U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyers

Your Complete Guide to Becoming a U.S. Citizen — and How Usher Law Firm Helps You Get There 

Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most important milestones in your immigration journey. It means the right to vote, a U.S. passport, the ability to sponsor family members more quickly, and lasting protection from deportation. At Usher Law Firm, we guide lawful permanent residents through every step of naturalization — from your first eligibility check to the day you take the Oath of Allegiance. 

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Naturalization is the legal process by which a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) becomes a U.S. citizen. You apply by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Most people become citizens one of two ways:

• By birth — for example, if you were born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, you may already be a citizen and may simply need to document it (often using Form N-600), rather than naturalize.
• By naturalization — the path most immigrants take. You hold a green card, meet the residence and character requirements, pass the English and civics tests, and take the Oath of Allegiance.

Every case is different, and the rules contain exceptions. The sections below walk through what most applicants need to know, and our attorneys can tell you exactly where you stand.

Citizenship gives you rights and security that a green card alone cannot:

• The right to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
• Protection from deportation. Unlike permanent residents, citizens cannot be removed from the United States.
• A U.S. passport for easier international travel and access to U.S. consular help abroad.
• Faster family sponsorship. Citizens can petition for more family members, often with shorter waits than residents face.
• Eligibility for federal jobs and certain government benefits and programs.
• The ability to pass citizenship to your children in many circumstances.

To naturalize, you generally must meet each of the requirements below. Think of this as your personal checklist.

1. You're at least 18 years old

You must be 18 or older when you file Form N-400. There is no upper age limit. (Children may sometimes acquire citizenship automatically through a parent who naturalizes.)

2. You're a lawful permanent resident

You must hold a valid green card. If your card has expired, you should generally renew it before applying, though an expired card alone does not automatically disqualify you.

3. You meet the continuous residence requirement

• Standard path: 5 years of continuous residence as a permanent resident before filing.
• Married to a U.S. citizen: 3 years, if you've been a permanent resident for 3 years and have lived with the same U.S. citizen spouse for that time.

⚠️ Watch your travel. A single trip outside the U.S. of more than 6 months can disrupt your continuous residence, and a trip of a year or more usually breaks it entirely. Keep a record of every trip — our team can help you assess any that might raise questions.

4. You meet the physical presence requirement

• Standard path: at least 30 months (2.5 years) physically present in the U.S. during the 5-year period.
• Marriage-based path: at least 18 months during the 3-year period.

5. You've lived in your state or USCIS district for 3 months

You must have lived in the place where you file for at least three months before applying.

6. You can show good moral character

USCIS reviews your conduct during the statutory period (usually the 5 or 3 years before filing) up through your oath ceremony. Issues that can affect this include certain criminal convictions, unpaid taxes, failure to pay court-ordered child support, fraud or misrepresentation, and failure to register for Selective Service when required.

If you have any arrest, citation, tax issue, or past immigration problem, talk to an attorney before you file. Many of these can be addressed — but only if handled correctly and disclosed properly.

7. You can read, write, and speak basic English

This is tested at your interview (see below). Some applicants are exempt:

• 50/20 exemption: age 50+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident.
• 55/15 exemption: age 55+ with 15+ years as a permanent resident.

If you qualify, you may take the civics test in your native language.

8. You can pass the civics test and show attachment to the Constitution

You'll answer questions about U.S. history and government, and you must be willing to support the Constitution and take the Oath of Allegiance.

Not sure whether you qualify? A short conversation with our team can usually tell you.

Here's the path from start to citizenship.

Step 1 — Gather your documents. Typically your green card (front and back), passport-style photos, tax records for the statutory period, a complete travel history, evidence of any name changes, and certified court records for any arrests or citations.

Step 2 — Complete Form N-400. The application asks detailed questions about your background, residence, employment, travel, family, and moral character. Every answer must be truthful and complete — errors and omissions are a leading cause of delays and denials. We review each answer before it's submitted.

Step 3 — File and pay. You can file online through a USCIS account or by mail. (See costs below; fee waivers and reduced fees are available for qualifying applicants.) You can file up to 90 days early before meeting your continuous-residence requirement.

Step 4 — Attend your biometrics appointment. USCIS takes your fingerprints, photo, and signature for background checks. It usually takes under 30 minutes.

Step 5 — Attend your interview and tests. A USCIS officer reviews your application under oath and administers the English and civics tests (details below).

Step 6 — Take the Oath of Allegiance. Once approved, you take the oath at a ceremony and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. Some offices offer same-day oath ceremonies. That day, you are a U.S. citizen.

Your interview takes place at a local USCIS field office. Arrive early and bring your appointment notice, green card, passport and travel documents, and the originals of anything you submitted. The officer will place you under oath and go through your N-400 question by question. Answer honestly, and ask the officer to repeat anything you don't understand.

The English test

Three parts, all measuring basic ability — not perfect grammar:

• Speaking — evaluated through your conversation with the officer.
• Reading — read one to three sentences aloud; you must read one correctly.
• Writing — write one to three sentences; you must write one correctly.

The civics test (updated 2025 version)

📌 Important update. For anyone filing Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, USCIS uses the 2025 civics test, which is longer than the old version:

• Study pool of 128 questions (up from 100)
• The officer asks up to 20 questions (up from 10)
• You must answer at least 12 correctly to pass

Applicants who filed before that date take the older 2008 test (10 questions, 6 to pass). The English portion did not change.

Questions cover U.S. government, history, and civics. USCIS publishes the full question bank and free study materials, and our office can provide study guides and practice sessions to help you prepare with confidence.

Timelines vary by field office and case complexity, but a typical path looks like this:

Recent processing has run several months on average, and policy changes can affect timing. We monitor your case and keep you informed at every stage.

As of 2026, the government filing fee for Form N-400 is:

• $710 if you file online
• $760 if you file by mail

This fee includes biometrics — there is no separate biometrics charge. Lower-income applicants may qualify for a reduced fee of $380 or a full fee waiver (Form I-912), and many qualifying military service members can naturalize at no cost. Attorney fees are separate; we'll explain ours clearly and up front, with no surprises.

Government fees change periodically — we'll confirm the current amount for your situation before you file.

Many applicants hit a bump on the way to citizenship. An experienced attorney can often turn a problem into a solvable issue.

• Long trips abroad. Absences over six months can raise continuous-residence questions; a year or more can break it. We help you document your ties to the U.S. and plan the strongest filing.
• A criminal record — even old or dismissed charges. You must disclose these, even if charges were dropped. Some bars are temporary, some permanent. We review your record and advise whether to file now, wait, or resolve the issue first.
• Tax issues. Unfiled returns or unpaid taxes can affect good moral character. We help you get current — including IRS payment plans — before you apply.
• Selective Service. Men who didn't register when required may need to show the failure wasn't willful. We help gather the right documentation.
• Application errors. Wrong dates, missing trips, or undisclosed marriages cause needless denials. We catch these before USCIS does.

Do I have to give up my original citizenship? Not under U.S. law — the United States allows dual citizenship. Whether you keep your original citizenship depends on your home country's laws. The Oath of Allegiance includes renouncing allegiance to foreign sovereigns, but it does not by itself cancel your other nationality.

Can a long trip abroad really cost me my eligibility? Yes. Trips of more than six months can disrupt continuous residence, and trips of a year or more usually break it. Always tell your attorney about extended travel before you file.

What if I have an arrest on my record? Disclose it — even if it was dismissed. Many records don't prevent naturalization, but they must be handled correctly. Bring certified court dispositions and speak with an attorney first.

Do I need a lawyer to apply? Many straightforward cases can be filed without one. But if you've traveled extensively, have any criminal or tax history, received a prior denial or Request for Evidence, or simply want peace of mind that nothing is missed, an attorney can protect your application and your investment.

How hard is the new civics test? It's longer than before — 20 questions with 12 needed to pass, from a 128-question pool — but USCIS provides all the study materials, and preparation makes the difference. We help you get ready.

At Usher Law Firm, we know that for you, this is far more than paperwork — it's your future, your family, and your peace of mind. Our citizenship services include:

• Eligibility assessment — a clear, honest read on whether you're ready to file and what could get in the way.
• N-400 preparation — accurate, complete applications backed by the right supporting documents.
• Document and record review — tax, travel, and criminal-history review to protect your good-moral-character showing.
• Interview preparation — mock interviews and civics-test practice so you walk in confident.
• Representation — an attorney can attend your interview with you.
• Issue resolution — strategies for extended travel, arrests, taxes, and other complications.
  

Every situation is unique. What worked for one applicant may not be right for another — which is exactly why personalized guidance matters. 

Take the first step today. We'll review your situation, answer your questions, and map out your path to citizenship.