Nationality of United States: all obtaining pathways
The United States requires five years as a permanent resident for ordinary naturalization, reduced to three for the spouse of a citizen, with special processes for military service—exempt during periods of hostilities. Citizenship by birth follows full ius soli, and citizenship is transmitted to descendants at birth under the INA.
1Naturalization LPR 5 years (INA 316)
Naturalization LPR 5 years (INA 316)
Requirements
- Have been an LPR (lawful permanent resident) for ≥5 years when filing the N-400 (INA 316(a))
- Continuous residence in the U.S. for the 5 years immediately preceding the application and up to admission to citizenship
- Physical presence in the U.S. for ≥30 months of the 5 years before filing
- Live ≥3 months in the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the place of residence
- At least 18 years old
- Read, write and speak basic English + knowledge of U.S. history and government (INA 312)
- Good moral character (INA 316(a))
- Oath of allegiance
Documentation
- Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Proof of continuous residence and physical presence
- Proof of good moral character
- English and civics test results
2Naturalization through marriage to a U.S. citizen (INA 319(a))
Naturalization through marriage to a U.S. citizen (INA 319(a))
Requirements
- Have been an LPR for ≥3 years when filing the N-400 (INA 319(a))
- Married to and living in genuine marital union with the U.S. citizen for the 3 years immediately preceding the application and until the examination
- Physical presence in the U.S. for ≥18 months of the 3 years
- Live ≥3 months in the state or USCIS district
- At least 18 years old
- English + civics test + good moral character
Documentation
- Form N-400
- Green Card
- Valid marriage certificate
- Proof of marital union with a U.S. citizen
- Evidence of continuous residence and physical presence
- English and civics test results
3Naturalization through military service (INA 328)
Naturalization through military service (INA 328)
Requirements
- Being over 18 years of age
- Having served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for at least 1 year
- Being an LPR at the time of the naturalization interview
- If discharged from service, having been discharged honorably
- Reading, writing and speaking English (unless exempt)
- Knowledge of U.S. history and government (unless exempt)
- Good moral character for at least 5 years before the application
- Adherence to the principles of the Constitution
Documentation
- Form N-400
- Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service
- DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22 (if no longer in service)
- Green Card
- Proof of good moral character
4Naturalization through military service during periods of hostilities (INA 329)
Naturalization through military service during periods of hostilities (INA 329)
Requirements
- Having served honorably in the armed forces during a designated period of hostilities
- If discharged, having been discharged honorably
- Being an LPR or having been physically present in the U.S. at the time of enlistment
- Reading, writing and speaking English (unless exempt)
- Good moral character for at least 1 year before the application
- Exempt from the continuous residence and physical presence requirements
Documentation
- Form N-400
- Form N-426 (if on active duty)
- DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22
- Proof of physical presence at the time of enlistment (if not an LPR)
- Proof of good moral character
5Acquisition of citizenship at birth (INA 301)
Acquisition of citizenship at birth (INA 301)
Requirements
- Having been born outside the U.S. to at least one U.S. citizen parent
- The citizen parent must have resided in the U.S. for a period before the child’s birth
- The law in force at the time of birth determines eligibility
Documentation
- Foreign national's birth certificate
- U.S. citizen parent's birth certificate
- Proof of the parent's physical residence in the U.S. before the birth
- Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
6Derivative citizenship for minors residing in the U.S. (INA 320)
Derivative citizenship for minors residing in the U.S. (INA 320)
Requirements
- At least one parent (including adoptive) is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
- The minor is under 18 years of age
- The minor is a lawful permanent resident (LPR)
- The minor resides in the U.S. under the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent
- All conditions must be met as of 27 February 2001
Documentation
- Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- Minor's Green Card
- Proof of the parent's citizenship
- Proof of legal and physical custody
- Minor's birth certificate
7Derivative citizenship for minors residing outside the U.S. (INA 322)
Derivative citizenship for minors residing outside the U.S. (INA 322)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a U.S. citizen
- The citizen parent or grandparent meets the physical presence requirements in the U.S.
- The minor is under 18 years of age
- The minor resides outside the U.S. under the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent
- The minor must be legally admitted to the U.S. at the time of approval
- Children of U.S. military members may complete the process from abroad
Documentation
- Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship under Section 322
- Proof of the parent's citizenship
- Proof of the parent's or grandparent's physical presence in the U.S.
- Proof of the minor's legal and physical custody
- Proof of the minor's legal admission to the U.S.
8Naturalization of the spouse of a U.S. citizen employed abroad (INA 319(b))
Naturalization of the spouse of a U.S. citizen employed abroad (INA 319(b))
Requirements
- Being married to a U.S. citizen employed by the U.S. government or a qualifying employer
- The citizen spouse must be posted abroad for at least 1 year
- No specific period as an LPR required
- No period of continuous residence or physical presence required
- Must establish that he or she will reside outside the U.S. with his or her spouse after naturalizing
- Must declare the intention to reside in the U.S. upon completion of the spouse’s employment abroad
- Reading, writing and speaking English and knowledge of civics
- Good moral character
- Taking the Oath of Allegiance
Documentation
- Form N-400
- Green Card
- Valid marriage certificate
- Proof of the spouse's qualifying employment abroad
- Proof of posting abroad for at least 1 year
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of United States
How many years of residence does United States require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of United States (Naturalization LPR 5 years (INA 316)), the term is 5 years of continuous residence as an LPR before applying (physical presence ≥30 months of the 5). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of United States be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage to a U.S. citizen pathway (3 years of continuous residence as an LPR married to and living in marital union with the citizen (physical presence ≥18 months)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in United States require?
The Naturalization LPR 5 years pathway requires: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); Proof of continuous residence and physical presence; Proof of good moral character; English and civics test results.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of United States?
United States provides 8 pathways: Naturalization LPR 5 years, Naturalization through marriage to a U.S. citizen, Naturalization through military service, Naturalization through military service during periods of hostilities, Acquisition of citizenship at birth, Derivative citizenship for minors residing in the U.S., Derivative citizenship for minors residing outside the U.S., Naturalization of the spouse of a U.S. citizen employed abroad.
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