If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth, you may be eligible to become a citizen through naturalization. You must have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. This means you have been legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the U.S. as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws. You must also have resided continuously as a lawfully permanent resident for at least 5 years prior to filing with absences from the U.S. not totaling more than one year and have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months of the previous five years (absences of more than 6 months but less than 1 year break the continuity of residence unless you can establish you did not abandon your residence during such period). You must also have had resided within a state or district for at least 3 months.

You must also meet the following requirements to become a citizen through naturalization:

1. Be a person of "good moral character" for the statutory period
2. Be attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States
3. Be able to read, write, speak and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language (there are certain exceptions to this requirement)
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history and of the principles and form of government of the United States (there are certain exceptions to this requirement)

1. support the Constitution and obey the laws of the United States
2. renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title and
3. bear arms for the Armed Forces of the United States or perform services for the government of the United States when required (where an applicant establishes he/she is opposed to any type of service in the armed forces based on religious teaching or belief, the government will permit these applicants to take a modified oath)