FAQ: What is Naturalization? What are the requirements for U.S. citizenship?
Photo by Amanda Bartel on Unsplash. Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) applies for and is granted U.S. citizenship. What is the process to naturalize and what are the documentary requirements?
What is naturalization?
Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) applies for and is granted U.S. citizenship. U.S. citizenship is a legal status that offers many benefits and responsibilities, including the ability to vote in U.S. federal elections, serve on a jury, travel with a U.S. passport, and bring family members to the United States. Importantly, once obtained, U.S. citizenship cannot be abandoned or lost by spending extended periods of time outside of the United States (as is the case with permanent residence).
When you apply for citizenship, you are taking an oath to support the principles of the U.S. Constitution, to renounce allegiance to a foreign state, and to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law. In some cases, obtaining U.S. citizenship may mean losing the citizenship of your home country. This can make applying for U.S. citizenship a very personal and important decision.
What are the requirements for naturalization?
Not every permanent resident is eligible to become a U.S. Citizen. Generally, applicants must have been legal permanent residents for at least five years (three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet the following other requirements:
Be at least 18 years old.
Be able to demonstrate physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the last five years prior to filing (or 18 months out of the last three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).
Be able to demonstrate continuous residence in the United States (meaning you have not been outside the United States for more than six months in a row, with some limited exceptions).
Have resided for at least three months in the state where you are filing the naturalization application.
Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
Understand the fundamentals of U.S. history and government.
Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Meet the good moral character requirements.
What is good moral character?
Good moral character for naturalization purposes means that you have not performed any acts that offend the accepted moral character standards of the community in which you reside. While this definition is vague, the government has a list of crimes and conduct that would make you ineligible for naturalization based on the good moral character requirement.
For example, an applicant can be found to lack good moral character if they:
Have been convicted of murder
Have been convicted of certain aggravated felonies, which include crimes of violence, money laundering, alien smuggling, and document fraud, to name a few
Committed a crime involving moral turpitude
Violated a controlled substance law (whether in the United States or abroad)
Are or were involved in prostitution
Earn their income principally from illegal gambling activities
Willfully failed or refused to support dependents
Are a habitual drunkard
Read our related post regarding the good moral character requirement for naturalization.
What else should I know?
In general, you must show that you have good moral character during the five-year period immediately preceding your application for naturalization and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance. However, USCIS may also look at conduct prior to the five-year period in certain circumstances.
Once all the preliminary processes on your case are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the naturalization process. To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you must pass the Naturalization Test and Naturalization Interview. At the interview, you will be required to answer questions about your application and background. You will also be required to take an English and civics test unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.
Follow these links to USCIS Naturalization page for more information and study guides to help you ace the test and interview.
If you have a criminal record, extended trips abroad or other issues concerning the naturalization requirements, you should consult with an attorney who can further evaluate your eligibility for U.S. citizenship. If you have additional questions or require further information or assistance, please contact us. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, for up-to-date immigration news.
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