United States Citizenship Naturalization Requirements

If you are a permanent resident, you can become a U.S. Citizen through the process called naturalization if you meet the following requirements:

1. You have resided in the United States as a permanent resident continuously for five years. (You can qualify after only three years of permanent residence if you received your green card through marriage to a U.S. Citizen and you have lived together for the last three years.)

2. You have been physically present in the United States for half of the five years (or half of the three, if you are married to a U.S. Citizen).

3. You are a person of good moral character.

4. You have a basic knowledge of U.S. government and history.

5. You are able to read, write, and speak simple English (with exceptions for some older and long-time permanent residents, and for disabled permanent residents). Please check our list of free or low cost ESL and Civics courses to find organizations helping you prepare to meet this requirement.

6. You are at least 18 years of age and legally competent to take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

7. You express your allegiance to the United States.

Warnings and Red Flags to Watch Out For

You should see an immigration attorney or other legal expert if any of the following apply to you:

1. You have ever been arrested.

2. You have ever lied to any immigration officer, consular official, or government official.

3. You married solely to obtain resident status.

4. Since becoming a lawful permanent resident, you have been absent from the United States for long periods of time, especially periods over one year.

5. You have ever failed to file an income tax return for any year since becoming a lawful permanent resident or you currently owe money to the government for overdue taxes.

Feel free to add to this post if you can think of anything I may have missed out.