Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) becomes a U.S. citizen. This guide walks you through who qualifies, what the process looks like, what it costs, and how to prepare — with links to the official USCIS sources at every step.
Most people naturalize after holding a green card for several years, filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, attending a biometrics appointment and an interview, passing the English and civics tests, and taking the Oath of Allegiance. From filing to oath typically takes several months to over a year depending on your field office.
At a high level, becoming a citizen looks like this:
At your interview, a USCIS officer asks up to 10 questions from the official bank of 128 civics questions; most applicants must answer at least 6 correctly. You will also be tested on your ability to read, write, and speak English. Studying early is the single best way to walk in confident — CivicsPrep Pro covers all 128 questions with flashcards, practice exams, and progress tracking. Official study materials are also available at uscis.gov.
Study all 128 questions and check exactly when you can file the N-400.
