Naturalization Timeline for Green Card Holders and the Nine-Step Process

For green card holders, applying for naturalization and becoming a U.S. citizen is an important legal process. During this process, many people may have questions about the timing and requirements for naturalization. For example, if your spouse is already eligible for naturalization while you are still waiting for a green card, can you apply for naturalization together? Or if your spouse applies for naturalization next year, when can you begin the naturalization process? This article answers these questions and explains the nine steps of naturalization to help you better understand this important process.

Regular Green Card Holders Can Naturalize After 5 Years

Green card holders may apply for naturalization after 5 years, commonly known as the 5-year rule; they must also meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old.

• Must have held a green card for at least 5 years.

• Must have resided in the state for the 3 months immediately before filing the application (no move to another state).

• Must have continuously resided in the United States for at least 5 years.

• Must have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months during the 5 years before filing the naturalization application.

• After filing the application, must reside in the United States until naturalization is completed.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak English and pass the civics test.

• Must have good moral character and support the U.S. Constitution.

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Spouses of U.S. Citizens Can Naturalize After 3 Years

If a green card holder is married to a U.S. citizen, they may apply for naturalization in as little as 3 years, commonly known as the 3-year rule:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old.

• Must have held a green card for at least 3 years.

• Must have lived with the spouse for the 3 years before filing, and the spouse must have been a U.S. citizen during those 3 years.

• Must have resided in the state for the 3 months immediately before filing the application (no move to another state).

• Must have continuously resided in the United States for at least 3 years.

• After filing the application, must reside in the United States until naturalization is completed.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak English and pass the civics test.

• Must have good moral character and support the U.S. Constitution.

Continuous Residence Requirements

Continuous residence means that the applicant has maintained residence in the United States throughout the required period (5 years or 3 years) without extended absences. An extended absence refers to being outside the United States for no more than 6 months:

• If a single absence exceeds 6 months but is less than 1 year, continuous residence is considered broken unless the applicant can prove an exception applies, including: (1) the applicant did not terminate employment in the United States; or (2) the applicant's immediate family resided in the United States during that period; or (3) the applicant retained property in the United States.

• If a single absence exceeds 1 year, continuous residence is considered broken unless the applicant (1) had at least 1 year of uninterrupted residence in the United States after obtaining the green card, (2) was subsequently sent abroad for work by the U.S. government, the military, or another qualifying company or research institution, and (3) filed Form N-470 before leaving the United States or within 1 year after leaving to declare the preservation of residence.

In addition, the following circumstances may also be considered a break in continuous residence:

• An order of removal.

• The applicant has engaged in conduct indicating abandonment of permanent residence, such as choosing nonresident alien status on tax returns to obtain a tax exemption, or simply not filing taxes.

• If the applicant frequently leaves the United States, even if each absence does not exceed 6 months, immigration officials may still consider whether the applicant truly resides in the United States.

When Is the Earliest You Can File the Naturalization Application?

If naturalizing under the 5-year rule or 3-year rule, you may file the application 90 days before meeting the residence requirement:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that you may file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, 90 calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based on being a permanent resident for at least 5 years, or a permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.

In a few circumstances, the 3-year or 5-year residence requirement may be waived, for example:

• Obtaining citizenship through military service.

• The applicant's spouse is a U.S. citizen and is working abroad (or will be sent abroad) for the U.S. military, a U.S. government contractor, a recognized U.S. research institution, an international public organization, a missionary organization, or similar.

9 Steps to Apply for Naturalization

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship

Generally, you are eligible for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old, have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), and meet all other eligibility requirements. You may also be eligible for naturalization based on military service, which has different requirements.

• Read Form N-400, Instructions for Application for Naturalization, available at uscis.gov/n-400 to learn more about naturalization and eligibility requirements.

• Visit the Citizenship Resource Center at uscis.gov/citizenship to use the eligibility tool to see if you are eligible to apply for naturalization, and to find information about the naturalization process, the naturalization test, and available study materials.

Step 2: Prepare Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

After meeting all the requirements to become a U.S. citizen, the applicant should file Form N-400 to apply for naturalization. The applicant can create an account and submit Form N-400 online, which allows them to receive case status alerts, send secure messages, view all case correspondence, check case status, update personal information, and upload evidence. For more information and instructions, visit uscis.gov/n-400.

How to do it:

• Complete and sign Form N-400.

• If you live outside the United States, take 2 passport-style photos.

• Collect the necessary documents to prove your eligibility for naturalization.

• Review your Form N-400 and supporting documents.

Note: If your application is incomplete, USCIS may request more information, which will delay processing of your application.

Step 3: Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

Submit your application, documents, and fees to USCIS. If you live outside the United States, submit passport photos with your application.

After filing Form N-400 and receiving a receipt notice, you can visit uscis.gov to check current processing times and your application status.

What to include:

• Form N-400 and biometric services fee (if applicable).

• Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions (if applicable). If you are seeking an exemption from the English and/or civics requirements for naturalization due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment, submit Form N-648 along with the required evidence listed in the Form N-400 instructions.

• If you live outside the United States, you must submit two passport photos.

For additional document requirements, please refer to the instructions for Form N-400. Keep a complete copy of Form N-400 and any supporting evidence for your records. During the naturalization interview, the applicant will need to answer questions about Form N-400.

Step 4: Biometrics Appointment (Fingerprinting)

USCIS requires applicants to provide fingerprints and photographs for an FBI criminal background check. In some cases, USCIS may be able to reuse previously taken fingerprints and photos for the required background check. You will receive a notice that your biometrics have been reused, or, if new biometrics are needed, you will receive a biometrics appointment notice. All applicants must complete the background check before USCIS schedules an interview.

How to do it:

• Receive an appointment notice that includes the date, time, and location of your biometrics appointment (if applicable).

• Arrive at the designated location at the scheduled time.

• Provide your biometrics.

• You will later receive an appointment notice for your naturalization interview.

Step 5: Complete the Interview

When all preliminary procedures for your case are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with you. You must report to the USCIS office on the date and time on your appointment notice and bring the notice with you. Do not miss your interview.

If the applicant is unable to attend the interview on the scheduled date and time, they should contact the office as soon as possible according to the instructions on the appointment notice to reschedule the interview. Rescheduling the interview may add several months to the naturalization process, so please make every effort to attend the interview on the scheduled date.

If you change your address within 10 days after filing Form N-400, you must notify USCIS. For information on changing your address, visit the USCIS website at uscis.gov/addresschange. You must notify USCIS each time you change your address.

What to expect:

• At the interview, you will meet with a USCIS officer and answer questions about your Form N-400.

• If you wish to request a medical exception from the English and civics testing requirements and did not submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, when you filed Form N-400, submit it at the interview.

• Unless exempt, you will take the English and civics tests. For more information on exemptions, see the Form N-400, Instructions for Application for Naturalization, or visit uscis.gov/citizenship/exceptions-and-accommodations. Visit uscis.gov/citizenship for study materials to prepare for the tests.

• In some cases, a USCIS officer will not be able to make a decision on your Form N-400 on the day of the naturalization interview. In these cases, the USCIS officer will continue your case, which may include requesting additional evidence or requiring a second interview.

• USCIS will provide you with a notice of the interview results after your interview.

If a USCIS officer determines that you need to provide additional documents or evidence, USCIS may request additional documents by issuing Form N-14, Request for Additional Information, or other documents/forms. You will need to provide the requested additional documents to continue the naturalization process.

If you fail the English or civics test, USCIS will schedule a second interview within 60 to 90 days after the first interview. USCIS will retest only the portion you failed (English or civics). If you fail the test again, USCIS will deny your Form N-400.

Step 6: Receive USCIS's Decision

You will receive a written notice.

• Approval — If the evidence in the record establishes that you are eligible for naturalization, USCIS may approve your Form N-400 application.

• Denial — If the evidence in the record shows that you are not eligible for naturalization, USCIS will deny your Form N-400 application.

If the application is denied, the applicant will receive a notice from USCIS stating the reasons for the denial of their Form N-400 application. If the applicant believes that USCIS wrongly denied their Form N-400 application, they may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

The denial notice the applicant receives will include instructions on how to appeal the USCIS decision by filing Form N-336, requesting a hearing on the decision in the naturalization process. For more information, visit uscis.gov/n-336. The applicant must file Form N-336 and pay the appropriate fee within 30 days of the date of the Form N-400 decision. If a hearing request is not filed within the allowed time, the denial decision becomes final.

Step 7: Receive Notice of the Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

USCIS will mail the applicant a notice containing the date, time, and location of the scheduled oath ceremony. In certain limited circumstances, the applicant may attend the oath ceremony on the same day as the interview. If the applicant cannot attend the oath ceremony on the day scheduled by USCIS, they should follow the instructions on the Form N-445 Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony to notify the local USCIS office and request that USCIS reschedule.

Step 8: Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Before taking the oath of allegiance at the naturalization ceremony, you are not a U.S. citizen. The oath is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at an administrative ceremony, or by a judge at a judicial ceremony. Courts have exclusive authority to hold ceremonies in certain USCIS districts. After taking the oath of allegiance, you will receive a certificate of naturalization.

How to proceed:

• Complete Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony.

• Report to the oath ceremony site.

• Check in with USCIS.

• A USCIS officer will review your answers on Form N-445.

• Surrender your permanent resident card.

• Take the oath of allegiance and become a U.S. citizen.

• Receive your certificate of naturalization and review it before leaving the ceremony site. If you notice any errors, notify USCIS for correction at that time.

Step 9: Understanding Your U.S. Citizenship

Citizenship is the common bond that connects all Americans. Listed below are some of the most important rights and responsibilities that all citizens—whether by birth or by choice—should exercise, respect, and honor. Some of these rights and responsibilities also apply to non-citizens in the United States. Although some of these responsibilities are legal requirements for every citizen, all of them are important to ensuring the continued vitality of our nation and democracy.

Rights:

• Freedom of expression.

• Freedom to worship as you wish.

• The right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.

• The right to vote in elections for public officials.

• The right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.

• The right to run for elected office.

Responsibilities:

• Support and defend the U.S. Constitution.

• Stay informed about issues affecting your community.

• Participate in the democratic process.

• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.

• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.

• Participate in your local community.

• Pay income and other taxes honestly and on time to federal, state, and local authorities.

• Serve on a jury when called upon.

• Serve the country when required.