Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident (green-card holder) becomes a U.S. citizen. For most people it is the final step in a long immigration journey, and it is worth getting right: citizenship ends green-card renewals, protects you from removal, lets you vote and travel on a U.S. passport, and lets you petition for more family members. The application is Form N-400, and the governing rules are in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA §§ 316, 319) and 8 C.F.R. Part 316, with detailed guidance in Volume 12 of the USCIS Policy Manual.

Most naturalization cases are straightforward. The ones that are not — a criminal record, a long trip abroad, an old tax or selective-service issue, or a question about how you got your green card — can turn a routine filing into a denial or, in the worst cases, a referral to removal proceedings. This page explains the requirements, the process, and the 2025 changes to the civics test, and it flags where careful analysis before filing matters most.

Are you eligible to naturalize?

To naturalize under the general rule, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old at the time you file;
  • Have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years (INA § 316), or three years if you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen for those three years (INA § 319(a));
  • Have continuous residence in the United States for that period, without a trip abroad long enough to break it;
  • Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the required period — 30 months out of 5 years, or 18 months out of 3 years;
  • Have lived in the state or USCIS district where you file for at least three months;
  • Be a person of good moral character (INA § 101(f));
  • Be able to read, write, and speak basic English and pass a civics test (INA § 312), unless an age or disability exception applies; and
  • Be attached to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Two of these trip people up more than the rest: continuous residence and good moral character. A single trip abroad of six months or more can break continuous residence, and even shorter patterns of frequent travel can raise questions. Good moral character is judged over the statutory period but can reach back further for serious issues. Before you file, it is worth confirming that neither one is a problem in your case.

The naturalization process, step by step

The process has a predictable shape:

  • File Form N-400. You can file online through a USCIS account or on paper.
  • Biometrics. USCIS takes your fingerprints and runs background checks. In many cases the biometrics step is now reused from a prior appointment.
  • The interview. A USCIS officer reviews your application under oath, tests your English, and administers the civics test.
  • The decision. USCIS grants, continues (asks for more), or denies the application.
  • The Oath of Allegiance. You become a U.S. citizen when you take the oath at a ceremony, and you receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

The 2025 civics test: what changed

USCIS introduced a new civics test in 2025, and it is more demanding than the prior version. Which test you take depends on when you file:

  • Filed on or after October 20, 2025: you take the 2025 civics test — an oral test in which the officer asks up to 20 questions drawn from a list of 128, and you must answer 12 correctly to pass.
  • Filed before October 20, 2025: you take the 2008 civics test — up to 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct to pass.

There is a long-standing accommodation for older, long-term residents: if you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, you study a reduced set of 20 questions (marked with an asterisk) and are asked 10. You still must meet the English requirement unless a separate age or medical exception applies. Because the question bank and rules can be updated, we confirm the current version against the USCIS 2025 civics test materials for each client. We also wrote about this change when it took effect: USCIS Announces New 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.

Good moral character and the problems that derail N-400 cases

USCIS reviews your whole record, not just the application. The issues we see cause the most trouble include:

  • Criminal history — including arrests with no conviction, DUIs, and dismissed or expunged cases, all of which must usually still be disclosed;
  • Failure to file or pay taxes, or filing as a non-resident after getting a green card;
  • Men who did not register for the Selective Service when required;
  • Long or frequent absences that raise abandonment or continuous-residence questions;
  • Past misrepresentations to immigration authorities, or questions about how the underlying green card was obtained; and
  • Child-support, false-claim-to-citizenship, or voter-registration issues.

Any of these can be manageable, but they should be analyzed before you file. Filing an N-400 puts your entire immigration history in front of an officer; if there is a hidden problem, the safer move is often to address it first rather than discover it at the interview. This is exactly the kind of case where having the issue framed correctly, with the right evidence attached, changes the outcome.

Fees and filing in 2026

As of 2026, the N-400 filing fee is $710 to file online and $760 on paper. A reduced fee of $380 is available to applicants whose household income is between 150% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and fee waivers exist for those who qualify. Fees change, so confirm the current amount on the USCIS N-400 page before you file.

Why become a U.S. citizen?

Citizenship is more secure than permanent residence. As a citizen you cannot be placed in removal proceedings, you no longer renew a green card, you can vote, you can travel on a U.S. passport and spend extended time abroad without losing status, and you can petition for a wider range of relatives, often with shorter waits. For many families, the ability to sponsor parents and married children, and to pass citizenship to children, is the deciding factor.

How we help with complex naturalization cases

Historically, a clean, straightforward case often did not need a lawyer at all — and we would tell you so. That has changed. Under the current administration’s policies, naturalization is weighed as a matter of discretion, on the assumption that the mere absence of negative factors is not by itself enough to deserve a favorable exercise of discretion. An application now benefits from affirmatively demonstrating good moral character and the equities in your favor, which means there can be real value in having a lawyer even in the most straightforward case. Where we add the most value is the complicated case — a criminal record, a gap in physical presence, an old immigration misstep, or a green card that an officer might question. In those cases we look for the strongest defensible position, gather the records that answer the officer’s likely concerns before they are raised, and prepare you for the interview so there are no surprises. The goal is to walk in with the hard questions already answered. I have filed numerous naturalization applications over the years — many of them complicated, involving tax issues, DUIs, and other criminal history — and every single one of them has been approved (prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome).

Naturalization FAQ

How long does naturalization take?

Timelines vary by field office, but many cases move from filing to oath within several months to about a year. Your local USCIS office processing time is the best guide.

Can I travel while my N-400 is pending?

Yes, but long trips can raise continuous-residence and physical-presence questions and can complicate scheduling your interview and oath. Plan travel carefully while the case is pending.

Do I have to give up my original citizenship?

U.S. law does not require you to renounce another nationality to naturalize. Whether your home country allows dual citizenship is a question of that country’s law.

What happens if I fail the English or civics test?

USCIS gives you a second opportunity to take the portion you did not pass, usually within 60 to 90 days, without filing a new application.

I have an arrest on my record. Can I still naturalize?

Often yes, but it depends on the offense, the disposition, and when it happened. Disclose everything and have it reviewed before filing — some issues bar naturalization, and a few can even create removal risk.

Ready to apply for U.S. citizenship?

Whether your case is simple or complicated, a short review before you file can save months and protect you from avoidable risk. Book a consultation with Susheelan Law Firm to review your eligibility and build a plan.

This page is general information about U.S. immigration law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Eligibility rules, fees, and the civics test change over time and should be confirmed against current USCIS sources. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.