The United States of America is a diverse country with many different ethnicities, origins, and religions. Millions of people call the United States home, but many of them are not citizens. The requirements to apply for citizenship can vary depending on what type of visa you are currently on, your marital status, your length of residency in the U.S., and whether or not you have children who are American citizens. You can seek the guidance of a Dallas green card lawyer to know more about the requirements for applying for American citizenship.

If you’re a legal resident of the United States, looking to move from being a permanent resident to citizenship, there are a few requirements you’ll have to meet. For starters, you should be at least 18 years old and a legal resident for five years before applying. In addition, applicants can’t have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude. You must also have to demonstrate an understanding of the English language and American history and government.

Let us now see the main requirements for applying for American citizenship.

5 Major Requirements for Applying for American Citizenship

  1. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
  2. You must submit documentation that proves permanent resident status (Green Card) for five years or more from the time of your application. If married, you may also have to show that you’ve been a legal permanent resident for three years or more from the time of your application.
  3. To be eligible for American citizenship, you must have been physically present for the last three months in the state the petition was filed.
  4. If you want to obtain American citizenship, you must have been continuously residing within the U.S. from the date your application was filed until the time of your admission to citizenship.
  5. Above all, you must have a good moral character. The United States of America is a country made up of individuals from all over the world. It is, therefore, not surprising that there are many different perspectives on how to live life. The values of any one person will differ from another person’s values in some ways, but the principles of understanding the golden rule and tolerance are still consistent across cultures. A good moral character is essential for applying for American citizenship because it promotes trustworthiness, honesty, leadership skills, and responsibility under the law.