Becoming a U.S. Citizen Under Naturalization Law
Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is a major decision. If a person was not born as a U.S. citizen, that person has to naturalize to become a citizen. Naturalization refers to the process through which U.S. citizenship is given to a foreign citizen or foreign national after he or she has met the requirements outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). When an individual is naturalized, he or she is essentially agreeing to accept all the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen, including loyalty to the Constitution. In return, U.S. citizens enjoy the rights and privileges that accompany their citizenship.
A person may qualify for naturalization in the following instances:
- The individual has been a permanent resident for at least five years and meets all other eligibility requirements;
- The individual has been a permanent resident for three years or more and meets all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen;
- The individual has qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements; or
- The individual’s child may be eligible for naturalization if the individual applying on behalf of the child is already a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently living outside the U.S., and all of the other eligibility requirements are met.
The applicant must be 18 years of age or older. Additionally, he or she must reside in the U.S. for a continuous period before filing the naturalization application. A prolonged absence from the U.S. breaks the continuity of the individual's residence in the U.S. for the purposes of naturalization. However, prolonged absence is unlikely to affect an individual’s status as a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
An individual must file Form N-400 to apply for naturalization.
In order to apply for naturalization, an individual must file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This is a vital part of your application. An individual must send accompanying documents with his or her completed N-400 form, including a fee payment, a photocopy of the green card, two color photos that comply with U.S. passport style, and any other documents relevant to the individual’s circumstances.
After the application is submitted, the individual is notified regarding when to appear for a personal interview at the local United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. A government officer will review the application at that time and will ask you certain questions. It is important to note that a prospective U.S. citizen must have the basic ability to read, write, and speak plain English. This requirement is tested by the immigration officer who conducts the interview. The ability to speak English is determined by the answers the individual is able to provide the officer during the interview. The ability to read and write is determined by a written examination.
The applicant must also have a basic knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S history and government structure. Applicants must sit for a multiple choice test where they can display this knowledge. Additionally, applicants must have good moral character and loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
An immigration officer will ultimately decide whether to approve or deny the application. The process of naturalization and obtaining U.S. citizenship will vary in each case according to the specific circumstances of that case.
Immigration Law Center Contents
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Immigration Law Center
- Green Cards and Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.
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Becoming a U.S. Citizen Under Naturalization Law
- Civics and English Language Tests Under Naturalization Law
- Risks of Applying for Citizenship
- Cancellation of Green Card After Citizenship Denial
- Cost of Applying for Citizenship
- Residency Requirement When Applying for Citizenship
- The Fingerprinting Requirement for Citizenship Applications Under Naturalization Law
- Who Is Legally Eligible for Expedited Review of a U.S. Citizenship Application?
- Applying for U.S. Citizenship as a Former Asylee or Refugee & Related Legal Concerns
- Fee Waivers When Applying for Citizenship & Potential Impact on Legal Eligibility
- The Naturalization Interview & Establishing Legal Eligibility for Citizenship
- Second Chance Naturalization Interviews & Proving Legal Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship
- Requesting a Hearing After Denial of U.S. Citizenship Under Naturalization Law
- Moving After Applying for Citizenship
- The Naturalization Ceremony & Legally Swearing Allegiance to the U.S.
- Muslim Applicants for Citizenship & Their Legal Options When Placed on the CARRP List
- Name Corrections & Legal Name Changes in the Naturalization Process
- Birthright Citizenship and Legal Acquisition or Derivation of Citizenship Through Parents
- When Military Service Members and Veterans May Have Legal Shortcuts to Citizenship
- Children of Refugees Legally Qualifying for Citizenship Through Derivation
- How Conditional Resident Status Can Legally Affect Applying for Citizenship
- When Foreign Nationals Affected by Domestic Violence May Have Legal Shortcuts to Citizenship
- Crimes That May Legally Prevent You From Receiving U.S. Citizenship
- Public Benefits & Legal Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship
- When Political Affiliations Can Legally Disqualify You From U.S. Citizenship
- Does an Extramarital Affair Legally Disqualify You From U.S. Citizenship?
- Impact of Bigamy or Polygamy on Legal Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship
- Does Failure to Register With the Selective Service Legally Disqualify You From U.S. Citizenship?
- When Absences From the U.S. Can Affect Legal Eligibility for Citizenship
- How Getting U.S. Citizenship Provides Legal Advantages
- Obtaining Legal Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Voting Rights & Legally Registering to Vote After Receiving Citizenship
- Can U.S. Citizens Legally Hold Dual Citizenship?
- How Can U.S. Citizenship Be Legally Removed?
- Immigrant Visas Leading to Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.
- Non-Immigrant Visas Providing a Legal Basis for Temporary Residence in the U.S.
- Work Visas Allowing Foreign Nationals to Legally Enter the U.S.
- Family Immigration Options Under the Law
- Investor Visas Providing Legal Status in the U.S.
- Visitor Visas Allowing Foreign Nationals to Legally Enter the U.S.
- Student Visas Allowing Foreign Nationals to Legally Enter the U.S.
- Denials of Visas or Green Cards & Your Legal Options
- Consular Interviews When Seeking a Visa or Green Card
- VAWA Petitions for Foreign Nationals Affected by Domestic Violence & Seeking Legal Status in the U.S.
- How Children of Foreign Nationals Affected by Domestic Violence Can Legally Obtain Immigration Status
- Work Authorization for Foreign Nationals Without Green Cards
- How Foreign Nationals Unable to Return Home Safely May Legally Qualify for Temporary Protected Status
- Asylum for Foreign National Refugees
- Humanitarian Parole for Foreign Nationals With Compelling Needs
- Advance Parole for Foreign Nationals Living in the U.S. Without Green Cards
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Legal Protections From Deportation
- Visa Waiver Program for Brief Visits to the U.S. Without Formal Legal Status
- Grounds for Finding a Foreign National Legally Inadmissible to the U.S.
- How the Deportation Legal Process Works
- Appeals of Immigration Decisions Through the Legal Process
- LGBTQ+ Individuals Facing Immigration Legal Issues
- Inspections of Foreign Nationals Seeking to Legally Enter the U.S.
- Unlawful Presence in the U.S. & Legal Penalties
- Tax Law Issues for Visa or Green Card Holders
- Waivers of Legal Inadmissibility to the U.S.
- How a Criminal Record Legally Affects Immigration Status
- How Social Media Use Can Affect Legal Admissibility to the U.S.
- Immigration Law FAQs
- Immigration Legal Forms
- Find an Immigration Law Lawyer
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