How to Become a Citizen (USA)

Do you want to become a US citizen? The right to vote in elections, avoidance of deportation and endless employment opportunities are just some of the benefits that come with completing the naturalization process. Learn about the requirements, procedures, and tests you need to pass to officially become a U.S. citizen.

Table of Contents

Meet the Necessary Conditions

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You must be 18 years or older. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires applicants to be at least 18 years of age to undergo the naturalization process, no matter how long you have lived in the United States.

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Prove that you have lived as a lawful permanent resident in the United States for five consecutive years. A permanent resident card, or “green card,” shows the date you were issued. You will be eligible to begin the naturalization process exactly five years from the date the card is issued.

If you’re married to a U.S. 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 for more than one year, you do not need to prove residency for five consecutive years.
If you leave the U.S. for six months or more, your permanent resident status may “break” and the time will be counted from the beginning before applying to become a citizen.

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Applicant must be located in the United States. In many cases you cannot apply for naturalization if you are abroad.

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Have good moral character. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider your eligibility based on the following criteria:

Judicial Records. Those with criminal records, criminal records related to intent to harm, terrorist acts, drugs, narcotics and related crimes, hate crimes and other crimes will be removed from the process. naturalization process.
Lying to USCIS about your past criminal record may result in your application being disqualified.
Most traffic or minor incidental fines will not disqualify you from the naturalization process.

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Able to read, write and speak conversational English. The English test is one of the main parts of the interview.

Language requirements will be less stringent for applicants who are disabled or older than a certain age.

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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 disabilities, the requirements for this knowledge are less.

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Show commitment to the Constitution. The Oath of Allegiance is the final step to becoming a US citizen. You will undertake to:

Giving up allegiance to foreign countries.
Support the Constitution.
Willing to serve the US states whether as part of the Armed Forces or solely through civilian assistance.

Implement the Naturalization Process

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Fill out the naturalization application. Download Form N-400 from www.USCIS.gov (select “Forms”). Fill in the information, answer the questions. Do not miss any entries or the application may be delayed or denied and you will have to submit the petition to be approved.

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Prepare two photos. Visit a photo booth to get a passport-style portrait photo of you within 30 days or more from the date of application.

You should request two color photos printed on thin paper with a white background behind.
Your face must be fully visible and nothing on your head except for religious purposes.
Write your name and “Alien Card Number” lightly in pencil on the back of the photo.

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Submit the file to the USCIS Safe Deposit facility. Find the address of the facility in your area. Records should include:

Picture your card.
A copy of both sides of the permanent resident card.
Other documents relevant to your situation.
Check or check for fees (see more information under “Forms” at www.USCIS.gov).

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Fingerprinting. When USCIS receives your application, you will be asked to visit their local affiliated office for fingerprints.

Your fingerprints will be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a 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 the time and location of the interview.

Completing the Procedures to Become a US Citizen

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Pass the interview. During the interview, they will ask questions related to your application, background, dignity and finally ask you to take an Oath of Allegiance. The interview process includes the following steps:

Take the combined test of reading, writing and speaking English.
A civics test where you’ll have to answer six out of ten questions about American history correctly.

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Waiting for results. After the interview, USCIS will immediately notify you that your naturalization application is approved, continued, or denied.

If approved, USCIS will invite you to take an oath to complete the process of becoming a US citizen.
If your naturalization process is denied, see more about appealing the decision.
If the naturalization process has not been completed, they may ask you to add the necessary documents and conduct a second interview.

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Attend the naturalization ceremony. This is a significant 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 by taking the Pledge of Allegiance to America.
Get a Certificate of Citizenship, which is the official document that proves you are a US Citizen.

Advice

Do not skip the interview without notifying USCIS to reschedule for another day. If you do not show up for the exam, ISCIS will “close” your application. This will delay your naturalization process for many months.
If you are fluent in English, you will be exempted from the English section of the interview.
If possible, you should spend time improving your spoken and written English while you wait for your naturalization application to be processed. Plus, learn more about U.S. history and government to prepare for the civics test. You can access online resources that provide special citizenship education tests for candidates to practice.
Those such as elderly applicants, or older than a certain age who have lived in the US for 15 to 20 years or more, will be exempt from the language and history test.

Steps

Meet the Necessary Conditions

Implement the Naturalization Process

Completing the Procedures to Become a US Citizen

Advice

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