NATURALIZATION FOR LAWFUL PERMANENT

RESIDENTS AGE 50 AND OVER

Fact Sheet

WHY NATURALIZE AND BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN?

Obtaining U.S. citizenship through naturalization oers many benefits and important responsibilities. For

example, only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections and serve on a jury. As a U.S. citizen, you can get priority

for sponsoring certain family members to come to the United States. You can also apply for certain federal

jobs and become eligible for certain federal benefits, grants, and scholarships. Finally, if your children are

under 18 years of age and are lawful permanent residents when you naturalize, they may automatically acquire

• Show you have been a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years;

• Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years immediately before the date you

file Form N-400 and up to the time of naturalization;

• Show you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years

immediately before the date you file Form N-400;

• Show you have lived for at least 3 months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your

place of residence;

• Show that you are a person of good moral character;

• Be able to read, write, and speak basic English;

• Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of

WHAT ARE THE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE ENGLISH TEST?

Certain applicants because of their age and time as a lawful permanent resident may have the naturalization

interview in their native language. These applicants do not have to take the English tests for naturalization and

may take the civics test in the language of their choice. Additionally, an applicant receives special consideration

in the civics test if, at the time of filing the application, the applicant is 65 years of age or older and has been a

lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more. These applicants are administered a specially designated test.

The applicant is:

AND has been a U.S.

lawful permanent

resident for:

Age 50 or over 20 years or more Exempt Civics test

Age 55 or over 15 years or more Exempt Civics test

Age 65 or over 20 years or more Exempt

If you legalized under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), you were required to meet a basic

citizenship skills requirement to become a lawful permanent resident. If you passed the English and civics test

when you legalized, you will only be tested on any portion of the test that you did not satisfy under IRCA. You

must still demonstrate the ability to speak English at the time of the naturalization interview, unless you meet

one of the age and time as lawful permanent resident exemptions from the English language test or qualify for a

medical exception, as explained above.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT TO APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION TO BECOME A

Apply for U.S. citizenship by submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (www.uscis.gov/n-400).

You can file this form online. There are exceptions and modifications to the naturalization requirements that

eligible for a fee waiver (www.uscis.gov/i-912) or fee reduction (www.uscis.gov/i-942).

• If you are eligible for a fee waiver, you pay no fee for the N-400. Fee waivers are available to individuals who

can demonstrate that they qualify based on:

Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file.

WHO CAN HELP ME APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION TO BECOME A U.S.

CITIZEN?

Many community organizations and social service providers oer citizenship classes and assistance with the

naturalization process. Classes are oen held in the evenings and on weekends. In many cases, these programs

provide additional support and referral services as well. If you need help with an immigration issue, you can

use the services of a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative of a Department of Justice

recognized organization.

• You can learn more by visiting the “Find Help in Your Community” and “Free Naturalization Information

Sessions” webpages at www.uscis.gov/citizenship/apply-for-citizenship.