Citizenship

A person may derive or acquire U.S. citizenship at birth. Persons who are born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are citizens at birth. Persons who are born in certain territories of the United States also may be citizens at birth. Persons born in American Samoa and Swains Island are generally
considered nationals but not citizens of the United States.

In addition, persons who are born outside of the United States may be U.S. citizens at birth if one or both parents were U.S. citizens at their time of birth. Persons who are not U.S. citizens at birth may become U.S. citizens through naturalization.

Naturalization is the conferring of U.S. citizenship after birth by any means whatsoever. In general, an applicant files a naturalization application and then
USCIS grants citizenship after adjudicating the application. In some cases, a person may be naturalized by operation of law. This is often referred to as deriving citizenship. In either instance, the foreign citizen or national must fulfill all of the requirements established by Congress. In most cases, a person may not be naturalized unless he or she has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.

Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is one of the most important decisions an immigrant can make. Naturalized U.S. citizens share equally in the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship.

Eligibility Requirements

If you are a green card holder of at least 5 years, you must meet the
following requirements in order to apply for naturalization:

• Be 18 or older at the time of filing
• Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the
  date of filing the application( 3 years as a spouse of US citizen by
  meeting certain requirements)
• Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over
  the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the
  date of filing the application. Students may apply for naturalization
  either where they go to school or where their family lives (if they
  are still financially dependent on their parents).
• Have continuous residence in the United States as a green card holder
  for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the
  application
• Be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out
  of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the
  application
• Reside continuously within the United States from the date of
  application for naturalization up to the time of naturalization
• Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an
  understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).
• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the
  Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order
  and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under
  the law.