Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is one of the biggest milestones in an immigrant’s life. It also comes with a fair amount of paperwork, eligibility rules, and a two-part test at the interview. In this post, we’ll walk through the current naturalization requirements, explain how the naturalization exam works under the new requirements, and highlight practical caveats applicants should prepare for before filing Form N-400.
1. Who Can Apply for Naturalization?
Most applicants qualify in one of two common ways:
Lawful Permanent Residents (5-Year Rule)
The most common path is for green card holders who have been lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for at least five years.
Spouses of U.S. Citizens (3-Year Rule)
If you’ve been married to and living in marital union with a U.S. citizen, you may qualify after three years as an LPR, as long as you meet the additional marital-union and residence requirements.
The 90-Day Early Filing Window
USCIS allows applicants under both the 5-year and 3-year rules to file up to 90 days early before reaching the exact residence anniversary date. Filing too early can lead to denial, so timing matters.
2. The Core Eligibility Requirements (What USCIS Looks For)
Even if you meet the 3-year or 5-year rule, USCIS still reviews several separate requirements. Here are the main ones:
Age
You must be at least 18 years old on the day you file Form N-400.
Continuous Residence
“Continuous residence” means you maintained your main home in the U.S. for the required statutory period. Certain long trips abroad can break continuous residence and reset the clock.
Trips that raise concerns include:
- Trips outside the U.S. of 6 months or more without strong evidence that you kept U.S. ties.
- Trips of 1 year or more almost always break continuous residence unless a narrow exception applies.
Physical Presence
Physical presence is different from continuous residence. You must show you were physically in the U.S. for:
- 30 months out of the last 5 years (5-year rule), or
- 18 months out of the last 3 years (3-year rule).
State / USCIS District Residence
You must have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you file.
Good Moral Character (GMC)
USCIS evaluates whether you have been a person of good moral character during the statutory period (usually five years, or three years for spouses of U.S. citizens). In practice, officers look beyond just arrests or convictions. They may also review tax compliance, child support obligations, honesty in prior filings, and consistency in your immigration history.
Attachment to the Constitution
You must demonstrate that you support the Constitution and are willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.
3. English Requirement and Exceptions
Unless you qualify for an exemption, naturalization requires demonstrating basic English ability. USCIS tests English during your interview through:
- Speaking (evaluated throughout your interview),
- Reading (you read 1 of 3 sentences correctly), and
- Writing (you write 1 of 3 sentences correctly).
Age + LPR Time Exemptions
You may be exempt from the English test if you meet one of these combinations:
- 50 years old + 20 years as an LPR (“50/20”), or
- 55 years old + 15 years as an LPR (“55/15”).
Even if exempt from English, you still must take the civics test (often in your preferred language with an interpreter).
Medical Disability Waiver
Applicants with qualifying physical/developmental disabilities or mental impairments may request an exception using Form N-648. USCIS also provides interview accommodations when supported.
4. The Naturalization Exam: English + Civics
The naturalization “test” is taken at your USCIS interview and has two separate parts.
A. English Test
As noted above, English is tested through your speaking, reading, and writing during the interview.
B. Civics Test (Important 2025 Update)
The civics test is where USCIS has made a major update for new applicants.
Which Civics Test Applies to You?
- If you filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 civics test (10 questions asked, six correct to pass).
- If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the new 2025 civics test.
2025 Civics Test Format
Under the 2025 test:
- The officer asks 20 questions from a list of 128 possible questions.
- You must answer 12 correctly to pass.
Some answers change depending on current elected officials (for example, “Who is your U.S. Senator?”). USCIS expects you to know the correct, current answer at the time of your interview.
5. Filing Form N-400 and Fees
Naturalization is filed using Form N-400. USCIS currently offers online filing, and some applicants may qualify for a reduced fee or a full fee waiver depending on income and circumstances. Because fees and payment rules can change over time, applicants should confirm the current amount right before filing.
6. What Happens After Filing?
Most cases move through these steps:
- Receipt notice confirming USCIS accepted the application.
- Biometrics appointment (if required) for fingerprints and a photo.
- Interview notice: scheduling your interview and test.
- Naturalization interview and exam (English + civics unless exempt).
- Decision and, if approved, the Oath ceremony.
7. Current Processing Times
Processing times vary by USCIS field office, but many cases are completing in about 2–5 months from filing to decision, assuming there are no complications.
8. Common Caveats to Prepare For
Most eligible applicants succeed, but these issues commonly create delays or denials:
Long Travel Outside the U.S.
Extended trips can create continuous-residence or physical-presence problems. If you had any long travel, it’s important to review your dates and be ready to show that you kept strong ties to the U.S.
Prior Immigration Issues
Prior overstays, removal orders, misrepresentation findings, or inconsistencies across immigration filings can trigger a deeper review.
Good Moral Character Scrutiny
USCIS may closely review:
- tax filing gaps or unpaid taxes,
- unpaid child support,
- recent DUI arrests or other charges,
- dishonesty or inconsistencies in prior filings.
Civics Answers Must Be Current
Because some civics answers depend on who currently holds office, your answers must be accurate as of the date of your interview.
Final Takeaway
Naturalization remains a straightforward process for most green card holders who meet the residence, physical presence, English/civics, and good moral character requirements. The biggest recent change is the new 2025 civics test for applicants filing on or after October 20, 2025, which increases both the question pool and the number of correct answers required to pass. If you’re considering naturalization, the best approach is to confirm eligibility early, carefully review travel and background history, and prepare well for the interview and exam.
If you’d like help with your situation, our team is happy to review eligibility, prepare your N-400, and guide you all the way through the interview and oath.
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JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
