Apply for US Citizenship in 2026 With Experienced Immigration Lawyers
Foreign nationals are able to apply for U.S. citizenship after fulfilling a certain number of necessary requirements.
For more information about U.S. citizenship, including what you need to do to be eligible for it, how to apply, and expert advice for your application, reach out to us today on +1 844 312 4979 or contact U.S. online.
Page Contents
- Overview of U.S. Citizenship
- Differences Between U.S. Citizenship and U.S. Nationality
- Eligibility Requirements for U.S. Citizenship
- What is the Cost of U.S. Citizenship by Naturalization?
- Who is Eligible to Apply for U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalization?
- Naturalization Requirements
- How to apply for U.S. citizenship
- Main Legal Aspects of the U.S. Citizenship
- How Can IAS Help?
How Can You Get US Citizenship? The Main Routes
People may acquire US citizenship at birth in the United States, or at birth abroad if they meet the statutory requirements through a US citizen parent. Eligible permanent residents can also become citizens through naturalization. Marriage to a US citizen does not automatically grant citizenship, although it may qualify a spouse for the three-year naturalization route.
Naturalization is the process which allows U.S. immigrants to become citizens of the United States. Most naturalization applicants must be lawful permanent residents for five years before applying. Qualifying spouses of US citizens may apply after three years of permanent residence, while eligible military personnel and certain other applicants may qualify under separate provisions.
The processing time for American citizenship is between 8 to 14 months. This timeline includes all the processes from application stage to where applicants take their oath of allegiance to the United States.
US Citizen vs. US National: What Is the Difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different constitutional implications and requirements. In the legal point of view, these two mean different things. A U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. national, but the reverse is sometimes untrue. U.S. citizens have less restrictions and more benefits than U.S. nationals.
Certain people born in American Samoa or Swains Island to parents who are not US citizens acquire US nationality without citizenship. Their eligibility to become US citizens is governed by specific naturalization provisions. There is no general three-month physical-presence rule that automatically grants citizenship.
US Citizenship Eligibility: Who Can Become a Citizen?
To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being:
- At least 18 years old when you apply
- Able to read, write, and speak basic English (depending on age)
- Of good moral character
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
- Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. constitution
- Be willing to take oath of allegiance
- Have continuous residence and physical presence in the United States.
You must also be in one of these categories:
- Lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) of five years
- Married to a U.S. citizen
- U.S. military service member (active duty or veteran)
- Child of a U.S. citizen
US Citizenship Application Fees in 2026: N-400 Costs & Waivers
The current Form N-400 filing fee is $710 for online applications and $760 for paper applications. Eligible applicants may qualify for a reduced fee of $380 or a fee waiver. There is no separate biometrics fee, and eligible military applicants may qualify for a filing-fee exemption.
Eligible applicants may qualify for a reduced fee of $380 or a fee waiver. There is no separate biometrics fee under the current fee structure.
This fee does not apply to applicants who have served in the U.S. military. Aged applicants older than 75 years are also exempted from the biometric fees.
Naturalization Eligibility: 5-Year, 3-Year & Military Routes
Eligibility for naturalization generally depends on a number of factors:
- How long you’ve had your green card
- How long you’ve physically lived in the United States
- Whether you’ve served in the U.S. military (and if so, whether your service was during “peacetime” or “wartime”)
- Applicants holding a U.S. green card, who do not have any special circumstances are able to apply for U.S. citizenship. They need to wait 5 years after obtaining their green card to make an application for citizenship. Also, applicants are required to have lived in the U.S. for a period of 2.5 years or 30 months in the 5 years required.
- You may qualify under the three-year naturalization rule if you have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years and have lived in marital union with the same US citizen spouse throughout that period. Your spouse must have been a US citizen for at least those three years. You must also demonstrate at least 18 months of physical presence in the United States during the qualifying period and meet the other naturalization requirements.
- Applicants who were living with their partners who died while serving in the U.S. military may apply for U.S. citizenship at any time. They are required to have their green card at any time of their citizenship application. There are no time constraints on when to have a green card for the purpose of this citizenship application. The only requirement is that applicants are living with their partners at the time of their death in the military service.
- Applicants who have served in the U.S. military for a least period of 12 months during peacetime are allowed to apply while in service.
- Applicants who have served in the U.S. military for less than a year of peacetime need to apply after 5 years of holding a green card.
- Applicants who have at least 12 months of military service during peacetime, and filing for citizenship 6 months after separating honorably from service need to have held a green card for a period of 5 years.
- Applicants who have served in the U.S. military for any period of time during wartime can apply for citizenship at any time.
US Naturalization Requirements: Residence, Presence & Good Moral Character
Core Requirements for Naturalization
In addition to the five-year requirement, you must also fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. You must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Maintain continuous residence in the United States throughout the required three- or five-year qualifying period.
- Have been residing in the state where you plan to apply for citizenship for at least 3 months.
- Have “good moral character,” which broadly refers to things such as not having a criminal record and not having any characteristics or marks that may call into doubt your ability to act as a good citizen.
- Pass the naturalization interview, which includes an English test and a Civics test.
- Be willing to perform civilian service or serve in the U.S. military if asked.
- Be willing to defend the U.S. Constitution.
English and Civics Test Exceptions
Applicants with a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment may be exempt from the English and civics test requirement above. They may apply for the exemption by filing Form N-648 (officially called the “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions”), which is completed by a medical doctor.
Naturalization Through Peacetime Military Service
Individuals who apply for naturalization based on at least one year of peacetime military service are exempt from requirement Nos. 2 and 3 above. To meet requirement No. 4, the applicant must not have committed certain crimes during the five years before applying.
Exceptions based on wartime military service
Applicants to apply to naturalize based on a period of wartime military service may be exempt from requirement number 1, 2 and 3. To meet requirement No. 4, the applicant must not have committed certain crimes during the five years before applying.
How to Apply for US Citizenship: The N-400 Process
Step 1: Check Eligibility and File Form N-400
To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you must first file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and pay the filing fee. If you wish to apply online, you must create an account with U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Services (USCIS). Or alternatively, you can apply by paper.
You will be required to apply by paper if you’re applying based on grounds of military service, if you’re applying from abroad, or if you need to take advantage of a fee reduction or waiver.
You may generally submit Form N-400 up to 90 calendar days before completing the required three- or five-year continuous residence period, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements. USCIS must still confirm that you qualify for naturalization.
Step 2: Attend Biometrics if USCIS Requires Them
After accepting your application, USCIS will notify you if it needs to collect your biometrics, including fingerprints, photographs and signatures. If an appointment is required, USCIS will send a notice confirming the date, time and location. Previously collected biometrics may be reused.
Step 3: Attend Your Naturalization Interview and Test
USCIS will schedule your naturalization interview at the appropriate office and notify you of the appointment. During the interview, an officer will review your Form N-400, ask questions about your application and assess your eligibility. You will also take the English and civics tests unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.
Processing times vary depending on your location and individual circumstances. You can check current estimates using the USCIS processing times tool.
During the interview, a USCIS officer will verify that the information you’ve provided in your application is accurate. You will also undergo a two-part naturalization test. The first component is an English language test, while the second is a civics test, and will assess your knowledge of U.S. history, government and customs. There is an official study guide published by USCIS to help you prepare for this exam.
If you pass the interview and exam, your application for citizenship will be approved at the end of the interview. In some cases, however, you may be asked for additional documentation or be asked to return for a second interview.
If you don’t pass the exam or interview, you will receive a letter detailing the reason why. You may also be able to appeal the refusal within 30 days of receiving the letter.
Step 4: Take the Oath of Allegiance
After your application is approved, you will attend a citizenship ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance.
You will normally receive a letter detailing the date, time, and location of the ceremony.
You’ll be asked to return your green card when you check in. Once the ceremony is over, you’ll receive a Certificate of Naturalization and become a fully-fledged U.S. citizen.
US Citizenship: Dual Nationality, Taxes and Responsibilities
There are some key aspects of becoming a U.S. citizen that you should ensure that you’re aware of. Depending on your own personal circumstances, these may include the following:
- If you’re the citizen of a country that does not allow dual-citizenship, you may have to renounce your citizenship to that country before becoming naturalized as a U.S. citizen. The U.S. does allow dual citizenship however, so it is possible to be a U.S. citizen and a citizen of another country.
- You may be required to serve in the U.S. military. If you are a male U.S. citizen or green card holder and lived in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 25, you must normally register with the Selective Service System.
- You may need to carry out jury duty in the U.S. Only individuals who hold certain titles and positions, such as active-duty military service members, fire and police department workers and certain public government officers may be exempt. In addition, those aged 71 and older may also be exempt.
- You are required to file U.S. income tax returns, regardless of whether or not you’ll be living in the U.S.
- If you’ve been convicted of certain crimes such as immigration fraud, domestic violence or drug offences, this could negatively affect your chances of being approved to become a U.S. citizen. If this applies to you, it’s especially important to seek legal assistance before applying for naturalization by reaching out to us today on +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.
Get Expert Help With Your US Citizenship Application
Applying for U.S. citizenship can be a quite complicated process. You may require assistance to ascertain the documentation submission and certain application procedure. IAS can help you understand the procedure clearly and assess the ways in which you are eligible.
We are a formidable team of professional and knowledgeable immigration lawyers who have years’ worth of experience working in U.S. immigration law. We have helped countless people overcome hurdles to acquire U.S. citizenship, and we can help you to do the same, too.
Whether you need expert advice on how to prove your financial status or your health insurance meets the requirements, or you need help determining how to prove suitability to apply after being away from the U.S. for some time, we can be of help.
For more information about U.S. citizenship, including what you need to do to be eligible for it, how to apply, and expert advice for your application, reach out to us today on +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on November 2nd, 2026 at 6:38 pm
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