Becoming a United States citizen is an important milestone for many immigrants who have made America their home. For most lawful permanent residents, the process of becoming a citizen is called naturalization.

Naturalization is more than filling out an application. It involves meeting residency requirements, submitting Form N-400, completing an interview, demonstrating knowledge of English and U.S. civics when required, and finally taking the Oath of Allegiance.

The process can seem complicated at first, but understanding each step can make the path to U.S. citizenship much easier to navigate.

This guide provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individualized immigration legal advice.

What Is Naturalization?

Naturalization is the legal process through which an eligible person who was born outside the United States becomes a U.S. citizen. For many immigrants, the journey looks something like this:

Immigration to the United States → Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card) → Naturalization → U.S. Citizenship

Not everyone follows exactly the same path. Some people may already have citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent, while military members and certain spouses of U.S. citizens may qualify under different rules. For most lawful permanent residents, however, naturalization through Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is the primary route to citizenship.

I finally got my Citizenship in 2023. I now have dual citizenship, Canadian and American. I’m really happy that I am finally able to call myself a U.S citizen. While it is a hard, long and expensive process, it is absolutely worth it, to get that peace of mind, of not having to worry about being deported, for any reason.

It is also permanent, unlike a green card, that you have to renew every 10 years. I did not want to go through the hassle of having to renew my green card.

I got my citizenship in Anchorage, Alaska. My lawyer messed up my papers before I finally got it. He managed to straighten things out, do the right thing, and offer to resubmit my paperwork, free of charge. Although it was difficult the second time, to gather everything I needed, because we had moved. I lost my papers, between moving, I was able after 5 years of waiting, to get it!

I could have gotten my green card, Citizenship a lot faster, but of course, we had problems with the offices losing my papers, the lawyer not checking up on them, and a lack of money to pay the fees. It seems we were just very unlucky, and that there was always something to keep me from moving forward, with problems here and there. I didn’t give up. It really is not as easy as you might think, honestly. One doesn’t become a USA citizen just like that. There are requirements, information and money needed, and a sponsor.

I got my green card about 10 years ago, but I always knew I wanted to get my citizenship. Just having to renew my green card every 10 years and go through all the process of interview, fingerprints etc, I decided I just wanted to get my citizenship instead. Now I can also vote, get my American passport, which is a very nice thing, especially if you travel a lot. I still have family back in Canada that I go visit from time to time. Needless to say, being a citizen from both countries makes going through the country borders much easier and a faster process.

Who Can Apply for U.S. Citizenship?

The exact requirements depend on the basis under which you are applying.

Green Card

First of all, you need to get your green card, before you can even consider citizenship. On average, it takes about two years for a green card to become available, and three years total, to get permanent resident status. It may take longer for citizens of Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines, because they have a much higher volume of green card applicants annually. Being Canadian, it took me approximately 2 years, including the Interview.

We hired a very nice, competent lawyer, Mr Benjamin Wang, from Eugene, Oregon. He was present during my Interview, and my husband. Mr Wang was very professional, to the point, and made things go very smoothly. Getting a lawyer will save you a lot of time, cost and headache.

I know not everyone can afford a lawyer, but you might avoid spending less, doing so. You also don’t want to mess up your application, and have to redo it all over again… That means more money, more time. There are places which will work with you, to help you get everything you need together, at a low cost. You just have to look around and see if it is an option, where you live.

The Five-Year Rule

The most common path requires an applicant to have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years.

Generally, applicants under this provision must:

• Be at least 18 years old when filing Form N-400.
• Have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years.
• Maintain continuous residence in the United States.
• Meet the required physical-presence period.
• Have lived in the state or USCIS district where they are applying for the required period.
• Demonstrate good moral character.
• Meet applicable English and civics requirements.
• Demonstrate attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
• Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.

USCIS generally requires applicants under the five-year rule to have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months during the five years immediately before applying.

What are 3 ways to obtain a green card

• Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants.
• Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants.
• Green Card for an Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen.

Someone else, usually must file the petition for you (often referred to as sponsoring or petitioning for you), although you may be eligible to file for yourself, in some cases. We hired a lawyer, just to make sure things went smoothly, and that no mistakes were made, to delay the process. It had actually taken us several years just to get to that point, because of bad luck, lack of employment, from my sponsor, lack of money etc. Your sponsor must have a job, to be able to “Support” you financially, since you would not be able to work, unless you have a work visa.

Most people who apply for a Green Card, will need to complete at least two forms :

– An immigrant petition form I-130

– Green Card application (Form I-485)

The government filing fees for getting a family-based green card is $1760, for an applicant living in the United States, or $1200 for an applicant living outside the United States. It cost us around 1800$ for filing fees, plus a total of approximately 2100$ for a lawyer. So around 4000$ total. It isn’t cheap to get a green card, but the benefits of having one are just worth it so much more than being in the country illegally.

The worst moment of me applying for my green card was not being able to leave the United States, while I was applying for it. I was risking not being able to come back in right away. That would just create delay and problems, since I was already here anyway, it was a lot easier that way.

Our life was very unstable with my husband. He did not have a stable job, so I went back to my hometown a few times because of it, in order for him to straighten his life, and be able to support us, until I could get my green card.

I obviously could not work without one and did not have a degree, so I couldn’t just get a job like that, without a SSN. I just wanted to do everything right and legally, and I was also not able to drive, because I could not get a driving license in Oregon, without a green card, at that time.

A few years later when we moved back to Laramie, Wyoming, we started the process of getting my citizenship. Unfortunately we did not get the same lawyer, because our previous one worked in Oregon. This one was working in Laramie . I asked him several times if things would go smoothly, without a hitch. I hoped there would be no errors, because we had been waiting so long. It was costing a lot of time and money. He assured me that things would go smoothly and there shouldn’t be any problems, that he was doing immigration papers with other people, on a regular basis.

Well we filed the paperwork and of course, after 2 years of waiting, problems with my application came up. I started nagging him, telling him that I thought it wasn’t normal that it took so long for the process. He kept telling me that it was normal, that Denver, Colorado, where the immigration place was located for the interview, received a huge amount of requests, and of course blamed Covid for the wait. So I decided to just not bother him anymore. Well after 4 years of nothing, he finally told me that we would have to restart the application, all over again because, somehow my papers got lost.

He at least offered to redo the process for free, with us only paying another 800$ for the filing fees, which you know, was not easy because we lived on a budget. So after another 3 years, I finally got my citizenship! In total, it took us up to almost 12 years to get my citizenship, because of paperwork errors.

Citizenship

There are 4 ways to get your citizenship.

• Naturalization
• Marriage
• Through family
• Military

Citizenship Through Marriage to a U.S. Citizen

Some permanent residents may qualify to apply after three years instead of five when applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. Additional requirements apply. Generally, the applicant must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years and meet USCIS requirements related to the marriage and U.S. citizenship of the spouse.

Under this route, the physical-presence requirement is generally at least 18 months during the previous three years. Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not automatically make someone a U.S. citizen. The person must still qualify for naturalization and complete the required process. Many people get theirs through the military and marriage.

Can You Apply for Citizenship Early?

Some naturalization applicants do not have to wait until the exact anniversary of obtaining permanent residence. USCIS generally allows applicants applying under the five-year or three-year continuous-residence provisions to submit Form N-400 up to 90 calendar days before completing the required continuous-residence period. However, the applicant must still satisfy the other applicable naturalization requirements at the time of filing.

USCIS provides an Early Filing Calculator to help applicants determine the correct filing date.

Step 1: Make Sure You Are Eligible

Before filing anything, carefully review the naturalization eligibility requirements. One area that deserves particular attention is travel outside the United States.

Continuous Residence vs. Physical Presence

These terms sound similar, but they mean different things. Continuous residence generally refers to maintaining your residence in the United States during the required period. Physical presence refers to the actual number of days you were physically inside the United States.

Travel outside the country can affect both requirements.

USCIS warns that an absence of more than six months may affect continuous residence, while an absence of a year or more can generally break the required continuous residence unless a specific exception applies. Even numerous shorter trips can create problems with the physical-presence requirement.

Keeping accurate records of international travel is therefore extremely important.

Step 2: File Form N-400

Once you determine that you are eligible, the next major step is filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to file electronically through a USCIS online account or submit a paper application. Before submitting the application, review every answer carefully.

Applicants may need information about:

• Previous addresses
• Employment history
• International travel
• Marital history
• Children
• Immigration history
• Taxes
• Selective Service registration when applicable
• Arrests, citations, or criminal matters
• Organizations or associations
• Previous immigration applications

Accuracy is extremely important. If you are uncertain about how something in your history could affect your eligibility, consider speaking with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited legal representative before filing.

Naturalization Filing Fee

USCIS currently lists the standard Form N-400 filing fee as $710 when filed online and $760 when filed on paper. Reduced fees or fee waivers may be available to certain eligible applicants, and qualifying military naturalization applicants may have no filing fee.

Because immigration fees can change, always verify the current amount directly with USCIS before submitting an application.

Step 3: Biometrics and Background Checks

After USCIS accepts the application, it may schedule the applicant for a biometrics appointment if biometrics are required.

Biometrics can include:

• Fingerprints
• A photograph
• A signature

USCIS uses fingerprints as part of the required background-check process.

Applicants who receive a biometrics appointment notice should follow the instructions on the notice carefully and bring the required identification documents.

The test before my interview for citizenship made me nervous. But if you study, it actually goes really well. My husband would help me, asking me the questions, over and over again, until I memorized almost everything. Then my interview was done and I was accepted, within a second of leaving the office !

Step 4: Prepare for the Naturalization Interview

USCIS will eventually schedule a naturalization interview. During the interview, a USCIS officer reviews the applicant’s Form N-400 and asks questions about the information provided on the application and the applicant’s background.

Applicants should bring the documents requested in their interview notice.

USCIS advises applicants to bring items including their interview notice, Permanent Resident Card, appropriate identification, and valid and expired passports or travel documents showing travel outside the United States since becoming a permanent resident. Additional documents may be required depending on the case.

The English Test

Unless an applicant qualifies for an exception, naturalization generally includes an English-language requirement.

The English portion evaluates the ability to:

• Speak and understand basic English
• Read English
• Write English

Speaking ability is generally evaluated during the naturalization interview as the USCIS officer reviews the applicant’s Form N-400. Certain applicants qualify for exceptions based on age and the number of years they have held permanent resident status. Medical exceptions may also be available in qualifying circumstances.

The 2025 U.S. Citizenship Civics Test

The naturalization civics test changed for applicants filing newer applications. Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. The test contains a bank of 128 questions about U.S. government, history, and civics.

During the interview, the USCIS officer orally asks up to 20 questions. An applicant must answer 12 questions correctly to pass. The officer stops the test after the applicant reaches 12 correct answers or nine incorrect answers. Applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025 generally take the older 2008 civics test instead.

This filing-date distinction is important when choosing citizenship study materials.

This site is the place to practice for the test.

Take the test Here

During the English test, you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English. I was able to pass the speaking part easily. I have been fluent in English for a while now. Writing test was also very easy. He asked me to write a sentence on a writing pad, that was pretty easy too !

Exceptions to the English Requirement

Some long-term permanent residents may qualify for an exception to the English-language portion of the naturalization test. USCIS recognizes the commonly called:

50/20 Exception: An applicant who is at least 50 years old and has been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years may qualify for an English-language exception.

55/15 Exception: An applicant who is at least 55 years old and has been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years may also qualify.

These applicants generally still take the civics test, but they may take it in their preferred language when the USCIS requirements are satisfied. Applicants age 65 or older who have been permanent residents for at least 20 years receive special consideration for the civics portion.

USCIS also provides a process for requesting exceptions from the English and/or civics requirements when a qualifying physical or developmental disability or mental impairment prevents the applicant from meeting those requirements. This generally involves Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.

Step 5: USCIS Makes a Decision

Following the interview and testing, USCIS makes a decision on the naturalization application.

Depending on the circumstances, USCIS may:

• Approve the application.
• Continue the application because additional evidence or testing is required.
• Deny the application if the applicant does not meet the requirements.

Applicants should carefully follow any instructions or deadlines provided by USCIS.

Step 6: Attend the Oath Ceremony

Approval of Form N-400 is not quite the final step. An approved applicant does not officially become a U.S. citizen until completing the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. USCIS sends approved applicants a notice with information about their ceremony.

At the ceremony, applicants generally complete the final required procedures, return their Permanent Resident Card, take the Oath of Allegiance, and receive a Certificate of Naturalization. Once the oath has been taken, the naturalization process is complete and the person is officially a United States citizen.

It’s easy and straightforward. I was given a date for my ceremony, that was to happen within the next 2 months. They have to gather enough people to fill up places. You will have to dress appropriately for the ceremony. I was nervous at first, but people are very helpful and very friendly with you. I was assigned a place to sit in the auditorium, among other future citizens. You can not sit with your family or friends, they will be assigned seats apart from the future citizens. The ceremony lasted about an hour. There is a speech, then everyone shows up on the stages et voila !

Sometimes things don’t always go how we want, especially when it involves the government, it can be a long, tedious, expensive process but I assure you, do not give up, it is well worth it in the end. When you finally get that certificate, attesting that you are a citizen of the United States! I congratulate everyone else who has been through this process, as well!

Life After Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Citizenship comes with important rights and responsibilities.

Among other things, U.S. citizenship may allow a person to:

• Vote in federal elections.
• Apply for a U.S. passport.
• Apply for certain jobs requiring U.S. citizenship.
• Have expanded opportunities to petition for qualifying family members.
• Participate more fully in civic life.

Citizens may also have responsibilities such as serving on a jury when summoned and supporting the Constitution and laws of the United States. After naturalization, new citizens should carefully review their Certificate of Naturalization for accuracy and keep it in a safe place.

Common Naturalization Mistakes to Avoid

A citizenship application deserves careful preparation.

Common problems can include:

• Filing before becoming eligible.
• Forgetting to report trips outside the United States.
• Providing incomplete address or employment history.
• Failing to disclose previous immigration or legal issues.
• Using outdated forms or incorrect filing fees.
• Missing USCIS appointments.
• Failing to update USCIS after changing address.
• Studying for the wrong version of the citizenship test.

Never intentionally leave information off an application because you are worried that it could affect the result.

When a situation involves arrests, criminal charges, long periods outside the United States, previous immigration violations, unpaid taxes, removal proceedings, or questions about whether citizenship was already acquired through a parent, professional immigration advice may be especially important.

How Long Does the Citizenship Process Take?

There is no single processing time that applies to everyone. The amount of time required to process Form N-400 can vary depending on the applicant’s location, USCIS field office, case circumstances, background checks, requests for additional evidence, and interview scheduling.

USCIS recommends checking the processing time associated with the field office handling the case rather than relying on a single nationwide estimate.

Is the Citizenship Test Difficult?

The idea of a citizenship test can feel intimidating, particularly for someone who has not been in a classroom for many years. Preparation makes an enormous difference.

USCIS offers official study materials for both the English and civics portions of the naturalization test. Applicants filing Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 should make sure they are studying the 2025 test materials, not only older 2008 materials.

Studying a little at a time, practicing questions aloud, and becoming comfortable discussing the N-400 application can make preparing for the interview more manageable.

The Final Step in a Long Journey

For many immigrants, becoming a U.S. citizen represents the end of a journey that began years—or even decades—earlier.

The process may have included leaving another country, adjusting to a new culture, building a home in the United States, obtaining permanent residence, waiting through the required residency period, completing paperwork, studying for the citizenship test, and attending the naturalization interview. The final moment comes at the naturalization ceremony.

After taking the Oath of Allegiance and receiving a Certificate of Naturalization, the journey from permanent resident to United States citizen is complete. Citizenship brings new rights, responsibilities, and opportunities, but it can also carry a deeply personal meaning: the recognition that the country where someone has built a life has officially become their country too.

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Last updated: September 2026

Important: U.S. immigration laws, USCIS policies, forms, fees, and procedures can change. Always verify current requirements with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before filing an application. This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice! I hope it helped you.