For most green card holders, becoming a U.S. citizen means going through naturalization: filing Form N-400, passing an English and civics test, completing an interview, and taking the oath of allegiance. The benefits — voting, a U.S. passport, freedom from removal, the ability to sponsor more family members — are significant. Here's what the process involves.
Most applicants need to have been a green card holder for 5 years (3 if married to a U.S. citizen), be at least 18, have continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S., show good moral character, and demonstrate English and civics knowledge. Each requirement has detailed rules.
Trips of 6+ months can break continuous residence; trips of a year or more usually do. You also need physical presence of at least 30 months out of the past 5 years (18 of 36 for the spouse-of-citizen path). Track your travel dates carefully — the form asks for every trip.
USCIS looks at the past 5 years (or 3 for spouses of citizens), but can look further back for serious issues. DUIs, unpaid taxes, missed child support, lying to the government, and certain criminal convictions can all derail the application — sometimes permanently.
You'll be tested on reading, writing, and speaking English (with limited exceptions for older long-term residents) and answer up to 10 of 100 civics questions, needing 6 right. The officer also reviews your N-400 answers under oath, so the interview is also a credibility check.
Even after applying, you remain a green card holder until the oath ceremony. Keep your card valid, keep filing taxes as a resident, and don't accept long-term work abroad before the oath — any of which can torpedo the application late in the process.
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