Naturalization and Citizenship
How lawful permanent residents may eventually become United States citizens.
Last verified: 2026-09-07
General overview
Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident may become a U.S. citizen after meeting residence, physical-presence, good-moral-character, English and civics requirements. Some people acquire or derive citizenship automatically through parents, which is a separate analysis rather than an application for naturalization.
Main application stages
- 1Eligibility review with authorized U.S. counsel
- 2Application filed with USCIS
- 3Biometrics
- 4Interview and testing
- 5Oath of allegiance ceremony
Who may consider this pathway
- Permanent residents approaching their eligibility period
- Families checking whether children already derived citizenship
- Dual-national families planning long term
General eligibility considerations
- Continuous residence and physical presence requirements
- Good moral character over the statutory period
- English and civics testing, with limited exemptions
- Attachment to the Constitution and the oath requirement
Common documentation categories
- Permanent resident card and travel history
- Tax and residence records
- Marital and dependant records where relevant
- Court or police records where applicable
Important limitations
- Extended absences can break continuous residence
- Criminal history can affect eligibility in complex ways
- Only U.S. counsel can advise on your specific eligibility
Frequently asked questions
Does U.S. citizenship affect my Canadian status?
Possibly, and that is a Canadian question our RCIC can advise on directly.
Can you prepare the citizenship application?
No. We do not prepare U.S. applications; we can refer you to an authorized U.S. attorney.
Official sources
Last verified: 2026-09-07
Related pathways
Family-Based Immigration
Immigrant categories based on a qualifying family relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Employment-Based Immigration
An overview of the preference categories used for permanent residence through work.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee
A temporary classification for transfers within a related international company.