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American citizenship represents the final stage of the immigration journey in the United States. Unlike the green card, which grants permanent residency but still imposes restrictions and can be revoked under certain circumstances, naturalization gives the immigrant the same rights and constitutional protections as a native-born citizen, including the right to vote, protection against deportation, and full access to federal benefits. In 2026, with the N-400 Form fee at $710 (online) and an average processing time of 7.8 months, understanding each step of the process is essential to avoid delays and surprises.
The naturalization process is administered by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and requires meeting specific requirements for residency, physical presence, moral character, and knowledge of English and civics. Proper preparation makes all the difference: errors on the form, gaps in documentation, or lack of preparation for the interview are frequent causes of delays and denials.
Who Can Apply
There are three main paths to obtain American citizenship. The first and most common is standard naturalization, available to green card holders who meet all the requirements established by Section 316 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The second is naturalization through marriage to a U.S. citizen, which allows for an accelerated path with a reduced qualification period. The third is derived citizenship, which benefits minor children of U.S. citizens in certain circumstances provided by the Child Citizenship Act.
For standard naturalization, the applicant must be at least 18 years old, have held a green card for at least five years, have resided continuously in the United States during that period, and have been physically present in the country for at least 30 months out of the five years prior to applying. In the case of spouses of U.S. citizens, the required green card period is reduced to three years, provided the marriage is ongoing and the couple has lived together throughout the period.
Detailed Requirements
Good moral character is assessed by USCIS based on the five years prior to the application (three years for spouses of citizens). Criminal convictions, immigration fraud, failure to pay taxes or child support, and false statements during the process can compromise the evaluation. USCIS checks criminal backgrounds through biometrics and queries to federal and state databases.
Continuous residence means the applicant cannot have been absent from the U.S. for extended periods. Trips longer than six months can break the continuity of residence, and absences longer than one year almost always break it, requiring the applicant to restart the qualification period. Short and frequent trips generally do not affect eligibility, but must be accurately reported on the N-400 Form.
The applicant must demonstrate basic ability to read, write, and speak English. There are exemptions for certain age groups: green card holders aged 50 or older with 20 years of permanent residence (the 50/20 rule), or aged 55 or older with 15 years of permanent residence (the 55/15 rule), may take the interview and civics test in their native language with the help of an interpreter.
Updated Civics Test
In October 2025, USCIS implemented an updated version of the naturalization civics test. For applicants who submitted the N-400 Form on or after October 20, 2025, the new test consists of 20 questions selected from a bank of 128 questions about U.S. history and government. The applicant must answer at least 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass, which represents a minimum passing rate of 60%.
The previous test, still applicable to applications submitted before that date, consisted of 10 questions from a bank of 100, with a requirement of 6 correct answers. Applicants aged 65 or older with 20 years of permanent residence (the 65/20 rule) continue to have access to a simplified version, with 10 questions selected from a reduced bank of 20 questions. If the applicant fails the civics or English test at the first interview, USCIS schedules a second attempt 60 to 90 days later, testing only the component that was failed.
Fees and Processing Times in 2026
The filing fee for the N-400 Form is $710 for online submission and $760 for paper submission, a difference that reflects USCIS’s incentive for digital processing. Applicants with household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Line may apply for the reduced fee of $380. Applicants with income below 150% may request a full fee waiver. The fee already includes the biometrics fee, with no additional cost.
In January 2026, the national average processing time for the N-400 was 7.8 months, an increase from the 6.7 months recorded in the fall of 2025. This increase was driven by an exceptional volume of applications at the end of 2025. Processing times vary significantly by regional office: some complete the process in less than three months, while others may take more than 18 months. The national median is between five and six months from submission to final decision.
Process Steps
The process begins with the submission of the N-400 Form to USCIS, preferably online through the myUSCIS portal. After receipt is confirmed, the applicant is scheduled for biometrics collection (fingerprints and photograph), which feeds into the criminal background check. The next step is the in-person interview at a USCIS office, where the officer assesses eligibility, administers the English and civics tests, and reviews the form responses.
If approved at the interview, the applicant receives a notice for the Oath Ceremony, where they take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. In some offices, the ceremony takes place on the same day as the interview; in others, it may take additional weeks. Citizenship is official at the moment of the oath, when the applicant receives the Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550).
Errors That Compromise the Process
Omitting international travel is one of the most serious and frequent mistakes. USCIS has access to entry and exit records (I-94), and discrepancies between what the applicant declares and what the records show can be interpreted as lack of good moral character or attempted fraud. All periods of absence must be declared with exact dates on the form.
Not preparing adequately for the civics test and English interview also jeopardizes approval. Although study materials are available for free on the USCIS website, many applicants underestimate the necessary preparation, especially with the new 128-question format. Another common mistake is failing to report changes of address, employment, or marital status that occur between submitting the form and the interview, which can create inconsistencies that raise suspicions during the review.
Benefits of Citizenship
Naturalization grants rights that the green card does not offer. American citizens can vote in federal, state, and local elections; are immune from deportation, except in extremely rare cases of naturalization fraud; can apply for immigration visas for immediate family members (spouses, children, and parents) without a waiting list through the Visa Bulletin; and have access to certain federal benefits and government positions restricted to citizens.
The U.S. passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 179 countries and territories. Unlike the green card, which must be renewed every ten years and can be considered abandoned in case of prolonged absences, citizenship is permanent and does not require renewal of documents other than the passport. The United States allows dual citizenship in practice, which means the applicant does not need to renounce their original citizenship to become a U.S. citizen, as long as the other country also allows dual nationality.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
