Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Here are some things to know if you are thinking about becoming a U.S. citizen. When you become a U.S. citizen you get these things:

• The right to vote.
• You can leave and re-enter the country more easily.
• You can usually help family members come to live in the U.S. more quickly.
• Your children under 18 often become U.S. citizens automatically.
• You can’t be deported. Non-citizens who commit crimes can be deported in many cases. 
• You can apply for jobs in the federal government.
• Better rights with some welfare programs like MFIP and SSI.
• You can get a U.S. passport.
• You can often get better customer service when visiting U.S. embassies.

You promise to give up loyalty to your native country, but the U.S. still lets you be a citizen of your native country too. Becoming a U.S. citizen can change your rights in your native country. Each country has its own rules. Check with your native country about its rules. In your native country you may lose:

• Your citizenship
• The right to vote
• The right to own property there

These things may change:

• Your custody rights to your children
• Your right to enter your native country
• You may need a permit to work in your native country 

You must:

• Be at least 18 years old if filing on your own.
• Have had your permanent resident card for 5 years. It is only 3 years if you are married to and have lived with a person who has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years or if you were approved for VAWA based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen (I-360 self-petition). 
• Live in the same state for more than 3 months.
• Have good moral character.
• Swear loyalty to the U.S.
• Promise to help the U.S. in times of war or other national emergencies
• Read, write, and speak English and know some U.S. history and government. You may be able to skip the English or history tests – see below.

Children under 18 can become U.S. citizens automatically when a parent becomes a citizen if:

• 1 of the parents becomes a citizen before the child turns 18, AND
• The child has a permanent resident card, AND
• The child is in the custody of the citizen parent (even for a short period), AND
• The child is not married when the parent becomes a citizen.

If you have the right proof of these things, the child can get a certificate of citizenship or a U.S. passport.  See our fact sheet Proving Your Child’s Citizenship.

Even if you do not know English, do not give up. Take citizenship and English classes. Many classes are free. To find citizenship and English classes near you, call Literacy Minnesota at 651-645-2277. Or go online to https://www.literacymn.org/

Yes, citizenship applicants need to know basic, conversational English. But if you are:

• Are 55 or older and have had your permanent resident card for 15 years, or
• Are 50 years or older and have had your permanent resident card for 20 years

You still have to pass the U.S. history and government test, but you can take the tests in your own language. You don't have to learn English. 

If you are:

• 65 or older and have had your permanent resident card for at least 20 years you can take a much easier version of the U.S. history and government (civics) tests in your own language.

If you can’t learn English, history, or government because you have a medical or mental health condition, you can ask for a “waiver.” The “waiver” means that you do not have to do the interview in English, and/or you do not have to take the civics test.

Have your doctor, psychologist, or osteopathic doctor fill out USCIS Form N-648. You can get it online at www.uscis.gov. Type N-648 in the search bar.

Ask your doctor before you give them the form if your insurance pays for their time to do the form. Ask the doctor to say in detail what your medical condition is and how it keeps you from learning.

Yes. The fee is $760 to file by mail or $710 to file online. But check to make sure that this fee is right when you send your application. USCIS wants to change this fee to a higher amount. If you don’t pay the right amount, they reject your application. You have to try again. This delays the process by several weeks.

You may be able to ask Immigration to file for free by filing an I-912 fee waiver request with your N-400 naturalization application if:

• you get federal or state benefits like MFIP, SSI, EBT, energy assistance, childcare assistance or Medicaid or
• if you have a low income or other financial hardship. Income is based on 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

In some cases, you should. The lawyer can give you advice about whether to apply and how to fill out the papers. The lawyer can also give you advice about if there is any risk that you could be deported because of something in your history. Talk to a lawyer if you:

• Spent more than 6 months outside the U.S., since you came to the U.S.
• Had alcohol or drug problems, including Khat or illegal drugs.
• Were arrested or charged with a crime, even if it’s been dismissed due to a “stay of adjudication,” pretrial diversion, or expunged. 
• Were charged or convicted for domestic abuse or someone had an Order for Protection (OFP) against you.
• Are on parole or probation.
• Didn’t pay child support you had to pay within the past 5 years.
• Didn’t file income tax returns when you should have or if you are behind in paying your taxes.
• Were married when you entered the U.S., but you applied to come here as an “unmarried refugee child.”
• Have not been truthful with Immigration in the past.
• Didn’t register for the military draft as a young man between the age of 18 and 26.
• Were in the Communist Party.
• Were in any racist or hate group, or a group that wanted to overthrow the U.S. government.
• Have any questions about any changes in your life which may affect your immigration status.
• Want to change your name as part of the citizenship process.
• Think you were ordered deported by an immigration judge, or you’re not sure. 

Tell the truth in your application and at your interview. One shoplifting offense 10 years ago may not keep you from being a citizen, but lying about it could.

Legal Aid’s Immigration Law Project at 1-877-696-6529 
The Immigrant Law Center at 1-800-223-1368