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Steps to Become an American Citizen

Gaining U.S. citizenship can provide many opportunities for a resident of the United States. Among these are access to a U.S. passport, the right to vote in public elections, and protection from deportation. However, becoming an American Citizen requires a few steps, from establishing your eligibility to filing, fingerprinting, attending an interview, passing tests of your knowledge of English and of U.S. civics, and attending an oath ceremony.

Step One: Find Out Whether You Are Eligible to Become a U.S. Citizen

The first question is whether you have a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence). With very few exceptions, you must obtain a green card before you become eligible to apply for citizenship. So if you haven't yet reached this point, learn about your eligibility by reading "Eligibility for a U.S. Green Card."

As a lawful permanent resident, you must meet additional requirements in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship. These concern the length of time you've spent in the U.S. as a green card holder, your good moral character, your ability to pass a test in English and on U.S. history and government, and more. To check on whether you are eligible, see "Who is Eligible to Become a Naturalized U.S. Citizen?"

Step Two: Overcome Barriers to Your Ineligibility

You may discover that you are not eligible to become a citizen just now. Perhaps you can't show good moral character because you committed a minor crime (though not a major enough one to make you deportable). Or perhaps you broke the continuity of your residence by spending too long outside the United States. It may be that simply waiting longer will make you eligible for citizenship, or you may need to take other steps to make you eligible. Consult an immigration attorney for a full analysis.

See our article, "On What Grounds Can I Be Denied U.S. Citizenship?", for common reasons your citizenship would be denied.

Step Three: Filing USCIS Form N-400

Once you have established your eligibility, you need to file some paperwork with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The N-400 is the form to get the process started. As of early 2014, it cost $595 to file the application for naturalization, plus an $85 biometrics fee. You will need to attach a copy of your green card.

Once your application has been accepted, you will be mailed a date for your fingerprinting and biometrics.

See our tips for filing the N-400 to find out what to expect.

Step Four: Fingerpinting

In order to process your application, a background check will have to be performed. You will be given a date and address to a local office where you will be fingerprinted. Your fingerprints will be run through the FBI for a background check.

Step Five: Citizenship Interview

After your fingerprinting, you should receive an appointment date and address for an interview with a UCSIC officer. During this interview, the officer will go through your N-400 and confirm your answers to all the questions. The officer will also test your knowledge of English and of U.S. civics. To help prepare, read "Preparing for the Naturalization Interview."

Step Six: Oath Ceremony

If you are approved at (or soon after) your interview, congratulations. But you are not a citizen quite yet. You will be called in for a large public ceremony, at which you and others will be given the oath, in which you swear loyalty to the United States. Then you will be given a certificate of naturalization, showing that you are a U.S. citizen.