How to Become a U.S. Citizen: Every Path Explained

Updated: October 30, 2026

There are three main ways to become a U.S. citizen: you are born a citizen, you get citizenship automatically through a citizen parent, or you apply for it yourself through naturalization. Most adult immigrants take the last route. They file Form N-400 after holding a green card for a set number of years, then pass an interview, an English test and a civics test, and take the Oath of Allegiance.

Path 1: Citizenship at birth

You are a U.S. citizen at birth if you were born on U.S. soil and subject to its jurisdiction. That rule comes from the 14th Amendment. People born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent may also be citizens at birth. Whether you qualify depends on the parent's citizenship and, in many cases, on how long that parent lived in the United States before you were born. These cases are usually documented with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a U.S. passport. You never file an N-400 in this case, because you are already a citizen.

Path 2: Derived citizenship through a parent

A child born abroad can become a citizen automatically after birth. Under the Child Citizenship Act, which took effect on February 27, 2001, this happens when all of these are true at the same time before the child turns 18:

At least one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
The child is a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
The child lives in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent

Nothing needs to be filed for this to happen. Many families still apply for a Certificate of Citizenship with Form N-600 as proof. Our guide to citizenship for children and Form N-600 covers the details.

Path 3: Naturalization

Naturalization is the process for adults who were not born citizens. You must generally be at least 18 and a lawful permanent resident. Then you qualify under one of these routes:

The general 5-year rule. You have been a green card holder for at least 5 years.
The 3-year rule for spouses. You have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen for 3 years, and your spouse has been a citizen for all of that time. See the three-year rule for spouses.
Military service. Members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces have special routes, some of them without a green card. See military naturalization.

On top of the residence period, you must meet requirements for continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, English and civics, and attachment to the Constitution. Our naturalization eligibility requirements guide goes through each one.

The naturalization process step by step

Here is the typical sequence for someone applying under the 5-year or 3-year rule.

Confirm eligibility and your filing date. You can file up to 90 days before you reach the required residence period. USCIS has an Early Filing Calculator on uscis.gov for this. An application sent too early is rejected.
Gather documents. At a minimum you need a copy of both sides of your green card. Depending on your case you may also need marriage records, tax transcripts, court records or military paperwork.
Complete and file Form N-400. You can file online through a USCIS online account or on paper by mail. See how to fill out Form N-400 and filing online or by mail.
Pay the fee. As of October 2026 the fee is $710 online or $760 on paper. A $380 reduced fee and a fee waiver exist for people who qualify, but only for paper filings. Details are in our N-400 filing fee guide.
Receive your receipt notice. It also extends your green card for 2 years past its printed expiration date.
Attend biometrics if scheduled. USCIS takes your fingerprints, photo and signature for background checks.
Attend the interview. An officer reviews your application under oath and gives you the English and civics tests.
Get a decision. The outcome may be granted, continued (more evidence or a retest needed), or denied.
Take the Oath of Allegiance. You become a citizen only once you take the oath at a ceremony. You then receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

The naturalization timeline article explains what happens between each of these steps.

The tests you must pass

Most applicants take two tests at the interview.

English test. The officer judges your speaking during the interview. You must read aloud one of three sentences correctly and write one of three dictated sentences correctly.
Civics test. If you filed your N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test. The officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct answers to pass. Applicants who filed earlier take the 2008 version: up to 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct needed.

If you fail either test, you get a second try on the failed part only, usually 60 to 90 days later. Older long-term residents may qualify for exemptions or a shorter test (see the 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20 rules). Applicants with a qualifying disability can ask for an exception with Form N-648.

What changed in 2025 and 2026

USCIS has tightened several parts of the process. Applicants should expect:

A longer civics test for applications filed on or after October 20, 2025.
A broader look at good moral character. An August 2025 policy memo tells officers to weigh positive contributions as well as negative conduct.
Renewed neighborhood investigations. A policy alert dated August 25, 2026 ended the general waiver of these checks. Applicants may voluntarily submit character reference letters, preferably from U.S. citizens who are not family members.
Electronic payment. Since October 28, 2025, paper filers generally pay by card (Form G-1450) or bank debit (Form G-1650). Checks are accepted only with an approved exemption.
A proposed fee increase. A rule proposed in June 2026 would raise the N-400 fee and end the reduced fee and fee waivers. It was not final as of this writing.

Always check uscis.gov/n-400 for the latest rules before you file.

How to prepare

Start studying for the civics test as soon as you decide to apply. Don't wait for the interview notice. With 128 questions, steady practice beats cramming. Our guide on how to pass the civics test has concrete study methods, and you can browse all questions on our questions page. An app like Civio lets you take full 20-question practice exams that include questions about your own state, so the real interview feels familiar.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen?

You first need the required residence period: usually 5 years as a green card holder, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen. After you file, processing times vary by field office. USCIS publishes current estimates at uscis.gov/processing-times.

Can I become a citizen without a green card?

Generally no. Naturalization requires lawful permanent residence. The main exception is military service during a designated period of hostilities, which can qualify some service members even without a green card.

Do I have to give up my other citizenship?

U.S. law does not require you to choose one citizenship, even though the oath includes renouncing allegiance to other countries. Your other country's laws may be different. See our article on dual citizenship.

Is naturalization the same as getting a green card?

No. A green card makes you a permanent resident. Naturalization makes you a citizen, with the right to vote and to get a U.S. passport.

Prepare for the civics test with Civio: every official question from the 2025 USCIS civics test, Exam Mode with your state's questions, and spaced repetition.

Informational article, not legal advice. Civio is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; always check current requirements at uscis.gov.