Citizenship Guide
Who can apply
In short
In short: Most applicants qualify through the general path: five years as a permanent resident. Spouses of U.S. citizens may qualify after three years, and members of the military have special rules. USCIS decides eligibility; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Last reviewed: . Written and checked against official sources by ChowChow Labs, an independent study website. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
General requirements
- Be at least 18 when you file.
- Be a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse during that time).
- Have continuous residence for that period, and physical presence in the United States for at least half of it (30 months of 5 years, or 18 months of 3 years).
- Have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply.
- Show good moral character, and support for the principles of the Constitution.
- Read, write and speak basic English and pass the civics test, unless an exception applies.
You may file up to 90 days before you reach the residence requirement. USCIS has an early filing calculator on its website.
Before you apply
- Your green card and any travel history over the period.
- Tax returns and any records of arrests, citations or court cases.
- Marriage, divorce and children's information.
- A way to pay the fee, or a fee waiver or reduced fee request if you qualify.
Common questions
Do long trips abroad matter?
Trips of six months or more may break continuous residence. USCIS explains the rules and exceptions on its website.
Can I get help from someone?
For legal advice, use an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. Be careful of notarios and others who are not authorized to give immigration advice.
Official sources
Links open the official U.S. government pages.
Related guides
US Citizenship Test Prep is an independent educational resource made by ChowChow Labs. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any U.S. government agency. Official rules can change: always confirm details on uscis.gov. For questions about your own case, contact USCIS or a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.