How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship and Get Approved

If you’re a permanent resident in the United States, the process to apply for citizenship is fairly straight forward. After confirming your eligibility, there’s a form to file, fee to pay and a citizenship test with the interview. It may sound challenging. But as an immigrant, you’ve already overcome so much more.

The process of applying for citizenship is known as naturalization. It’s the most common way that foreign nationals become U.S. citizens. An estimated 8.8 million permanent residents in the United States are eligible to naturalize right now. It’s easy to remain a permanent resident, but there are significant advantages to becoming a citizen. In a more contentious immigration environment, it helps insulate you from problems down the road. There are also more job opportunities, scholarships for students, and independence from more immigration fees.

Advantages to U.S. Citizenship

• Cost Savings

  There’s a government filing fee to apply for citizenship. But once you become a citizen, there’s no need to renew your green card. The average 30-year old will spend at least $5,300 in green card renewal fees over a lifetime.

• Easier Travel

  With an American passport, traveling is generally easier. You won’t have to wait in the long lines for green card holders. Entry to several foreign countries doesn’t require a visa.

• Protection from Deportation

  The U.S. government may put permanent residents in removal (deportation) proceedings for certain crimes. U.S. citizens can’t be deported. Of course, you can’t lie in order to gain your U.S. citizenship. This would invalidate any protections.

• Help Family Members Immigrate

  The spouse, unmarried children and parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives. There’s always immigrant visa available for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Spouses and children of permanent residents may have to wait for years to obtain a green card because of an annual cap. U.S. citizens can petition parents and siblings while permanent residents cannot.

• Extended Stays Abroad

  Many permanent residents put their green cards at risk by staying outside the United States too long. They risk abandonment of permanent residence. U.S. citizens may stay outside the United States indefinitely.

• Tax Benefits

  U.S. citizens and green card holders can be treated differently by tax law. U.S. citizens may be subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes and may be eligible for more tax exemptions than permanent residents. For more information, contact the financial planner with an immigrant specialty.

If you have permanent resident children under the age of 18 that live with you, they will automatically become U.S. citizens when a parent naturalizes. There is no additional fee. What’s more, many financial aid grants for college are available only to U.S. citizens.

Eligibility for Naturalization

The vast majority of permanent residents have been a green card holder for five years before they can apply for citizenship. There are provisions in the law for permanent residents who have been married to a U.S. citizen for three years as well as U.S. service members. However, most applicants meet the following requirements before they apply for citizenship:

• At least 18 years old
• Been a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 5 years
• Lived within the same U.S. state for at least 3 months before filing the application
• Have continuous residence in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 5 years before filing the application
• Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the 5 years before filing the application
• Are able to pass the English test as well as U.S. history and government test
• Are persons of good moral character

For a detailed explanation of eligibility, visit citizenship requirements. For example, you may not know that you may submit the application up to 90 days before meeting the five-year continuous residence requirement.

You may find it easier to use CitizenPath’s eligibility quiz at the beginning of the application. In just a few questions, we can help you determine if you’re ready to apply for citizenship.

Faster Paths to Naturalization

While most permanent residents are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years, some individuals have a faster path. The groups most likely to take advantage of these reduced requirements are green card holders married to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals serving in the U.S. military.

• Naturalization When Married to a U.S. Citizen

  If you’re a permanent resident that’s married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to naturalize after just three years. You must be married to the citizen for the last three years, and your spouse must have been a U.S. citizen during the entire period. Learn more >>

• Expedited Naturalization for U.S. Armed Forces

  If you’re currently serving in the U.S. armed forces or recently separated, you may be eligible to naturalize. There are also provisions for those that performed active-duty military service in previous times of war. The U.S. armed forces includes the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard. Learn more >>

Getting Ready to Apply

When preparing the form to apply for citizenship, you’ll need to have the following items:

• Permanent Resident Card (green card)

  You’ll need to have your Alien Registration Number and date that you become a permanent resident. Both can be found on your green card. If your green card is expired, you may prepare Form N-400. However, if your green card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you’ll need to file Form I-90 to replace your card before applying for citizenship.

• Social Security Number

  It isn’t mandatory that you have a Social Security number. If you have one, you’ll include it on your application.

• Travel Dates

  If you made any trips outside the U.S. during the five years that precede the application, you’ll need to document the dates of each trip (of 24 hours or more). It can be difficult to remember specific travel dates. Check credit card statements, frequent flyer records and other receipts to estimate dates to the best of your ability.

• Selective Service Registration Information

  U.S. law requires that every U.S. male between the ages of 18 and 26 register for the Selective Service. This requirement applies to citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and even undocumented aliens. It does not apply to women or any foreigners in the United States with non-immigrant visas (e.g. tourists, students, business, etc.). If you’ve already registered, you can get an instant Official Letter of Registration at www.sss.gov. If you did not register and are still within this age range, you must register at the same website. However, you should not apply for U.S. citizenship until age 31 if you are over the age of 25 and failed to register as required. If you apply before this 5-year period has passed, USCIS will likely deny your application on the basis of not meeting the good moral character requirement.

• 5 Years of Address Information

  You’ll need to list your address(es) where you lived for the past five years (or three years if you have been married to a U.S. citizen during that time).

• 5 Years of Employment/Education Information

  You’ll need to list your job and/or school information (organization name, address, time period) for the past five years (or three years if you have been married to a U.S. citizen during that time). Employment and education are not requirements. The information will be used for a background check.

• Information about your Current and Former Spouses

  If applicable, you’ll need to list information about your current spouse and any former spouses. Information includes: name, address, birth date, marriage date, immigration status, country of citizenship and A-number if applicable.

• Information about your Children

  If applicable, you’ll need to list information about your sons and daughters (even if they are deceased or not living with you). Information includes: name, address, birth date, country of birth and A-number if applicable.

Form to Apply for Citizenship

The USCIS form to apply for U.S. citizenship is formally known as Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. It’s a 20-page form that launches a review of your entire immigration history. USCIS will re-analyze how you obtained your permanent resident status, travel records and a criminal background check to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. Maintaining accuracy and truthfulness is critical. In fact, USCIS recently updated its policy guidance that makes it easier for adjudicators to deny applications instead of issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) first. It’s very important to submit at application package that is complete.

For the added reassurance that you’re doing everything right, use CitizenPath’s service to apply for citizenship. The attorney-designed software is an affordable way to prepare the Form N-400 with ease and get custom filing instructions for your situation.

Typically, an applicant’s Form N-400 is accompanied by:

• USCIS Fees

  Most applicants must pay $725 total. This includes a $640 filing fee and a $85 biometrics fee. However, applicants over 75 years of age don’t need to pay the biometrics fee. USCIS will waive all fees for applicants who apply on the basis of military service.

• Photocopy of Permanent Resident Card

  Submit photocopies of both sides of your green card. If you don’t have it, you’ll need to submit a copy of the I-797C from the green card renewal or some other proof of your permanent resident status.

• Marriage Status Document

  Include a photocopy of your current legal marital status document. Examples of acceptable documents include your current marriage certificate, divorce, annulment decree, or death certificate of former spouse.

The list of supporting items above is for the typical case. Based on your answers in the application, USCIS may require you to submit some additional documents. Military applicants will need to submit additional items. Your CitizenPath filing instructions will provide a detailed list of supporting documents and how to organize your package.

You won’t need to send things like tax returns and passports. However, there are several items that every applicant should take to the naturalization interview. Based on your case, CitizenPath filing instructions include a list of items to take to your naturalization interview.

Apply for Citizenship with an Expired Green Card

USCIS does not encourage it, but it is possible to apply for citizenship with an expired green card. What’s important to realize is that the naturalization process could take about a year. During this time, you would generally have no proof of permanent resident status. This is a problem if you need to travel abroad, take a new job, or even renew a driver’s license. For this reason, most people apply for green card renewal first.

If you choose to renew your green card, it’s not necessary to wait the 10-12 months to receive your new card before applying for U.S. citizenship. Once you receive the I-797C, Notice of Action (usually about two weeks after filing), you may file the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Include a photocopy of your receipt letter (I-797C) to prove that you’ve started the renewal process.

About CitizenPath

CitizenPath provides simple, affordable, step-by-step guidance through USCIS immigration applications. Individuals, attorneys and non-profits use the service on desktop or mobile device to prepare immigration forms accurately, avoiding costly delays. CitizenPath allows users to try the service for free and provides a 100% money-back guarantee that USCIS will approve the application or petition. We provide support for the Petition to Help a Relative Obtain a Green Card (Form I-130), Citizenship Application (Form N-400), and several other commonly used USCIS forms.

Note to Reader: This post was originally published on September 25, 2018, and has been modified with improvements.