How to Become a U.S. Citizen: Know the Basics

The process of becoming an American citizen requires planning and time. Knowing in advance what to do will help move things along a lot smoother.

The video featured in this blog highlights some general requirements that you must meet in order to become a U.S. citizen, such as:

• Meet the minimum age requirement
  
• Be a permanent resident of the United States and remain in the country while your naturalization is being processed. Note: your marital status may affect how long it takes to process your application.
  
• Be able to read, write, and speak English
  
• Have basic knowledge of U.S. history and government
  
• Be a person of good moral character
  
• Take the oath of allegiance to support and defend the United States and the Constitution
  

For detailed information about how to become an American citizen, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) website or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283, 1-800-767-1833 (TDD for the hearing impaired).

Video transcript

VO: If you are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you must meet several requirements. Depending on your situation, there are different requirements that may apply to you, including the following:

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of filing your application.
  
• Be a permanent resident for at least five years. If you are married to a U.S. citizen, this requirement may change to three years.
  
• Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least three months prior to the date of filing the application.

VO: You will need to demonstrate continuous residence in the United States.

VO: Continuous residence

OFFICER: Continuous residence means that as a permanent resident you have not left the United States for a long period of time. If you leave the United States for too long, you may interrupt your continuous residence.

VO: Physical presence in the United States

VO: You will also need to demonstrate physical presence in the United States. This means that you need to be physically present in the country for at least 30 months out of the five years preceding the date of filing your application.

VO: Other requirements include:

VO: Being able to read, write and speak English and having a basic understanding of U.S. history and government

VO: Some people who apply for naturalization may not have to meet the English requirement because of their age and the length of time they have lived in the United States as a permanent resident.

VO: In addition, you must demonstrate “a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States.”

Moral character

OFFICER: You also need to be a person of good moral character in order to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

OFFICER: Committing certain crimes may cause you to be ineligible for naturalization.

VO: Oath of Allegiance

VO: Finally, to become a U.S. citizen you will have to take the Oath of Allegiance.

All applicants for naturalization must be willing to support and defend the United States and our Constitution. In fact, it is not until you take the Oath of Allegiance that you actually become a U.S. citizen.

VO: Please note that you are required to reside in the United States while your application is pending.

VO: Remember, these are only general requirements. For more detailed information contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online or by phone at 1(800) 375-5283.

VO: This video was produced by USA.gov in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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Tax season can be a confusing time of year. However, if you’re informed with a few basic facts, you’ll be able to resolve certain questions on your own.

The following myths and facts will help you with the tax filing process.

• Myth: If you’re new to the United States, you don’t have to file a tax return.
• Fact: Taxes are not related to immigration status. You must file taxes if you live in the United States and if your annual income reaches a specified amount, among other requirements (video).

• Myth: If you don’t have a Social Security number, you don’t need to file taxes.
• Fact: Taxes are not dependent on Social Security numbers. If you don’t qualify for a Social Security number, you must request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues ITINs to residents and foreigners.

• Myth: The IRS will call to say you owe money and demand a prompt payment.
• Fact: If this happens, it could be a scam. The IRS does not request payments over the phone or by e-mail. If the IRS does need to get in touch, you will receive an official letter in the mail.

• Myth: You don’t need to declare tips as part of your income on your tax return.
  
• Fact: Any tips you earn must be reported. If you’re an employee and you earn more than $20 in tips a month, report it to your employer so federal income, Social Security and other taxes can be withheld. If your tips total less than $20 per month, they don’t need to be reported to your employer, but must still be declared on your return.

• Myth: If you don’t file a tax return, the IRS will do it for you.
  
• Fact: You must file your own tax return. The IRS doesn’t prepare returns for any taxpayer. You will be considered a tax liability if you don’t file, and the IRS may impose penalties if you don’t pay before the deadline.
  

Read this note in Spanish.

USA.gov will never request your personal information

Beware: scammers are using the USA.gov name as part of an e-mail phishing scam to collect your personal information on a fake IRS website. Don’t take the bait. USA.gov will never contact you to request your personal information.  

If your receive an e-mail that’s supposed to be from a government program, and it seems legitimate, do your homework:

• Step 1: Double check any offers or demands by contacting the agency mentioned in the claim.
• Step 2: Use the contact information listed in the USA.gov Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies to contact the agency and not the contact information provided in the e-mail.
• Step 3: Forward tax related phishing e-mails to the IRS at phishing@IRS.gov.

Report all other government imposter phishing e-mail scams to the Federal Trade Commission.