## Becoming a U.S. citizen from California **Naturalization** is the federal process by which a lawful permanent resident (LPR / green-card holder) becomes a U.S. citizen. The benefits are substantial — voting rights, the ability to sponsor more relatives, U.S. passport, jury service, and immunity from deportation. ### California processing Multiple field offices: LA, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Ana, Sacramento, Fresno. ## Eligibility — basic requirements **1. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status:** - 5 years as LPR (3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen) - 1 year for U.S. military members in active duty during designated periods **2. Continuous residence:** - 5 years (or 3 years for spouses) of continuous residence as LPR before filing - Trips outside the U.S. of 6+ months may break continuous residence - Trips of 1+ year DEFINITELY break continuous residence **3. Physical presence:** - 30 months out of 5 years (18 months for spouses out of 3 years) physical presence in the U.S. - This is separate from continuous residence **4. State residence:** - 3 months in your USCIS jurisdiction immediately before filing **5. Age:** - 18+ for naturalization (children get citizenship through parents in many cases) **6. Good moral character:** - During the 5-year (or 3-year) statutory period - Beyond that period — relevant but less determinative **7. English language:** - Must be able to read, write, and speak basic English - Exemptions for age 50+/15 years LPR, age 55+/20 years LPR, medical exemption **8. Civics knowledge:** - Pass test on U.S. history and government - Pre-Trump-era 100-question test (the most common); Trump-era 128-question test in flux - Medical exemption available **9. Attachment to Constitution:** - Willingness to take Oath of Allegiance - No conscientious objector accommodations are available for the oath itself but modified versions exist ## What disqualifies **Permanent bars:** - Aggravated felony conviction (since November 1990) - Murder - Genocide / torture / extrajudicial killing - Persecution of others on protected grounds - Membership in totalitarian party (with exceptions) **Conditional bars (during statutory period):** - Crimes involving moral turpitude - Drug offenses (other than single offense of 30g or less of marijuana) - Multiple criminal convictions with aggregate 5+ year sentences - Imprisonment 180+ days during statutory period - Two or more gambling offenses - Habitual drunkard - Adultery (rare modern bar but still on books) - Failure to pay child support / spousal support - Failure to file tax returns (or owing taxes without arrangement) - Failure to register for Selective Service (males who entered before age 26) - Lying on naturalization application ## The naturalization process 1. **File Form N-400** with USCIS + filing fee ($760 in 2024) + biometrics fee ($85) 2. **Biometrics appointment** — fingerprints, photo at Application Support Center 3. **Background checks** — FBI fingerprint check, FBI name check, security clearance 4. **Naturalization interview** at local field office 5. **Civics and English tests** at the interview 6. **Decision** — usually same day at interview, but can be delayed 7. **Oath of Allegiance ceremony** — last step; can be same-day or later scheduled 8. **Certificate of Naturalization** issued at oath ceremony ## What to bring to the interview - USCIS interview notice - Green card - Driver's license / state ID - All passports (current and expired) since LPR - Tax returns (last 5 years; 3 if spouse-based) - Marriage certificate (if spouse-based) - Spouse's U.S. citizenship proof (if spouse-based) - Selective Service registration (if applicable) - Court records / disposition for ANY arrest, even ones that didn't lead to charges - Documentation of any name changes ## After naturalization - **Apply for U.S. passport** at any post office or passport agency - **Update Social Security records** to reflect citizenship - **Register to vote** - **Update USCIS records** for any pending family petitions you sponsor - **Notify USCIS of foreign travel** — generally not required as a citizen but maintain documentation for re-entry ## Special paths - **Children of citizens born abroad** — automatic citizenship through parent in some cases (Citizenship Clause / INA § 320 / § 322) - **Adopted children** — special automatic-citizenship rules under Child Citizenship Act of 2000 - **Military service** — accelerated naturalization, often only 1 year of LPR; sometimes naturalize without LPR through Posthumous Citizenship statutes - **Foreign-born children of citizens** — Form N-600 to claim citizenship - **Derivative citizenship** for those who became LPRs as children ## Common reasons applications fail - **Insufficient continuous residence** — extended trips abroad - **Tax issues** — failing to file or owing without payment plan - **Criminal record** within statutory period - **Selective Service** non-registration (males who arrived before 26) - **Failed civics or English test** — multiple opportunities to retake - **Lying on the application** — automatic denial + permanent moral-character bar - **Insufficient proof of marriage validity** (spouse-based) - **Failure to attend interview** — application abandoned ## What you should do If you're an LPR considering naturalization in California: review your eligibility carefully BEFORE filing. Tax issues, criminal history, or extended foreign travel can derail otherwise-routine applications. Consider hiring an immigration attorney for review — most offer paid initial consultations and many take naturalization on flat-fee basis. If you have any criminal history, definitely use an attorney. --- *This guide is general information about U.S. federal immigration law as of early 2026 and is not legal advice. Naturalization rules have many nuances and recent regulatory changes (USCIS policy memoranda, fee changes, civics test version). Talk to a licensed immigration attorney about your specific case.*