United States Citizenship Requirements

A US citizen is said to be a loyal and legal member of the United States, entitled to the complete protection of United States. One may obtain US Citizenship by birth in the United States or by birth abroad to US Citizens. Another way to obtain U.S. Citizenship is through Naturalization. This applies to individuals who are born abroad and not to US citizens.

Many rights are given to both citizens and non – citizens. However, US Citizens are afforded the most rights. Most importantly, they are given the right to vote, sponsor family members to become permanent residents of the United States, obtain citizenship for their children who are born abroad, travel with a US passport, be eligible to work in the federal government and hold an elected, political office.

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

There are two ways in obtaining US citizenship. The first is by birth in United States or by birth abroad to US Citizens. The second way is through Naturalization. It is the process by which a foreign national becomes a US citizen once he/she is eligible to obtain citizenship. A foreign individual citizen who wishes to obtain US Citizenship through Naturalization must file the form N400 (Application for Naturalization). There are many United States citizenship requirements to be met when applying for US Citizenship through Naturalization.

In order to be naturalized, the first United States citizenship requirement is that the applicant must be a legal permanent resident of the United States. There is an exception for people who served honorably in the US armed forces at of times of war. The second requirement is that the applicant must be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing the application for naturalization. Again there is an exception for those who served honorably in the US military during times of war or are the unmarried children of at least one US citizen parent.

The next United States citizenship requirement is that the applicant must satisfy the residency prerequisite. The applicant must have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements. If the applicant is married to a US Citizen, he/she must be living with the same US Citizen for 3 years. A person is permitted to file their N400 application 3 months prior to meeting the physical presence requirement.

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, the applicant must maintain continuous residence which means that a prolonged absence from the U.S. will break the continuity of the applicants residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes. Also the applicant must reside within the state or within a US district for at least 3 months before filing the application. Applicants must know to read, write and speak English and are required to pass a civic test on the history and government of the United States.

Finally, the applicant must be an individual of good moral character and must be willing to take an oath to uphold and defend the United States Constitution.