Content

• Steps
• Advice

Do you want to become a US citizen? The right to vote in elections, avoid deportation and an abundance of open employment opportunities are just some of the benefits that come with completing the naturalization process. Learn about the prerequisites, procedures, and tests you need to pass to become a US citizen.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Meeting Necessary Requirements

1. 

   You must be 18 years or older. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the applicant to be 18 years old to proceed with the naturalization process, no matter how long you have lived in the US.

2. 

   
   
   Prove that you have lived as a lawful permanent resident in the United States for five consecutive years. Your permanent residence card, or “green card”, shows the date that you were issued. You will be eligible to initiate the naturalization process exactly five years from the date of issuance.
   • If you are married to a US citizen you can begin the naturalization process after three years of living as a permanent resident with your spouse (instead of five years).
   • If you have served in the armed forces of the United States for more than one year, there is no need to prove your residency for five consecutive years.
   • If you leave the United States for six months or more, you may "break" your permanent residency status and the time will be recalculated from the beginning before applying to become a citizen.

3. 

   
   
   Applicants must be in the United States. In many cases, you cannot be considered for naturalization if you are traveling abroad.

4. 

   Have good moral qualities. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider your eligibility based on the following criteria:
   • Judicial Records. Those with criminal convictions, criminal convictions related to intentions of harm, terrorist behavior, drugs, drugs and related crimes, hate crimes and other crimes will be removed from the naturalization process.
   • Lying to USCIS about past criminal records may result in disqualification.
   • Most traffic fines or minor incidents will not disqualify you from the naturalization process.

5. 

   
   
   Capable of reading, writing, and speaking conversational English. The English test is one of the main parts of the interview.
   • The language requirements will be less stringent for applicants with disabilities or over a certain age.

6. 

   Have a basic understanding of US history and government. The citizenship test is also part of the naturalization process.
   • For people over a certain age or with a disability, less is required for these knowledge.

7. 

   Show attachment to the Constitution. The Oath of Loyalty is the last step towards becoming a US citizen. You will guarantee:
   • Give up loyalty to a foreign country.
   • Constitutional support.
   • Willing to serve American states whether as part of the Armed Forces or only through civil assistance.
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Part 2 of 3: Conducting the Naturalization Process

1. 

   Fill out the application for naturalization. Download the N-400 from the home page www.USCIS.gov (select “Forms”). Fill out information, answer the questions. Do not miss any items or the application may be delayed or denied and you will have to petition for approval.

2. 

   Prepare two photos. Go to a photo card salon to get a portrait photo of your passport within 30 days from the date of application.
   • You should ask for two color photos to be printed on thin paper with a white background behind.
   • Your face must be fully visible and nothing on the head except for religious purposes.
   • Write your name and “Alien ID Number” very faintly in pencil on the back of the photo.

3. 

   Send the file to the USCIS Safe facility. Find the facility address in the area you live in. Documentation should include:
   • Picture of your card.
   • One copy of both sides of permanent residence card.
   • Other papers related to your situation.
   • Check or check for fees (see more information under “Forms” at www.USCIS.gov).

4. 

   Fingerprinting. When USCIS receives a file, you will be asked to go to their local subordinate office for fingerprints.
   • Your fingerprints will be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for criminal background check.
   • If your fingerprints are denied, you will need to provide additional information to USCIS.
   • Once the fingerprint is approved, you will receive a letter informing you of when and where the interview will be held.
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Part 3 of 3: Completing Procedures to Become a US Citizen

1. 

   Pass the interview. During the interview, they will ask questions related to application, background, dignity and finally ask you to take an Oath of Loyalty. The interview process includes the following steps:
   • Take a composite test that includes reading, writing and speaking English.
   • A civics test where you'll have to correctly answer six out of ten questions about US history.

2. 

   Waiting for results. After the interview, USCIS will immediately notify you that your naturalization application has been approved, continued, or rejected.
   • If approved, USCIS will invite you to take the oath to complete the process of becoming a US citizen.
   • If your naturalization is denied, read more about appealing the decision.
   • If the naturalization process is not completed, they may ask you to add necessary documents and perform a second interview.

3. 

   Attend the naturalization ceremony. This is a meaningful event because it is the moment you officially become a US citizen. During the ceremony you will:
   • Answer questions about what you did in the interview.
   • Return your green card.
   • Strengthen your bond with the Oath of Allegiance to America.
   • Get the Certificate of Citizenship, which is the official document that proves you are a US Citizen.
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Advice

• Do not skip the interview without notifying the USCIS party to reschedule for another date. If you do not take the exam, ISCIS will “close” the applicant's application. This will delay your naturalization for many months.
• If you are fluent in English, you will be exempt from the English test during your interview.
• If possible, you should spend time improving your English speaking and writing skills while waiting for your citizenship application to be processed. In addition, cultivate your understanding of US history and government to prepare for the civic education test. You can access online resources that provide special civic education tests for candidates for mock exams.
• Subjects such as applicants who are elderly, or over a certain age who have lived in the US for 15 to 20 years or more, will be exempt from language and history exams.