4 Ways to Become a US Citizen

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a dream for many, and there are different methods you can use to become one. Most people will first apply to become a legal permanent resident and then become a naturalized citizen. However, you can also gain citizenship through marriage, your parents, or military service. If you have questions about becoming a citizen, contact an attorney who specializes in U.S. immigration law.Obtain a green card. Before you can become a naturalized citizen, you need to become a legal permanent resident. This is called getting your “green card.” You can get a green card in the following ways:^[1]

• Green card through your family. A family member in the U.S. can sponsor you. If your family member is a U.S. citizen, then they can sponsor their spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents. They can also sponsor siblings, married children, and unmarried children over 21.^[2]
• Green card through your job. If you have an offer of permanent employment, you are eligible to petition to get a green card. Others with exceptional ability can petition themselves and don’t need an employer sponsor.^[3]
• Green card as a refugee or asylee. Refugees and asylees in the U.S. for one year may
  Satisfy residency requirements. You need to be in the U.S. for a certain amount of time before you apply for naturalization. Check that you satisfy the following:^[5]

  • You must have been lawfully admitted into the U.S.
  • You must demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years immediately before you file for naturalization. For example, if you want to apply in January 2018, you must have been a resident since January 2013.
  • You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months during those five years.
  • You must prove you have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you apply.
  Meet personal requirements. You must also meet certain personal requirements, such as the following:^[6]

  • You must be at least 18 years old when you file your application to become naturalized.
  • You should be able to speak, write, and read in English. You will have to pass an exam.
  • You must be a person of good moral character. Essentially, this means you are an upstanding member of society who works, pays their taxes, and doesn’t break the law.^[7]
  Submit your naturalization application. Download Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and either type the requested information or print neatly in black ink. Be sure to download and read the instructions ahead of time.^[8]

  • You will have to submit supporting documents along with your application. Read the instructions to find out what to supply. For example, you must supply a copy of your permanent resident card.
  • As of June 2017, the filing fee is $640. You also need to pay a biometric service fee of $85. Make your check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Don’t use other initials.
  • To find out where to file, call 1-800-375-5283.
  Give biometrics. Most applicants will need to give their fingerprints, photograph, and signature. USCIS will notify you if you do. They will send a notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment.^[9]

  • Your fingerprints will be sent to the FBI for a background check.
  • Make sure to pick up your study booklet to prepare for your English and civics tests.
  Prepare for your tests. You’ll attend an interview, where a USCIS officer will question you about your background and application. You will also take your English and civics test at the interview. You should prepare for the tests carefully.

  • Think about attending an English or citizenship preparation class. To find your nearest class, visit this website: https://my.uscis.gov/findaclass.
  • You can also take practice civics tests, which are available online.^[10]
  Attend your interview. You will receive notice in the mail telling you the date and time for your interview. At the interview, you will take the English and citizenship tests. If you speak English well enough in the interview, you might not need to take the English test.^[11]

  • Gather required documents ahead of time. A checklist should be sent to you (Form 477).^[12]
  Swear an oath. The final step is to swear the Oath of Allegiance. You’ll receive Form 455, which will tell you where and when to take the oath. You must answer the questions on the back of this form and review them with an officer when you attend your naturalization ceremony.

  • At the end of the ceremony, you will receive your certificate of naturalization.^[13]
  Obtain a green card through your spouse. Your spouse should submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative to USCIS. Your spouse will need to submit proof of the marriage, such as a marriage certificate.

  • If you’re already living in the U.S. after entering legally, then you can adjust your status at the same time. Complete and submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residency or Adjust Status. Your spouse can submit this form along with Form I-130.
  • If you’re currently living outside the U.S., then you’ll need to wait for your visa to be approved. You’ll attend an interview at the nearest embassy or consulate.^[14] Once admitted into the U.S., you can adjust your status by filing Form I-485.
  Talk about your marriage in an interview. The U.S. government is worried about sham marriages, so you can expect to attend an interview where an official will ask personal questions. Common questions include the following:^[15]

  • Where did you meet your spouse?
  • How many people attended your wedding?
  • Who does the cooking and who pays the bills?
  • What did you do for your spouse’s birthday?
  • What forms of birth control do you use?
  Satisfy the residency requirements. You can’t immediately apply for naturalization after receiving your green card. Instead, you must meet the following residency requirements:^[16]

  • You must have been a green card holder for the three years immediately before you apply for naturalization.
  • You must have been a continuous resident for the three years before you apply and have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 18 months.
  • You must have lived in a marriage with your U.S. citizen spouse during the three years. Your spouse must have been a citizen during the entire time.
  • You must have lived within the state or USCIS district for at least three months before you file your application.
  Meet other personal requirements. In addition to residency, you need to show that you have other personal characteristics to be eligible. Check that you satisfy the following:^[17]

  • You must be 18 or older.
  • You must be able to write, read, and speak English.
  • You need to be a person of good moral character. Generally, this means you haven’t broken a serious law and that you meet your legal obligations, such as paying taxes and child support.^[18]
  • You must have entered the country legally. For example, you can’t be in the U.S. illegally and get citizenship simply because you married a citizen.
  Submit your naturalization application. Once you have satisfied the residency requirement, you can submit Form 400, Application for Naturalization. Download and read the instructions before completing the application, available here: https://www.uscis.gov/n-400. When you are ready to file, call 1-800-375-5283 to find out the address.

  • Read the instructions to find out what documents you must submit along with your application.
  • Make payment to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” As of June 2017, the filing fee is $640 and the biometric fee is $85. You can pay using money order or check.
  Give fingerprints. USCIS will send you a notice telling you where to give your fingerprints and when.^[19] USCIS needs your fingerprints so that the FBI can run a background check.
  Attend an interview. You’ll need to meet with immigration officials to go over your application. USCIS is looking to confirm that your application is legitimate and that nothing has changed since you submitted it. You’ll receive a checklist of documents to take with you to the interview, so gather everything ahead of time.
  Take your tests. You must pass exams in civics and English. You will take them at your interview, and you should prepare as much as possible. For example, look to see if a preparation class is offered near you for either test. You can find the nearest classes at this website: https://my.uscis.gov/findaclass. Enter your zip code.

  • Several practice civics tests are available here: https://my.uscis.gov/prep/test/civics.
  Attend your naturalization ceremony. The final step is to swear the Oath of Allegiance at your naturalization ceremony. Form 455 will tell you when and where the ceremony will take place. At the end of the ceremony, you’ll receive your certificate of naturalization.^[20]
  petition for a green card.^[4]