All perspective applicants for United States Citizenship must meet minimum requirements in order for an individual application to be considered.
Residence, marriage status, military service and employment are all factors which contribute to a persons ability to apply for citizenship. If your individual situation is unique please refer to commonly asked citizenship questions or retain the services or a professional or immigration lawyer.
| Requirements | US Permanent resident for: | Resident for: | Physically present in the U.S. for: | Reside in the district or state for: |
| Lawful permanent resident for at least five years | 5 years | 5 years without leaving the U.S. for longer than six months | 30 months | 3 months |
| Married to or living with the same U.S. citizen, who has been a U.S. citizen for at least three years, for the past three years | 3 years | 3 years as a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. for longer than six months | 18 months | 3 months |
| Are in the U.S. Armed Forces or have served for the U.S. Armed Forces for at least three years | Be a permanent resident on the day you file for naturalization | No requirement | No requirement | No requirement |
| Were in the U.S. Armed Forces for less than three years or served for more than three years but were discharged over six months ago | 5 years | 5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. for more than six months (not including the time you were in the service) | 30 months | 3 months |
| Did military service in the U.S. Armed Forces during: WW I, WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf | No requirement | Don’t have to be a permanent resident | No requirement | No requirement |
| Married to a U.S. citizen who died while doing his/her duties in the U.S. Armed Forces | Be a permanent resident on the day you file for naturalization | No requirement | No requirement | No requirement |
| Served on a vessel run by or for the United States | 5 years | 5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. for longer than 6 months | 30 months | 3 months |
| Working for the U.S. government under contract | 5 years | 5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. for longer than 6 months | 30 months | 3 months |
| Doing ministerial or priestly work with a valid permit | 5 years | 5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. for longer than 6 months | 30 months | 3 months |
| Employed by: An American institution of research An American-owned company or corporation that are involved with foreign trade and commerce for the U.S. A public international organization of which the U.S. is a member | 5 years | 5 years as a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. for longer than 6 months | 30 months | 3 months |