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Citizenship
The requirements for U.S. citizenship include:
Must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence (certain U.S. military personnel have
historically been exempt from this requirement)
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must have resided continuously in the U.S., as a permanent resident, for the past five years.
"Reside continuously" means that in the five years proceeding filing of the application, the applicant must
have been actually in the U.S. for at least half of the time (30 months). In addition, any single departure
from the U.S. of more than six months will usually interrupt the physical presence requirement. The spouses of
US citizens may apply after three years of permanent residence. Religious missionaries and military personnel
are exempt from the usual residence requirements. Applications may be filed three months before the five or
three year period is due to conclude.
Must be of good moral character.
Some of the important issues which USCIS considers in assessing whether applicants have good moral character
include: payment of taxes and child support, registration for the selective service (if male), criminal
convictions and illegal activity. Increasingly USCIS does not approve applicants who have had any convictions
during the five (or three) year statutory period, and they do not approve applicants on probation, parole or
serving a suspended sentence until the "sentence" is completed. Although usually one must demonstrate good moral
character during the five (or three) years proceeding the application, applicants who have committed certain
crimes will be found ineligible and could be deported regardless of when the conviction took place.
Must be supportive of the Constitution, willing to take an oath of allegiance and to bear arms or serve in the
military in a non-combatant role if required. (Mentally and physically disabled applicants are exempt from the
oath requirement, and those with deeply held religious beliefs which limit their willingness to bear arms may
be allowed to take a modified oath.)
Must have a basic knowledge of US history and civics and basic ability to read, write and speak English.
(Mentally and physically disabled applicants may be able to obtain a waiver of this requirement.
Permanent residents over the age of 50 who have been permanent resident for more than 20 years and
those over 60 with over 15 years as a permanent resident may take the citizenship exam in their native language.)
Automatic citizenship
In some cases, children automatically acquire U.S. citizenship based upon the citizenship or naturalization of
one of their parents. Such individuals may be able to apply directly for a U.S. passport or certificate of
naturalization. The rules and procedures governing automatic citizenship are complex, and individual cases
must be carefully analyzed.
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