Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is one of the most consequential decisions a permanent resident can make. The process starts with Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, and ends with an oath ceremony where you pledge allegiance to the United States. In fiscal year 2024, 818,500 people completed that journey — the highest three-year naturalization total in over two decades, according to USCIS naturalization statistics.
But the process has changed. A new civics test took effect in October 2025, filing fees increased for the first time since 2016, and USCIS tightened its good moral character evaluation standard. This guide walks you through every step of the current N-400 process so you know exactly what to expect in 2026.
What You Need Before Starting
Before filing Form N-400, confirm you meet the basic requirements and gather your documents:
- Green Card (Form I-551) — you must be a lawful permanent resident
- 5 years of continuous residence as an LPR (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
- Physical presence of at least 30 months (913 days) in the U.S. during the statutory period
- 3 months of residence in the state or USCIS district where you file
- Tax returns for the last 5 years (or 3 years for spouse-based filers)
- Passport and travel documents showing all trips outside the U.S.
- Marriage and divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Court records for any arrests, citations, or charges — even dismissed ones
- Selective Service registration proof (males ages 18-31)
- Filing fee: $710 online or $760 by mail (USCIS fee schedule)
You can file up to 90 calendar days before completing your continuous residence requirement. Do not file earlier than that — USCIS will deny premature applications.
How Much Does the N-400 Cost in 2026?
USCIS updated its fee schedule on April 1, 2024 — the first increase since 2016. There is no separate biometrics fee; it's now bundled into the filing fee.
Filing MethodFeeWho QualifiesOnline (myaccount.uscis.gov)$710General applicantsPaper (mail)$760All applicantsReduced fee$380Household income 150%-400% of Federal Poverty GuidelinesFee waiver$0Household income at or below 150% FPG (Form I-912 required)
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule (G-1055) and USCIS Final Fee Rule, effective April 1, 2024
In FY2024, 14.3% of naturalized applicants received approved fee waivers, according to USCIS data. If you qualify for a reduced fee or waiver, note that you must file on paper — online filing does not support fee reductions.
Tip: USCIS no longer accepts personal checks, money orders, or cashier's checks for paper filings. Pay by credit/debit card (Form G-1450) or ACH bank transfer (Form G-1650).
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
The general pathway under INA Section 316(a) requires:
- Age 18 or older at filing
- Lawful permanent resident for 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen and living together)
- Continuous residence and physical presence as described above
- Good moral character during the statutory period
- Ability to read, write, and speak basic English
- Knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics test)
- Attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution
Age-based English exemptions exist. If you're 50 or older with 20+ years as an LPR (the "50/20 rule"), you're exempt from the English test and may take the civics test in your native language. Similar exemptions apply at 55/15 and 65/20 — with the 65/20 group receiving a simplified civics test.
USCIS tightened its good moral character standard in August 2025. Officers now evaluate whether applicants demonstrate positive contributions to American society — not merely the absence of misconduct. Unlawful voting, false citizenship claims, and failure to pay child support are specific disqualifiers flagged under the updated guidance (USCIS Policy Memorandum, August 2025).
Step 2: File Form N-400
You have two filing options. Online filing through myaccount.uscis.gov is faster, cheaper ($710 vs. $760), and gives you real-time case tracking with automatic notifications. The adaptive online form flags missing information before you submit.
For paper filing, download the current edition (dated 01/20/25) directly from uscis.gov/n-400. Submitting an outdated form version triggers automatic rejection.
Mail your paper application to the USCIS direct filing address for your state. Filing at the wrong address can add months to processing.
What happens after filing: USCIS sends a receipt notice (Form I-797C). This receipt automatically extends your Green Card validity by 24 months from its expiration date — a policy that took effect December 12, 2022. Carry the receipt alongside your expired card as proof of continued status.
Step 3: Attend Your Biometrics Appointment
USCIS mails an appointment notice with your date, time, and Application Support Center (ASC) location. During the appointment, they collect your fingerprints, photograph, and digital signature.
The photograph taken at the ASC may appear on your Certificate of Naturalization, so plan accordingly. USCIS waives this step in some cases, but assume you'll need to attend.
Missing your biometrics appointment without notice is serious. If you don't appear and don't contact USCIS within 30 days, your application is treated as abandoned — case closed, no refund.
Step 4: Prepare for the Civics and English Tests
This is where 2026 applicants face the biggest change. If you filed your N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test:
Test VersionQuestion BankQuestions AskedPassing Score2008 test (filed before Oct 20, 2025)100 questions106 correct2025 test (filed on/after Oct 20, 2025)128 questions2012 correct
The 2025 test draws from a bank of 128 questions. Study materials — including the official "One Nation, One People" guide, flash cards, and a pocket study guide — are available at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. Answers to some questions change after elections or appointments, so check for updates before your interview.
Despite the expanded test, pass rates remain high. In FY2024, the civics test initial pass rate was 89.7%, rising to 94.4% when including re-examinations. The English test pass rate exceeded 93% on first attempt, per USCIS test performance data.
The English test has three parts: speaking (assessed throughout the interview), reading (read 1 of 3 sentences aloud correctly), and writing (write 1 of 3 dictated sentences correctly).
If you fail either test, you get one more chance. USCIS reschedules the failed portion within 60 to 90 days.
Step 5: Complete the Naturalization Interview
A USCIS officer conducts the interview under oath. They review every answer on your N-400, verify your identity and documents, and administer the English and civics tests during the same appointment.
Bring your appointment notice, Green Card, state-issued photo ID, passport or travel documents, and any additional documents listed in your notice. If your application raised questions — gaps in employment, extended travel, or tax issues — bring supporting evidence proactively.
Only 17.8% of applicants in FY2024 had legal representation at their interview (USCIS data). Representation is not required, but consider consulting an immigration attorney if your case involves criminal history, extended absences, or tax compliance concerns.
One 2025 development to know: USCIS resumed neighborhood investigations in November 2025 to verify applicants' residency, moral character, and loyalty to the Constitution. While not every applicant will be investigated, be prepared for this possibility.
Step 6: Receive Your Decision
After the interview, USCIS issues one of three outcomes:
- Granted — You're approved. Proceed to the oath ceremony.
- Continued — USCIS needs more evidence, or you failed a test and need to retake it. You'll receive instructions on next steps.
- Denied — You don't meet eligibility requirements based on the evidence. You can request a hearing by filing Form N-336 within 30 days of the decision (33 days if the notice was mailed). There is no limit on how many times you can re-apply, but you must pay the filing fee each time.
Step 7: Take the Oath of Allegiance
The oath ceremony is the final step. You are not a U.S. citizen until you recite the Oath of Allegiance.
USCIS conducts two types of ceremonies:
- Administrative ceremonies — Run by USCIS, often at field offices or community events
- Judicial ceremonies — Held in federal or state court; required if you're requesting a legal name change through naturalization
At the ceremony, you complete Form N-445, surrender your Green Card, take the oath, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization. Review every detail on the certificate — name spelling, date of birth, photo — before leaving the venue. Corrections are much harder to make after the fact.
Some field offices administer same-day oaths immediately after a successful interview. Processing times vary: the median dropped to 5.2 months in FY2024, the lowest since 2016, down from a pandemic-era peak of 11.5 months. As of January 2026, expect 5.5 to 13 months depending on your field office. Check your specific office at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.
What to Do After You Become a Citizen
Once you have your Certificate of Naturalization:
- Register to vote in local, state, and federal elections
- Apply for a U.S. passport at your local post office or passport agency
- Update your Social Security record — visit ssa.gov or your local SSA office with your certificate
- Sponsor eligible family members for immigration, including parents, siblings, and married children (categories not available to LPRs)
If you have children under 18 who are lawful permanent residents and in your legal custody, they may automatically acquire citizenship when you naturalize — no separate application needed, under certain conditions.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Your Green Card expires during processing. Filing Form N-400 automatically extends your card's validity by 24 months. Carry the I-797C receipt notice with your expired card.
You traveled outside the U.S. for more than 6 months. A single trip of 6 or more months may disrupt your continuous residence. Trips exceeding 1 year create a presumption that continuous residence is broken. Consult an attorney before filing if this applies to you.
You have a criminal record. Disclose every arrest, charge, and citation — including dismissed cases and expunged records. Failure to disclose is itself grounds for denial. The 2025 good moral character standard evaluates your full record, including positive contributions.
You used old study materials for the civics test. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, the 2008 study guide won't prepare you adequately. Download the 2025 materials from uscis.gov.
Your application was denied. File Form N-336 within 30 days to request a hearing before a different officer. If the denial is upheld, you can re-apply by filing a new N-400 with the current fee.
Moving Forward
The N-400 naturalization process is straightforward when you file with the right documents, study the current test materials, and stay responsive to USCIS communications. With median processing times near 5 months (USCIS processing data) and civics test pass rates above 89% (USCIS test performance), the odds are strongly in your favor.