Step 1: Confirm you are eligible

You must be at least 18; have held a green card for at least 5 years (3 years if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen who has been a citizen for those 3 years); have lived continuously in the United States during that period without trips of six months or more; have been physically present for at least 30 months of the 5 years (18 of 3); have lived in the state or USCIS district where you file for at least 3 months; be a person of good moral character; and be able to read, write, and speak basic English and pass the civics test, unless you qualify for an exemption. You may file up to 90 days before you reach the 5-year or 3-year mark. Special rules apply to members of the military and their spouses.

Step 2: Gather your documents

• A copy of the front and back of your green card.
• Your passports covering the last five years, to list every trip abroad with exact dates.
• Your address and employment history for the last five years.
• Marriage certificate and any divorce or death certificates for prior marriages (yours and your spouse’s) if applying under the 3-year rule.
• Tax returns or IRS transcripts for the last five years, and a payment plan agreement if you owe taxes.
• Court records for any arrest, charge, or conviction, even if dismissed or expunged.
• Selective Service registration information if you are a man who lived in the United States between ages 18 and 26.
• Two passport-style photos only if you file from outside the United States.

Step 3: Complete Form N-400

File online through a free USCIS account, which lets you save your progress, upload evidence, pay by card or bank account, and receive notices instantly. The fee is $760 by paper or $710 online, with a $380 reduced fee for households between 150 and 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and a full waiver (Form I-912) for those below 150 percent or receiving a means-tested benefit. Answer every question truthfully, including the ones that seem unrelated to you; “have you ever” questions cover your whole life, not just the last five years.

Step 4: Biometrics

USCIS may schedule a short appointment at an Application Support Center to take your fingerprints and photo, or it may reuse the biometrics already on file. There is no separate fee. Bring your appointment notice and photo ID.

Step 5: The interview

Several months to over a year after filing, depending on your field office, you receive an interview notice. At the interview the officer reviews your application under oath, tests your English reading, writing, and speaking, and gives the civics test. Bring the originals of the documents listed on the notice.

Step 6: The decision and the oath

If approved, you attend an oath ceremony, sometimes the same day and sometimes weeks later. You return your green card, take the Oath of Allegiance, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You are a citizen from that moment. If your case is continued, you may be asked for more documents or scheduled for a second test; if denied, the decision letter explains how to request a hearing with Form N-336 within 30 days.

Step 7: After the ceremony

Apply for a U.S. passport, register to vote, update your record with the Social Security Administration, and consider Form N-600 for children under 18 who became citizens through you. Keep your certificate in a safe place and use the passport as everyday proof of citizenship.

Last reviewed and expanded by the USCitizenTestPractice Editorial Team in September 2026, based on the USCIS Policy Manual, the official 2025 civics test materials, and current USCIS fee and form instructions. This is an independent study resource, not legal advice.