How to become a US citizen (Form N-400): requirements and steps
Translated from the Arabic original. Read in Arabic
Naturalization is how a green card holder becomes a US citizen. The process is run by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and starts with Form N-400. This guide explains the general requirements and the stages in order.
Basic requirements
As a general rule you must be at least 18 and have been a lawful permanent resident (a green card holder) for at least 5 years. The period drops to 3 years if you are married to a US citizen, have lived with them for that whole time, and your spouse was a citizen throughout. USCIS lets you file up to 90 days before you complete the required period.
Continuous residence and physical presence
These are two different requirements that many people confuse. Continuous residence means your residence must not be broken by a long absence: an absence of more than 6 months may be treated as breaking it unless you prove otherwise, and an absence of a year or more usually breaks it. Physical presence is the number of days you were actually inside the United States, and it must equal at least half of the required period: 30 months out of 5 years, or 18 months out of 3 years. You must also have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you file.
Good moral character
USCIS requires good moral character during the statutory period. Officers look at criminal records, whether you have paid your taxes and child support, and, for men who lived in the country between ages 18 and 26, registration with the Selective Service System. Any past legal problem, however small it seems, is worth discussing with an immigration lawyer before you file, because an application can surface issues that affect your permanent residence itself.
English and civics tests
At the naturalization interview you are tested on English (reading, writing and speaking) and on civics (US history and government). The civics test changed for applications filed on or after 20 October 2025, and we have a separate guide on it. There are exemptions from the English test for older applicants who have been permanent residents for many years, and for some medical conditions with a special medical certification form.
The stages in order
First, complete Form N-400 online through a USCIS account or on paper, and pay the fee published on the form’s page. Second, attend a biometrics appointment for security checks. Third, the interview, where an officer reviews your application under oath and gives you both tests. Fourth, the decision: approval, a continuance to provide documents or retake a test, or denial. Fifth, the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. You only become a citizen once you have taken the oath and received your certificate of naturalization.
Practical tips
Keep a record of every trip outside the United States since you got your green card, because the form asks for exact dates. Keep copies of your tax returns for the last five years. Answer every question with complete honesty: a false statement on the form can be more serious than the underlying problem. And start practising for the civics test early.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws change, so check the official sources below or the competent authority for your situation. Found a mistake? Tell us.