U.S. citizenship (naturalization): Form N-400, test and steps

Who this is for

Lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years old when they file.
People who have generally held a green card for 5 years, or 3 years if they have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse during that time (and the spouse has been a citizen the whole time).
Applicants with continuous residence in the U.S. — long trips abroad, especially 6 months or more, can raise questions, and trips of a year or more usually break it.
Applicants who have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of the required period and have lived in their state or USCIS district for at least 3 months before filing.
People who can show good moral character, support for the U.S. Constitution, and basic English and civics knowledge (with some age and disability exceptions).
Current and former members of the U.S. military, who may qualify under special rules.

Forms involved

Form	Official name	What it does
N-400	Application for Naturalization	The main application a green card holder files to ask USCIS to grant U.S. citizenship.
N-648	Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions	Completed by a licensed medical professional when a disability prevents an applicant from meeting the English and/or civics requirements.
I-912	Request for Fee Waiver	Lets eligible low-income applicants ask USCIS to waive the filing fee.

Step by step

Check eligibility and timingReview your green card date, trips abroad and any past legal issues. USCIS generally allows filing up to 90 days before you reach the 5-year or 3-year mark.
Prepare and file Form N-400Complete the N-400 online or on paper with supporting documents and the filing fee. USCIS sends a receipt notice once it accepts the application.
Attend a biometrics appointmentIf scheduled, you go to an Application Support Center for fingerprints and a photo so USCIS can run background checks.
Go to the naturalization interviewA USCIS officer reviews your application under oath and asks about your background, travel and character.
Take the English and civics testDuring the interview you are generally tested on reading, writing and speaking English and on U.S. history and government.
Receive a decisionUSCIS may approve, continue the case (for example, to retest or request more documents), or deny the application.
Take the Oath of AllegianceAfter approval, you attend an oath ceremony, sometimes the same day. You become a citizen only once you take the oath and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

Documents usually requested

Copy of the front and back of your green card
Government-issued photo ID and passport(s)
List of all trips outside the U.S. during the statutory period, with dates
Marriage certificate and proof of your spouse's U.S. citizenship (if filing under the 3-year marriage rule)
Proof of marital union, such as joint leases, tax returns or bank statements (for the 3-year rule)
Tax returns or IRS tax transcripts
Court and police records for any arrests, citations or convictions, even if dismissed or sealed
Proof of child support payments, if you have children who do not live with you
Selective Service registration information, if it applies to you
Form N-648, if requesting a disability exception

How long it takes

Timing depends on your local USCIS field office, background checks, whether more evidence is requested, and how soon an oath ceremony is available. Check current estimates on the USCIS processing times page.

Government filing fees

Form N-400 carries a filing fee set by USCIS; some low-income applicants may qualify for a reduced fee or a fee waiver (Form I-912). Fees change, so always confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule (uscis.gov/g-1055).

Working and traveling while you wait

You keep your green card while the N-400 is pending, so you can generally keep working and traveling. Long trips abroad before or after filing can affect continuous residence, so many applicants plan travel carefully until the oath.

Common mistakes to avoid

Filing too early or miscounting time abroad, which can break the continuous residence or physical presence requirement.
Leaving out arrests, citations or other past issues, even old or minor ones — not disclosing something can hurt more than the issue itself.
Not bringing original documents, court records or the green card to the interview.
Assuming the 3-year marriage rule applies when the couple is separated or the spouse has not been a citizen the whole time.
Studying the wrong version of the civics test for your filing date.

How MyUSVisa helps

Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.

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Frequently asked questions

Did the U.S. citizenship test change in 2025?

Yes, USCIS introduced a new 2025 civics test for people who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. The 2025 version uses a larger pool of questions, and the officer asks more questions out loud than under the older 2008 test, with a higher number of correct answers needed to pass. Applicants who filed before that date generally take the 2008 version. Check the USCIS study materials page for the version that matches your filing date.

How long do I need a green card before applying for citizenship?

Most people need to have been a permanent resident for 5 years, or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse. USCIS generally lets you file up to 90 days before reaching that mark. Members of the military may qualify under different rules.

What happens if I fail the English or civics test?

If you fail any part of the test at your first interview, USCIS usually gives you one more chance to retake the part you failed. The retest is generally scheduled within a few months. If you fail again, the application is typically denied, though you can apply again later.

Can older applicants take the test in their own language?

Some older applicants who have been permanent residents for many years are exempt from the English requirement and can take the civics test in their language with an interpreter. These exceptions depend on age and years as a permanent resident (for example, the 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20 rules). An attorney can confirm whether an exception may apply.

Does USCIS look at more than criminal history for good moral character?

Yes, USCIS generally looks at the whole picture of an applicant's conduct during the statutory period, not only criminal records. This can include things like taxes, child support and honesty in the application, and recent USCIS guidance has emphasized weighing positive factors as well. Policies in this area changed in 2025, so it helps to review the latest guidance or speak with an attorney.

When do I actually become a U.S. citizen?

You become a U.S. citizen when you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. Approval of your N-400 alone does not make you a citizen. After the oath, you receive a Certificate of Naturalization and can apply for a U.S. passport.

Official sources

Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.