Written by NotALawyer Legal AI · Reviewed by External Legal AI · Published May 12, 2026 · Last reviewed June 26, 2026
Most green card holders become U.S. citizens through naturalization: file Form N-400, pass an English and civics test, sit for an interview, and take the oath. Citizenship brings the right to vote, a U.S. passport, protection from deportation, and the ability to sponsor more family members. Here's how the process works.
Most applicants must have held a green card for 5 years (3 if married to a U.S. citizen), be at least 18, meet continuous-residence and physical-presence rules, show good moral character, and know basic English and civics. Each requirement has detailed rules worth reading closely.
Trips of 6+ months can break continuous residence; a year or more usually does. You also need 30 months of physical presence in the last 5 years (18 of 36 on the spouse path). Log every trip date — the form asks for all of them.
USCIS reviews the past 5 years (3 for spouses of citizens) and can look further back for serious issues. DUIs, unpaid taxes, missed child support, lying to the government, and certain convictions can all derail an application — sometimes permanently.
You'll be tested on reading, writing, and speaking English (limited exceptions for older long-term residents) and answer up to 20 of 128 civics questions, needing 12 right. The officer also reviews your N-400 answers under oath, making the interview a credibility check too.
You stay a green card holder until the oath ceremony. Keep your card valid, keep filing taxes as a resident, and don't take long-term work abroad before the oath — any of these can sink the application late.
More on this topic: the Immigration hub
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