Eligibility
US citizenship requirements: who can apply for naturalization?
Key takeaways
- You generally must be 18 or older and a lawful permanent resident.
- Most applicants wait 5 years as a permanent resident. It can be 3 years if you are married to a US citizen and meet other conditions.
- You must show continuous residence and enough time physically in the United States.
- You also need good moral character, and you take an English test and a civics test unless you qualify for an exception.
Before you study for the civics test, make sure you can apply. These are the main requirements for becoming a citizen through naturalization. They are general rules. Your own dates and history decide whether you qualify.
The requirements at a glance
| Requirement | In plain words |
|---|---|
| Age | You are at least 18 when you file Form N-400. |
| Permanent resident | You are a lawful permanent resident, a green card holder. |
| Time as a permanent resident | Generally 5 years. Generally 3 years if you have been married to and living with a US citizen spouse for those 3 years, and your spouse has been a citizen the whole time. |
| Continuous residence | You have lived in the United States without long breaks during that time. |
| Physical presence | Generally you have been physically in the United States for at least half of the 5 years (30 months), or 18 months of the 3 years. |
| Where you live | You have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you file. |
| Good moral character | You have shown good moral character during the required period. |
| English and civics | You pass an English test and a civics test, unless you qualify for an exception. |
| The Constitution and the oath | You support the Constitution and are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance. |
When can you file?
You may be able to file up to 90 days before you reach the required number of years as a permanent resident. Count carefully from the date on your green card. USCIS offers an early filing calculator you can use to check your dates.
Filing too early can cost you the filing fee and months of time, so double-check.
Long trips outside the country
Time outside the United States can affect two requirements: continuous residence and physical presence. A trip of about six months or more can raise questions about whether your residence continued. A trip of a year or more generally breaks it unless you took special steps in advance. If you travel a lot, keep a list of your trips with dates. The officer may ask about them. See the questions the officer asks.
English and civics
Most applicants take both tests. Some do not, depending on age and years as a permanent resident. See the 65/20, 55/15 and 50/20 comparison. The civics test you take depends on when you filed. See the 2025 test guide.
Other ways to become a citizen
Naturalization is one path. The civics test asks about all of them:
Question 68
How can people become United States citizens?
- Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
- Naturalize
- Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
If you may already be a citizen through a parent, ask USCIS or an immigration attorney. This guide covers naturalization only.
Service members
Members of the armed forces who apply while serving, or within six months of leaving service, may be exempt from the usual residence and physical presence requirements. Rules for service members have their own details, so check them before you file.
Common questions
How long do you have to be a green card holder before applying for citizenship?
Generally 5 years. Generally 3 years if you have been married to and living with a US citizen for those 3 years and your spouse has been a citizen the whole time.
Can I apply for citizenship before 5 years?
You may file up to 90 days before you meet the time requirement, generally. Check your dates with the early filing calculator.
Do I need to speak English to become a citizen?
Most applicants take an English test. Applicants who qualify under 50/20, 55/15 or 65/20, and some with medical exceptions, do not.
Does traveling abroad affect my citizenship application?
It can. Long trips can affect continuous residence and physical presence. Keep a list of your trips and dates.
Keep reading
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and forms can change. For your own case, follow your appointment notice, and ask an immigration attorney or an accredited representative if you have questions about your situation.