The naturalization process has 7 clear steps — from checking eligibility to taking your oath. This guide explains exactly what to do, in what order and what mistakes to avoid.
Average total time: 12–18 months · Filing fee: $760 · Civics test: 100 questions
You must be 18+, a lawful permanent resident for 5 years (3 if married to a US citizen), physically present in the US for 30 months in that period and have good moral character. Verify your continuous residence dates carefully.
Green card (front and back), passport-style photos, travel history for the last 5 years, tax transcripts, marriage/divorce records if applicable. See our complete N-400 document checklist.
Complete Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). File online at my.uscis.gov — it's faster and lets you track your case. Pay the $760 filing fee online. Request a fee waiver (I-912) if you qualify financially.
USCIS will mail you an appointment notice to your local Application Support Center. They take your fingerprints, photograph and signature. This typically happens 6–8 weeks after filing. Missing this appointment delays your case.
Use the waiting period — typically months 4–8 — to prepare. Study all 100 official USCIS civics questions. Practice the reading and writing sections. Our free app has mock interview simulations so you know exactly what to expect.
A USCIS officer will interview you about your N-400 and ask 10 civics questions. You need 6 correct to pass. They also test your English reading and writing. If you pass, you'll either receive approval the same day or a notice to attend an oath ceremony.
The final step. At your oath ceremony you renounce foreign allegiance, take the Oath, surrender your green card and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. You are now a US citizen.
Count from when your green card was approved, not issued. A long trip abroad (6+ months) can reset your clock.
USCIS asks if you've filed taxes every year. Missing returns trigger red flags. File late returns before you apply.
List every trip outside the US in the last 5 years. Even short trips. USCIS cross-checks passport entry/exit records.
The civics test is predictable — all 100 questions are published. Failing it is avoidable. 2 weeks of daily practice is enough for most people.
USCIS has multiple lockbox addresses depending on state and filing method. Sending to the wrong address delays your case by months.
N-400 has multiple signature fields. An unsigned form is automatically rejected. Review every page before submitting.
All 100 USCIS questions, mock interview mode. Pass on your first try.
From the day you file Form N-400 to your oath ceremony, the average total time in 2026 is 12–18 months. The civics interview is usually scheduled 8–14 months after filing. Times vary by field office.
Yes, if you have been married to and living with the same US citizen spouse for the 3 years immediately before filing and continuously through the process. You must still meet the physical presence (18 months), good moral character and English/civics requirements.
The officer reviews your N-400 form, asks background questions (residence history, employment, family, criminal history) and administers the civics test. They also ask you to read one sentence in English and write one sentence. The whole interview usually takes 20–45 minutes.
No. Most applicants file Form N-400 without legal representation. A lawyer is helpful if you have a criminal record, prior immigration violations, complex travel history or prior deportation proceedings.
You keep your permanent resident status until you take the oath. However, any actions that would make you deportable (certain crimes, fraud) could affect your eligibility during the process.
Free app. All 100 USCIS questions. Mock interview mode. No subscription.