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Citizenship and Naturalization
Citizenship / Naturalization
| Full-Service
Includes
Investment: $997 |
File-it-Myself
Includes
Investment: $497 |
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Eligibility Requirements
If you are a green card holder of at least 5 years, you must meet the following requirements in order to apply for naturalization:
- Be 18 or older
- Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing
- Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application
- Have continuous residence in the United States as a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application
- Be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
- Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization up to the time of naturalization
- Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).
- Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law
Naturalization for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
In general, you may qualify for naturalization under Section 319(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) if you
- Have been a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years
- Have been living in marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse during such time
- Meet all other eligibility requirements under this section
In certain cases, spouses of U.S. citizens employed abroad may qualify for naturalization regardless of their time as permanent residents. These spouses may qualify under Section 319(b) of the INA.
General Eligibility Requirements for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
To be eligible for naturalization pursuant to section 319(a) of the INA, an applicant must:
- Be 18 or older
- Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing
- Have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a U.S. citizen during all of such period, during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up until examination on the application
- Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application
- Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
- Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization until the time of naturalization
- Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
- Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (also known as civics)
- Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law
Spouses of U.S. Citizens Employed Abroad
Generally, the spouse of a U.S. citizen who is employed by the U.S. government, including the military, or other qualifying employer, whose spouse is stationed abroad in such employment for at least 1 year, may be eligible for naturalization under Section 319(b) of the INA.
In general, a spouse of a U.S. citizen employed abroad must be present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence at the time of examination on the naturalization application and at the time of naturalization, and meet of all of the requirements listed above except that:
- No specific period as a permanent resident (green card holder) is required (but the spouse must be a permanent resident)
- No specific period of continuous residence or physical presence in the United States is required
- No specific period of marital union is required; however, the spouses must be living in marital union.
Note: You must also establish that you will depart abroad immediately after naturalization and that you intend to reside in the United States immediately upon the termination of your spouse’s employment abroad.
Exceptions & Accommodations
There are exceptions and modifications to the naturalization requirements that are available to those who qualify. USCIS also provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
English Language Exemptions
You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:
- Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
OR - Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).
Note:
- Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions listed above, you must still take the civics test.
- You may be permitted to take the civics test in your native language, but only if your understanding of spoken English is insufficient to conduct a valid examination in English.
- If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.
- Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.
- If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement.
Medical Disability Exceptions to English and Civics
You may be eligible for an exception to the English and civics naturalization requirements if you are unable to comply with these requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment.
Continuous Residence Exceptions
If you are engaged in certain kinds of overseas employment you may be eligible for an exception to the continuous residence requirement.
Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements for Naturalization
Continuous Residence
Applicants are required to show that they have:
- Resided continuously in the U.S. for five years before applying, or
- Resided continuously in the U.S. for three years in the case of qualified spouses of U.S. citizens,
“Continuous residence” means that the applicant has maintained residence within the United States for the required period of time shown above.
Extended absences outside of the U.S. may disrupt an applicant’s continuous residence.
- Absences of more than six months but less than one year may disrupt an applicant’s continuous residence unless the applicant can prove otherwise,
- Absences in excess of one year or more may disrupt an applicant’s continuous residence,
Physical Presence
Applicants are required to show that they were:
- Physically present in the U.S. for thirty months within the five year period before applying, or
- Physically present in the U.S. for eighteen months within the three year period before applying in the case of qualified spouses of U.S. citizens
In addition, applicants are required to show they have resided for at least three months immediately preceding the filing in the USCIS district or state where the applicant claims to have residency.