QUICK ELIGIBILITY CHECK
Have you been a permanent resident for at least 5 years? → You likely qualify under the standard rule.
Married to a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years of your permanent residence? → You may qualify in 3 years.
Not sure when you became eligible? → Use our eligibility date calculator →
IN THIS GUIDE
THE 5-YEAR RULE — STANDARD PATH
Most applicants qualify under the standard 5-year rule. All of these must be true:
Age 18 or Older at Time of Filing
You must be at least 18 years old when you submit your N-400. Minor children of U.S. citizens may acquire citizenship automatically under different rules — they do not file N-400.
Lawful Permanent Resident for 5 Continuous Years
Your 5-year clock starts on your Resident Since date — shown on the front of your green card. This is not your entry date, your visa date, or your green card issue date. It is specifically the Resident Since date.
Physically Present in the U.S. for at Least 30 Months
Of the 5 years before filing, you must have been inside the U.S. for at least 30 months total. Every day outside the U.S. counts against this total — vacations, business trips, family visits, everything.
No Single Trip Outside the U.S. of 6 Months or More
A single continuous absence of 6+ months creates a presumption that you broke continuous residence. A single absence of 12+ months breaks it outright. Short trips are fine — the 6-month rule applies to any single unbroken absence.
Lived in Your Current State for at Least 3 Months
You must have lived in the state where you are filing for at least 3 months before filing. If you recently moved, wait until you have lived in your new state for 3 months.
Good Moral Character for the Past 5 Years
No serious criminal convictions, no fraud, no tax non-compliance, no failure to support dependents. See our good moral character guide →
English Language Ability
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand basic English. Age and long-term residence exemptions exist — if you are 50+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident, or 55+ with 15+ years, you may be exempt.
Pass the Civics Test
New 2025 test (filed Oct 20, 2025+): 20 questions from 128, answer 12 correctly. Old test: up to 10 questions from 100, answer 6 correctly. Study all 128 questions →
THE 3-YEAR MARRIAGE RULE
If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you may qualify after just 3 years. All four conditions must be met simultaneously:
- Permanent resident for at least 3 years
- Married to and living with the same U.S. citizen for all 3 of those years
- Your spouse has been a U.S. citizen for all 3 years
- Physically present in the U.S. for at least 18 months of the 3 years
You must still be married at the time of your interview. Full guide to citizenship through marriage →
MILITARY NATURALIZATION
Active duty service members and veterans have accelerated naturalization paths:
- During hostilities: No minimum residency or physical presence requirement — can apply immediately on active duty
- One year of honorable service: Can apply after one year — no 5-year waiting period
- No filing fee: Military applicants pay $0
SITUATIONS THAT MAY AFFECT ELIGIBILITY
These do not automatically disqualify you but require careful review — consult an immigration attorney before filing if any apply:
Criminal Record Including DUI
Some offenses are permanent bars. Others are temporary bars during the statutory period. Disclose everything — non-disclosure is worse than the offense. Good moral character guide →
Extended Trips Outside the U.S.
Any single trip of 6+ months may have broken your continuous residence. Any trip of 12+ months likely did break it — which may require restarting the 5-year clock from your return date.
Tax Non-Compliance
Unfiled returns or significant unpaid taxes are good moral character issues. File all missing returns before submitting your N-400.
Selective Service Non-Registration (Men Only)
Male applicants who were required to register (in the U.S. between ages 18–26, entered before age 26) and did not do so may face a permanent bar. Verify at sss.gov.
WHEN EXACTLY CAN YOU FILE
You can file up to 90 days before your eligibility anniversary date. Worked examples:
5-YEAR RULE EXAMPLE
Resident Since: January 15, 2021
Eligibility date: January 15, 2026
Earliest filing date: October 17, 2025
(90 days before the anniversary)
3-YEAR RULE EXAMPLE
Resident Since: January 15, 2023
Eligibility date: January 15, 2026
Earliest filing date: October 17, 2025
(Same 90-day window applies)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE YET
If you don't yet qualify, the waiting period is valuable preparation time:
- Calculate your exact earliest filing date and mark it in your calendar
- Start studying all civics questions — all 128 questions →
- Gather your documents now — full checklist →
- Review your travel history and confirm you will meet the physical presence requirement
- File all required tax returns for the statutory period
The earlier you start preparing, the smoother your process will be. Most delays come from applicants who start preparing only after receiving their interview notice — which gives them 4–8 weeks. Starting now gives you months.
READY TO START YOUR N-400?
LEGALIAI walks you through eligibility check, documents, form walkthrough, risk assessment, and interview prep in 8 languages for $49. No lawyer needed.
START NOW — $49FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My green card expired. Can I still apply for citizenship?
Yes. An expired green card does not affect your permanent resident status or your eligibility to naturalize. Your status does not expire when your card does. When USCIS accepts your N-400, they automatically extend your green card validity by 24 months. Bring the expired green card to your interview — the officer will note that it expired.
I was outside the U.S. for 7 months total across several trips. Does that affect me?
Seven months total across multiple trips (none exceeding 6 months continuously) does not break continuous residence. It does count against your physical presence requirement — you need 30 months inside the U.S. over 5 years. Subtract your total time outside and verify you still have 30+ months inside. Short trips that individually stay under 6 months do not trigger the continuous residence issue.
I am 68 years old and have been a permanent resident for 22 years. Do I still need to take the English test?
No. Under the 50/20 exception, if you are 50 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 or more years, you are exempt from the English language requirement. You still must take the civics test, but you may take it in your native language with an approved interpreter. You also take a shorter version of the civics test if you are 65 or older with 20+ years as a permanent resident.