What are the US citizenship requirements?

English kujTsis English

Are you ready to become a US citizen? thawj, make sure you are eligible to apply. Learn about the basic US citizenship requirements. Read details about requirements for spouses and family members.

Are you ready to become a US citizen? First, make sure you are eligible to apply. Learn about the basic US citizenship requirements. Read details about requirements for spouses and family members.

US citizenship requirements

Nyob rau hauv thiaj li thov rau pej xeem, koj yuav tsum tau feem ntau raws li tnws nram qab no yuav tsum tau:

In order to apply for citizenship, you must generally meet the following requirements:

Koj yuav tsum muaj tsawg kawg yog 18 xyoo.

You must be at least 18 years old.

Rau feem ntau cov neeg, koj yuav tsum tau nyob rau hauv lub tebchaws United States rau tsawg kawg yog tsib xyoo raws li ib tug neeg nyob. Txawm li cas los, Yog hais tias koj tus txiv los yog tus poj niam yog ib tug pej xeem, tej zaum koj yuav tau mus thov tom qab peb xyoos. Nyeem ntxiv txog kev tsim nyog rau cov txij nkawm.

For most people, you must have lived in the United States for at least five years as a resident. However, if your husband or wife is a citizen, you may be able to apply after three years. Read more about eligibility for spouses.

Koj yuav tsum tau nyob rau hauv tib qho chaw rau yav dhau los peb lub hlis.
You must not have had significant trips outside of the USA. Vacations and short trips to see family overseas are okay, but if you have had long trips, it might be a good idea to speak to a lawyer before applying to make sure you qualify. koj ua tau read more about physical presence and continuous requirements.

You need to have lived in the same location for the past three months.
You must not have had significant trips outside of the USA. Vacations and short trips to see family overseas are okay, but if you have had long trips, it might be a good idea to speak to a lawyer before applying to make sure you qualify. You can read more about physical presence and continuous requirements.

Koj yuav tsum muaj tsis muaj kev txhaum kev ua si. Small offenses, such as a traffic ticket, are okay, tab sis koj muaj peev xwm tsis raug txim ntawm tej yam loj teeb meem txhaum cai. Always be honest about this because most small crimes are okay, but if you lie on your application, qhov no yuav ua rau koj daim ntawv thov tau tsis lees txais. Tej zaum koj yuav txawm tau deported. Yog hais tias koj tau raug txim ntawm ib txoj kev txhaum, nws yog ib qho tseem ceeb yuav tau tham nrog ib tug kws lij choj. Lawv yuav qhia rau koj paub yuav ua li cas.

You must have no major criminal activity. Small offenses, such as a traffic ticket, are okay, but you cannot be convicted of any major crimes. Always be honest about this because most small crimes are okay, but if you lie on your application, this can make your application get rejected. You might even get deported. If you have been convicted of a crime, it is very important to talk to a lawyer. They will let you know what to do.

Koj yuav tsum kawm thiab kawm txog lub tebchaws United States tsoom fwv, kev khwv nyiaj txiag, thiab keeb kwm yog li ntawd koj yuav kis tau tus Civics ntsuam xyuas.

You must study and learn about the United States government, economy, and history so that you can pass the Civics exam.

Koj yuav tsum muaj peev xwm nyeem, sau, hais lus thiab mloog nyob rau hauv lus Askiv. Muaj ib co kev zam rau cov neeg xiam oob qhab cov neeg los yog cov neeg tshaj 50 uas tau nyob rau hauv lub tebchaws United States rau ib ntev lub sij hawm. Nyeem txog cov kev zam rau cov laus thiab cov neeg xiam neeg xyoo nyob rau hauv Attachment D.

You must be able to read, write, speak and listen in English. There are some exceptions for disabled people or people over 50 who have lived in the United States for a long time. Read about the exceptions for older and disabled people years old in Attachment D.

Cov neeg uas tau ua hauj lwm nyob rau hauv cov tub rog ntawm lub tebchaws United States yuav tsim nyog thov rau pej xeem. Xav paub ntau ntxiv txog kev tsim nyog tau los ntawm qhov kev pab.

People who have served in the armed forces of the United States may be eligible to apply for citizenship. Learn more about eligibility through service.

The official information from the United States government will tell you if you are eligible to apply for citizenship. Read online or download this document to see if you are eligible.

The official information from the United States government will tell you if you are eligible to apply for citizenship. Read online or download this document to see if you are eligible.

Yuav ua li cas mus thov

How to apply

There are many steps in the naturalization process:

Complete and mail the required paperwork.
Complete a background check.
Complete an interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Officer.
Take a short English language test where you read and speak a sentence in English.
Take a Civics Exam on US history and government. Nyob rau daim ntawv xeem no, koj yuav tsum teb 6 tawm ntawm 10 cov lus nug kom txog US Civics, Keeb kwm thiab tsoom fwv.
Take the Oath of Allegiance where you pledge loyalty to the USA.

Complete and mail the required paperwork.
Complete a background check.
Complete an interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Officer.
Take a short English language test where you read and speak a sentence in English.
Take a Civics Exam on US history and government. On this exam, you must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly about US Civics, History and Government.
Take the Oath of Allegiance where you pledge loyalty to the USA.

You can find more details about all these steps when you are ready to learn yuav ua li cas thov rau pej xeem.

You can find more details about all these steps when you are ready to learn how to apply for citizenship.

Xav paub ntau ntxiv

Learn more

Cov ntaub ntawv ntawm nplooj ntawv no yog los ntawm USCIS thiab lwm yam thoj. Nws yog npaj rau cov kev taw qhia thiab yog tshiab ntau li ntau tau. USAHello tsis muab kev cai lij choj cov tswv yim pab, tsis yog ib yam ntawm peb cov ntaub ntawv npaj uas yuav tau noj raws li kev cai lij choj cov tswv yim pab. Yog hais tias koj tab tom nrhiav rau ib tug dawb los yog raug nyiaj tsawg tus kws lij choj los yog kev cai lij choj pab, peb yuav pab tau koj nrhiav dawb thiab luv-nqi raws li txoj cai kev pab.

The information on this page comes from USCIS and other trusted sources. It is intended for guidance and is updated as often as possible. USAHello does not give legal advice, nor are any of our materials intended to be taken as legal advice. If you are looking for a free or low-cost lawyer or legal help, we can help you find free and low-cost legal services.