Qualifications for American Citizenship
If you have legally lived in the United States for at least 5 years and have shown "good moral character" during that time, you may apply American citizenship. To finish the process, you must complete an application, pass an examination and appear at a court hearing, at which time you will be asked to swear an oath of loyalty to the U.S.
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Age
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You must be at least 18 years old to complete the application for American citizenship.
English
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You must be able to read, write and speak English.
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Application
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The application for naturalization is Form N-400. It can be obtained from your nearest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office or downloaded from their site at www.uscis.gov. On the application, you must fill in basic biographical data. You must have your fingerprints taken at a police station or other willing government office and submit the fingerprint card along with your application and two pictures of yourself with your face clearly visible. The application packet should be mailed to the USCIS lockbox in your area.
Examination
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The naturalization examination has two parts. You will be asked questions about your application and tested on you knowledge of American government and history. The other part is a written exam that will test your ability to read and write English. The written portion is not required if you have a physical limitation that prevents you from reading or writing. If you pass the exam, a fee is required. Also, you do not need to take the exam if you are at least 50 years old and have lived legally in the U.S. for at least 20 years.
Hearing
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If the examiner feels you qualify for citizenship, he will help you petition to appear before a judge. If naturalization is finalized by the judge, and you will receive your certificate of naturalization.
Oath
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To become a citizen of the U.S., you must be willing to swear the following oath: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God. In acknowledgement whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature."
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