Requirements to obtain American citizenship: List of documents

Applying for U.S. citizenship now requires filing Form N-400 online for $710. Starting October 20, 2025, USCIS will administer a new 128-question civics test. Here, we explain all the documents you need to gather and how to prepare without errors.

Are you thinking about applying for U.S. citizenship but unsure of the required documents? Don't worry! This article provides a comprehensive list of the requirements and documents needed to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Whether you're just starting the process or simply need to check which documents you need to gather, here you'll find all the information you need to take the first step toward citizenship. Let's get started!

What is needed to apply for US citizenship through naturalization?

You are eligible to become a U.S. citizen if you meet the following criteria:

You must be at least 18 years of age.
Be able to read, write and communicate in basic English, although this requirement may vary depending on your age.
Have a record of good moral conduct.

Additionally, you must be in one of the following categories:

Be the child of a US citizen.
Prove that you are a legal permanent resident of the United States, which means you have had a "Green Card" for at least five years.
Be married to a US citizen.
Have served or be serving in the United States Armed Forces.

How to apply to obtain US citizenship through naturalization?

To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you must follow certain mandatory steps to complete the process. These steps are as follows :

Determine if you are eligible for US citizenship.
Prepare Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be completed online at the USCIS website by creating an account.
Once Form N-400 is submitted, USCIS will send a notification of receipt.
Check processing time and case status online by logging into your USCIS account.
If applicable, show up for your biometrics appointment. USCIS will send a notification that will include the date, time, and location of the appointment to collect biometric data.
Attend the designated office at the indicated time and biometric data will be taken.
Once all preliminary processes are completed, USCIS will schedule an appointment to interview you and complete the naturalization process. You must report to the USCIS office on the date and time indicated in the appointment notification.
USCIS will send a decision notice. If you filed the N-400 online, you will also have access to your notification in your account.

What to Expect:

If USCIS approves Form N-400 in step 7, you can participate in a naturalization ceremony on the same day as your interview.
If there is no ceremony scheduled on the same day, USCIS will send a notification with the date, time, and location of the ceremony.
If you filed the N-400 online, you can also access the electronic notification in your application.
Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a United States citizen when USCIS organizes the meeting.

How many years do you have to live in the United States to obtain citizenship?

To obtain U.S. citizenship , you must be a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) for at least five years.

What documents should I bring to the citizenship interview?

In general, you should bring the following documents to your citizenship interview:

Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
Government-issued photo ID.
Payment of filing fee or request for fee reduction or waiver
Original appointment letter.
Passports, even expired ones.
If you are married, you must bring the following documents, as applicable to your current spouse: divorce decrees, certificates of nullity, death certificates, or other official records.
Any entry permit you may have.

How long does the American citizenship process take?

The naturalization process to obtain U.S. citizenship can take 15 to 16 months on average . The process includes the application, the interview, the citizenship test , and the oath of allegiance ceremony.