Speaking Test

Your ability to speak English will be determined by a USCIS Officer during your eligibility interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Reading Test

You must read aloud one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English. The Reading Test Vocabulary List will help you study for the English reading portion of the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

Writing Test

You must write one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English. The Writing Test Vocabulary List will help you study for the English writing portion of the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

Civics Test

There are 100 civics questions on the naturalization test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer correctly six (6) of the 10 questions to pass the civics test.

“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

10 Steps to Naturalization: Understanding the Process of Becoming a U.S. Citizen

To apply for naturalization, you will need to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Below you will find a general description of the application process.

Before you apply, be sure that you meet all eligibility requirements. Check if you qualify for any exceptions and accommodations. You can use the naturalization eligibility worksheet (PDF, 301 KB) and document checklist (PDF, 178 KB) to help you prepare.

Step 1. Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen

What to do: If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth, or you did not acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from your parent(s) automatically after birth, go to the next step.

Step 2. Determine if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen

What to do: Review the naturalization eligibility worksheet (PDF, 301 KB) to help you decide if you are eligible to apply for naturalization.

Step 3. Prepare your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

What to do: Download the form and read the instructions. Collect the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization. If you reside outside the United States, get 2 passport-style photo taken. Use the document checklist (PDF, 178 KB) to make sure you collect all the required documents.

Step 4. Submit your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

Once you submit Form N-400, USCIS will send you a receipt notice. You can check current processing times and the status of your application online or by calling the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (hearing impaired).

Step 5. Go to the biometrics appointment, if applicable

What to do: If you need to take biometrics, USCIS will send you an appointment notice that includes your biometrics appointment date, time, and location. Arrive at the designated location at the scheduled time. Have your biometrics taken.

Step 6. Complete the interview

Once all the preliminary processes on your case are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the naturalization process. You must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on your appointment notice. Please bring the appointment notice with you.

Step 7. Receive a decision from USCIS on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

USCIS will issue you a written notice of decision.

• Granted—USCIS may approve your Form N-400 if the evidence in your record establishes that you are eligible for naturalization.
• Continued—USCIS may continue your application if you need to provide additional evidence/documentation, fail to provide USCIS the correct documents, or fail the English and/or civics test the first time.
• Denied—USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if the evidence in your record establishes you are not eligible for naturalization.

Step 8. Receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance

What to expect: If USCIS approved your Form N-400 in step 7, you may be able to participate in a naturalization ceremony on the same day as your interview. If a same day naturalization ceremony is unavailable, USCIS will mail you a notification with the date, time, and location of your scheduled ceremony.

Step 9. Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States

You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

What to do: Complete the questionnaire on Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony. Report for your naturalization ceremony and check in with USCIS. A USCIS officer will review your responses to Form N-445. Turn in your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen. Receive your Certificate of Naturalization, review it, and notify USCIS of any errors you see on your certificate before leaving the ceremony site.

Step 10. Understanding U.S. citizenship

Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. Check out this list of some of the most important rights and responsibilities that all citizens—both Americans by birth and by choice—should exercise, honor, and respect.

*For more detailed information on the naturalization process, please visit the Citizenship Through Naturalization page. For information on naturalization for members of the U.S. armed forces, please visit the citizenship for military personnel and family members page.

Aggravated Felony: Usually refers to particularly serious crimes. If you have committed an aggravated felony, you may be permanently ineligible for naturalization. The Immigration and Nationality Act and the laws in each State determine what is considered an aggravated felony.

Application Support Center (ASC): USCIS offices where applicants usually have their biometrics taken. Once you have filed your application with USCIS, you will receive a notice telling you which ASC serves your area.

AR-11, “Alien’s Change of Address Card”: This is the form you use to tell USCIS when you have moved to a new address. The AR-11 is pre-printed with USCIS’ address. It is very important to tell USCIS when your address changes. This way, you will receive any information USCIS sends you, including interview notices and requests for additional documents.

Certificate of Naturalization: A certificate given at the oath ceremony. It serves as evidence of your citizenship. USCIS also recommends getting a United States passport as evidence that you are a U.S. citizen.

Community-Based Organization (CBO): Organizations that assist immigrants who are new to the United States or who are going through the naturalization process. Many CBOs will help you complete your application and guide you through the naturalization process. CBOs may charge a fee or offer their services free of charge.

Constitution: The supreme law of the United States. It may be changed only through amendment by Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the States.

Continued: One of three things that may happen to your case after your interview (granted, denied, or continued). If your case is continued, it is put on hold until further action is taken by you or USCIS. If your case is continued, USCIS may ask you to provide more document or to comet o an additional interview.

Continuous Residence: An important requirement for naturalization. Continuous residence may be broken if you take a single trip out of the country that lasts for 6 months or more.

Denied: One of three things that may happen to your case after your interview (granted, denied, or continued). If your application is denied, USCIS has determined that you have not met the eligibility requirements for naturalization.

Districts: The geographic divisions of the United States used by USCIS.

G-28, “Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative”: The form you ust file with your Form N-400 if you wish to bring a representative with you to your USCIS interview.

Good Moral Character: Good moral character is an important eligibility requirement for naturalization. When determining if an applicant has good moral character, USCIS considers such things as honesty and criminal records.

Granted: One of three things that may happen to your case after your interview (granted, denied, or continued). If USCIS determines that you are eligible, your application will be approved or “granted”. After you take the Oath of Allegiance, you will be a United States citizen.

N-400, “Application for Naturalization”: The N-400 is the form that all people 18 years of age or older use to apply for naturalization.

N-445, “Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony”: If you are approved for naturalization, you will receive an N-445 telling your when and where to attend your oath ceremony. On the back of the form will be several questions that you must answer before you check in at the ceremony.

N-470, “Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes”: The N-470 is a form that certain types of applicants who plan to remain longer than a year outside the United States may file to preserve “continuous residence” status.

N-565, “Application for Replacement Naturalization/ Citizenship Document”: If you lose your Certificate of Naturalization, or your Certificate of Citizenship, you may file an N-565 to get a replacement. USCIS advises naturalized citizens to also obtain a United States passport as evidence of their U.S. citizenship.

N-600, “Application for Certificate of Citizenship”: Qualified U.S. residents born outside the United States to U.S.citizen parents, or parents who became citizens, may file a Form N-600 to get a Certificate of Citizenship.

N-600K, “Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322”: Qualified children born to U.S. citizen parents, and currently residing outside the United States, may obtain naturalization and a Certificate of Citizenship y filing Form N-600K.

N-648, “Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions”: The form used to apply for a disability exemption. If you have a qualifying medical disability that prevents you from fulfilling the English and civics requirement, you must have a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor, or licensed clinical psychologist complete and sign an N-648. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit the N-648 at the time of filing the N-400 to ensure timely adjudication of both applications.

Naturalization: Naturalization is the process by which immigrants apply to become U.S. citizens.

Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet: This is a worksheet in the back of the Naturalization Guide that you may use as a tool to determine whether you are eligible for naturalization. Do not send this worksheet to USCIS at any time, it is for your use only.

Oath Ceremony: To become a naturalized citizen of the United States, you must attend an oath ceremony where you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Oath of Allegiance to the United States: The oath you take to become a U.S. citizen. When you take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, you are promising to give up your allegiance to other countries to support and defend the United States and its Constitution and laws. Ability to take and understand the Oath of Allegiance is a normal requirement for becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Outlying Possessions: The current outlying possessions of the United States are American Samoa and Swains Island.

Permanent Resident: A Permanent Resident is a person who has been granted permanent resident status int eh United States and has (or is waiting for) a Permanent Resident Card.

Permanent Resident Card: The Permanent Resident Card is a USCIS document that identifies a person as a Permanent Resident. The Permanent Resident Card may be identified as From-I-551. The Permanent Resident Card used to be known as the Alien Registration Card and/or “Green Card”.

Physical Presence: Physical presence in the United States is an important eligibility requirement. Most naturalization applicants must spend a specified amount of time in the United States in order to meet the physical presence requirement for naturalization. Except in a few cases, time spent outside of the United States, even brief trips to Canada and Mexico, does not count toward your “physical presence.”

Port-of-Entry: The Port-of-Entry is the place where you legally entered the country as  Permanent Resident.

Selective Service: The Selective Service System is the Federal agency responsible for providing manpower to the U.S. Armed Forces in an emergency. Male applicants generally are required to have registered with the Selective Service before applying for naturalization.

Service Center: USCIS Service Centers handle and adjudicate most applications for immigration services and benefits. There are four USCIS service Centers in the United States.

USCIS Forms Line: The USCIS Forms Lien distributes all forms for immigration and naturalization. You can call the Forms Line at 1-800-870-3676 to have any USCIS forms sent to you, including the “Application for Naturalization” (From N-400)

USCIS Information Counter: USCIS offices have information counters staffed by USCIS employees called Immigration Information Officers (IIOs). IIOs are available to answer questions you have about naturalization. Remember to use InfoPass to make an appointment to talk to an IIO. Visit the USCIS website for instructions on how to use InfoPass.

USCIS Lockbox Facility: There are four Lockbox Facilities in the United States that handle the receipting of applications for immigration services and benefits.

U.S. National (but not U.S. Citizen): A person who, because of his or birth in American Samoa or on Swains Island, owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and who may naturalize based on residence in an outlying possession of the United States.

United States Passport: A U.S. passport is an official document that identifies you as a U.S. citizen. All naturalized citizens are encouraged to get a passport as soon as possible after they are naturalized.