Naturalization is an important step for citizenship rights it conveys.

By becoming an American citizen, an individual can vote, be protected anywhere in the world, and petition for their family members (spouses, parents and siblings) to receive Lawful Permanent Resident status.

One may apply for naturalization when all the requirements are met to become a United States citizen.  An applicant may apply based on five years as a Lawful Permanent Resident or based on three years as a Lawful Permanent Resident married to a U.S. citizen. Also, another way to naturalize includes a member, a Lawful Permanent Resident, who had served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces at least for one year and still in active duty or served honorably as a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or in active-duty status during a designated period of hostilities.

An applicant must meet the "continuous residence" and the "physical presence" requirements, must be an individual of good moral character and pass an English and Civics test to qualify.  Certain individuals who are over 50 and 60 years of age and have lived in the United States as a Lawful Permanent for a long period of time may be exempted from the testing requirements. 

The naturalization form is N-400 and the application filing fee is $595.00. The applicants are required to do the fingerprints and biometrics exam at their local USCIS office upon receipt of a biometrics appointment. There is a biometrics fee of $85.00, which is filed along with the naturalization application and the filing fee. 

For more information, USCIS website www.uscis.gov offers sample questions used for the test.  Also, there is a Guide to Naturalization (M-476) that explains the naturalization process and eligibility requirements.  This form is available on the USCIS website under Immigration Forms.