Free tool · Immigration Law
Am I Eligible for US Citizenship (Naturalization)?
A lawful permanent resident can apply to become a US citizen if they are at least 18, have been a permanent resident for five years (or three if they have been married to and living with a US citizen for three years), have been physically present in the United States for at least half of that time, have lived continuously in the United States, have lived for three months in the state where they apply, have good moral character, can pass English and civics tests (unless an exception applies) and are attached to the principles of the Constitution. Long absences, certain crimes and failing to register for Selective Service can cause problems. This is an educational illustration with simplified rules, so check the current requirements and fees with USCIS or a licensed immigration lawyer.
Tool · Naturalization Eligibility Checker
On these answers the applicant appears to meet the statutory requirements, subject to USCIS’s review of the full record.
Age: The applicant is at least 18.
Lawful permanent residence: The usual rule is five years as a lawful permanent resident, and the applicant has 5. An application may be filed up to 90 days before the period is complete.
Physical presence: The applicant must have been physically present in the United States for at least half of the statutory period (30 months). They have 45.
Continuous residence: No absence long enough to disturb continuous residence.
Residence in the state or district: The applicant must have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where the application is filed.
Good moral character: The applicant must show good moral character during the statutory period (and may be examined on conduct before it). Certain crimes, false testimony, habitual drunkenness and other acts defeat it.
English and civics: The applicant can read, write and speak basic English and knows US history and government, or qualifies for an exception (age and years as an LPR, or a medical disability).
Selective Service: The applicant has registered if required, or was not required to.
Attachment to the Constitution and the oath: The applicant must be attached to the principles of the Constitution and willing to take the oath of allegiance.
Checks the main statutory requirements for a lawful permanent resident to become a US citizen: age, years as a permanent resident (five, or three when married to a citizen), physical presence, continuous residence, residence in the state, good moral character, English and civics, Selective Service and attachment to the Constitution. Simplified; the details, exceptions and fees are set by statute and regulation and change. A teaching aid, not legal advice. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored or sent.
How to use it
- Enter the years as a permanent resident and the months physically present.
- Enter the longest absence, and the months in the state.
- Say whether the applicant is married to a US citizen, and about character, English and Selective Service.
- Read each requirement, and what is missing.
Common questions
How long must I live in the US before applying for citizenship?
Usually five years as a lawful permanent resident, or three years if married to and living with a US citizen spouse for that time. An application may be filed up to 90 days before the period is complete.
Does a long trip abroad affect my application?
An absence of more than six months and less than a year raises a presumption that continuous residence was broken; an absence of a year or more breaks it.
Can a criminal conviction stop me from becoming a citizen?
Some can: an aggravated felony conviction after November 1990 is a permanent bar to showing good moral character, and other offences can bar you for a period. A lawyer should review any conviction before applying.
Learn the law behind the tool
This tool is part of our Immigration Law course, with lectures, concept maps, flashcards, interactive exercises and a capstone case. Immigration Law: Sources, Structure and Citizenship.
More free law tools
General information, simplified, mainly on American law, not legal advice. States and countries differ, and real cases turn on facts that a tool cannot capture.