I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years
Naturalization is the way that an alien not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. The most common path to U.S. citizenship through naturalization is being a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least five years. For more information on determining the earliest accepted filing date for your naturalization application, see the USCIS Early Filing Calculator.
Before you can apply for naturalization, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. Depending on your situation, different requirements may apply to you.
To be eligible for naturalization based on being a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old when you submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;
- Show you have been a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least five years;
- Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before the date you file Form N-400;
- Show you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years immediately before the date you file Form N-400;
- Show you have lived for at least three months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your place of residence. (If you are a student and are financially dependent on your parents, you may apply for naturalization where you go to school or where your family lives.);
- Show that you are a person of good moral character and have been a person of good moral character for at least five years immediately before the date you file Form N-400;
- Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution;
- Be able to read, write and speak basic English;
- Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States, (civics); and
- Take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Certain applicants, because of their age and time as an LPR, do not have to take the English test for naturalization and may take the civics test in the language of their choice. For more information, see the exceptions and accommodations page or the USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance.