United States
Millions of immigrants in the United States hold a green card and plan to naturalize. These guides explain the official procedures step by step, with a link to the primary source for every figure.
Start with the naturalization guide if you are planning ahead, or with the civics test guide if your interview is coming up.
Key figures for United States
| Permanent residence before naturalization | 5 years (3 for spouses of US citizens, with conditions) (source) |
|---|---|
| Civics test (2025 version) | 20 questions from a bank of 128, pass with 12 (source) |
| Naturalization form | N-400 (source) |
Tools
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N-400 filing date
The earliest day you can apply for US citizenship
Guides
- Green card: how to keep your US permanent residence and when you can lose it
When long trips abroad count as abandoning US permanent residence, what a re-entry permit is, how to renew a green card, and the obligations that protect your status.
- How to become a US citizen (Form N-400): requirements and steps
Naturalization requirements for green card holders: residence, physical presence, good moral character, and every stage from Form N-400 to the Oath of Allegiance.
- The 2025 US civics test: what changed and how to prepare
The new US naturalization civics test explained: a bank of 128 questions, up to 20 asked at the interview, 12 correct answers to pass, who it applies to, and the 65/20 rule.
- Social Security numbers and credit history in the US: a guide for newcomers
What a Social Security number is and who can get one, how it differs from an ITIN, and how to build a credit history from scratch in the United States without falling into debt.