Becoming a U.S. Citizen

You must be 18-years of age or older

3-year exception: You may be eligible to apply for naturalization after 3 years if you have been a legal permanent resident for 3 years and have been living in a marital union with a U.S. citizen during that time. You must meet all other eligibility requirements. Legal permanent resident may file their N-400 application 90 days before completing the 3- or 5-year residency requirement. 

Military Service: If you are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special rules for military service.  

Continuous residence: a legal permanent resident must maintain continuous residence in the U.S. in the 5-year period (or 3 years, if applying based on the 3-year exception described above) before applying for naturalization. This involves maintaining a permanent dwelling place in the U.S. and making the U.S. your primary place of residence. 

If you travel outside the U.S. for 180 days or longer in a single trip, USCIS will presume that you have broken your continuous residence (those traveling abroad for over 1 year automatically break continuous residence). In certain circumstances, applicants may be able to demonstrate to USCIS that they did not break continuous presence despite traveling abroad for over 6 months but less than a year. The Office of Immigrant Affairs encourages persons in this situation to speak to an attorney or accredited representative. Lengthy or frequent absences from the U.S. (even if less than 180 days) can result in a denial of naturalization due to abandonment of permanent residence. 

Physical presence: a legal permanent resident must be physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the 5 year period (or 3 years, if they apply based on the 3 year exception). This is separate from the continuous residence requirement. A legal permanent resident must meet both requirements. 

Exemptions and exceptions to the continuous residence and physical presence requirements exist for certain members of the military, government employees or contractors, and other limited circumstances involving work abroad. 

Applicants must file their N-400 application with the USCIS “service district” for their place of residence and they must have resided in that district for at least 90 days prior to filing. For example, a legal permanent resident who meets all other eligibility requirements but moved from New York to Los Angeles 45 days ago must wait another 45 days before filing their N-400 application here in the Los Angeles service district.

Most people applying for naturalization must pass tests on U.S. history and civics, and basic English. These tests are given during the naturalization interview. 

The civics test checks your knowledge of U.S. history and government. The English test checks your ability to speak, read, and write basic English.  

Some people are exempt from the English requirement. Some people may also qualify for an exception to the English and/or civics requirements because of a disability. 

The civics test is completed verbally during your naturalization interview. A USCIS officer will ask you questions about U.S. history and government. 

You will study from a list of 128 questions. The USCIS officer will ask you up to 20 questions, and you must answer at least 12 questions correctly to pass.  

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you may qualify for special consideration. You only need to study 20 designated civics questions. People who qualify for the 65/20 special consideration may take the civics test in the language of their choice. They may also have an interpreter for the naturalization interview. USCIS provides free study materials for the civics test, including the 128 questions and answers for the 2025 test. 

English Language Requirement: 

Most naturalization applicants must show that they can speak, read, and write basic English. The English test is separate from the civics test. 

The speaking portion of the English test is part of your naturalization interview. The reading test requires you to read aloud one out of three sentences correctly. The writing test requires you to write one out of three sentences correctly. 

Some applicants are exempt from the English language requirement based on their age and how long they have been lawful permanent residents: 

• 50/20 exception: You are age 50 or older when you file your N-400 and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years. 

• 55/15 exception: You are age 55 or older when you file your N-400 and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years. 

If you qualify for one of these exceptions, you may take the naturalization interview and civics test in your language. You must still take the civics test unless you qualify for a separate exception. If you qualify for the 50/20 or 55/15 exception, you should bring an interpreter who is fluent in English and your language to the interview. 

The 50/20 and 55/15 exceptions apply to the English language requirement only. They do not automatically exempt you from the civics test. 

Disability Exception 

Some people may qualify for an exception to the English requirement, the civics requirement, or both because of a disability or mental impairment. To qualify, the disability or impairment must prevent the person from learning or demonstrating the required English or civics knowledge. The condition generally must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year. 

A medical professional must complete Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, to explain how the disability or impairment prevents the applicant from meeting the English and/or civics requirements. The N-648 should generally be submitted with the N-400.  

A disability does not automatically qualify a person for an exception. The medical professional must explain how the person’s specific condition affects their ability to learn or demonstrate the required knowledge. USCIS reviews the information provided on the N-648 when deciding whether to approve the exception. 

Illiteracy or advanced age alone does not qualify someone for a disability exception. 

A disability exception is different from a disability accommodation. An accommodation changes how a person takes the test or participates in the interview but does not remove the English or civics requirement. For example, USCIS may provide reasonable accommodations such as a sign-language interpreter, additional testing time, or an accessible testing location. 

For legal assistance, visit: Find Legal Help & Citizenship Classes. 

Naturalization applicants must be willing to take an Oath of Allegiance and show that they are attached to the principles of the Constitution of the U.S. 

Most men who reside in the U.S. between ages 18 – 26 are required to register for the Selective Service. Permanent residents who failed to register may be denied naturalization up to age 31, unless they demonstrate that they did not knowingly or willfully fail to register. People in this situation are encouraged to seek advice from an attorney or accredited representative. People who have been affiliated with a communist or totalitarian party should also seek legal advice before applying. 

Most people applying for naturalization must show that they have been and continue to be a person of good moral character during the required period before applying—generally the five years before filing the N-400 and through the time they become a U.S. citizen. For some people who are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, this period is three years. USCIS may also consider conduct that happened before this period in some circumstances. 

Important: If you have a criminal history, unresolved tax issues, unpaid child support, or may have made a false claim to U.S. citizenship, get individualized legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before applying. 

Most men who reside in the U.S. between ages 18 – 26 are required to register for the Selective Service. Permanent residents who failed to register may be denied naturalization up to age 31, unless they demonstrate that they did not knowingly or willfully fail to register. People in this situation are encouraged to seek advice from an attorney or accredited representative. People who have been affiliated with a communist or totalitarian party should also seek legal advice before applying. 

How USCIS Evaluates Good Moral Character 

In August 2025, USCIS issued new guidance about how it evaluates good moral character. The guidance tells USCIS officers to look at the whole picture when deciding whether an applicant has good moral character. 

This means USCIS may consider both negative and positive information about an applicant. For example, an officer may consider criminal history, failure to support children, tax problems, or false statements to the government. The officer may also consider evidence of rehabilitation, following the law, meeting financial and family responsibilities, community involvement, and other positive conduct. 

The 2025 guidance did not change the basic legal requirement to show good moral character. Instead, it changed how USCIS officers are instructed to evaluate that requirement. An issue that does not automatically prevent someone from becoming a citizen may still be considered as part of the officer’s overall review and can result in a denial of the application. 

Because USCIS now looks at the whole picture, people with potential good moral character concerns should consider getting legal advice before applying. 

Criminal History 

If you have ever been arrested, cited, detained, charged with a crime, or convicted of a crime, you are strongly encouraged to seek legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before applying for naturalization. 

The N-400 asks applicants to provide information about all encounters with law enforcement, including citations, arrests, charges and conviction, anywhere in the world. USCIS also collects fingerprints and conducts background and security checks. USCIS may compare information from these checks with the information provided in your application. USCIS background checks include law enforcement agency databases across the country and many foreign criminal record databases. 

Having an arrest or conviction does not automatically mean that you cannot become a U.S. citizen. Many people with criminal histories are still eligible for naturalization. However, some criminal conduct can prevent a person from meeting the good moral character requirement. Certain criminal convictions can also have other serious immigration consequences, including, in some circumstances, placing a lawful permanent resident at risk of removal. 

An arrest that did not result in a conviction, or a conviction that was dismissed or expunged, may still need to be disclosed on the N-400. Do not assume that a criminal record no longer matters because it was dismissed, expunged, sealed, or happened many years ago. 

USCIS may also consider whether you provided truthful information in earlier immigration applications or proceedings. For example, undisclosed criminal conduct or false information that affected your ability to obtain lawful permanent resident status can raise serious concerns during the naturalization process. 

Because the immigration consequences of criminal history can be complicated, it is important to get individualized legal advice before filing an N-400 if you have any criminal history. 

Child Support and Support of Children 

The N-400 asks applicants to provide information about their children. USCIS may consider whether you have supported your children, including children who live outside the United States. You may have a responsibility to support a child even if there is no court order requiring you to pay child support. 

Failing to support a child does not automatically prevent you from becoming a U.S. citizen. USCIS may consider the circumstances, including whether you were unable to provide support and whether you made reasonable efforts to meet your responsibilities. 

If you have not consistently supported a child, have unpaid child support, or do not have records showing that you provided support, consider getting legal advice before filing an N-400. 

Income Taxes 

Applicants may have problems with naturalization if they were required to file tax returns but did not do so, or if they owe unpaid taxes. Having tax debt does not automatically prevent someone from becoming a U.S. citizen, but it can raise questions about good moral character and whether the applicant has met their legal responsibilities. 

If you owe taxes, did not file tax returns when you were required to do so, or have questions about your tax history, consider speaking with an immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before filing your N-400. You may also need advice from a qualified tax professional. 

False Claims to U.S. Citizenship 

A false claim to U.S. citizenship can have very serious immigration consequences. Depending on the circumstances, a person who falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen may be denied naturalization and may also face removal proceedings. 

A false claim can happen in different situations. For example, it may involve registering to vote or voting in an election when U.S. citizenship is required. It may also involve stating that you are a U.S. citizen on a government form or application when citizenship is required for the benefit or purpose involved. 

The rules about false claims to U.S. citizenship are complicated. Whether a particular statement or action is considered a false claim depends on the circumstances. Some people may have made a claim because they misunderstood a question or made a mistake. Even so, the immigration consequences can be serious. 

If you believe you may have made a false claim to U.S. citizenship—even if it was accidental or happened many years ago—seek legal advice from a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before submitting an N-400.

Not everyone needs a lawyer or accredited representative. Many applicants complete the process on their own. USCIS provides information about citizenship application process, including instructions for completing the form and a checklist of evidence to include.  

Getting legal advice before submitting an N-400 is very important for people who have concerns about their eligibility. This includes people who have any of the following: 

• Any arrests, convictions, or pending criminal charges  

• Long trips outside the U.S.  

• Unpaid federal taxes  

• Misrepresentations on prior immigration applications or questions about how permanent residence was obtained 

• Prior deportations and/or removal proceedings  

• Males who did not register for Selective Service and lived in the U.S. between the ages of 18-26 .  

Getting legal advice can also help avoid delays in the application process and loss of filing fees – USCIS does not refund filing fees when it denies an application. After a legal consultation, you may determine that you can complete the rest of the process without representation. 

If you have questions about your eligibility, or you are unsure how to answer any question on the N-400, it is important that you get advice only from an attorney or accredited representative.  

• See our “Immigration Services Fraud” page for more information about getting the right legal help.  
• For legal assistance, visit: Find Legal Help, Citizenship Classes & Trusted Resources. 

USCIS will send a receipt confirming that your application is being processed. This notice will provide a receipt number that you can use to track the status of your case. If you submitted a fee waiver, you should receive a decision within a few weeks. If USCIS determines that you do not qualify for the fee waiver or your evidence was insufficient, it will return your application. You may either resubmit the fee waiver with additional information or re-file with a fee. After USCIS accepts a fee waiver, it issues a receipt confirmation with a case receipt number. After getting your receipt notice, you will receive a notice scheduling your biometrics appointment.  

At your biometrics appointment, USCIS will take your photograph and collect your fingerprints and a signature. You will be asked to sign a verification that you provided or authorized the information on your N-400 application, and that all the information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing. If you have concerns about the information on your N-400 application, speak with an attorney or accredited representative in advance. However, you do not need to bring an attorney. You will not be interviewed about your naturalization application, and attorneys generally do not accompany their clients to biometrics appointments.

Be sure to study in advance – you may receive an appointment notice only a week or two before your interview date. USCIS provides a number of online study resources. Many applicants prepare by taking citizenship classes. See Find Legal Help, Citizenship Classes & Trusted Resources for citizenship education resources in Los Angeles County. 

Some individuals are exempt from the English requirement, and some may be eligible for a disability waiver of the English and/or history & civics requirements. See our “Eligibility Requirements” section for more information. Applicants who are exempt from the English requirement must provide their own interpreter for the naturalization interview. The USCIS officer may speak Spanish.  In that case, an interpreter will not be required, but the applicant will not know this in advance. 

USCIS will reschedule you within 90 days to retake any part(s) of the test that you failed. If you fail on your second attempt, your application will be denied. 

No. You may reapply for naturalization at any time. However, you may wish to spend more time studying before re-submitting another application. Some people who fail the English test may choose to enroll in an English as a Second Language course before reapplying.

You should receive a decision within 120 days of your interview that explains the reason(s) for the denial. You may request “administrative review” of your denied application by filing form N-336. This form generally must be filed within 30 days of the denial of your N-400. However, the N-336 also requires a filing fee or fee waiver. Filing an administrative appeal will not necessarily result in a different outcome. In some instances, it is preferable to refile the N-400 application (possibly after waiting a period of time) or not refile at all. If your N-400 application is denied, we strongly encourage you to seek legal advice from an attorney or accredited representative to help you understand your options and decide how to proceed. 

You will be scheduled for an oath ceremony. In some instances, officers may approve an N-400 and schedule the applicant for an oath ceremony the same day or shortly after the interview. USCIS may also mail you a notice or update your online account with the date, time, and location of an oath ceremony. Wait times typically range from a few weeks to a few months. It is important to remember that you do not become a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance and complete the oath ceremony. 

In rare cases, the federal government can seek to revoke the citizenship of a naturalized U.S. citizen. This is called denaturalization and generally involves situations where the government claims that a person was not legally eligible for naturalization or obtained citizenship through fraud, a false statement, or by hiding important information. For example, the government may seek denaturalization if a person concealed a crime or provided false information during the immigration or naturalization process. 

Denaturalization cases have received significant attention in the news in recent years. The federal government has increased its efforts to pursue these cases, but denaturalization remains rare and does not mean that the government can simply take away a person’s citizenship because of something they do after becoming a citizen. Denaturalization requires a legal proceeding and a finding that the person’s citizenship was unlawfully obtained. 

If you have questions about your immigration history, criminal record, or information you provided in a previous application, consider speaking with a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before applying for naturalization. 

Losing your certificate does not mean you have lost your U.S. citizenship. If your Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can apply to USCIS for a replacement using Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. If you need a replacement, check the current USCIS instructions and filing fee before submitting Form N-565. If you need a referral to a legal service provider for assistance, contact OIA at 800-593-8222.