American Naturalization: Costs, Steps, and the New N-400 Civics Test

Naturalization is the legal process by which a permanent resident of the United States becomes an American citizen. Unlike the Green Card, which grants the right to live and work in the country, citizenship confers full rights, including voting, a U.S. passport, and absolute protection against deportation. The path to citizenship involves the N-400 form, an English and civics test, and culminates in the oath of allegiance to the United States Constitution.

In 2026, the naturalization process features significant changes: a new civics test came into effect in October 2025 with an expanded question bank, fees have been updated, and USCIS maintains relatively fast processing times, with a median of 5.5 months. This guide details every step, cost, and requirement for those wishing to take this definitive step toward American citizenship.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for naturalization, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements simultaneously. The absence of any of them results in denial of the application by USCIS.

• Be a permanent resident (Green Card holder) for at least 5 years. If married to a U.S. citizen and the marriage is maintained throughout the period, the requirement is reduced to 3 years.
• Have physically resided in the United States for at least half of the qualifying period: 30 months for the 5-year rule or 18 months for the 3-year rule.
• Have maintained continuous residence in the U.S., with no absences longer than 6 consecutive months. Absences between 6 and 12 months create a presumption of broken residence, which can be overcome with documentation. Absences over 12 months generally reset the statutory period count.
• Be at least 18 years old at the time of submitting the form.
• Demonstrate good moral character during the statutory period and up to the oath ceremony. Convictions for serious crimes, immigration fraud, or failure to pay taxes may compromise eligibility.
• Be able to read, write, and speak basic English, except for age-based exceptions detailed below.
• Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government through the civics test administered at the interview.

N-400 Costs in 2026

The N-400 filing fee varies depending on the submission method and the applicant’s financial situation. The amounts already include the biometrics fee, which has been incorporated into the main form fee.

Applicants whose household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or who receive public benefits such as Medicaid or SNAP, may request a full fee waiver using form I-912. The fee waiver request must be submitted with the N-400 and requires supporting documentation of income and benefits.

Process Steps

The naturalization process follows a sequence defined by USCIS. In 2026, the total estimated timeframe ranges from 6 to 14 months, depending on the regional office. The national median is approximately 5.5 months, with smaller offices processing in 5 to 6 months and major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Miami, and New York taking 10 to 12 months. Processing times in 2026 are among the lowest since 2016.

N-400 Form

The first step is to complete and submit the N-400 form to USCIS, accompanied by supporting documents: a copy of the Green Card (front and back), two passport-style photos, proof of residence, and a complete record of international travel over the past 5 years. Online submission via the myUSCIS portal is recommended as it is faster and has a lower fee. After receipt, USCIS issues a confirmation notice with a case number for tracking.

Biometrics and Verification

USCIS schedules biometrics collection, which includes fingerprints and a photograph, for criminal background checks with the FBI. In 2026, this step is included in the filing fee and does not require additional payment. Scheduling usually occurs within 2 to 4 weeks after form submission.

Interview and Tests

The applicant attends an in-person interview at the local USCIS office. During the interview, an officer reviews all answers on the N-400 form, checks original documents, and administers the English and civics tests. The English test assesses three skills: reading simple sentences aloud, writing sentences dictated by the officer, and basic conversation during the interview itself. The applicant must answer the civics test questions orally.

Oath Ceremony

Once approved at the interview, the applicant receives a notice for the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. At this ceremony, the applicant formally renounces foreign allegiances, surrenders the Green Card, and receives the Certificate of Naturalization (N-550). From that moment, they are officially a U.S. citizen and may apply for a passport the same day at locations offering the service.

It is important to note that, since January 2026, USCIS has implemented a temporary pause in the adjudication of naturalization applications for nationals of 39 countries, mostly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In March 2026, USCIS announced the gradual resumption of processing for applicants from these countries who undergo enhanced screening. Potentially affected applicants should check updates on the official USCIS website.

2025 Civics Test

Since October 20, 2025, USCIS has administered a significantly updated version of the civics test for applicants who filed the N-400 from that date onward. The changes make the test more comprehensive compared to the previous version, which had been in effect since 2008.

• The question bank increased from 100 to 128 questions about American history, government, and civic rights
• The officer asks 20 questions during the interview, compared to 10 in the previous version
• The applicant must answer at least 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass
• If the applicant misses 9 questions, the test is automatically ended as a failure
• All study materials are available for free on the USCIS website in flashcard, audio, and video formats

Applicants who are 65 years or older and have at least 20 years of permanent residence take a simplified version, with selected questions from a reduced bank of 20 questions. If the applicant fails the civics test, they are entitled to a second attempt within 60 to 90 days, with no additional fee required.

Age-Based Exemptions

USCIS offers important exceptions to the English requirement for older applicants with a long history of permanent residence in the United States. These exemptions recognize the difficulty of learning a new language at an advanced age.

• 50/20 Rule: applicants who are 50 or older and have had a Green Card for at least 20 years are exempt from the English test.
• 55/15 Rule: applicants who are 55 or older and have had a Green Card for at least 15 years are also exempt.

In both cases, the civics test remains mandatory but may be taken in the applicant’s native language. The applicant must provide their own interpreter to accompany them throughout the interview. Applicants with documented physical or cognitive disabilities may request full or partial exemption from the tests using form N-648, which must be completed and signed by a licensed physician in the United States.

Citizenship Rights

American citizenship confers rights that go substantially beyond what the Green Card provides. While a permanent resident can be deported under certain circumstances and does not have full political rights, the naturalized citizen has the following permanent and irrevocable prerogatives.

• Right to vote in all federal, state, and local elections
• U.S. passport, with visa-free or electronic visa access to over 180 countries
• Absolute protection against deportation, regardless of future circumstances
• Ability to transmit citizenship to children under 18 automatically, including those born abroad
• Eligibility for federal public office, except the presidency, which requires citizenship by birth
• Access to federal programs restricted to citizens, including certain benefits, scholarships, and national security positions
• Ability to sponsor family members for immigration in immediate preference categories, with significantly shorter wait times than those available to permanent residents

The naturalization process is one of the most well-structured stages of the American immigration system. With processing times among the lowest since 2016 and free study materials provided by USCIS, the path to citizenship is accessible to any permanent resident who meets the eligibility requirements and prepares adequately for the tests. Case status can be tracked entirely online via the myUSCIS portal, from form submission to the oath ceremony notice.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.