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Process and requirements for acquiring US citizenship (Naturalisation)

Are you working in US for a while and thinking of settling down in US, you can apply for Green card? Let us understand the eligibility and application process for the same.  

Eligibility Criteria 

You can apply for citizenship if you’ve living in US as a lawful permanent resident (have a “Green Card”) for 5 years or more.  

Additional requirements 

To be eligible for naturalization based on being a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, you must: 

  • Be at least 18 years old when you submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; 
  • Show you have been a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least five years; 
  • Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before the date you file Form N-400; 
  • Show you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years immediately before the date you file Form N-400; 
  • Show you have lived for at least three months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your place of residence. (If you are a student and are financially dependent on your parents, you may apply for naturalization where you go to school or where your family lives.); 
  • Show that you are a person of good moral character and have been a person of good moral character for at least five years immediately before the date you file Form N-400; 
  • Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution; 
  • Be able to read, write and speak basic English; 
  • Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States, (civics); and 
  • Take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. 

When to apply 

You may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your continuous residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a Permanent resident for at least 5 years. 

How much does it cost 

It costs $710 for online and $760 for paper-based application. 

How to Apply for Naturalization

You generally have 2 options for filing your Form N-400 with USCIS:

  • Online; or
  • By mail (paper)

Filing Your Form N-400 Online

You must create a USCIS online account to file your Form N-400 online. Having an online account will also allow you to:

  • Pay your filing fee online;
  • Check the status of your case;
  • Receive notifications and case updates;
  • View personalized case completion date estimates;
  • Respond to requests for evidence; and
  • Manage your contact information, including updating your address.

Filing Your Form N-400 by Mail 

If you submit Form N-400 on paper, USCIS will mail you a USCIS Account Acceptance Notice with instructions on how to create an online account to track and manage your case. Your application will be processed irrespective of whether you create an online account.

Biometric

If you need to take biometrics, USCIS will send you an appointment notice that includes your biometrics appointment date, time, and location. Arrive at the designated location at the scheduled time.

Interview

Once all the preliminary processes on your case are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the naturalization process. You must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on your appointment notice. Please bring the appointment notice with you.

During the interview, you would need to pass following 2 tests:

English Test

For the English portion of the naturalization test you must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English.

  • Your ability to speak and understand English will be determined by a USCIS officer during your eligibility interview.
  • For the reading test, you must read out loud 1 of 3 sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English.
  • For the writing test, you must write 1 out of 3 sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English.

Naturalization Civics Test Overview

You must also demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and of the principles and form of government in the U.S. (also known as civics). Depending on when you filed your naturalization application, you will either take the 2008 (before 20th Oct 2025) or the 2025 (on or after 20th Oct 2025) naturalization civics test.

Decision from USCIS

USCIS will mail a notice of decision to you. If you filed your N-400 online, you can also access the electronic notice in your account.

  • Granted - USCIS may approve your Form N-400 if the evidence in your record establishes that you are eligible for naturalization.
  • Continued - USCIS may continue your application if you need to provide additional evidence/documentation, fail to provide USCIS the correct documents, or fail the English and/or civics test the first time.
  • Denied - USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if the evidence in your record establishes you are not eligible for naturalization.

If USCIS approved your Form N-400 in step 7, you may be able to participate in a naturalization ceremony on the same day as your interview. If a same day naturalization ceremony is unavailable, USCIS will mail you a notification with the date, time, and location of your scheduled ceremony. If you filed your N-400 online, you can also access the electronic notice in your application.

Naturalization Oath Ceremony

  • Complete the questionnaire on Form N-445, 
  • Report for your naturalization ceremony and check in with USCIS. A USCIS officer will review your responses to Form N-445.
  • Turn in your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
  • Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.
  • Receive your Certificate of Naturalization, review it, and notify USCIS of any errors you see on your certificate before leaving the ceremony site.

Applying for child

If you have a child who is a lawful permanent resident under the age of 18 on the day you naturalize, they may have automatically derived U.S. citizenship. To obtain evidence of your child’s derivative U.S. citizenship status, file Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, online.

Applying for US Passport

You can apply for a US passport after receiving your citizenship certificate. You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility for a new passport. It cannot be done online or by mail.

  • You will need Form DS-11 on https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html
  • You can Fill out Form DS-11 online and print it
  • Do not sign Form DS-11 until you are at your appointment and the passport acceptance official tells you to do so.
  • Gather requisite documents:
    • Original proof of citizenship (Certificate of citizenship)
    • An acceptable photo ID
    • A photocopy of both your citizenship document and photo ID
    • Passport photo
    • Passport fee (Passport book $130 + passport card $30)
  • You need to find your local passport acceptance facility. This facility could be a library or post office. You would need to book appointment.
  • Submit the filled form, photographs and documents.