How to Become a U.S. Citizen

There are three basic routes to U.S. citizenship: being born in the United States, being born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, or naturalization after holding a green card. Naturalization — the path most adult immigrants use — generally requires years as a lawful permanent resident, an application (Form N-400), an interview, an English and civics test, and a final Oath of Allegiance. This article covers all three routes at a high level and points you to detailed guides for each step.

The three ways to become a U.S. citizen

• Citizenship at birth, born in the U.S. Under the 14th Amendment, almost everyone born on U.S. soil (including in most U.S. territories) is automatically a citizen at birth, regardless of the parents' immigration status, with a narrow historical exception for children of foreign diplomats. In June 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed this rule, striking down a 2025 executive order that had sought to deny citizenship to some U.S.-born children; birthright citizenship remains the law. If you have a question about a specific situation, check travel.state.gov or consult an immigration attorney.
• Citizenship at birth, born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent. A child born outside the U.S. may acquire citizenship automatically at birth if at least one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of birth and certain residence conditions are met. Families often need to formally document this with Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) or by applying for a U.S. passport through the State Department. A related situation is a green-card-holding child who acquires citizenship automatically after birth under the Child Citizenship Act, once a U.S. citizen parent, the child's green card, and the child's age (under 18) and residence all line up.
• Naturalization. This is how a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) applies to become a citizen later in life, by filing Form N-400 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is the route covered in the rest of this article.

Who is generally eligible for naturalization

The exact rules depend on your situation, but the standard ("5-year") path generally requires that you:

• Are at least 18 years old when you file Form N-400;
• Have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or at least 3 years if you are still married to and living with the U.S. citizen spouse through whom you got your green card);
• Have maintained continuous residence in the U.S. for that period (trips of six months to a year raise questions; trips of a year or more generally break continuous residence, with limited exceptions);
• Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of that period;
• Have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you're applying;
• Can show "good moral character," generally evaluated over the years leading up to your application and through the Oath of Allegiance;
• Can pass the English and civics test (unless exempt, described below); and
• Are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Separate, sometimes faster rules apply to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces and, in some cases, their spouses. Because eligibility categories change and are fact-specific, verify which one applies to you at uscis.gov/n-400, or by talking to an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.

Who is not eligible: you generally cannot naturalize without a green card first — naturalization is the step after lawful permanent residence, not a substitute for it. Pending removal (deportation) proceedings, some criminal convictions, and past immigration fraud can also affect eligibility or timing. If any of this applies to you, talk to an immigration attorney before filing, since an N-400 filed at the wrong time can create unwanted attention to your case.

What to do: the naturalization steps

1. Confirm you meet the residence and presence requirements for your category (5-year, 3-year spouse, military, etc.).
2. Gather documents — typically your green card, proof of continuous residence and physical presence (travel history), marriage/divorce records if applying through a spouse, and tax records.
3. File Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS, online through a USCIS account or by mail. Some applicants may qualify for a reduced fee or a fee waiver — check the current fee schedule on the N-400 page rather than a number you saw elsewhere, since USCIS fees change periodically.
4. Attend a biometrics appointment if USCIS requires one for your case, so it can run background and security checks.
5. Attend your naturalization interview. A USCIS officer reviews your application, asks about your background and eligibility, and administers the English and civics test at the same appointment (unless you're exempt).
6. Take the English and civics test — reading, writing, and speaking English, plus an oral civics test on U.S. history and government drawn from a published question list. Some older or long-term permanent residents qualify for an exemption from the English portion (but still take a civics test, sometimes in their own language), based on age and years as a permanent resident. Since the test version, question list, and exemption ages can change, confirm the current version at uscis.gov's citizenship study page before your interview.
7. Receive a decision. USCIS may approve, continue (ask for more evidence or a retest), or deny the application. If you fail a portion of the test, you generally get one more chance at a follow-up appointment.
8. Take the Oath of Allegiance. This is the final step — you are not legally a citizen until you take the oath at a naturalization ceremony, sometimes offered the same day as the interview.

Timeline: what to expect

Processing times for Form N-400 vary by USCIS field office and change over time, so do not rely on a number from an old article. Check current, office-specific processing times using the "Check Case Processing Times" tool at uscis.gov. As a general rule, you can typically file your N-400 up to 90 days before you reach your 5-year (or 3-year, for spouses) anniversary as a green card holder, but you must still meet all requirements by your interview and oath.

Beware of notario and immigration-consultant fraud

In many countries a "notario público" is a licensed attorney, but in the U.S. a notary public is not qualified to give immigration advice. Only a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can legally represent you. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees approval, asks you to sign blank forms, tells you to lie on an application, or charges high fees for simple paperwork. Find free or low-cost legitimate help through the Department of Justice's list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives at justice.gov/eoir.

Where to go next

This is an overview — see our companion guides on the N-400 application, the naturalization interview, the English and civics test, citizenship for children, and citizenship through military service.

Key takeaways

• There are three routes to citizenship: birth in the U.S., birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, and naturalization after holding a green card.
• Naturalization generally requires 5 years as a green card holder (3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse), continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, and passing the English and civics test.
• The process runs: file Form N-400, biometrics, interview and test, decision, then the Oath of Allegiance — you are not a citizen until you take the oath.
• Fees, processing times, and test details change; always confirm current specifics at uscis.gov rather than relying on a number from an older source.
• Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can legally give you immigration advice — avoid notarios and unauthorized "consultants."

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to have my green card before I can apply for citizenship?

Generally 5 years as a lawful permanent resident, or 3 years if you are still married to and living with the U.S. citizen spouse through whom you got your green card. Some military-service-based categories have different rules. You can usually file up to 90 days before you reach the required anniversary.

Do I lose my other citizenship if I naturalize?

U.S. law does not require you to give up your other nationality, but the Oath of Allegiance requires renouncing foreign allegiance in the eyes of U.S. law, and your other country's law may or may not permit dual citizenship. Check your country of origin's rules, since this varies.

What happens if I take a long trip abroad while I have a green card?

Trips of six months to a year can raise questions about whether you broke "continuous residence," and trips of a year or more generally break it (with limited exceptions, such as certain work abroad for the U.S. government). Long absences can also jeopardize the green card itself, so plan ahead and consider a reentry permit for an extended trip.

Do I have to take the English test if I'm older or have lived here a long time?

There are age- and residence-based exemptions from the English portion (you'd still take a civics test, potentially in your own language), plus a modified civics test for certain elderly, long-term permanent residents. Exact thresholds are set by USCIS policy, so confirm current rules at uscis.gov before assuming you qualify.

Is a baby born in the U.S. a citizen even if the parents lack legal status?

Yes — under the 14th Amendment, birth in the United States generally confers citizenship regardless of the parents' immigration status, with a narrow historical exception for children of foreign diplomats. In June 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed this rule, striking down a 2025 executive order that had sought to limit it, so it remains in effect; for a specific situation, consult an immigration attorney or check travel.state.gov.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration cases are fact-specific and rules change — verify current forms, fees, and requirements at uscis.gov or justice.gov/eoir, and consult a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative before you file.