U.S. Naturalization, N-400

Information on the requirements and processing for U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process.

What Is U.S. Naturalization?

  • Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident / green card holder after meeting the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

  • Alternatively, individuals can acquire U.S. citizenship at birth or through a U.S. citizen parent.

  • The following provides an overview of the requirements for naturalization based on being a lawful permanent resident / green card holder.

What Are The Naturalization Requirements?

An individual is eligible for naturalization if he/she meets the following requirements:

  • Immigration Status: Was admitted to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident (LPR).

  • Age: Is 18 years old when filing the application.

  • Continuous Residence: Has resided in the U.S. continuously for 5 years prior to filing the application (or for 3 years for spouses of U.S. citizens). Must reside continuously in the U.S. from the date of filing the naturalization application until actual admission to citizenship.

  • Physical Presence: Has been physically present in the U.S. for a total of at least one-half the period of required continuous residence (2.5 years for most individuals; 1.5 years for spouses of U.S. citizens).

  • Jurisdiction: Has resided for at least 3 months within the state where the application will be filed.

  • Good Moral Character: Possesses “good moral character” during the 5- or 3-year continuous residence requirement.

  • English Knowledge: Has the ability to read, write, and speak ordinary English.

  • Civics Knowledge: Has knowledge and understanding of basic U.S. history and government.

What Is The Naturalization Application Filing Procedure?

  1. File Form N-400 and Supporting Documents. Application can be filed up to 3 months before meeting the residency requirements.

  2. Attend Biometrics Appointment for fingerprinting.

  3. Attend an interview and examination:

    • A USCIS officer will review the application in detail and (1) test the applicant’s ability to use English; and (2) test the applicant’s knowledge of U.S. government and history.

    • The USCIS officer will ask the applicant to answer up to 10 out of the 100 civics test questions. Applicants must answer at least 6 / 10 questions correctly to pass.

    • An applicant has two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests: the initial examination and the re-examination interview. If the applicant fails any part of the naturalization test, they will be retested only on the portion of the test that they failed between 60 and 90 days from the date of the initial interview.

    • USCIS will deny the naturalization application if the applicant fails to pass any portion of the tests after two attempts.

  4. Approval and Naturalization Ceremony:

    • Processing times for N-400 applications vary and depend on the workload of the USCIS office handling the application.

    • If the application is approved, the applicant attends a naturalization ceremony.

    • At the ceremony, the applicant takes an oath and receives a certificate of naturalization.

    • After obtaining this certificate, the applicant will now be considered a U.S. citizen and may not travel under their green card.

      In most cases, following the approval of the N-400 application, the applicant will require a U.S. passport in order to re-enter the U.S.

Revised April 8, 2023.