N-400 Naturalization: U.S. Citizenship Guide (2026)

Naturalization is the final step in the immigration journey — becoming a U.S. citizen. If you already have a green card, Form N-400 is how you apply. In 2026, processing times are at near-historic lows, with a national average of about 7.8 months from filing to the oath ceremony.

This guide covers who is eligible, how to apply, what the interview and civics test involve, and what the process looks like from start to finish.

Who is eligible

You must meet all of the following requirements to naturalize:

Basic requirements

• Age: At least 18 years old at the time of filing
• Green card holder: Must be a lawful permanent resident (LPR)
• Continuous residence: 5 years as an LPR (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen — see below)
• Physical presence: Physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the 5 years before filing (or 18 months out of 3 years for the marriage-based rule)
• State residence: Lived in the state or USCIS district where you are filing for at least 3 months
• Good moral character: No disqualifying criminal history during the statutory period
• English language: Ability to read, write, and speak basic English
• Civics knowledge: Pass a test on U.S. history and government
• Oath of Allegiance: Willingness to swear the oath

The 3-year rule (marriage to U.S. citizen)

If you received your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen and are still married to and living with that citizen, you can apply after just 3 years as an LPR instead of 5. You must have been in marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for the entire 3-year period.

Exemptions from the English and civics tests

• 50/20 exemption: If you are 50+ years old and have been an LPR for 20+ years, you are exempt from the English test and can take the civics test in your native language through an interpreter.
• 55/15 exemption: If you are 55+ years old and have been an LPR for 15+ years, the same exemption applies.
• 65/20 exemption: If you are 65+ years old and have been an LPR for 20+ years, you take a simplified version of the civics test (20 questions instead of the standard set) in your native language.
• Medical disability: If you have a physical or developmental disability that prevents you from meeting the English or civics requirements, you can request an exemption by filing Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions).

Step-by-step process

Step 1: File Form N-400

File Form N-400 online through your USCIS account or by mail. You can file up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement.

Filing fee: $760 (includes biometrics). Fee waivers are available for applicants with household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines (Form I-912).

Step 2: Biometrics appointment

USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment 3–8 weeks after receiving your application. You will go to an Application Support Center (ASC) for fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature. USCIS uses these to run an FBI background check.

Step 3: Interview and tests

USCIS schedules your naturalization interview 5–8 months after filing. At the interview, a USCIS officer will:

1. Put you under oath — you are sworn to tell the truth
2. Review your N-400 — the officer goes through your application question by question, verifying your answers and checking for any changes since filing
3. Test your English — you read one sentence aloud and write one dictated sentence
4. Test your civics knowledge — you answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly from a pool of 128 (the 2025 civics test, effective Oct 20, 2025)

What to bring: your green card, passport (current and expired), state ID, any travel records, and originals of documents referenced in your application (marriage certificates, divorce decrees, tax returns, etc.).

Step 4: Decision

The officer will typically tell you the result at the end of the interview:

• Approved: You are scheduled for an oath ceremony
• Continued: Additional evidence or investigation is needed
• Denied: You receive a written denial with the reason and information about how to appeal

Step 5: Oath ceremony

The oath ceremony may be the same day as your interview (same-day oath, increasingly common at many offices) or scheduled weeks later. You take the Oath of Allegiance, turn in your green card, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

You are a U.S. citizen from the moment you take the oath.

Timeline in 2026

The national average in 2026 is approximately 7.8 months. Check your specific USCIS field office processing times for a more accurate estimate.

Costs in 2026

After naturalization, most new citizens immediately apply for a U.S. passport ($190 for a passport book).

The civics test

USCIS implemented a redesigned civics test effective October 20, 2025. Which version you take depends on when you filed:

Most 2026 filers will take the 128-question version. The expanded question bank covers the same three areas — American government, American history, and integrated civics (geography, symbols, holidays) — but adds questions on civic participation, the Bill of Rights, and recent U.S. history through 2025.

• 65/20 version: Applicants 65+ who have been LPRs for 20+ years take a simplified 20-question set in their native language through an interpreter. Passing threshold: 6 correct out of 10 asked.
• Study materials: USCIS provides the complete list of 128 questions and free study materials at uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources.

The English test

The English requirement has three parts, all tested during the interview:

• Speaking: Demonstrated throughout the interview as the officer asks questions
• Reading: You must read aloud one out of three sentences correctly
• Writing: You must write one out of three dictated sentences correctly

The sentences use basic vocabulary from USCIS study materials. This is not an academic test — it assesses functional literacy.

Good moral character

USCIS evaluates your moral character during the “statutory period” — the 5 years (or 3 years) before filing, through the oath ceremony. Issues that can affect good moral character:

• Permanent bars: Murder, aggravated felonies
• Conditional bars: Controlled substance offenses (except simple marijuana possession of 30g or less), two or more gambling offenses, imprisonment for 180+ days, failure to support dependents, certain fraud or misrepresentation
• Other considerations: Tax filing history, child support obligations, selective service registration (for men 18–25)

If you have any criminal history — even arrests without conviction — consult an immigration attorney before filing.

Travel and absences

Travel outside the U.S. affects your naturalization eligibility:

Physical presence counts separately. Every day spent outside the U.S. subtracts from your 30-month (or 18-month) physical presence requirement.

After naturalization

Once you take the oath:

• Apply for a U.S. passport immediately — your Certificate of Naturalization is fragile and hard to replace
• Register to vote — you can register the same day at many oath ceremonies
• Update Social Security — visit SSA to update your citizenship status
• Petition for family members — as a citizen, you can now petition for parents, siblings, and married children through family-based sponsorship (categories not available to LPRs)
• No more conditional status — you cannot lose citizenship for travel, criminal issues (in most cases), or failure to renew a card

Not legal advice. Naturalization eligibility involves fact-specific analysis of your residency, travel, and moral character history. Criminal history or extended absences can create complications that are not always obvious. Consult an immigration attorney if your situation is not straightforward.