In order to become a U.S. citizen , you must:
1)
Have been admitted to lawful permanent residence for five years (three
years if Green Card obtained through marriage to U.S. citizen)
2)
Be
18 years old
3) Maintain continuous residence for five years (three years
if Green Card obtained through marriage to U.S. citizen)
4)
Be physically
present in the U.S. for at least half of the five years (or half of
the three years if you obtained a Green Card through a U.S. citizen
spouse)
5)
Be a person of good moral character for the five years (or
three years if the alien obtained a Green Card through a U.S. citizen
spouse)
6)
Demonstrate an elementary level of English (reading, writing,
understanding)
7)
Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals
of history and government of the U.S.
Special exceptions to some of
the general requirements are available for the disabled, members of
the military, veterans, spouses married to U.S. citizens living overseas,
and Legal Permanent Residents who work for certain organizations that
promote U.S. interests abroad. Similarly exemptions from the English
language requirements are available for those over 55 years who and
have lived in the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident for 15
years, or are over 50 years old and have lived in the United States
as a Legal Permanent Resident for 20 years.
