Natz 101: A Guide to the U.S. Naturalization Process

Requirements for Naturalization: A Legal Obligation

The Immigration and Nationality Act sets the foundation for the naturalization process, requiring applicants to demonstrate they can read, write, and speak basic English. There are also specific requirements for residency and good moral character that must be met. These legal stipulations ensure that all new citizens understand the country’s values and laws.

U.S. Naturalization Eligibility Requirements

The key eligibility requirements for U.S. naturalization are:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• They must be Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) or “green card” holder for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen.
• Applicants must show continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S., being physically present for at least half of the statutory period.
• They must reside in the USCIS district where they apply.
• Applicants need to demonstrate good moral character. Any applicant convicted of murder or an aggravated felony is permanently barred from U.S. citizenship. Moreover, all criminal activities must be disclosed to USCIS, as dishonesty during the interview can result in ineligibility to naturalize. For assistance, LawHelpMN.org provides a list of Minnesota-based legal services for low-income applicants.

Additionally, applicants are required to:

• Prove basic English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Display a working knowledge of U.S. history and government.
• Show an attachment to the U.S. Constitution, including a commitment to defend and uphold the nation’s laws by taking the Oath of Allegiance.

Exceptions and Accommodations

Certain applicants may qualify for exceptions or accommodations. Individuals with disabilities may submit the N-648 application, allowing a physician to document the applicant’s inability to take the naturalization test due to physical, developmental, or mental impairments. For religious accommodations regarding the Oath of Allegiance, applicants may submit a letter from their religious organization.

Exemptions from the English Requirement:

• Age 50 or older with 20 years or more of LPR status – exempt from the English test and may take the civics test in their preferred language.
• Age 55 or older with 15 years or more of LPR status – exempt from the English test and may take the civics test in their preferred language.
• Age 65 or older with 20 years or more of LPR status – exempt from the English test, and required to study only civics questions marked with an asterisk on the list of 100 questions.

Naturalization Application Process

1. Applicants begin the process by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. As of 04/01/24, the application fee is $760 for paper submissions or $710 for online submissions. Those experiencing financial hardship may submit an I-912 Request for Fee Waiver.
2. Once filed, applicants will receive an interview date and time.
3. After a successful interview with a USCIS officer, applicants will be notified of the next steps, culminating in the Oath of Allegiance ceremony, where they officially become U.S. citizens.

Processing times can vary depending on the applicant’s location, the volume of applications, and other factors. Applicants can track their case status online through the USCIS website for more precise updates on their interview timing.

The Naturalization Test: Five Essential Parts

The naturalization test consists of five parts, administered during the citizenship interview. Should an applicant fail any section, they have 60 to 90 days to retake the failed portions, with a total of two attempts allowed per N-400 application. The five parts of the naturalization test are:

1. Civics – Oral questions about U.S. history and government, chosen from the USCIS-provided 100 civics questions. Applicants must correctly answer 6 out of 10 civics questions to pass the test. If they answer 6 correctly before reaching the 10th question, the test stops.
2. Reading – Reading aloud a sentence from a tablet related to U.S. history or government.
3. Writing – Writing a dictated sentence on a tablet related to U.S. history or government.
4. Speaking – Assessed by the USCIS Officer through questions during the interview process, focusing on the applicant’s information from the N-400.
5. Understanding – Ensuring comprehension of the questions and basic English.

 Key Guidance for USCIS Naturalization Tests

• For the civics test, answers must convey the same meaning as those in the official study materials. For example, the correct answer to the question “How many amendments does the Constitution have?” is “27.” Alternative phrasings are allowed for questions as long as the meaning remains the same, such as “fought for civil rights” being interchangeable with “worked for civil rights.”
• In the reading test, applicants are required to read only one of three sentences correctly. The sentences are projected on a tablet. Minor pronunciation errors that do not alter meaning are acceptable. USCIS provides a document to support vocabulary for the reading test.
• The writing test allows for minor grammatical or spelling errors, provided the meaning is unchanged. For example, “Libertie bell is in phidelphia” would be accepted, while “Lebitha bell filadelpha” would not. The applicant writes the dictated sentence on a tablet. USCIS provides a document to support vocabulary for the writing test.
• For the speaking and understanding components, the focus is primarily on applicants responding to questions from the N-400 application. Educators should teach phrases such as “Can you rephrase the question?”, “Can you please repeat the question?”, and “Can you explain the question?” to help applicants navigate the interview successfully.

 U.S. Naturalization Resources

Adult Education professionals can assist naturalization applicants by facilitating the study of the 100 civics questions, offering literacy support for the reading and writing sections, and emphasizing the importance of understanding and appropriately answering questions from the N-400 application. USCIS offers a wide range of citizenship education resources, including lesson plans, flashcards, and updates to civics and history content, making it an essential starting point for those seeking reliable materials.

• USCIS Resources for Educational Programs
• USCIS Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
• Social Studies, Civics, and Citizenship resources from ATLAS
• Citizenship Resources from Literacy Minnesota
• Citizenship and Immigration Resources from International Institute of Minnesota
• Citizenship News from Author Lynne Weintraub’s site
• EL Civics Government and History Lessons for ESL Students – other lessons to support civics and U.S. history
• US Citizenship Podcast – an informational site on updates to the naturalization process, forms, and resources
• LINCS Civics Education and Citizenship group – join the online Community of Practice

Final Thoughts

USCIS notes that applicants who have completed citizenship classes often perform well during the interview, demonstrating strong knowledge of U.S. civics and English proficiency. By utilizing the extensive resources available, and with thorough preparation, applicants can successfully achieve their goal of becoming U.S. citizens.