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Here are some “frequently asked questions” about Naturalization — and the answers.

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Q: Am I eligible to naturalize?

A: When it comes to deciding whether you are eligible, factors to consider are how long you have been a permanent resident (green card holder), how much time you have spent in and outside of the U.S., and how long you have lived in your U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) district (where you live now and will apply from). This page will outline the two most common cases, but there are also some special situations, especially related to military service or government work. If you believe you might be a special situation, you can contact LUM or access more information here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/article/chapter4.pdf

If you are a typical applicant (over 90% of applicants fit this category)

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be a permanent resident for the past 5 years
• You can not have left the U.S. for 6 months or longer
• You must have spent at least 30 months of the past 5 years in the U.S.
• You must live in your USCIS district for 3 months

If you are not a typical applicant, but are married to a U.S. citizen:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be currently married and living with the citizen
• You must be married and living with that citizen for 3 years
• Your spouse must be a U.S. citizen for 3 years
• You must be a permanent resident for the past 3 years
• You can not have left the U.S. for 6 months or longer
• You must have spent at least 18 months of the past 3 years in the U.S.
• You must live in you USCIS district for 3 months

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Q: Can my child sponsor my citizenship?

A: This is a common and understandable question many immigrants have. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Once your child, who must be a U.S. citizen, turns 21, they may sponsor your green card. You still must be a green card holder for 5 years before you can apply for citizenship.

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Q: How much does naturalizing cost?

A: The application for naturalization, called the Form N-400, costs $725 to file. This is made up of a $640 citizenship application fee and an $85 background check cost ($640 + $85 = $725). The reason this fee exists is because the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) is self-funded, meaning it does not receive money from the U.S. government. 90% of USCIS operating costs are covered by application fees

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Q: Am I eligible for a discount or a fee waiver?

A: There are many different reasons you might be eligible to save some money on the fee. These are the two most simple:

• If you are over 75 years old, you do not need to pay the fee for the background check (save $85)
• If you are in the military, your whole filing fee is waived (save $725)

USCIS gives waivers to those who can not afford the naturalization fees, as well. However, you must request a fee waiver by filing Form I-912 (called Request for Fee Waiver) along with your citizenship application. You may also submit a written request. You are the most likely to become eligible for the fee waivers if you are receiving benefits, like TANF, SSI, LINK, and Medicaid. You are also likely to become eligible for fee waivers if your family earns less than 150% of the federal poverty level. This has to do with how many people are in your family or household. The table on the following page shows 150% of the 2018 poverty level by family/household size.

Persons in family/household	Annual income
1	$18,210
2	$24,690
3	$31,170
4	$37,650
5	$44,130
6	$50,610
7	$57,090
8	$63,570

** For families with more than 8 persons, add $6,480 per person.

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The citizenship test: There are two parts to the test: a civics test and an English test. This document will outline each part of the test and whether you are able to take a simpler version of the test.

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Q: What can I expect on the civics test?

A: The civics test contains questions about U.S. history and government. A USCIS officer will ask you 10 questions from a list of 100 questions in English. You must answer 6 correctly.  It will not be a multiple choice exam, but the list of 100 possible questions can be found online here: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/teachers/educational-products/100-civics-questions-and-answers-mp3-audio-english-version .

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Q: What can I expect on the English test?

A: The English test contains three parts: a speaking test, reading test, and writing test. For the speaking test, a USCIS officer will determine your speaking skills during your Form N-400 interview. If you show you generally understand the officer’s questions and respond to them in a way that makes sense, you will pass this part. For the reading test, you must read one sentence correctly and show that you understand what the sentence means. You have to read the whole sentence without long pauses and you have to read all important words, but you can skip short words that do not affect the meaning. You will not fail for having an accent and you have three tries. For the writing test, you must write one sentence that is read to you. As long as you have the same meaning as what was read to you, it is okay if you have some grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. You can skip short words that don’t affect the meaning and you also have three tries on the writing test. Flashcards to study vocabulary for the reading and writing test can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learners/study-test .

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Q: Am I eligible to not take the English test?

A: If you are a certain age and have been a permanent resident (green card holder) for a long time, you might be eligible to not have to take the English test.

• If you are 50 years old or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years, you do not have to take the English test, or
• If you are 55 years old or older and have been a permanent resident for 15 years, you do not have to take the English test.

If you do not have to take the English test for these reasons, you still have to take the civics test. However, you may take the civics test in your native language, as long as you have an interpreter that speaks your native language and English.

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Q: Am I eligible to not take the civics test?

A: In most cases, you will have to take the civics test. However, if you are 65 years old or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years, you can take an easier version of the civics test in your native language. You will need an interpreter that speaks your native language and English. You still need to answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly, but there are only 20 possible questions you need to study. These questions can be found online, click HERE.

Additionally, those with physical or developmental disabilities or mental impairments that prevent them from being able to take the tests may be exempt from the English and civic test. For this, people need to submit a Medical Certification for Disability (Form N-648) with their application and have their disability authorized by a medical professional. It is important to note that people are only exempt if they can prove they wouldn’t be able to take the tests without accommodations.

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Q: Can I be a dual citizen?

A: Many immigrants are concerned that when they become a U.S. citizen, they will have to give up their identity as a citizen of their home county. However, the U.S. allows dual citizenship! It is important to realize that laws are different for each country and that they change frequently, but many other countries also allow dual citizenship. As long as your home country allows it, this means you can be a U.S. citizen and maintain citizenship of your home country as well. The following list tells whether countries with the most immigrants that come to the U.S. allow dual citizenship.