# United States Citizenship Requirements

The ordinary US naturalisation route combines five years as a lawful permanent resident with continuous residence, physical presence, English and civics requirements.

Scope: Ordinary adult five-year lawful-permanent-resident route; marriage, military service and citizenship through parents are separate.

Jurisdiction: United States citizenship. Sources reviewed 2026-09-17; review due 2026-12-16.

General information, not legal advice or a finding of eligibility. Requirements depend on the route, applicant and filing date. Verify the official instructions before applying.

## Permanent and continuous residence

Age 18 or over, at least five years as a lawful permanent resident, and five years of continuous US residence immediately before filing.

Evidence: documented. [US Citizenship and Immigration Services: I am a lawful permanent resident of 5 years](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-a-lawful-permanent-resident-of-5-years). Source location: General Eligibility Requirements.

## Physical presence is separate

At least 30 months physically in the US within the preceding five years, plus three months in the responsible state or USCIS district.

Evidence: documented. [US Citizenship and Immigration Services: I am a lawful permanent resident of 5 years](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-a-lawful-permanent-resident-of-5-years). Source location: General Eligibility Requirements — presence and jurisdiction.

## English

Basic reading, writing and speaking are required, with exceptions for qualifying applicants. USCIS does not assign a CEFR level here.

Evidence: conditional. [US Citizenship and Immigration Services: I am a lawful permanent resident of 5 years](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-a-lawful-permanent-resident-of-5-years). Source location: English requirement; exceptions and accommodations.

## Civics, character and oath

Civics knowledge, good moral character, attachment to constitutional principles and an oath are separate requirements; consult current test and exception guidance.

Evidence: conditional. [US Citizenship and Immigration Services: I am a lawful permanent resident of 5 years](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-a-lawful-permanent-resident-of-5-years). Source location: General Eligibility Requirements.

## Form N-400

Use USCIS Form N-400 and its current instructions after checking which naturalisation route applies.

Evidence: documented. [US Citizenship and Immigration Services: I am a lawful permanent resident of 5 years](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization/i-am-a-lawful-permanent-resident-of-5-years). Source location: Form N-400; Additional Resources.

## Scope and limitations

- Continuous residence and physical presence are different tests. Absences and exemptions need individual review; this summary is not an approval or processing-time prediction.

## Explore this passport

- [Passport rank and travel access](https://multipassrank.com/passport/united-states)
- [Tax residence & income](https://multipassrank.com/passport/united-states/taxes)
- [Country-profile JSON, including sources and scoped requirements](https://multipassrank.com/api/v1/country-profiles/US)
- [Multiple-citizenship policy guide](https://multipassrank.com/dual-citizenship-countries)

[Canonical page](https://multipassrank.com/passport/united-states/citizenship)