US citizenship is highly prized and comes with many benefits. First of all, having US citizenship gives people a sense of identity and belonging, enabling them to actively engage in democracy. Because they have the right to vote in federal elections, citizens can directly affect how the nation is governed. The ability to vote gives people the power to influence public policy and represent their interests.
Second, there are numerous advantages and opportunities available to US citizens. They can hold some positions that are only open to citizens and have access to a wider variety of employment opportunities. Additionally, citizens are free to travel abroad with a US passport, which makes border crossing easier and more flexible. Furthermore, citizenship provides protection from deportation, guaranteeing a safe and secure future in the US.
Naturalization is the process of becoming a US citizen. Naturalization eligibility is typically determined by criteria like having held a green card (permanent residency) for three to five years or fulfilling particular military service requirements. In this article, we’ll go into more detail about how one can naturalize to become an American citizen.
Who is eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship?
Here is who is eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship and when
| Applicant | Physical Presence in the U.S. | Eligibility for Naturalization |
| Green card holder | 30 months (2.5 years) | After 5 years |
| Green card holder married to a U.S. citizen | 18 months (1.5 years) | After 3 years |
| Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen who died while honorably serving in the military** | Not required | Anytime |
| Green card holder with at least 1 year of peacetime military service | Not required | While in active duty or within 6 months of honorably separating from the military** |
| Green card holder with less than 1 year of peacetime military service | 30 months (2.5 years) | After 5 years |
| Green card holder with at least 1 year of peacetime military service and honorably discharged more than 6 months ago** | 30 months (2.5 years) | After 5 years |
| Member of the military with any period of wartime service (with or without a green card) | Not required | Anytime |
Please be aware that eligibility requirements can change based on unique situations, so it’s best to speak with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an immigration lawyer for advice tailored to your situation.
Depending on various factors, the following requirements must be met in order to qualify for US citizenship.
- Green Card Holder with No Special Circumstances:
- Time Requirement: Apply for citizenship at least five years after obtaining your green card.
- Physical Presence: Have physically lived in the U.S. for at least 30 months (two-and-a-half years) out of those five years.
- Green Card Holder Married to a U.S. Citizen:
- Time Requirement: Apply for citizenship at least three years after obtaining your green card.
- Physical Presence: Have physically lived in the U.S. for at least 18 months (one-and-a-half years) out of those three years.
- Spouse Requirement: Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for at least three years.
- Widow or Widower of a U.S. Citizen who Died while Serving in the U.S. Military:
- Time Requirement: Apply for citizenship at any time.
- Physical Presence: No specific physical presence requirement prior to applying.
- Green Card Holder Requirement: You must be a green card holder at the time of your citizenship interview.
- Military Service during Peacetime:
- Time Requirement: Apply while in active duty or within six months of honorably separating from the military.
- Physical Presence: No specific physical presence requirement prior to applying.
- Green Card Holder Requirement: No specific requirement regarding green card duration.
- Military Service less than One Year during Peacetime:
- Time Requirement: Apply for citizenship five years after obtaining your green card.
- Physical Presence: Have physically lived in the U.S. for at least 30 months (two-and-a-half years) out of those five years.
- Military Service more than One Year during Peacetime and Honorably Discharged after Six Months:
- Time Requirement: Apply for citizenship five years after obtaining your green card.
- Physical Presence: Have physically lived in the U.S. for at least 30 months (two-and-a-half years) out of those five years.
- Military Service during Wartime:
- Time Requirement: Apply anytime.
- Physical Presence: You or your military spouse must have been physically present in the U.S. or aboard a U.S. vessel during enlistment, re-enlistment, extension of service, or induction.
- Green Card Holder Requirement: Not required.
U.S Naturalization Requirements
Along with meeting the residency and time requirements, you must also satisfy the following naturalization requirements in order to move forward with the process and become a citizen of the United States
- Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for naturalization.
- Continuous Residence: During the three- or five-year wait period, depending on your circumstances, you must not have taken any trips outside of the United States that lasted six months or longer. Maintaining continuous residence in the U.S. is an important factor.
- State Residence: You must have been a resident of the state where you plan to apply for citizenship for at least three months. Each state may have specific residency requirements.
- Good Moral Character: You must demonstrate “good moral character” as defined by the U.S. government. This means that you have not committed certain crimes, such as murder or illegal gambling, and you have not intentionally lied to the U.S. government for immigration benefits. The determination of good moral character is made on a case-by-case basis.
- Naturalization Test: You must pass a two-part naturalization test. The first part is an English language test, which assesses your reading, writing, and speaking skills. The second part is a civics test, which evaluates your knowledge of U.S. history and government.
- Willingness to Serve: You must be willing to serve in the U.S. military or perform civilian service for the United States if called upon to do so. This demonstrates your commitment to the country and its values.
- Selective Service Registration: If you are male and have lived in the United States between the ages of 18 and 25, you must register with the Selective Service System. This requirement ensures that you are eligible for potential military service if necessary.
- Defense of U.S. Constitution: You must be willing to defend the U.S. Constitution. This highlights your commitment to upholding the principles and values of the nation.
Exceptions Based On Age And Disability
| Exception | Exempt from English test? | Exempt from Civics test? |
| Applicants aged 50 and older with at least 20 years as green card holders | Yes | No |
| Applicants aged 55 and older with at least 15 years as green card holders | Yes | No |
| Applicants aged 65 and older with at least 20 years as green card holders | Yes | No* |
| Applicants with medical disabilities lasting or expected to last 12 months | Yes (with approved waiver) | Yes (with approved waiver) |
*Applicants aged 65 and older are required to study only 20 of the 100 usual questions that most applicants must prepare for. The test administrator will ask 10 of the 20 questions, but the applicant will need to answer only six correctly to pass.
In addition to the general naturalization requirements, there are certain exceptions and special requirements based on disability, peacetime military service, wartime military service, and U.S. military personnel:
Exceptions Based on Disability
The English and civics test requirements may not apply to applicants who have a physical, developmental, or mental impairment. In order to request an exemption, they must submit Form N-648, “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.” This form needs to be filled out by a medical professional.
Exceptions Based on Peacetime Military Service
The continuous residence requirement and the state residence requirement are not necessary for people who apply for naturalization on the basis of at least one year of active duty military service during peacetime. Their criminal history must be clear of certain crimes for at least five years prior to filing until they naturalize in order for them to meet the requirement for good moral character.
Exceptions Based on Wartime Military Service
The age requirement, the requirement of continuous residence, and the requirement of state residence are not applicable to people who apply for naturalization based on any period of military service during a war. Their criminal record must be clear of certain crimes for at least a year prior to filing until they naturalize in order for them to meet the requirement for good moral character.
Special Requirements for U.S. Military Personnel
Green card holders who are current or former members of the U.S. armed forces have additional criteria to meet,
- They must not have deserted (left before discharge) from the U.S. military.
- They must have never received a discharge or an exemption from the U.S. military based on their non-U.S. citizen status.
How To Apply For U.S. Citizenship
- Application for Naturalization
Filling out and submitting an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) along with the necessary filing fee is the first step. Depending on your qualifications and unique circumstances, you can submit the application via mail or online. Before applying, it’s critical to confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements.
- Biometrics Appointment
You will be given a biometrics appointment notice after submitting your application, which involves having your fingerprints taken. Normally, USCIS schedules this appointment about a month after it receives your application. As part of the naturalization procedure, a background investigation is done using biometrics.
- Citizenship Interview and Exam
An important stage of the process is the citizenship interview. The timeline can change depending on the USCIS field office handling your case, but it is typically scheduled for 14 months after your application is submitted. A USCIS officer will review your application and ask you questions during the interview to confirm the accuracy of the information you provided.
A two-part naturalization test will also be administered at the same time, unless you are exempt. An English language test is administered in the first section to gauge your spoken and written English proficiency. A civics test is administered in the second section to gauge your familiarity with American history and government. To assist you in getting ready for the exams, USCIS offers study materials.
If you do well in the interview and exams, your application will be accepted; however, in some circumstances, you might be required to submit more paperwork or arrange a second interview. If you don’t pass, you’ll get a letter explaining why and giving you the choice to appeal or reapply.
- Oath of Allegiance
You will take the final step toward becoming a citizen of the United States at an Oath of Allegiance ceremony after your application has been approved. Usually, a local courthouse or USCIS office hosts the ceremony. During the ceremony, you will be required to return your green card; afterwards, you will be given a Certificate of Naturalization, which will formally make you a citizen of the United States.
