permanent Resident (Green Card) for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). You may file the Form N-400 up to 90 days in advance.
- Continuous Residence in the U.S. for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). This means you have not left the United States for too long. Departures under 6 months are fine. If you leave for 6-12 months, you must prove you did not disrupt your continuous residence. Absences of one year or more almost always disrupt continuous residence.
- Physical Presence in the U.S. for 30 months (or 18 months if married to a U.S. citizen). This counts the time actually spent in the United States.
- State Residency for 3 months in the same U.S. state or district before filing the N-400.
- Good Moral Character. Certain crimes can be permanent or temporary bars to naturalization. Lying on a form or during the interview results in denial.
- English and Civics Knowledge. Applicants must demonstrate a basic understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak in ordinary usage. They must also demonstrate a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government by answering up to 10 questions (6 correctly) out of the 100 possible questions (available here). Some applicants may be exempt from these requirements due to age or disability.
- Attachment to the U.S. Constitution. This attachment to the Constitution is declared during the Oath of Allegiance (text available here) during a naturalization ceremony. When you take the oath, you promise to renounce foreign allegiances, support the Constitution, and serve the United States when required by law through military service in the U.S. Armed Forces (including noncombatant service) and civilian service.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen as a Child
By Birth:
Children are U.S. citizens by birth under the following circumstances:
- Born in the United States (including some U.S. territories).
- Born abroad to two U.S. citizens if at least one lived in the U.S. at some point.
- Born abroad to one U.S. citizen if all of the following are true: (1) one parent was a U.S. citizen at your birth, (2) the citizen parent lived at least 5 years in the U.S. before your birth, and (3) at least 2 of those 5 years in the U.S. was after the parent’s 14th birthday.
Children who do not meet the above criteria can automatically acquire U.S. citizenship after birth under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 by establishing the all the requirements:
- Parent who is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization (including adoptive parents)
- Under age 18: The child must meet these requirements before their 18th birthday, but they can get proof of U.S. citizenship later.
- Lawful permanent resident: The child must have or get a green card.
- Not married
- Residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
Children establishing these requirements may apply for a U.S. passport or a Certificate of Citizenship to prove their U.S. citizenship.
Children who do not meet these requirements before turning 18 can only become a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process described above.