United States Citizenship

An application for naturalization is the process by which a foreign-born individual with a Green Card applies to become a U.S. citizen. The process involves submitting Form N-400 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and completing several steps, such as biometrics, an interview, and a civics and English test. Once approved, the applicant participates in a naturalization ceremony where they take the Oath of Allegiance, officially becoming a U.S. citizen.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for naturalization, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old.
• Lawful Permanent Resident Status: Have held a green card for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). You can file as early as 90 days before reaching the required 5 or 3 years.
• Continuous Residence: Have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
• Physical Presence: Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months within the 5 years (or 18 months within the 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). This means that within one year, you must have lived at least six months in the U.S.
• Good Moral Character: Demonstrate good moral character, meaning no serious criminal offenses.
• English and Civics Knowledge: Pass an English language test and a civics test covering U.S. history and government. There may be some exceptions to this requirement.

Citizenship based on marriage

Citizenship based on marriage allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen to apply for naturalization after meeting specific eligibility requirements, which are more lenient than the general requirements.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• Marital Status: You must have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen for the entire 3 years prior to filing the application.
• Spouse’s Citizenship: Your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for the entire 3 years leading up to your application.

These requirements are in addition to the general eligibility criteria, such as age, continuous residence, and good moral character.