{"id":352759,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:46","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-naturalization-overview.html"},"modified":"2026-05-27T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:00:00","slug":"u-s-citizenship-naturalization-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/citizenship\/u-s-citizenship-naturalization-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Requirements for Applying for Citizenship in the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Requirements for Applying for Citizenship in the United States<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Naturalization is the legal process that allows lawful permanent residents<\/span> to become U.S. citizens<\/span> once they meet requirements for age, residency, English proficiency, civics knowledge, and good moral character<\/span>. Meeting these requirements\u2014and getting legal help when needed\u2014brings applicants closer to the rights and protections of U.S. citizenship<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the path to earning U.S. citizenship<\/span> can be overwhelming. But don\u2019t let the process intimidate you. Each step will bring you closer to your goal\u2014becoming a U.S. citizen<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article explains the basic requirements<\/span> for becoming a U.S. citizenship<\/span> throuh naturalization.<\/p>\n

Remember that you are not alone in this journey. You can always seek help from an\u00a0immigration attorney<\/a> in your area. Plus, FindLaw\u2019s Immigration Law hub contains numerous guides and resources<\/a>\u00a0to help you better understand the process.<\/p>\n

Naturalization Basics<\/h2>\n

Congress grants citizenship to a person after they meet the requirements provided in the\u00a0Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).<\/a><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Department of Homeland Security<\/a>\u00a0(DHS) plays a vital role in managing the country’s immigration system. U.S. Citizenship<\/span> and Immigration Services<\/span> (USCIS<\/span>)<\/a>\u00a0(a component of the DHS) administers the process. The functions of the DHS were formerly lodged at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). But on March 1, 2003,\u00a0INS ceased to exist<\/a>. Since then, the DHS and its components have handled immigration and naturalization services.<\/p>\n

The foreign national submits the required documents, attends the naturalization interview<\/span>, and takes an oath of allegiance<\/span> to the United States. The foreign national will gain citizenship in return and receive the same rights and protections as a United States citizen<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Many lawful\u00a0<\/span>permanent residents<\/span><\/a>\u00a0choose to formalize their relationship with the United States each year through naturalization. Their motivation is often rooted in the benefits they could receive as citizens of the United States.<\/p>\n

Each applicant may have different eligibility requirements<\/span> for citizenship. The process can be complicated. At worst, deportation<\/span> could arise if the applicant violates USCIS<\/span> policy and immigration laws. These are all reasons hiring an immigration attorney<\/a> can be a wise choice.<\/p>\n

Bases for Citizenship: Birth, Blood, or Naturalization<\/h2>\n

The U.S. government recognizes\u00a0citizenship according to two fundamental principles<\/a>:\u00a0jus soli\u00a0(right of birthplace) and\u00a0jus sanguinis\u00a0(right of blood). Under\u00a0jus soli, a person receives American citizenship by being born in the United States. The\u00a0Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution<\/span><\/a>\u00a0guarantees the \u201cright of birthplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

By contrast,\u00a0jus sanguinis\u00a0confers citizenship on those born to at least one U.S. citizen<\/span> parent anywhere in the world. A family member<\/span> who doesn\u2019t qualify under either of these principles may seek U.S. citizenship<\/span> through naturalization<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Requirements for Applying for Citizenship in the United States<\/h2>\n

If an individual does not gain U.S. citizenship<\/span> through birth or descent, they may achieve citizenship through naturalization. Naturalization involves acquiring citizenship through specialized legal processes.<\/p>\n

The process often starts by submitting an Application for Naturalization<\/span><\/a> (Form N-400<\/span>). After submission, an applicant will receive a receipt of the filing. The USCIS<\/span> will then schedule you for a biometrics appointment<\/span>. After the applicant completes all the preliminary processes, a naturalization interview<\/span> follows. A USCIS<\/span> officer<\/span> conducts the interview at a USCIS<\/span> office<\/span>.<\/p>\n

A person applying for U.S. citizenship<\/span> must meet the following requirements.<\/p>\n

Entry, Residence, and Physical Presence<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the U.S. Citizen<\/span> applicant must lawfully enter the country and gain lawful permanent residency<\/span> (green card holder<\/span>) status. After\u00a0becoming a legal resident<\/a>, a foreign national must live in the United States continuously for five years (or three years for spouses of U.S. citizens<\/span>). The rules may vary for members of the armed forces<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During that period, they must be physically present in the country for at least fifty percent of the time. This \u201cprobationary\u201d period fully allows the foreign national to acclimate to American life and systems. This will also allow them to take part in the national community as citizens.<\/p>\n

Age<\/h3>\n

A naturalization applicant must be at least 18 years old<\/span>. The parents or adoptive parents can file naturalization applications for children under 18. Most children receive derivative citizenship from their parents and need not meet the five-year residence rule.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)<\/a>\u00a0may also have special provisions for children. DACA provides temporary relief from\u00a0deportation<\/span> for children. However, DACA does not provide a path to lawful permanent residency<\/span>. The DACA temporary relief also needs renewal every two years.<\/p>\n

In 2017, the Trump administration attempted to stop the DACA program and took the matter to court. Then, in June 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the attempt to stop the DACA program was unlawful.<\/p>\n

DACA\u2019s future remains uncertain due to ongoing litigation. Under current orders from the Trump administration, the\u00a0DHS cannot currently grant initial DACA requests<\/a>. For more updates, visit the\u00a0USCIS<\/span> website<\/a>\u00a0or consult an immigration attorney near you.<\/p>\n

Literacy and Education<\/h3>\n

The applicant must be able to understand, speak, read, and write basic English<\/span>. Older applicants may be exempt from taking the English language<\/span> test \u2014 particularly when they have met the continuous <\/span>residency<\/span> requirement<\/span> for their age bracket.<\/p>\n

Applicants must also show knowledge of U.S. history<\/span>, politics, and government, generally called the \u201ccivics test<\/span>.\u201d The U.S. Citizenship<\/span> and Immigration Services<\/span> (USCIS<\/span>) administers the examination.\u00a0U.S. citizen<\/span> applicants<\/a>\u00a0must pass this examination to complete the naturalization process<\/span>. If needed, they may take the exam more than once.<\/p>\n

Moral Character<\/h3>\n

Applicants must show good moral character<\/span><\/a>. They must also show that they sustained this good moral character<\/span> standard throughout their stay in the United States. While this standard is hard to define, courts have found habitual drunkenness, adultery, polygamy, gambling, and\u00a0perjury<\/a>\u00a0inconsistent with good moral character<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Attachment to Constitutional Principles<\/h3>\n

Applicants must show they\u2019re attached to the principles of the U.S. Constitution<\/span>. They must also show that they are well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. This rule ensures that new citizens generally agree with the philosophical foundation of the community.<\/p>\n

Attachment to the Constitution includes a commitment to the\u00a0Bill of Rights<\/a>\u00a0and a belief in representative democracy. Individuals well-disposed to good order and happiness can show they like the U.S. and believe in its political systems.<\/p>\n

Oath of Allegiance<\/span> to the United States<\/h3>\n

The applicant will pledge allegiance to the United States to complete the naturalization process<\/span>. This process may renounce any dual nationality or citizenship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The oath of allegiance<\/span> occurs at the naturalization ceremony<\/span>. The pledge includes an obligation to support the Constitution. It also includes an obligation to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law and the U.S. government.<\/p>\n

After completing the naturalization process<\/span>, a certificate of naturalization<\/span> is given to the applicant. This certificate reaffirms that person\u2019s naturalization status. It should be noted that certain exemptions<\/span> may allow for a waiver<\/a> of some naturalization requirements. But these are decided on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

Now You\u2019re Ready To Apply for Citizenship<\/h2>\n

If you meet all the above criteria, the next step is to actually apply<\/a>. Complete the citizenship application and include a copy of your current green card, any required photos, and any application filing fee<\/span>(s). USCIS<\/span> is often backlogged. Expect to wait several months after applying for citizenship before you are scheduled for your interview and fingerprinting.<\/p>\n

Be aware that they will question your entire immigration history. Every trip out of the U.S. will be closely examined, so be prepared to answer any potential questions and provide any documentation you can to substantiate why you left the country. Do not lie for any reason. If USCIS<\/span> detects any fraud, they will not only deny your citizenship<\/a> request but may also strip you of your green card and deport you.<\/p>\n

Benefits of Citizenship<\/h2>\n

U.S. citizens<\/span><\/a> may enjoy privileges, rights, and benefits unavailable to non-citizen immigrants. Some of these privileges include:<\/p>\n