I am Married to a U.S. Citizen | USCIS

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for naturalization under section 319(a) of the INA, you must:

• Be at least 18 when you submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;
• Be a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least three years immediately before the date you file Form N-400;
• Have been living in marital union with your U.S. citizen spouse during the three years immediately before the date you file your application and while we adjudicate your application;
• Have lived for at least three months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your place of residence;
• Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least three years immediately before the date you file your application;
• Reside continuously within the United States from the date you filed your application until the date you naturalize;
• Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the three years immediately before the date you file your application;
• Be able to read, write and speak English and have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States (also known as civics); and
• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States for at least three years immediately before the date you file Form N-400 and until you take the Oath of Allegiance.

For more information, see the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization.

For information relating to spouses of military members, see our Citizenship for Military Family Members page.

For information about becoming a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or petitioning for family members, please visit our Green Card or Family pages.