U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalization

Citizenship Through Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). For more information, see USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance.

You May Qualify for Naturalization if:

• You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements.
• You have been a permanent resident for 3 years or more and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.
• You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements.
• Your child may qualify for naturalization if you are a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently residing outside the U.S., and all other eligibility requirements are met.

You may qualify through other paths to naturalization if you do not qualify through the paths described above.

We will be happy to clarify all intricacies of these cases. Please contact us for more information.

Web Resources

• How Do I Apply for Citizenship? (PDF, 2.21 MB)
• A Guide to Naturalization
• 10 Steps to Naturalization (PDF, 582 KB)
• USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance
• Naturalization Test (USCIS)
• Citizenship Resource Center

Quick Links

Forms

• Citizenship and Naturalization Based Forms
• Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
• M-476, Chapter 5, What should I Expect from the Naturalization Process? (PDF, 258 KB)
• Naturalization Eligibility and Requirements (PDF, 173 KB)

Categories

• US Citizenship Through Parents
• US Naturalization
• Dual Citizenship
• Military Naturalization