U.S. citizenship and naturalization (N-400)
U.S. citizenship through naturalization: usually after five years as a permanent resident, or three if married to a citizen.
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Is this the right route?
Most green card holders can apply after 5 years as permanent residents, or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen. You can file Form N-400 up to 90 days before that date. The USCIS fee is $710 online or $760 on paper (16 October 2026). If you file on or after 20 October 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions, and 12 correct answers to pass.
Who it's for Green card holders with five years as permanent residents, or three years married to and living with a U.S. citizen.
Key requirements
- Age 18 or older, and a permanent resident for 5 years (3 with a U.S. citizen spouse)
- At least 30 months in the U.S. during the 5 years (18 months during the 3)
- Good moral character, basic English and the civics test
- 3 months in your state or USCIS district before filing
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How it works
Count your dates: 5 years (or 3), days in the U.S. and any trips over 6 months.
File Form N-400 online or on paper, up to 90 days before your date.
Attend biometrics, then the interview with the English and civics tests.
If needed, return for a retest 60 to 90 days later.
Take the oath at a ceremony.
Typical times
- Earliest filing date90 days before you reach 5 years (or 3 years) as a permanent resident [9]
- Biometrics appointment, then the interviewVaries by USCIS field office
- DecisionAt the interview or within 120 days after it [10]
- No decision 120 days after the interviewYou may ask the federal district court to decide [11]
- Retest if you fail English or civics60 to 90 days after the first interview [5]
- Hearing request after a denial (Form N-336)Within 30 days of receiving the denial [12]
- Oath ceremonyVaries by field office
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What it costs
- $710 [4]Form N-400, filed online
- $760 [4]Form N-400, filed on paper
- $380 [4]Reduced fee: household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (paper only)
- $0 if approved [4]Fee waiver with Form I-912 (paper only)
- $0 [4]Military service under INA 328 or 329
- $830 on paper [4]Hearing request after a denial (Form N-336)$780 online
- $420 [4]Preserve residence for qualifying work abroad (Form N-470)
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U.S. citizenship: questions people ask
Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship?
No lawyer is required to apply for U.S. citizenship; you can file Form N-400 yourself. A lawyer helps when your record shows long trips abroad, an arrest or a past denial, since you need at least 30 months of physical presence in the 5 years. Merit Law LLP reviews these facts case by case.
How do I get American citizenship through marriage?
American citizenship through marriage means naturalization after 3 years as a permanent resident, if you were married to and living with the same U.S. citizen for those 3 years. Otherwise the period is 5 years. You file Form N-400, and good moral character still applies. An attorney reviews the details.
What happens if my N-400 is denied?
If USCIS denies your N-400, you can ask for a hearing with Form N-336 within 30 days of receiving the denial. The fee is $830 on paper or $780 online, as of 16 October 2026. Whether to request a hearing or reapply depends on the reason for the denial. An attorney reviews it.
What if my N-400 is delayed after the interview?
An N-400 delay after the interview has a legal limit: USCIS must decide at the interview or within 120 days after it (8 CFR 335.3). If it does not, you may ask the federal district court where you live to decide (8 U.S.C. 1447(b)). An attorney reviews whether a suit fits.
How many questions are on the citizenship test?
If you filed Form N-400 on or after 20 October 2025, the civics test asks up to 20 of 128 questions, and you pass with 12 correct answers. If you filed earlier, the 2008 test asks up to 10 of 100 questions, with 6 correct to pass. Age can change the test.
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Who handles your case
We check your dates, long trips abroad and any good-moral-character issues before you file.
Nora Busra Turan
Partner · Attorney
Beyza Candelen
Attorney
Documents to prepare
- A copy of both sides of your green card.
- Every trip outside the U.S. during the statutory period, with dates; passports with entry and exit stamps help.
- For any trip of more than 6 months but less than 1 year: proof you kept your U.S. residence, such as rent or mortgage statements, pay statements and IRS tax transcripts.
- Your marriage certificate, and proof that any earlier marriages ended (divorce decree, annulment or death certificate).
- If you file through marriage to a U.S. citizen: proof of your spouse's citizenship for the last 3 years.
- For any arrest anywhere in the world: arrest reports, court dispositions and proof that you completed any sentence or program, even if the record was sealed or expunged.
- If you owe taxes: a signed payment agreement with the IRS or state. If you pay child support: proof of payments.
- Men who did not register with Selective Service before age 26 and are now under 31 (under 29 if filing through marriage): a status information letter and a statement of the reasons.
- Full English translations of foreign documents, such as Turkish civil registry (nüfus) records, with the translator's certification.
Common reasons for refusal or delay
- A trip abroad of more than 6 months but less than 1 year: USCIS presumes a break in continuous residence unless you rebut it.
- A trip of 1 year or more breaks continuous residence, unless you have an approved Form N-470.
- Too little time in the U.S.: at least 30 months (913 days) of physical presence in the 5 years, or 18 months in the 3 years.
- Filing more than 90 days early, or before 3 months of residence in your state or USCIS district.
- Good moral character problems: arrests or convictions, unpaid taxes, unpaid child support, false claims to U.S. citizenship and unlawful voting.
- Claiming 'nonresident alien' status on tax returns, or not filing them, can raise a presumption that you abandoned permanent residence.
- Failing the English or civics test twice.
- Answers that do not match your records: since 25 August 2026, USCIS guidance allows neighborhood investigations to check what you state (PA-2026-10).
When this is not the right route
- You have less than 5 years as a permanent resident (or 3 with a U.S. citizen spouse): wait, and protect your continuous residence meanwhile.
- You may already be a citizen through a U.S. citizen parent: a certificate of citizenship (Form N-600) may be the right form instead.
- Your green card is still conditional: removing the conditions (Form I-751 or I-829) comes first.
- You have a serious criminal record or a past removal order: talk to an attorney before filing, because the interview reviews your whole record.
Full details
Who this is for
- Green card holders who have been permanent residents for five years.
- Green card holders married to a U.S. citizen for three years and living with that spouse.
- People who want to vote, hold a U.S. passport and no longer risk losing permanent-resident status.
Key requirements
- Age 18 or older, and a lawful permanent resident for five years (three years if you have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a citizen, for those three years).
- Continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S.: at least 30 months out of the five years, or 18 months out of the three years.
- At least three months living in the state or USCIS district where you apply.
- Good moral character, basic English, and knowledge of U.S. civics and government.
- Attachment to the principles of the Constitution, and taking the oath.
What to check with an attorney
- Long trips abroad that could break continuous residence.
- Past arrests, tax filing and other good-moral-character issues.
- Whether your dates really satisfy five years, or three with a spouse.
- Which civics test applies. USCIS says applicants who file the naturalization application on or after 20 October 2025 take the 2025 civics test.
- Whether USCIS may make inquiries near your home or workplace. Since August 2026, USCIS guidance allows neighborhood investigations in naturalization review.
Sources and review date
Fees and rules reviewed 16 Oct 2026. Sources below.
Official sources:
- 8 U.S.C. 1427: requirements of naturalization (govinfo)
- 8 U.S.C. 1430: spouses of U.S. citizens (govinfo)
- USCIS: Form N-400, when to file and checklist
- USCIS: Form G-1055, fee schedule (edition 10/16/26)
- USCIS: The naturalization interview and test (reviewed 31 Oct 2025)
- USCIS: Check for test updates (2008 and 2025 civics tests)
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 3: continuous residence
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 4: physical presence
- 8 CFR 334.2: filing up to 90 days early (eCFR)
- 8 CFR 335.3: decision and reexamination (eCFR)
- 8 U.S.C. 1447: hearings and district court review (govinfo)
- 8 CFR 336.2: hearing on a denial (eCFR)
- USCIS Policy Alert PA-2026-10: investigations for naturalization (25 Aug 2026)
- USCIS: electronic filing rule (10 Aug 2026)
- USCIS Policy Manual updates (good moral character, unlawful voting, 29 Aug 2025)
- 8 CFR 312.5: second test opportunity (eCFR)
- USCIS: 2025 civics test (reviewed 17 Sep 2025)
What changed: added the 2026 N-400 fees, the 90-day early filing rule, the 2025 civics test, interview and retest periods, documents and common reasons for delay or denial.
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Find the right routeClose to 5 years, or 3 with a U.S. citizen spouse? Check your dates before you file.
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