You've come this far.
It's time to become a citizen.

Naturalization is the process through which a foreign citizen or national can become a U.S. citizen after meeting specific requirements set by Congress.

The general requirements include:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must show that you have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States that has continuously resided in the U.S. for least five years (or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).
• You must have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months (or 18 months if you are married to a U.S. citizen).
• You must be a person of “good moral character”.
• You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English and pass a U.S. civics test.
• You must be willing and able to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to learn more about the eligibility requirements and to find out if you are eligible to apply.

There are numerous benefits of U.S. citizenship, including having the right to:

• Vote in local, state, and federal elections.
• Travel with a U.S. passport.
• Sponsor family members to the U.S.
• Obtain citizenship for children under 18 years of age.
• Apply for federal jobs.
• Run for public office (only those who are U.S citizens by birth can assume the office of U.S. President).
• Serve on a jury.
• Be protected from deportation.
• Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships.
• Obtain certain government benefits.

Learn more about the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship here.

Good moral character generally means following the law, paying taxes, and avoiding criminal behavior. Certain offenses may delay or disqualify you from the process.

It depends on the nature of the crime. Some offenses can disqualify you, while others may require a waiting period before applying. 


To get connected to a nonprofit organization that can answer questions about your situation, call the Immigrant Resource Hotline 1-833-468-4664.

Extended absences (over six months) may affect your eligibility for naturalization, as you must demonstrate continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S.

To get connected to a nonprofit organization that can answer questions about your situation, call the Immigrant Resource Hotline 1-833-468-4664.

As of April 1, 2024, the application fee is $710 if you file online and $760 if you apply by mail.

You may qualify for a fee waiver or reduced fee application if your household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Find out if you qualify: Am I Eligible for a Fee Waiver?

The processing time for a citizenship application can vary. As of September 2024, the average processing time for Houston-area applicants was between five to eight months from the time of application to taking the Oath of Allegiance.

No, you can file your application on your own, but you may choose to get help from a lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative. You can call the Immigrant Resource Hotline to get connected to a nonprofit legal provider that can provide free or low-cost citizenship application services: 1-833-468-4664.

You can find free or low-cost legal help and citizenship classes in your community through trusted nonprofit service providers. Find out about events and resources:

• Naturalize Now, Houston! Events and Resources
• New Americans Campaign Events and Organizations

Yes, basic English proficiency is required, though some exceptions apply for older applicants or those with medical disabilities.

You may be exempt from the English language requirement if:

• You are age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 20 years.
  OR
• You are age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years.

Note that you will still have to take the civics test in your native language. Learn more about the age and disability exemptions here.

You can find free English and citizenship test preparation classes in your community through trusted nonprofit organizations.

• USAHello offers a free, on-demand virtual class here: Free U.S. Citizenship Test Class
• Visit the Naturalize Now, Houston! website to find information about citizenship classes near you

You can retake the portion you failed within 60 to 90 days. If you fail again, your application will be denied, but you can reapply.

There is no limit to how many times you can apply for naturalization, but you will have to pay the application fee each time you apply.