Citizenship through naturalization

Eligibility

To be eligible for naturalization in the United States, you must meet certain requirements.

• First, you must be at least 18 years of age.
• You'll also need to have been admitted lawfully into the U.S. as a permanent resident.
• You're required to have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least five years, staying in one state or district for at least three months.
• Additionally, you must show that you've been "of good moral character" for the required period.

Several actions can exclude you from good moral character, such as committing certain crimes, smuggling, habitual drunkenness, polygamy, and more.

To apply for naturalization, you'll need to be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in English as well as show knowledge of the basics of the history and government of the U.S. Some people are exempt from the language and history requirements, and eligible for exclusions and waivers.

You'll be asked to take an oath of allegiance, where you promise to support the Constitution and obey the laws of the U.S., renounce any foreign allegiance or title, and be ready to bear arms for the armed forces of the U.S. if it's required.

How does one obtain citizenship?

There are many ways to obtain citizenship in the United States. Citizenship is automatically granted if the individual was born in the U.S. or its possessions, or if the individual was born outside the United States to citizen parents. Most individuals seeking citizenship are interested in naturalization.

The basic requirement of naturalization is that the applicant must have been a continuous lawful permanent resident of the United States for five or more years, or have been married to a U.S. citizen for more than three years and be currently married to that spouse.

An absence from the U.S. for one year or more without advance approval from USCIS breaks the continuity of five years.

Can I avoid taking the exam in English?

Persons who are over 55 years old with permanent residence for more than 15 years can take the exam in their own language. Those over fifty years of age who have been a resident for more than 20 years also qualify for this.

What about my children?

Often individuals who are naturalized can provide derivative citizenship to their minor children.

The application procedure

There are three basic steps in the application procedure:

1. Submit a complete and accurate application form with all the necessary attachments and requirements.
2. Prepare for a multiple-choice exam about U.S. history and the English language.
3. Prepare for your citizenship interview with an officer of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and finally, wait for approval from USCIS and attend your naturalization ceremony.