Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Meeting the conditions
• Part 2 of 3: Applying for naturalization
• Part 3 of 3: Meeting all requirements for US citizenship
• Tips

Do you want to become an American citizen? The right to vote in the United States, avoiding deportation from the US, and having a wide variety of job opportunities are just a few of the benefits of going through the naturalization process. Learn about the eligibility requirements, the application process, and the tests you need to pass to become a US citizen.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Meeting the conditions

1. You must be at least 18. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires you to be 18 years old to go through the naturalization process, regardless of how long you have lived in the United States.
2. You must be able to prove that you have lived in the US as a permanent residence in the US for five consecutive years. Your permanent residence card (permanent resident card) or "green card" states the date on which you received a permanent residence permit. You may start the naturalization process from the fifth year after that date.
   • If you are married to a US citizen, you can become a US citizen after three years, instead of five, if you have lived with your spouse with permanent residence.
   • If you served in the US military for more than one year, you do not need to prove that you have lived continuously in the US for five years.
   • If you've lived outside the United States for six months or more, you may have interrupted your permanent residency status. Then you may be obliged to make up this time before you can become a citizen.
3. Be physically present in the United States. In most cases, you cannot apply for citizenship if you are not in the US.
4. Have good morals. The USCIS determines if you have good morals:
   • Your criminal record. Offenses committed with intent to harm someone, terrorist activities, offenses involving drugs or alcohol, discrimination and racism, and other crimes can exclude you from the naturalization process.
   • Lying to the USCIS about past crimes committed is one reason to deny your application.
   • Most traffic violations and minor violations will not hinder your application.
5. Being able to read, write and speak English at a basic level is important. Taking an exam is part of the admission process.
   • For applicants over a certain age or with a disability, less strict language requirements apply.
6. Have a basic understanding of United States history and politics. A social studies exam is part of the admission process.
   • For applicants over a certain age or with a disability, less stringent requirements apply to their knowledge of civics.
7. Show that you value the Constitution. Taking the “Oath of Allegiance” is the last step if you want to become a US citizen. Be prepared to promise to:
   • To renounce allegiance to other countries.
   • Stand behind the Constitution.
   • Serve the United States, in the military (Armed Forces) or work in the service of the state (civilian service).

Part 2 of 3: Applying for naturalization

1. Complete the application. Download the N-400 form from www.USCIS.gov (click on "Forms"). Fill in the form completely, answer all questions. If you skip anything, your application may be delayed or rejected and you will have to appeal.
2. Have passport photos taken within 30 days of completing the form at a photographer who is familiar with the requirements that such a passport photo must meet.
   • You need two color photos on thin paper with a white space around the head.
   • Your face should be fully visible and you should not have anything on your head unless from a religious belief.
   • Write your name and "A number" thinly in pencil on the back of both photos.
3. Send your application to a USCIS Lockbox facility. Find the address of the facility related to your area. Enclose the following:
   • Your photos.
   • A copy of your permanent residence permit.
   • Other documents that apply to your circumstances.
   • The mandatory application fee (see the "forms" page at www.USCIS.gov).
4. Get your fingerprints taken. When the USCIS receives your application, you will be asked to have your fingerprints taken at a specific location.
   • Your fingerprints will then be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where they will investigate any criminal background you may have.
   • If your fingerprints are rejected, you may be asked for additional information for the USCIS.
   • If your fingerprints are accepted, you will be notified by post where and when your interview will be.

Part 3 of 3: Meeting all requirements for US citizenship

1. Complete the interview. During the interview, you will be asked questions regarding your application, your background, your character, and how badly you would like to take the Oath of Allegiance. The interview also includes:
   • An English exam with the components reading, writing and speaking.
   • A social studies exam where ten questions are asked about the history of the United States; you must answer at least six correctly to pass.
2. Waiting for the results. After your interview, your citizenship application will be approved, rejected, or continued.
   • If your application is approved, you will be invited to complete the naturalization process and become a US citizen.
   • If your application is rejected, you can see whether you can appeal against this decision [1].
   • If your application is extended, which usually happens when additional documents are required, you will be asked to submit the necessary documents and take a second interview.
3. Attend the naturalization ceremony. The ceremony is an important event in which you become an official citizen of the United States. During this event, you will
   • Answer questions about what you've been up to since the interview.
   • Hand in your permanent residence permit
   • Swear allegiance to the US by taking the “Oath of Allegiance”.
   • Receive your “Certificate of Naturalization,” the official document certifying that you are a US citizen.

Tips

• If you are fluent in English you can be exempted from the English exam of the interview.
• Don't skip your interview without letting the USCIS know you need a new appointment. If you do not come just like that, your application will be suspended ("administratively closed."). If this happens, your naturalization process could be delayed by months.
• Take the time to improve your English speaking and writing skills, if applicable, while you wait for your application to become a citizen to be processed. Also increase your knowledge of American history and politics for the compulsory civics exam. You can find online websites that offer practice exams for citizenship applicants
• There are exceptions for language and civic education exams for older people who have lived in the US for more than 15 or 20 years and are above a certain age.