To apply to become a U.S. citizen, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old,
• Have been a green card holder for 5 years (or only 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen),
• Meet requirements about continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
• Pass an English language and U.S. civics test,* and
• Show Good Moral Character (see below for more about this).

*There are limited exceptions to the English language and U.S. civics test.

The application form to apply is Form N-400 .  You can find information on the USCIS website about the naturalization process, including more details regarding the eligibility requirements and the current filing fee that you must submit with the application.

Good Moral Character is a legal concept used by USCIS to consider whether someone follows the law, meets legal obligations such as paying taxes, and is a positive member of the community. Certain criminal convictions and past actions may permanently bar you from being able to show you have Good Moral Character.

You must show that you have Good Moral Character in order for USCIS to approve your naturalization application.

Depending on how you obtained your green card or certain aspects of your history, including criminal history, you may not want to apply to become a U.S. citizen before speaking with a legal representative. This is because USCIS may deny your application for naturalization. USCIS may also reassess your green card status and issue you a Notice to Appear before an Immigration Court and face deportation.

It is important to be aware of USCIS’ new August 15, 2025 Policy Memorandum: Restoring a Rigorous, Holistic, and Comprehensive Good Moral Character Evaluation Standard for Aliens Applying for Naturalization.  USCIS will now conduct “a holistic comprehensive assessment” of your Good Moral Character, meaning that they will consider your entire history when deciding whether or not to approve your naturalization application. Just because you meet the basic requirements of naturalization, and may have a clean criminal record, does not mean that USCIS will approve your application.

On August 22, 2025, USCIS also issued Policy Memorandum on Resumption of Personal Investigations. For the first time in many years, USCIS officers can do background checks on naturalization applicants by interviewing neighbors, coworkers, and employers to verify:

• Where you lived
• Where  you worked
• What your reputation is in  your community

You should carefully consider if any of the following things may apply to you, since these could cause USCIS to deny your application:

• Failure to pay taxes properly
• Unpaid child support
• Fraudulent marriage
• False statements to USCIS or any other government agency
• Arrests or convictions before or after getting your green card
• Reckless driving incidents, including driving while intoxicated
• Unlawful voting
• History of alcohol abuse
• Being outside the United States for long periods of time

It is still unclear how USCIS will be making decisions about whether someone has good moral character, so the above list may not include everything that might be considered.

Not necessarily. USCIS considers many factors in deciding whether or not to approve an application for naturalization. They also consider positive factors about you, including:

• Family support and caregiving
• Stable employment and tax payment
• Educational and volunteer work
• Lawful residency history

• If possible, you should consult a legal representative before submitting your naturalization application, especially if you have anything in your history which may be concerning to USCIS.
• With your application for naturalization, submit proof of all your positive factors, including evidence of employment, rehabilitation, and community service.
• Keep records of taxes, employment, educational records, and community activities.
• Avoid even minor legal infractions that could be viewed negatively.
• Be aware that government officials may view your social media accounts in considering your good moral character.

This resource has been translated and is available for download in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), and Spanish.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.