U.S. Naturalization Eligibility

Naturalization is the way immigrants become citizens. If you are 18 years or older and wish to apply for naturalization, you should use a Form N-400, “Application for Naturalization”.

If you want to apply for a citizenship for a child who is under 18 years old, you should use the “Application for a Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-600) or “Application for Citizenship and Issuance of a Certificate under Section 322” (Form N-600K). For more information about applying for a citizenship for your children, see FAQ.

In the next few pages, we describe the naturalization eligibility requirements for people who are 18 years or older and will use a Form N-400.

The following table summarizes the naturalization requirements for most types of applicants. After the table is a section that provides more information on each requirement. If you still have questions about your eligibility, you should consult an immigrant assistance organization or the USCIS.

	Time as Permanent Resident	Continuous Residence	Physical Presence in the United States	Time in District or State
If you are at least 18 years old and: Have been a permanent resident for the past 5 years and have no special circumstances. Note: Over 90% of applicants fall into this category.	5 years	5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer	30 months	3 months
If you are at least 18 years old and: Are currently married to and living with a U.S. citizen and Have been married to and living with that same U.S. citizen for the past 3 years and Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past 3 years.	3 years	3 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer	18 months	3 months
If you: Are in the U.S. Armed Forces (or will be filing your application within 6 months of an honorable discharge) and Have served for at least 1 year	You must be a permanent resident on the day of your interview.	Not required	Not required	Not required
If you are at least 18 years old and: Were in the U.S. Armed Forces for less than 1 year or If you are at least 18 years old and: Were in the U.S. Armed Forces for 1 year or more, but you were discharged more than 6 months ago	5 years	5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: If you were out of the country as part of your service, this time out of the country does not break your “continuous residence.” It is treated just like time spent in the United States.	30 months Note: Time in the U.S. Armed Forces counts as time “physically present” in the United States no matter where you were. See “Naturalization Information for Military Personnel” for more information.	3 months
If you: Performed active duty military service dating from: World War I (November 11, 1916 – April 6, 1917); World War II (September 1, 1939 – December 31, 1946); Korea (June 25, 1950 – July 1, 1955); Vietnam (February 28, 1961 – October 15, 1978); Persian Gulf (August 2, 1990 – April 11, 1991); or on or after September 11, 2001.	You are not required to be a permanent resident. Note: If you did not enlist or reenlist in the United States or its outlying possessions, you must be a permanent resident on the day you file your application.	Not required	Not required	Not required
If you are at least 18 years old and: Were married to a U.S. citizen who died during a period of honorable active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces Note: You must have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse at the time of his/her death.	You must be a permanent resident on the day of your interview.	Not required	Not required	Not required
If you are at least 18 years old and: Are a U.S. national (a non-citizen who owes permanent allegiance to the United States) and Have become a resident of any state and Are otherwise qualified for naturalization.	You are not required to be a permanent resident.	Depending on your qualifications, the same requirements as any other applicant for naturalization. Note: Any time you resided in American Samoa or the Swains Island counts the same as time resided within a state of the United States.	Depending on your qualifications, the same requirements as any other applicant for naturalization. Note: Any time you resided in American Samoa or the Swains Island counts the same as time resided within a state of the United States.	3 months or not required, depending on your qualifications.
If you are at least 18 years old and: Served on a vessel operated by the United States or If you: Served on a vessel registered in the United States and owned by U.S. citizens or a U.S. corporation.	5 years	5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: If you were out of the country while serving on a vessel, this time out of the country does not break your “continuous residence.” It is treated just like time spent in the United States.	30 months Note: Time served on the vessel counts as time “physically present” in the United States no matter where you were.	3 months
If you are at least 18 years old and: Are an employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. government.	5 years	5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your continuous residence. You may keep your continuous residence if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken continuous residence since becoming a permanent resident and you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year.	30 months Note: Time spent in this type of employment counts as time physically present in the United States no matter where you are as long as you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year.	3 months
If you are at least 18 years old and: Are a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States	5 years	5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your continuous residence. You may keep your continuous residence if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken continuous residence since becoming a permanent resident and you get an approved N-470 any time before applying for naturalization.	30 months Note: Time spent in this type of employment counts as time physically present in the United States no matter where you are as long as you get an approved N-470 before you apply for naturalization.	3 months
If you are at least 18 years old and: Are employed by one of the following: An American institution of research recognized by the attorney general; An American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States; or a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty (if the employment began after you became a permanent resident)	5 years	5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the United States for trips of 6 months or longer Note: An absence from the United States for 1 year or more will break your continuous residence. You may keep your continuous residence if you have had at least 1 year of unbroken continuous residence since becoming a permanent resident and you get an approved N-470 before you have been out of the United States for 1 year.	30 months	3 months
If you are at least 18 years old and: Have been employed for 5 years or more by a U.S. nonprofit organization that principally promotes the interests of the United States abroad through communications media.	5 years	Not required	Not required	Not required
If you are at least 18 years old and: Are the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is one of the following: A member of the U.S. Armed Forces; An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. government; An employee of an American institution of research recognized by the attorney general; An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States; An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or a person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination or an interdenominational organization with a valid presence in the United States, and You will be proceeding to join your spouse whose work abroad under orders of the qualifying employer will continue for at least 1 year after the date you will be naturalized. A Form N-400 should be filed prior to departing.	You must be a permanent resident at the time of your USCIS interview	Not required	Not required	Not required

Additionally, good moral character, English & civics knowledge, and attachment to the Constitution are required in all of the above cases.

Time as a Permanent Resident

Permanent residents are people who have “permanent resident” status in the United States under U.S. immigration laws. Permanent residents are normally given permanent resident cards, also known as “green cards”. (Note: these cards used to be called alien registration cards.)

In most cases, you must be a permanent resident for a certain number of years before you can apply for naturalization. It is not enough to be a permanent resident for the right number of years because you must also be in “continuous residence” during that time.

Your time as a permanent resident begins on the date you were granted permanent resident status. This date is on your permanent resident card. The sample cards on this page show where you can find important information like the date your Permanent Residence began.

Continuous Residence

“Continuous residence” means that you have not left the United States for a long period of time. If you leave the United States for too long, you may interrupt your “continuous residence”.

What if I was outside the United States for between 6 and 12 months?

If you leave the United States for more than 6 months, but less than 1 year, you have broken or disrupted your “continuous residence” unless you can prove otherwise. Read the “Document Checklist” to find out what information you must give to USCIS to prove you did not break your “continuous residence”.

What if I was outside the United States for 1 year or longer?

In almost all cases, if you leave the United States for 1 year or more, you have disrupted your “continuous residence.” This is true even if you have a re-entry permit. If you leave the country for 1 year or longer, you may be eligible to re-enter as a permanent resident if you have a re-entry permit. Although you may be able to reenter, none of the time you were in the United States before you left the country counts toward your time in “continuous residence.” Fortunately, if you return within 2 years, some of your time out of the country does count. In fact, the last 364 days of your time out of the country (1 year minus 1 day) counts toward meeting your “continuous residence” requirement.

If you are applying based on 5 years as a permanent resident or 3 years as a permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen, you may file for naturalization up to 90 days before you meet the “continuous residence” requirement. For example, if you are applying based on 3 years of “continuous residence” as a Permanent Resident married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply any time after you have been a Permanent Resident in continuous residence for 3 years minus 90 days. You may send your application before you have met the requirement for “continuous residence” only. Therefore, you must still have been married to and living with your U.S. citizen spouse for 3 years before you can file your application. You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements when you file your application with the USCIS.

There are a few small groups of applicants who do not have a “continuous residence” requirement (for example, members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving during designated periods of conflict). There are also a few small groups of people who can leave the country for over 1 year and not disrupt their “continuous residence.” To maintain their “continuous residence” while out of the country, these people must file an “Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes” (Form N-470). See the table at the beginning of this section for more information on who can use an N-470 and when they must file it.

Physical Presence in the United States

“Physical presence” means that you have actually been in the United States. Most applicants must be physically present in the United States for a certain number of months to be eligible for naturalization.

What is the difference between “physical presence” and “continuous residence”?

“Physical presence” concerns the total number of days you were outside the United States on all of your trips. “Continuous residence” concerns the number of days you were outside the United States during a single trip. Even if you never took a trip that was long enough to disrupt your “continuous residence,” you may have taken so many short trips that you do not meet the “physical presence” requirement.

“Continuous Residence” Example

• An applicant became a permanent resident on January 1, 1994.
• She lived in the United States for 3 years and then returned to her native country for 1 year and 3 months.
• She got a re-entry permit before leaving the United States so she could keep her permanent resident status.
• The applicant re-entered the United States with permanent resident status on April 1, 1998.

Question: When is the applicant eligible for naturalization?
Answer: On April 2, 2002, 4 years and 1 day after she returned to the United States. The last 364 days the applicant was out of the United States count toward her time as a permanent resident in “continuous residence,” but the 3 years in the United States before leaving do not.

When counting the total number of days you have been out of the country, include all trips you have taken outside the United States. This includes short trips and trips to Canada and Mexico. For example, if you go to Canada for a weekend, you must include that trip when you are counting how many days you have spent out of the country. Generally, partial days spent in the United States count as whole days spent in the United States. There are a small group of applicants who may count time abroad as time in the United States for the “physical presence” requirement. For example, any time spent in the U.S. Armed Forces counts as time in the United States even if you were stationed overseas. See the table at the beginning of this section for more information.

Time as a Resident in District or State

Most people must live in the district or state in which they are applying for at least 3 months before applying. A district is a geographical area defined by the USCIS and served by one of the USCIS “District Offices.”

Students may apply for naturalization either where they go to school or where their family lives (if they are still financially dependent on their parents).

Effect of Removal Proceedings

If you have been ordered to be removed, you are no longer eligible for naturalization. Your naturalization application also cannot be approved if a removal proceeding is pending against you. These restrictions apply to all naturalization applicants, except for those who are eligible for naturalization based on service in the armed forces.

Important Information for Military Personnel

If you are applying for naturalization based on your own service in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible to apply under special provisions provided for in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Good Moral Character

To be eligible for naturalization you must be a person of good moral character. The USCIS will make a determination on your moral character based upon the laws Congress has passed. The following section describes some of the things the USCIS may consider.

Criminal Record

Committing certain crimes may cause you to be ineligible for naturalization (USCIS calls these “bars” to naturalization). You cannot establish that you are a person of good moral character if you have been convicted of murder or of any other aggravated felony if you were convicted on or after November 29, 1990.

Other offenses may be temporary bars to naturalization. Temporary bars prevent an applicant from qualifying for citizenship for a certain period of time after the offense. The “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400) asks several questions about crimes. You should report all offenses that you have committed, including any that have been expunged (removed from your record) and any that happened before your 18th birthday. If you do not tell the USCIS about these offenses and they find out about them, you may be denied naturalization (even if the original offense was not a crime for which your case would have been denied). If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you must send a certified copy of the arrest report, court disposition, sentencing, and any other relevant documents, including any countervailing evidence concerning the circumstances of your arrest and/or conviction that you would like the USCIS to consider. Note that unless a traffic incident was alcohol or drug related, you do not need to submit documentation for traffic fines and incidents that did not involve an actual arrest if the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 and/or points on your driver’s license.

Please note that if you have committed certain serious crimes, the USCIS may decide to remove you from the United States. If you have questions, you may want to seek advice from an immigrant assistance organization or an immigration attorney before applying.

Lying

If you do not tell the truth during your interview, the USCIS would deny your application for lacking good moral character. If the USCIS grants you naturalization and you are later found to have lied during your interview, your citizenship may be taken away.

Examples of Things That Might Demonstrate a Lack of Good Moral Character

• Any crime against a person with intent to harm.
• Any crime against property or the government that involves “fraud” or evil intent.
• Two or more crimes for which the aggregate sentence was 5 years or more.
• Violating any controlled substance law of the United States, a State, or a foreign country.
• Habitual drunkenness.
• Illegal gambling.
• Prostitution.
• Polygamy (marriage to more than one person at the same time).
• Lying to gain immigration benefits.
• Failing to pay court-ordered child support or alimony payments.
• Confinement in jail, prison, or a similar institution for which the total confinement was 180 days or more during the past 5 years (or 3 years if you are applying based on your marriage to a United States citizen).
• Failing to complete any probation, parole, or suspended sentence before you apply for naturalization.
• Terrorist acts.
• Persecution of anyone because of race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or social group.

English and Civics

According to the law, applicants must demonstrate:

• “an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak …simple words and phrases…in ordinary usage in the English language…”
• “a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States….”

This means that to be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. You must also have a basic knowledge of U.S. History and Government (also known as “civics”).

In addition to the standard questions and answers.

What if I cannot meet the English or civics requirements? 

Certain applicants, because of age or disability, have different English and civics requirements.

Age – There are three important exemptions for testing based on age:

1. If you are over 50 and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you do not have to take the English test. You do have to take the civics test, but you may choose to do so in the language of your choice.
2. If you are over 55 and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 15 years, you do not have to take the English test. You do have to take the civics test, but you may choose to do so in the language of your choice.
3. If you are over 65 and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you do not have to take the English test, but you do have to take a simpler version of the civics test in the language of your choice.

Important

You must meet these requirements for age and time as a permanent resident at the time you file your application to qualify for an exemption.

To qualify for one of these exceptions, your time as a permanent resident does not have to be continuous. You are eligible for the exemption as long as your total time residing in the United States (as a permanent resident) is at least 15 or 20 years. You may not count the time when you were not a permanent resident.

You must meet these requirements for age and time as a permanent resident at the time you file your application to qualify for an exemption. If you qualify for an exemption of English testing based on age and time as a permanent resident, an interpreter who is proficient in English and the language of your choice must accompany you to the interview.

Disability

If you have a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment so severe that it prevents you from acquiring or demonstrating the required knowledge of English and civics, you may be eligible for an exception to these requirements. To request an exception, you must file a “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions” (Form N-648). If you believe you qualify, contact a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist who would need to complete and sign your Form N-648.

To apply for a disability exception, your disability:

• Must be at least 1 year old (or be expected to last 1 year); and
• Must not have been caused by illegal drug use.

If you qualify for this exception, an interpreter, who is proficient in English and the language of your choice, must accompany you to the interview.

If you qualify for a medical exemption from the English and civics requirement, you must still be able to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. If you cannot communicate an understanding of the meaning of the Oath because of a physical or mental disability, the USCIS may excuse you from this requirement.

Disability Accommodations

Under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the USCIS provides accommodations or modifications for applicants with physical or mental impairments that make it difficult for them to complete the naturalization process. In order for the USCIS to have enough advance notice to respond to accommodation requests, applicants are encouraged to state their needs in the place provided on the “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400).

The USCIS will make every effort to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities who need modifications to the naturalization process in order to demonstrate their eligibility. For example, if you use a wheelchair, the USCIS will make sure you can be fingerprinted, interviewed, and sworn in at a location that is wheelchair accessible. If you are hearing impaired, the officer conducting your interview will speak loudly and slowly, or they will work with you to arrange for an American sign language interpreter. If you require an American sign language interpreter at the oath ceremony, please indicate that in your Form N-400 in the section where you are asked if you need a “A Guide to Naturalization” accommodation for a disability. If you use a service animal such as a guide dog, your animal may come with you to your interview and oath ceremony.

The USCIS is continuing to work on better ways to make the naturalization process easier for applicants with disabilities. If you know in advance that you will need some kind of accommodation, write a letter explaining what you need and send it to the USCIS district office that will interview you after you receive your interview notice.

How can I prepare for the tests? 

Many schools and community organizations help people prepare for their citizenship tests. You can find sample civics questions on this website. Study materials are also on this website, including an online U.S. history and government practice test.

Attachment to the Constitution

All applicants for naturalization must be willing to support and defend the United States and the Constitution. You declare your “attachment” to the United States and the Constitution when you take the Oath of Allegiance. In fact, it is not until you take the Oath of Allegiance that you actually become a U.S. citizen.

What does the Oath require? 

When you take the oath, you must promise to do three things:

1. Renounce Foreign Allegiances. As stated in the Oath, you must renounce all foreign allegiances to become a U.S. citizen.
2. Support the Constitution. You must be willing to support and defend the principles of the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the United States.
3. Serve the United States. When required by law, you must be willing to
   1. fight in the U.S. Armed Forces,
   2. perform non-combatant service in the U.S. Armed Forces, and
   3. perform civilian service for the United States.

What if I am against fighting in the military because of my beliefs? 

If, because of your religious teachings and beliefs, you are against fighting or serving in the military, the USCIS may exempt you from these requirements. You would need to send a letter with your application requesting a modified oath and explaining why you are unable to take the Oath as it is written above.

What else will the USCIS consider about my promise to serve the United States? 

In addition to your promise to serve the United States when required, the USCIS also considers the following three things when determining if you are truly willing to serve the United States:

1. Selective Service If you are male, you generally need to register with the Selective Service before applying for naturalization. If you are a male and live in the United States (in any status other than as a lawful nonimmigrant) during the ages of 18 to 25, you must be registered in the Selective Service System. If you are male and entered the United States after you turned 26 years old, you do not have to register with the Selective Service.
   
   If you are required to register, you would need to provide your Selective Service number to the USCIS when you apply. You can get your Selective Service number by calling 1-847-688-6888. For men born prior to 1960, this information can be obtained by writing to the Selective Service Records Division at:
   
   Selective Service System
   National Headquarters
   Arlington, VA 22209-2425
   
   If you have not registered, you must register at a United States post office or on the Internet to receive a Selective Service number. The Selective Service System Internet site can be reached at http://www.sss.gov or through the USCIS Internet site at www.uscis.gov. You must have a Social Security number to register on the Internet.
   
   If you were required to register but did not register before you turned 26, you must do the following:
   • Call 1-847-688-688 and complete the Selective Service System’s Questionnaire Form. Note that registering online may speed up the process;
   • Receive a “status information letter” from the Selective Service; and
   • Send the “status information letter” with your application.
     
2. Alien Discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces –If you ever received an exemption or discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces because you are an alien, you may not be eligible for naturalization.
   
   
3. Desertion from the U.S. Armed Forces –If you were ever convicted of desertion from the U.S. Armed Forces, you are not eligible for naturalization. Desertion means you left military service before you were discharged or given permission and do not intend to return.