U.S. Naturalization — N-400, Citizenship Test, Costs (2026)

Naturalization is the final step from Green Card to U.S. citizenship. After 5 years (or 3 for spouses of citizens), you can submit Form N-400, take the test, and become a citizen.

Who Can Apply

• Green Card holder for at least 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• Minimum age of 18
• Physical presence in the U.S.: 30 months out of the last 5 years (18 months out of 3 years for spouses)
• Continuous residence — no trips longer than 6 months without special permission
• "Good moral character" — no serious criminal convictions in the last 5 years
• Knowledge of English (reading, writing, speaking) + civics test
• Oath of Allegiance

Exemptions from English/Civics

• 50/20 — 50+ years old and 20+ years Green Card → can take the English test in Polish (civics test only)
• 55/15 — 55+ years old and 15+ years Green Card → also in Polish
• 65/20 — 65+ years old and 20+ years Green Card → simplified civics version (20 questions instead of 100)
• Medical disability — Form N-648 signed by a doctor

Costs (2026)

• Form N-400: $760 (was $725, increase effective April 2024)
• Biometrics: $0 — biometrics are free with N-400 since 2020
• Online filing: $710 (discount of $50 for electronic submission)
• Reduced fee N-400: $380 — for low-income applicants (up to 150% of federal poverty)
• Fee waiver: $0 — for individuals on SNAP/Medicaid or below 150% poverty
• Immigration attorney (optional): $1,500-3,500

Form N-400 — What It Contains

The application is 20 pages long. Main sections include:

1. Personal information + Green Card info
2. Marital status, family, children
3. Addresses from the last 5 years
4. Employment from the last 5 years
5. Trips outside the U.S. (each! with dates)
6. Questions about "moral character" — convictions, tax debts, lies to USCIS
7. Questions about affiliations with organizations (terrorist, communist, totalitarian)
8. Questions about willingness to serve in the military/public service

Citizenship Test

1. English

• Speaking — you answer questions from the USCIS officer about your application
• Reading — you read 1 of 3 sentences correctly
• Writing — you write 1 of 3 dictated sentences correctly

Word lists are available at USCIS Study Materials — master 100 words for reading + 100 words for writing.

2. Civics — 100 USCIS Questions

From a list of 100 questions, the officer will ask 10. You must answer 6 out of 10 correctly. List and answers: 100 Civics Questions (PDF).

In Polish, we have: 100 questions in Polish (PDF) — use only as a translation; you answer in English on the test (unless you have an age exemption).

Process — Step by Step

1. Submit N-400 — online (recommended) or by mail
2. Receive Receipt Notice (Form I-797) — ~2 weeks
3. Biometrics — 1-3 months after submission, at your local USCIS Application Support Center (for many, biometrics from Green Card are reused)
4. Interview Notice — 4-12 months later (depending on location)
5. Interview + Test — at your local USCIS office
6. Decision — in 99% of cases immediately after the test. Either "approved," or "decision cannot be made yet" (requesting documents), or "denied"
7. Oath Ceremony — 1-8 weeks after approval. You take the oath, return your Green Card, and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
8. U.S. Passport — apply at the post office (Post Office) for $130 plus $35 execution fee, delivered in 6-8 weeks

How Long the Entire Process Takes

Times vary by USCIS office. Average for 2026:

• Fast offices (e.g., Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland): 8-12 months
• Slower (NYC, Newark, Houston): 12-18 months
• Slowest (San Francisco, San Diego): 18-24 months

Check your office at USCIS Processing Times.

Common Reasons for Denials

1. Lack of physical presence — trips totaling more than 30 months out of 5 years
2. "Abandonment of residency" — trip over 1 year without a "re-entry permit"
3. Dishonest answer on N-400 (lies detected by background check)
4. Unpaid taxes — IRS debt automatically disqualifies "good moral character"
5. Selective Service — men aged 18-26 MUST be registered (sss.gov)
6. Criminal convictions — DUI, domestic violence, drug, theft. Some are not disqualifying, but every conviction requires an attorney
7. Unpaid child support
8. Failure to pass the civics/English test — you have a second chance within 90 days

What You Gain as a Citizen

• U.S. passport — access to 190+ countries without a visa
• Right to vote in federal elections
• Sponsoring parents and siblings for Green Card — faster than as a GC holder
• Sponsoring spouse without losing GC
• No limit on time spent abroad — you can live outside the U.S. without risking loss of status
• Employment in certain federal positions (Department of State, some FBI positions)
• No risk of deportation for future convictions
• Ability to retain Polish citizenship (Poland + USA = dual citizenship; must confirm at the Polish consulate)

Dual Citizenship — Poland + USA

Poland does not require renunciation of citizenship. The U.S. does not explicitly require renunciation of citizenship in the Oath, but the Oath of Allegiance states: "renounce and abjure all allegiance to any foreign prince, potentate, state". Practice: for Poland, this changes nothing — Poland does not recognize this renunciation. Your Polish passport, PESEL, voting rights in Poland remain.

After naturalization: if your Polish passport is valid — you can continue to use it for travel to Poland. If it has expired — you can renew it at the Polish consulate in the U.S. Poland treats you as a Polish citizen. The U.S. treats you as a U.S. citizen. Two identities concurrently, legally.

After Naturalization — First Steps

1. Apply for a U.S. passport (Form DS-11) at the post office
2. Update your Social Security — at the SSA office, update your status to "U.S. citizen"
3. Update your driver's license / state ID to reflect your new status
4. Register as a voter — vote.gov or state DMV
5. Consider sponsoring family — parents (I-130 + I-485 for USC) without limits, spouse without limits, siblings (long wait times)

Official Links

• USCIS — Citizenship Resource Center
• USCIS — Form N-400
• USCIS — Study Materials
• USCIS — Processing Times
• USA.gov — Become a U.S. Citizen

Related: [[how-uscis-works-guide-for-immigrants]] · [[how-to-check-uscis-case-status]] · [[sponsoring-parents-green-card-as-us-citizen]]