Naturalization Process

Naturalization refers to the process of a non-citizen becoming a U.S. citizen. There are many requirements and steps for U.S. citizenship. It can take years from the time someone enters the United States until they can be sworn in as a citizen.

Citizenship requires nationalization eligibility, meeting specific requirements, and completing the naturalization application. After a period of a few months, the applicant can take a citizenship test, a language test, and go through an interview. If everything is in order, the applicant can take the oath of citizenship and finally become a citizen.

Immigration laws can be complicated and are regularly changing. Talking to an experienced immigration attorney in your area can help you understand the process and get you started on the pathway to citizenship.

Are You Eligible for U.S. Citizenship?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S.C.I.S.) oversees the naturalization and immigration system. According to U.S.C.I.S., to be eligible for naturalization, the applicant must:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Have permanent residence (Alien Registration Card or green card holder).
• Be a permanent resident and have been physically present in the U.S. for at least five (5) years at the time of application.
• Have good moral character.

Qualified spouses of U.S. citizens may only have to have resided continuously in the U.S. for three years for the continuous residence requirement. Talk to your immigration lawyer about if you meet any exceptions to the residency or presence requirements.

Members of the U.S. Military

Non-citizen members of the U.S. military may also become citizens, but they have different naturalization eligibility requirements.

Are You Already a Citizen?

Before going through the steps to see if you are eligible, you might want to check to ensure you are not already an American citizen. If you were born in the United States or a U.S. territory, you might already be a citizen by birth. If you were born outside the U.S., but one or both of your parents were U.S. citizens at birth, you may also be a citizen.

Step-by-Step Process of Naturalization

A step-by-step explanation of the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen can help you understand where you are in the process and what you need to do next:

1. Complete Form N-400 Application for Naturalization
2. Submit Your Form N-400 and Documents
3. Go to the Biometrics Appointment
4. Complete Your Naturalization Interview
5. Take the Oath of Allegiance

You can also check out A Guide to Naturalization from U.S.C.I.S.

Form N-400 Application for Naturalization

Form N-400 is the application for naturalization. This is a lengthy application and can be completed online. The form requires a lot of information about you, your family, and your background. Sections of the form include:

• Questions about disabilities
• Information about your residence(s) for the last five years
• Information about your parents
• Employment
• Education
• Time spent outside the U.S.
• Marital history and information about your children
• Criminal history
• Support of the U.S. government

After you complete the form, you need to gather all the necessary supporting documents. Depending on the individual, documentation can include:

• Photographs
• Copies of your Permanent Resident Card
• Application fee and biometrics fee (As of July 1, 2022, the filing fee is $640 and the biometric fee is $85)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce documents
• Tax records
• Military service records
• Criminal or arrest records

Approval or Denial

Your application can be denied for many reasons anywhere along the application process. U.S.C.I.S. may contact you before approving your application to request additional documentation or ask for clarifying information.

Asking for more information does not mean that you will be denied. However, you should take your response seriously and answer honestly. Ensure you provide any information within the timeline, or you may be denied. Some of the common reasons why citizenship is denied include:

• You owe back income taxes
• You owe child support
• You never registered for Selective Service (L.P.R. males between ages 18 and 26)
• Disqualifying criminal record
• Lying on the application
• Spent too much time outside the U.S

If your application is denied, you only have 30 days to file an appeal through a request for a hearing.

Fingerprinting and Biometrics

You may receive notice of your biometrics appointment within a few months of applying. The agents will take your fingerprints and photographs. You may have already submitted the biometric information, or new biometrics may be required. This is part of your background check.

Naturalization Interview and Tests

The interview is the next important step in citizenship. You will get notice of your interview after your application is processed. The citizenship interview may be combined with your citizenship exam. In some cases, after the interview and exam, you may be immediately approved and can take your oath to become a citizen.

The interview is with a U.S.C.I.S. agent. It is essential to be on time for the interview or, if you miss it, to reschedule as soon as possible. The U.S.C.I.S. officer may ask questions about your application, responses, and documentation. If the U.S.C.I.S. officer can decide, your application may continue until it is approved or denied; otherwise, you may be asked to provide additional information. You will get a notice of your results after the interview.

You may also take the English test and civics tests after the interview. The English test evaluates your reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of English. The civics exam asks up to 10 questions from the civics test to assess your knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the U.S. Constitution. There are only a limited number of civics test questions, so you can prepare for the exam by reviewing the questions and understanding the answers.

If you fail either test, you may have a chance to retest. If you fail the test a second time, your application will be denied. Some people may be exempt from the English test, including older people who have lived in the U.S. as an LPR for a certain number of years. People with a medical disability exemption may also be exempt from one or both tests.

Oath of Allegiance and Citizenship

Once your U.S. citizenship application is granted, you may get a notice to take the oath of allegiance. Sometimes, this may be the same day as the interview and tests. After you report to the naturalization oath ceremony and check in, a U.S.C.I.S. officer will review your oath ceremony questionnaire. You will then take the Oath of Allegiance to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Congratulations! The process is complete, and you are now a citizen of the United States.

How Long Does the Citizenship Process Take?

The citizenship process timeline depends on a lot of factors. Some people may never become eligible for U.S. citizenship. Others can become citizens within a few years of marrying a U.S. citizen. Most people with lawful permanent resident status can become eligible to apply for U.S. naturalization after five years, as long as they meet the other requirements.

After applying for naturalization, the review and approval process can take 6 to 15 months. If the USCIS office determines they need more information to process your application, that can add additional delays.

Example Timeline of the Naturalization Process to Get Citizenship

The following is an example of the timeline someone might go through to get citizenship. Alex is not a U.S. citizen but just got permanent residency and a green card in January 2015.

• January 2020: Alex is eligible to apply for citizenship and fills out the form N-400.
• March 2020: Alex gets notice to go to the biometrics appointment.
• March 2021: Alex gets a notice to go to the interview with a USCIS officer and take the citizenship test.
• March 2021: Alex goes to the interview and takes the test. The same day, the application is approved. Alex is eligible to take the Oath of Allegiance on the same day.
• March 2021: Alex is now a U.S. Citizen.

The process took about 14 months after Alex became eligible and applied for citizenship. This was just an example. The processing times and immigration laws of the United States are always changing. This is why it is important to talk to an immigration attorney about what things might look like in your case.

Talk to an Experienced Citizenship Lawyer Today

The information on this page is intended to be informative, but it does not cover all immigration topics, exceptions, waivers, and requirements. A qualified citizenship attorney can give you legal advice, explain the law, and represent you in court. Get started now and contact a local citizenship attorney to discuss your immigration situation.