What are the requirements for U.S. citizenship?

To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include being:

You must also be in one of these categories:

• Lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) of five years
• Married to a U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident for three years
• U.S. military service member (active duty or veteran)
• Child of a U.S. citizen

How to apply for U.S. citizenship

Follow the 10-step naturalization process from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will learn:

• If you are eligible for naturalization
• How to fill out Form N-400 to apply for naturalization
• What to do before taking the oath of citizenship

How long does the naturalization process take?

Once you submit Form N-400, the amount of time it takes to become a naturalized U.S. citizen can depend on your location. You can check your case's estimated processing time by selecting the:

• Form you submitted (Form N-400 if you are applying for naturalization)
• Form category
• Field office or service center that is processing your case

Prepare for your interview and citizenship test

This video shows you what takes place during a naturalization interview and helps you prepare for it.

For most people, one of the requirements during the interview is taking the 2008 U.S. naturalization test. The test has two parts: a civics test (U.S. history and government) and an English test.

Find study resources for the test:

• 100 Civics Questions and Answers for the 2008 Test (with MP3 audio)
• 2008 Civics Practice Test
• Find out about ways to learn English

If you meet certain age or disability qualifications, you may not have to take the civics or English test. Find out who may be exempt from the civics or English sections of the test (see Part B).