To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older;
• Be a Legal Permanent Resident (i.e., a "green card" holder) for at least 5 years, or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.
• Be a person of good moral character;
• Be able to speak, read, write and understand ordinary English words and phrases. If you are over 55 years old and have lived in the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident for 15 years, or are over 50 years old and have lived in the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident for 20 years, you may be exempt from this requirement.
• Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and principles and government.
• Submit an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) to the INS, with the application fee, two photos, and a fingerprint card. INS will send the fingerprint card to the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") to check whether you have committed a crime which might disqualify you from citizenship. You may submit an Application for Naturalization to the Immigration and Naturalization Service ("INS") three months before you reach the residency requirement.
• Be interviewed by an INS officer.
• If you are approved for citizenship by the INS, take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.

Special exceptions to some of the general requirements above for citizenship are available for the disabled, members of the military, veterans, spouses married to U.S. citizens living overseas, and legal permanent residents who work for certain organizations that promote U.S. interests abroad. If you are the minor child (under 18 years of age) of a U.S. citizen and were born outside the United States, you may automatically be eligible for a Certificate of Citizenship. You should file an INS Form N-600 to receive this certificate.