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Becoming a U.S. citizen is the final step in an immigration journey that often spans more than a decade. Naturalization grants rights that go far beyond permanent residence: the ability to vote in federal elections, permanent protection against deportation, access to federal government jobs, and the American passport, which allows visa-free entry to more than 180 countries. In 2026, with USCIS’s revised fee schedule and still-elevated processing times, understanding the full procedure prevents costly delays and petition rejections.
Legal Pathways to Citizenship
U.S. law, codified primarily in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sections 301 through 360, recognizes three ways of acquiring citizenship.
Birthright Citizenship
The principle of jus soli, anchored in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, automatically grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The nationality or immigration status of the parents is irrelevant under this rule.
Citizenship by Descent
The jus sanguinis principle transmits citizenship to children of American citizens born abroad. The rules depend on the child’s date of birth, the prior U.S. residence of the parent, and whether the parents were married. Those born before 1986 are subject to different, older rules.
Naturalization
This is the voluntary process by which permanent residents apply for citizenship through USCIS using Form N-400. This is the path taken by the vast majority of Brazilian immigrants and the main focus of this guide.
Naturalization Requirements
To file Form N-400, the applicant must simultaneously meet all requirements set forth in INA section 316.
- Be at least 18 years old on the date of filing.
- Hold a Green Card for five continuous years. The period drops to three years when the applicant is married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse throughout that entire period.
- Demonstrate physical presence in the United States for at least half of the required period — that is, 30 months out of five years or 18 months out of three years.
- Maintain continuous residence in the country. Absences of more than six months may break continuity, and absences of more than one year interrupt it permanently, unless prior authorization was obtained through Form N-470.
- Demonstrate good moral character during the relevant period. Criminal records, tax fraud, failure to pay child support, and immigration violations can jeopardize this requirement.
- Speak, read, and write basic English, unless exempt by age and length of residency (rules 50/20, 55/15, and 65/20).
- Know the history and structure of the U.S. government, demonstrated through an oral civics test.
Updated Fees and Forms
The USCIS fee reform, in effect since April 1, 2024, and maintained in 2026, reorganized the costs of naturalization. Form N-400 now has two price points based on submission method: $710 for online filing and $760 for paper submission. The biometric fee was incorporated into the main amount and is no longer charged separately. Applicants with income below 150% of the federal poverty line may request a full fee waiver via Form I-912; between 150% and 400%, a partial reduction is available.
Those who need to renew their Green Card before naturalizing use Form I-90, whose updated fee is $415 by paper or $365 online. Renewal is not a prerequisite for filing Form N-400, but some offices and employers require a card within its validity period.
Step-by-Step Process
Once eligibility is confirmed, the procedure follows five formal steps.
Filing Form N-400
The form can be completed online through the myUSCIS portal or mailed to the service center designated for the state of residence. Attach a front-and-back copy of the Green Card, federal income tax records for the past five years (or three, if applicable), evidence of international travel, and — when the basis is marriage — a marriage certificate and proof of shared life.
Biometric Collection
Approximately four to eight weeks after submission, USCIS schedules fingerprint collection, a photograph, and a digital signature at an Application Support Center. This information feeds into the FBI background check. In some cases, USCIS waives a new appointment and reuses biometrics already on file from the Green Card application.
Interview and Tests
The interview notice typically arrives four to twelve months after filing, depending on the field office. On the day of the interview, the officer reviews the N-400 under oath, verifies original documents, and administers two tests.
- English test, divided into three parts: speaking, reading, and writing. The applicant reads a sentence in English, writes another sentence dictated by the officer, and answers basic questions during the petition review.
- Civics test, based on the 2008 version of the exam. The officer selects up to ten questions from a public bank of one hundred; six correct answers are required to pass. Content covers the Constitution, branches of government, the Civil War, geography, and national symbols.
The 2020 version of the test, which was more extensive, was rescinded in February 2021. The current exam remains the 2008 version, which has adapted versions available for qualifying elderly applicants.
Decision
Shortly after the interview, the officer presents Form N-652 indicating whether the application was approved, continued, or denied. A continuation occurs when documents are pending or a re-interview is needed; a denial may be appealed via Form N-336 within 30 days.
Oath Ceremony
The final step is the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. The immigrant surrenders their Green Card, recites the oath set forth in 8 CFR 337.1, and receives the Certificate of Naturalization. Citizenship is granted at the exact moment the oath is taken.
Processing Times in 2026
USCIS publishes updated medians at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. In mid-2025, the national median for Form N-400 ranged from five to eight months, with high-demand offices such as Houston, Newark, and Atlanta operating closer to twelve months. Cases requiring additional background review or military history may extend well beyond that. Tracking status using the receipt number on the Case Status Online portal prevents surprises.
Citizenship or Permanent Green Card?
Not every permanent resident seeks naturalization. The choice depends on personal priorities. Citizenship provides protection against deportation even in criminal cases, the right to vote and run for public office, automatic citizenship for minor children born abroad (provided the requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 are met), and access to sensitive federal jobs. On the other hand, some countries — such as Brazil — allow dual nationality, so the oath does not require any practical renunciation of the birth citizenship.
Those who plan to live extended periods outside the United States, maintain jobs abroad, or inherit assets in countries that restrict foreign ownership may prefer to keep the Green Card and renew it every ten years via Form I-90. In any scenario, prolonged absences require careful evaluation: leaving the country for more than one year without a reentry permit (Form I-131) may constitute abandonment of residency.
For those who decide to move forward, the recommendation is to start preparing one year before becoming eligible — gathering tax returns, travel records, certificates, and studying the civics question bank. Naturalization is not merely a bureaucratic procedure; it is the legal consolidation of a life built in the United States.
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.
