__________________________________________________________________________________NATURALIZATION
Eligibility Requirements
The applicants for naturalization must generally meet the following criteria:
(1) Must be admitted as a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
(2) Must be at least 18 years old when filing the application.
(3) Must have resided in the U.S. continuously for five years preceding application (three years for spouses of U.S. citizens). Please note that an absence from the United States for more than one year breaks continuous residence. Absence for more than six months creates a rebuttable presumption against compliance with the continuous residency requirement. Military and certain people working abroad are exceptions to this rule.
(4) Must have been physically present in the United States for a total of two and one-half years or one and one-half years for spouses of U.S. citizens.
(5) Must have resided for at least three months immediately preceding the naturalization filing in the state in which the petition is filed . This residency requirement is met concurrently with the five- or three-year continuous residence requirement.
(6) Must read, write, and speak ordinary English. People unable to comply with this requirement because of permanent disability are exempt. People over 50 years old who have resided in the United States for 20 years as permanent residents, and people older than 55 who have resided in the United States for 15 years as permanent residents, may be examined in their native language rather than English.
(7) Must have knowledge and understanding of basic U.S. history and government . This knowledge is usually tested by means of oral history and government exam. Usually applicants are tested from a list of 100 standard questions. People unable to comply with this requirement because of permanent disability are exempt. People over 65 years old who have resided in the United States for 20 years as permanent residents may receive ''special consideration" concerning this requirement. They are examined from a list of 25 questions, not 100.
(8) Must possess good moral character.
(9) Finally, m ust reside continuously in the United States from the date of filing the naturalization application until actual admission to citizenship.
Filing Procedures
The naturalization application should include:
- Form N-400
- Form G-28
- Copy of the alien registration card (the "green card")
- Two identical photos to USCIS specifications
- Supporting documents
