N-400 Citizenship Eligibility Checker

How to read your result

This checker walks through the headline naturalization requirements and stops early if an answer means you are not yet eligible. A "likely eligible" result means your answers line up with the general criteria — it is a green light to prepare and verify, not a decision. USCIS makes the actual determination after reviewing your full history, so treat the outcome here as a starting point for deeper checking rather than an approval.

Most applicants qualify after holding a green card for a set period: the general path is five years as a lawful permanent resident, dropping to three years if you got your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen and have been living with that spouse. You can file Form N-400 up to 90 days before reaching the required time. Beyond that clock, USCIS also weighs continuous residence, physical presence, where you live, basic English and civics, good moral character, and willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance — several distinct tests this short tool only samples.

Common mistakes & misconceptions

The single most common misconception is treating "I've had my green card long enough" as the whole test. Two separate requirements often trip people up: continuous residence (maintaining the U.S. as your home throughout the qualifying period) and physical presence (actually being in the country for a large share of that period). They are different tests measured in different ways, and you can satisfy one while failing the other — for example, by keeping a U.S. home on paper while spending most of the year abroad.

A second misconception is misreading the early-filing window: the 90-day rule lets you file before completing the residence period, but it does not shorten the period itself, and filing too early can lead to denial. Others assume good moral character is judged only on the day they file; in practice USCIS looks back across a defined period and can consider conduct beyond it. And many forget the state-residence requirement — you generally must have lived in the state or USCIS district where you file for a short minimum period before applying.

Edge cases

Long trips abroad are the classic complication. An extended absence can break continuous residence, and a long enough single trip can create a presumption that you abandoned it — a presumption you may be able to rebut with evidence, but one worth understanding before you travel. Time spent outside the U.S. also chips away at physical presence even when it does not break continuous residence, so frequent shorter trips can still add up against you.

Other situations carve out exceptions. Some older, long-time permanent residents qualify for an exemption from the English test, and disability waivers exist for parts of the test requirement; certain applicants with qualifying U.S.-citizen-spouse employment abroad, or with military service, follow different rules entirely. Criminal history is especially fact-sensitive — some offenses affect good moral character and a few can even put a permanent resident at risk of removal. None of these are assessed here, so if any apply to you, get tailored advice before filing.

What to do next

If the checker suggests you may be eligible, confirm the details against the official requirements and gather the documents that prove your residence and presence. While you prepare, estimate the cost with the Immigration Fee Calculator and check current USCIS processing times for the N-400 so you know roughly how long the process may take.

If your answers raised any flags — long absences, gaps in residence, or any arrest or conviction history — that is the point to consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative before filing. Naturalization is generally a one-way step that can also surface problems with your underlying permanent residence, so it is worth getting a professional read on a borderline case rather than relying on a self-assessment. Always confirm requirements on the official USCIS source first.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• USCIS — Form N-400, Application for Naturalization — the official form page with current instructions and fees.
• USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12 (Citizenship & Naturalization) — official guidance on continuous residence, physical presence, and good moral character.
• USCIS — Citizenship and Naturalization — official overview of eligibility paths and the naturalization process.