How to Obtain U.S. Citizenship: Updated Requirements and Procedures

Obtaining U.S. citizenship is an important goal for many immigrants in the United States, as it grants access to a number of rights and benefits, such as the right to vote, the ability to apply for certain federal jobs, and protection from deportation. However, the naturalization process has several steps and requirements that must be met. In this guide, we explain the main requirements, the procedure, and the useful resources that will help you on your path to citizenship.

1. U.S. Citizenship Requirements
   To apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, you must meet several fundamental requirements. Below, we explain them in detail:

Lawful Permanent Residency (Green Card)
You must have been a lawful permanent resident (have a Green Card) for a minimum period of 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. If you are married to a U.S. citizen, this period can be reduced to 3 years.

Exception for members of the military: If you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible for naturalization without meeting these time requirements.
Continuous Residence and Physical Presence
Continuous residence: You must have lived continuously in the U.S. for the past 5 years (or 3 years if you’re married to a U.S. citizen).
Physical presence: During those 5 years, you must have been basically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months (or 18 months if you are married to a citizen).
English Proficiency and Civic Knowledge
You must demonstrate that you can read, write, and speak basic English and that you have a fundamental understanding of U.S. history and government. This is assessed in a naturalization interview that includes a civics test.

Exceptions: If you are over 50 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, or if you are over 55 years old and have been a resident for 15 years, you may be able to take the test in your native language.
Reference: USCIS – Naturalization Requirements

Good Moral Character
You must prove that you have good moral character during the required period of residence. This means that you cannot have committed serious crimes or been involved in criminal activity. Misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, may not affect your application, but other illegal or fraudulent acts can.

Oath of Allegiance
To become a citizen, you must commit to the U.S. Constitution and renounce allegiances to other countries, except in special circumstances.

2. Steps to Apply for U.S. Citizenship
   Step 1: Complete and Submit Form N-400
   Form N-400 is the official application for naturalization. You can file online or by mail. Be sure to gather all the necessary documents, such as your Green Card, travel history (if you have left the country), and marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable).

Fees: The cost of filing Form N-400 is $725 (this includes $640 for application processing and $85 for fingerprinting). If you have a low income, you may qualify for a fee reduction or a full waiver.
Reference: Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization

Step 2: Biometrics appointment
After submitting your application, you will receive an appointment for fingerprinting (biometrics). These fingerprints will be used to check your criminal record and review your immigration history.

Step 3: Naturalization Interview and Test
At the naturalization interview, an immigration officer will review your application and ask you questions about your history, your stay in the country, and your loyalty to the United States. During this appointment, you will also take the English test and the civics test.

The civics test consists of 10 questions about U.S. government, history, and rights, of which you must answer at least 6 correctly.
If you don’t pass the exam the first time, you’ll get a second chance a few months later.
Reference: USCIS – Study Material for the Citizenship Test

Step 4: Oath of Allegiance Ceremony
If you pass the interview and test, you will be scheduled to attend a Naturalization Ceremony, where you will need to take the Oath of Allegiance. This is the last step to becoming a U.S. citizen. Once you take the oath, you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

Reference: Oath of Allegiance Ceremony – USCIS

3. Exceptions and Special Considerations
   Exceptions for Age and Length of Residence
   As we mentioned before, if you’re over 50 and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, or if you’re over 55 and have been a resident for at least 15 years, you may be able to take the civics test in your own language. This is particularly useful if you have difficulty with English.

Medical Disabilities
If you have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from meeting language requirements or taking the civics test, you can apply for an exemption by filing Form N-648, completed by a licensed physician attesting to your situation.

Reference: Form N-648 – Medical Certification

4. Application Processing Time
   The time it takes to process a naturalization application varies depending on the USCIS office and the number of applications they receive. Currently, average wait times are 12 to 18 months. You can check the status of your application and check your local office’s processing times on the USCIS website.

Reference: USCIS – Application Processing Time

Conclusion
Obtaining U.S. citizenship is a process that takes time, effort, and preparation. It is important to comply with the legal requirements and follow the steps carefully. If you have questions or need assistance, do not hesitate to contact us, we are Immigration Pro, a team of professionals led by Steven Balson-Cohen, the most recognized immigration attorney in New York, with representation in all courts in the United States.

Remember that becoming a U.S. citizen offers you not only additional legal protection, but also the opportunity to fully participate in the civic life of the country. The effort is worth it!

This blog is designed to offer clear and up-to-date information on how to obtain U.S. citizenship, providing helpful resources and links to ensure that applicants have the best possible support during the naturalization process, Don’t think twice and take the first step, contact us and start this path to a better quality of life in the country of opportunity.