Naturalization is the way in which a foreigner who was not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a US citizen.

United States permanent residents often seek information on how to become a US citizen. In this article, we explain in detail how to handle this process step by step.

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Citizenship and naturalization

People born in the United States are considered citizens of the United States. However, people born in other countries can obtain US citizenship in two ways:

The length of the process to obtain citizenship depends on your situation. The agency responsible for coordinating and overseeing this process is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Naturalization is a process aimed at granting a foreigner US citizenship. The applicant must meet a series of requirements set out in the Immigration and Nationality Act to obtain it. Photo: SDI Productions

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How many years does it take to be a US citizen?

The most common route to obtaining US citizenship through naturalization is to be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least 5 years as stated by USCIS.

See the USCIS Early Filing Calculator for more information on determining the earliest filing date for your naturalization application.

Before you can apply for naturalization, you must meet certain admission requirements. Depending on your situation, other requirements may apply to you.

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General Eligibility Requirements for United States Citizenship

To be eligible for naturalization based on at least five years of lawful permanent residence, you must:

Some applicants, due to their age or time as lawful permanent residents, are not required to take the English test and may take the citizenship test in the language of their choice.

For more information, visit the Exceptions and Modifications page or the USCIS Policy Manual: Citizenship and Naturalization Guide.