How to Become a US Citizen Becoming a U.S. citizen is a dream for many, and there are different methods to achieve that. Most people will first apply to become a legal permanent resident and then become a naturalized citizen. However, you can also gain citizenship through marriage, your parents, or military service. If you have questions about becoming a citizen, contact an attorney who specializes in U.S. immigration law.
Obtain a green card. Before you can become a naturalized citizen, you need to become a legal permanent resident. This is called getting your “green card.” You can get a green card in the following ways:[1]
How to Become a US Citizen
Becoming a U.S. citizen is a dream for many, and there are different methods to achieve that. Most people will first apply to become a legal permanent resident and then become a naturalized citizen. However, you can also gain citizenship through marriage, your parents, or military service. If you have questions about becoming a citizen, contact an attorney who specializes in U.S. immigration law.
Obtain a green card. Before you can become a naturalized citizen, you need to become a legal permanent resident. This is called getting your “green card.” You can get a green card in the following ways:[1]
- Green card through your family. A family member in the United States can sponsor you. If your family member is a U.S. citizen, then they can sponsor their spouse, unmarried children under twenty-one years of age, and parents. They can also sponsor siblings, married children, and unmarried children over twenty-one years of age.[2]
- Green card through your job. If you have an offer of permanent employment, you are eligible to petition to get a green card. Others with exceptional ability can petition themselves and don’t need an employer to sponsor them.[3]
- Green card as a refugee or asylum seeker. Refugees and asylum seekers in the United States for one year may petition for a green card.[4]
Satisfy residency requirements. You need to live in the United States for a certain amount of time before you apply for naturalization. Check that you satisfy the following:[5] - You must have been lawfully admitted into the U.S.
- You must demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years immediately before you file for naturalization. For example, if you want to apply in January 2018, you must have been a resident since January 2013.
- You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least thirty months during those five years.
- You must prove you have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you apply.Meet personal requirements. You must also meet certain personal requirements, such as the following:[6]
- You must be at least eighteen years old when you file your application to become naturalized.
- You should be able to speak, write, and read in English. You will have to pass an exam to demonstrate your proficiency in the language.
- You must be a person of good moral character. Essentially, this means you are an upstanding member of society who works, pays their taxes, and doesn’t break the law.[7]