The basic naturalization path is: after meeting the time and residence requirements, a green card holder files the N-400, completes biometrics, the interview and the English and civics tests, and after approval takes the oath to become a U.S. citizen. Generally 5 years as a green card holder are required; if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, 3 years when you qualify. The information below is current as of November 6, 2026.
Basic Requirements
- At least 18 years old.
- General path: 5 years as a green card holder, with at least 30 months (913 days) physically in the U.S. within those 5 years.
- Citizen spouse path: 3 years as a green card holder, living with your citizen spouse during those 3 years, with at least 18 months physically in the U.S.
- Lived for 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you file.
- Good moral character, able to read, write and speak English, and knowledge of U.S. history and government.
May be filed up to 90 days before you meet the continuous residence requirement. For which USCIS office New York City residents are assigned to, see New York Immigration Guide.
Process and fees
The current edition of the N-400 is 01/20/25. Fees: $760 paper, $710 online. Households with income not exceeding 400% of the federal poverty line may apply for a reduced fee of $380, and eligible people may apply for a waiver; in both cases you can only file on paper.
In June 2026, the Department of Homeland Security proposed raising the N-400 to $1,330 paper and $1,280 online, and eliminating the reduced fee and waivers. This is still only a proposal; rely on USCIS's current fee schedule.
The Tests
For applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, the 2025 civics test applies: questions are drawn from a bank of 128, up to 20 are asked, and answering 12 correctly passes; the officer may stop once the result is determined. Applications filed before that take the 2008 test.
The English portion includes speaking during the interview, reading one sentence and writing one sentence. If you fail, you retest the part you failed within 60 to 90 days.
Age and years can reduce requirements: at 50 with 20 years as a green card holder, or 55 with 15 years, you are exempt from the English test, and may bring an interpreter to the civics test; at 65 with 20 years, you take a simplified version with only 10 questions. If a disability prevents you from taking the test, you may file Form N-648.
2026 Changes to the Good Moral Character Review
- Neighborhood investigations. From August 2026, USCIS no longer generally waives neighborhood investigations, and may make inquiries where you live and work. Applicants may submit recommendation letters on their own, preferably written by U.S. citizens who are not relatives.
- Support and financial obligations. Memorandum PM-602-0201 of November 4, 2026 states that willfully failing to support dependents, obtaining benefits by fraud, and failing to meet I-864 obligations may all be found to show a lack of good moral character. Lawfully receiving benefits is not itself a bar, and an adverse finding cannot be made solely because of poverty, disability or lawfully receiving benefits. But the memorandum also notes that deliberately not working or reducing hours to keep benefit eligibility, even if technically lawful, may count against character, and dependent family members' reliance on benefits may also be reviewed. Officers must analyze case by case. USCIS will also revise the N-400 to ask additional questions about benefit use and support.
Common Situations
Does it matter if I spent several months in China? A single trip abroad of more than 6 months but less than 1 year is presumed to break continuous residence, and the applicant has the burden of rebutting it. A trip of 1 year or more automatically breaks it.
Can I apply if my green card is about to expire? An N-400 receipt automatically extends the validity of your green card by 2 years from the expiration date on the card; show it together with the green card when you use it. If the receipt is lost, you generally need to file an I-90.
What if I have an arrest record or owe taxes? These situations do not necessarily prevent you from applying, but court records and tax records need to be reviewed first. Your answers on the N-400 must be complete and truthful, and we recommend that a naturalization lawyer review them before you file.
What to prepare
Green card, passport and all entry and exit records, addresses and work history for the past 5 years, marriage and children information, proof of support for children, tax records; if you have an arrest record, the court disposition documents.
Contact us
Lu Xin Law Offices is located in Flushing, New York (36-09 Main Street Suite 5-D5). Our responsible attorney, Michael R. Curran, is licensed in New York and New Jersey. Immigration is a federal matter, and representation in cases in other states is arranged according to the applicable rules of practice and the scope of engagement. If you need a Flushing immigration lawyer to help assess your case, call 347-618-3386. For our services, see Immigration Legal Services.
FAQ
How many years do I need to have a green card before I can apply for naturalization?
Generally 5 years as a green card holder; if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen, 3 years when you qualify.
How much is the N-400 now?
$760 paper, $710 online. Households with income not exceeding 400% of the federal poverty line may apply for a reduced fee of $380, and eligible people may apply for a waiver; in both cases you can only file on paper.
Does it matter if I spent several months in China?
A single trip abroad of more than 6 months but less than 1 year is presumed to break continuous residence, and the applicant has the burden of rebutting it. A trip of 1 year or more automatically breaks it.
Sources: uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, federalregister.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, federalregister.gov. The information above is current as of November 6, 2026. Immigration rules and fees may change, so check the latest official requirements before you file.
Attorney Advertising. This article is general information and is not legal advice on any particular case. Eligibility, procedures and outcomes depend on the facts of each case, the applicable law and the decision of the government agency.