U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Guide
Understand the path from permanent residence to U.S. citizenship, including eligibility, filing, the interview, testing, and the oath.
Naturalization Eligibility
Most applicants must be lawful permanent residents for five years, or three years when applying under qualifying marriage to a U.S. citizen, and must satisfy continuous-residence and physical-presence rules.
Applicants also address good moral character, attachment to the Constitution, English ability, and knowledge of U.S. history and government, subject to available exceptions.
The N-400 Process
The typical process includes preparing Form N-400 and supporting evidence, biometrics when required, a USCIS interview, English and civics testing, a decision, and the Oath of Allegiance.
Long trips, taxes, selective-service history, criminal matters, and changes in marital history can require careful review before filing.
What you can find here
- Review residence, physical-presence, good-moral-character, English, and civics requirements.
- Prepare for Form N-400, biometrics, the naturalization interview, and the oath ceremony.