U.S. Naturalization (N-400): Citizenship Application
Complete guide to applying for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, covering N-400 form preparation, eligibility requirements, the civics and English tests, biometrics, interview, and oath ceremony.
Confirm at least 5 years as a lawful permanent resident (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
The 5-year clock starts from the date your green card was issued, shown on the front of your permanent resident card. Conditional residents (2-year green card holders) must remove conditions before applying for naturalization.
Verify continuous residence — no single trip outside the U.S. exceeding 6 months
Trips of 6-12 months create a presumption of broken continuous residence that you must rebut with evidence (tax returns, lease, employment). Trips over 12 months automatically break continuous residence and reset the clock.
Confirm physical presence in the U.S. for at least 30 months of the past 5 years
Physical presence is calculated by adding all days spent inside the U.S. Keep a travel log with exact departure and return dates. USCIS officers cross-reference your passport stamps during the interview.
Verify you are at least 18 years old at the time of filing
Children under 18 may automatically acquire citizenship through their U.S. citizen parents under the Child Citizenship Act (INA Section 320). This does not require filing N-400.
Confirm good moral character for the statutory period
Certain criminal offenses, including aggravated felonies, drug trafficking, and fraud, permanently bar naturalization. DUI convictions, unpaid taxes, and failure to register for Selective Service (men 18-25) can also affect good moral character determinations.
N-400 Application Preparation
Complete Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
The N-400 is 20 pages and can be filed online at myaccount.uscis.gov or by mail. Online filing allows you to upload documents and track status in real time. About 70% of applicants now file online.
Part 1-6: Biographical information and immigration history
Part 7-11: Time outside U.S., employment, and marital history
Part 12: Good moral character questions (answer truthfully)
Gather supporting documents including green card, passport, tax returns, and travel records
Required documents: copy of green card (front and back), 2 passport-style photos, 5 years of federal tax returns, and a complete travel history. If your name has changed, include the legal name change document (marriage certificate or court order).
Copy of permanent resident card (both sides)
Passport pages showing all entry/exit stamps
Federal tax returns for the past 5 years
Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)
Pay the $710 filing fee (online or by check/money order)
The $710 includes $640 for the application and $85 for biometrics. Applicants 75 and older are exempt from the biometrics fee ($640 total). Fee waivers (Form I-912) are available for income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line.
Biometrics Appointment
Receive biometrics appointment notice (Form I-797C) by mail
Biometrics appointments are typically scheduled 2-4 weeks after USCIS receives your application. The notice specifies the exact date, time, and USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) location.
Attend the biometrics appointment with required identification
Bring the appointment notice, your green card, and a valid photo ID (passport or driver's license). The appointment takes about 20 minutes — fingerprints, photograph, and digital signature are captured.
If unable to attend, request a reschedule before the appointment date
Contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or submit a rescheduling request through your myUSCIS account. Missing biometrics without rescheduling can result in application denial. You may also try walking in at a different ASC.
Civics and English Test Preparation
Study the 100 civics questions from the USCIS study materials
The officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions — you must answer 6 correctly to pass. Questions cover American government, history, and geography. Free study materials and practice tests are available on uscis.gov/citizenship.
Study American government (57 questions on Congress, President, judiciary)
Study American history (31 questions on colonial period through modern era)
Study geography and symbols (12 questions on states, capitals, landmarks)
Prepare for the English test: reading, writing, and speaking components
You must read 1 of 3 sentences correctly (reading), write 1 of 3 sentences correctly (writing), and demonstrate spoken English during the interview. Vocabulary is drawn from a published list of about 100 reading and 100 writing words.
Check if you qualify for testing accommodations or exemptions
Applicants 50+ with 20+ years as LPR, or 55+ with 15+ years as LPR, can take the civics test in their native language. Applicants 65+ with 20+ years as LPR get a reduced set of 20 civics questions. Disability accommodations are available via Form N-648.
Naturalization Interview
Receive interview notice and confirm the date, time, and USCIS office location
Interview notices are sent 3-6 weeks before the scheduled date. Interviews are conducted at your local USCIS field office. If you need to reschedule, submit a written request before the interview date — rescheduling delays your case by 2-4 months.
Bring all original documents listed on the interview notice
Typically required: green card, passport, state ID, interview notice, and any documents submitted with your application. Bring originals of tax returns, marriage/divorce certificates, and Selective Service registration if applicable.
Complete the English and civics tests administered during the interview
The entire interview lasts 20-40 minutes. The officer reviews your N-400, asks the civics questions, and evaluates your English. If you fail the English or civics test, you get one retake opportunity within 60-90 days.
Receive the interview result: approved, continued, or denied
Most applicants receive a decision at the interview. 'Continued' means USCIS needs additional evidence or you failed a test component. If denied, you can file Form N-336 (Request for Hearing) within 30 days — the $710 fee applies.
Oath Ceremony and After
Receive the oath ceremony notice (Form N-445) and complete the questionnaire
The oath ceremony may be scheduled the same day as your interview or within 2-6 weeks. Form N-445 asks about any changes since your interview (arrests, travel, address changes). Answer all questions honestly.
Attend the oath ceremony, take the Oath of Allegiance, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization
You will surrender your green card at the ceremony and receive the Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550). This certificate is your proof of citizenship — store it in a safe place. Replacement certificates cost $555 (Form N-565).
Apply for a U.S. passport within 2 weeks of the oath ceremony
Apply at a passport acceptance facility (post office or county clerk) using Form DS-11. Bring your naturalization certificate, a photo ID, a passport photo, and $130 for a passport book. Expedited processing ($60 extra) takes 4-6 weeks versus 8-11 weeks standard.
Update your Social Security record to reflect U.S. citizenship
Visit your local Social Security office with your naturalization certificate and current Social Security card. The update is free and takes 2-4 weeks. An updated record is needed for employment verification and federal benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the naturalization process take?
From filing Form N-400 to the oath ceremony, the process typically takes 8-14 months. USCIS processing times vary by field office, with some offices completing cases in 6 months and others taking 18+ months. After filing, you attend a biometrics appointment (2-4 weeks after filing), then an interview (4-10 months after filing), and finally an oath ceremony (1-6 weeks after interview approval). Check USCIS processing times for your specific field office at egov.uscis.gov.
How much does it cost to become a US citizen?
The filing fee for Form N-400 is $710, which includes the biometrics fee. Applicants aged 75 and older pay $640 (no biometrics required). Fee waivers are available for applicants with household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines by filing Form I-912. Fee reductions to $405 are available for those with household incomes between 150-200% of the poverty guidelines. Attorney fees for naturalization assistance typically range from $800-2,500 if you choose to hire one.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
If you fail either the English test or the civics test during your initial interview, you are given one additional opportunity to retake only the portion you failed. The retake must occur within 60-90 days of your initial interview. If you fail the second attempt, your N-400 application is denied. You can then refile a new N-400 application (with a new filing fee) and start the process again. Free citizenship test preparation classes are offered by many libraries, community colleges, and immigrant service organizations.
Can I keep my original citizenship when becoming a US citizen?
US law does not require you to renounce your original citizenship when naturalizing, but your home country's laws determine whether you can hold dual citizenship. Countries like the UK, Canada, France, and Mexico allow dual citizenship. Countries like India, China, Japan, and Singapore require you to renounce your original citizenship. The US oath of allegiance includes a statement of renouncing foreign allegiances, but US law does not enforce actual renunciation of the other nationality. Research your home country's specific dual citizenship laws before applying.
What are the English and civics test requirements?
The English test has three components: reading (read 1-3 sentences correctly), writing (write 1-3 sentences correctly), and speaking (evaluated during the interview). The civics test consists of 10 questions selected from a pool of 100 about US history and government; you must answer 6 correctly. Applicants aged 65+ with 20+ years of permanent residence can take a simplified civics test (20-question pool, answer 6 of 10) and may take it in their native language. Study materials are free on uscis.gov.