US Citizenship for Canadians: How to Become American Citizen

Canadian citizens must meet the same naturalization requirements as other eligible lawful permanent residents. Canadian citizenship alone does not provide a separate or shortened route to US citizenship.

Most applicants qualify under the 5-year lawful permanent resident route. You must:

• Be at least 18 years old when you file Form N-400
• Have held lawful permanent resident status for at least five years immediately before filing
• Have maintained continuous residence in the US for the five years immediately before filing
• Have been physically present in the US for at least 30 months during the five-year period
• Have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you file Form N-400
• Demonstrate good moral character for at least five years before filing and until you take the Oath of Allegiance
• Demonstrate an attachment to the principles of the US Constitution
• Read, write, and speak basic English, unless you qualify for an exception or accommodation
• Pass the US civics test, unless you qualify for an exception or accommodation
• Take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony

Requirements for Spouses of US Citizens

You may qualify after 3 years as a lawful permanent resident if you are married to and living in a marital union with a US citizen

You must:

• Be at least 18 years old when you file Form N-400
• Have held lawful permanent resident status for at least three years immediately before filing
• Have lived in marital union with the same US-citizen spouse for the three years immediately before filing and while USCIS decides your application
• Have maintained continuous residence in the US for the required three-year period
• Have been physically present in the US for at least 18 months during the three years immediately before filing
• Have lived for at least three months in the state or USCIS district where you file
• Meet the English-language, civics, good moral character, constitutional attachment, and oath requirements

Green Card Validity When Applying

You can apply for naturalization even if your Green Card will expire in fewer than six months. After you properly file Form N-400, USCIS issues a receipt notice that automatically extends the validity of your Green Card for 24 months from the card’s expiry date.

Carry the expired Green Card with the Form N-400 receipt notice as evidence of your continuing lawful permanent resident status.

The documents required for a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, depend on your eligibility category and the answers you provide in your application. USCIS may also request further evidence after you submit Form N-400.

Most applicants must provide a copy of the front and back of their Permanent Resident Card, also called a Green Card. Applicants should also follow the current Form N-400 instructions and USCIS document checklist before filing.

Depending on your circumstances, USCIS may require evidence such as:

• A copy of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Card
• Evidence of your spouse’s US citizenship if applying after three years as the spouse of a US citizen
• Your current marriage certificate if applying based on marriage to a US citizen
• Divorce decrees, annulment decrees, or death certificates showing the end of any prior marriages
• Evidence that you and your US-citizen spouse have lived in a genuine marital union for the required period
• IRS tax transcripts for the relevant qualifying period were required
• Evidence of arrangements to pay overdue federal, state, or local taxes, if applicable
• Certified court records, arrest records, sentencing records, or other documents relating to criminal matters disclosed in Form N-400
• Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, if applying based on qualifying US military service
• Copies of military orders or discharge documents, where relevant
• A court order if you are requesting a legal name change through the naturalization process

Applicants who live outside the US when filing Form N-400 must submit two identical color passport-style photographs. Applicants filing from within the US do not submit passport photographs with Form N-400 unless USCIS requests them.

You should retain your current and expired passports, travel records, and other evidence of travel outside the US. USCIS may request these documents during the naturalization interview to assess continuous residence and physical presence requirements.

If you submit a document in a language other than English, include a complete English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate and confirm that they are competent to translate the document into English.

Do not submit original documents unless the Form N-400 instructions, applicable regulations, or USCIS specifically require them. USCIS can request original documents during the application process or at your naturalization interview.

The current filing fee for a U.S. citizenship application (Form N-400, Application for Naturalization) is:

• $710 if you file online
• $760 if you file a paper application by mail

The Form N-400 fee includes biometric services. USCIS does not charge a separate biometrics fee for naturalization applications.

Some applicants may qualify for a reduced filing fee of $380. To qualify, your household income must fall between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and you must submit evidence supporting your request.

Applicants who cannot afford the reduced fee may request a fee waiver. A fee-waiver applicant does not pay a filing fee but must submit Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or a written request with supporting evidence.

You cannot apply online if you are requesting a reduced fee or a fee waiver. You must submit a paper Form N-400 and the required supporting documents by mail.

Applicants applying for naturalization based on qualifying US military service may be exempt from the Form N-400 filing fee. USCIS provides separate instructions for current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

If you submit a paper Form N-400 by mail, you can pay by credit, debit, or prepaid card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. You can also pay by ACH bank debit using Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.

You may also incur additional costs, including fees for certified English translations of supporting documents, court records, and tax transcripts, as well as other evidence needed for your application.

The processing time for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, depends on your local USCIS field office, the details of your application, and whether USCIS requires further evidence or checks.

USCIS updates its Form N-400 processing-time estimates each month. You should use the USCIS processing-times tool to check the current estimate for your local field office. The estimate reflects the time USCIS took to complete 80% of cases over the previous 6 months, not a guaranteed timeframe for every application.

USCIS processing times cover the period from the date it receives your application to the date it completes the case. This can include the time taken for biometrics, requests for further evidence, interview scheduling, and rescheduled appointments.

After you file Form N-400, USCIS will issue a receipt notice. USCIS may then schedule a biometrics appointment or reuse biometrics already held on file.

Once USCIS completes the required preliminary checks, it will schedule your naturalization interview. At the interview, a USCIS officer will review your application, assess your eligibility, and administer the English and civics tests unless you qualify for an exception, waiver, or accommodation.

USCIS has 120 days from the date of the initial naturalization interview to issue a decision. If USCIS approves your application, it may offer a same-day oath ceremony. If this is not available, USCIS will send an oath ceremony notice with the date, time, and location.

Your application may take longer if USCIS requests further evidence, needs to complete extra background checks, you reschedule an appointment, or you need to retake part of the English or civics test. Applicants who do not pass part of the test at their first examination receive another opportunity to take the failed part within 60 to 90 days, unless another issue affects eligibility.

The Oath of Allegiance is the final step in the naturalization process. Most applicants must take the oath in a public naturalization ceremony before becoming US citizens.

The oath confirms an applicant’s commitment to the United States, its Constitution, and its laws. You become a US citizen when you take the Oath of Allegiance.

By taking the oath, you declare that you will:

• Renounce allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty
• Support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic
• Bear true faith and allegiance to the United States Constitution and laws
• Bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law
• Perform noncombatant service in the US armed forces when required by law
• Perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law

If you hold a hereditary title or position of nobility in another country, you must expressly renounce that title or position during the oath ceremony.

You may request a modified oath if you oppose bearing arms or performing noncombatant military service because of your religious training, deeply held moral beliefs, or ethical code. USCIS cannot remove the requirement to perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law.

USCIS may waive the oath for an applicant who cannot understand or communicate an understanding of its meaning because of a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment. A legal guardian, surrogate, or designated representative can complete the relevant process on the applicant’s behalf.

Yes. US law allows dual or multiple nationality. A person can become a US citizen through naturalization while retaining another nationality, provided that their other country’s laws permit it.

During the naturalization ceremony, applicants take the Oath of Allegiance. The oath requires them to renounce allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty. However, US law does not require a person to formally give up their other nationality as a condition of becoming a US citizen.

A dual national has legal rights and responsibilities in both the United States and the other country or countries of nationality. They must obey the laws of each country, which may include taxes, military service, passports, or travel obligations.

US citizens who are also dual nationals must use a valid US passport when entering and leaving the United States.

Before applying for US citizenship, check whether your country of nationality permits dual citizenship. Some countries allow citizens to acquire US citizenship without losing their existing nationality, while others require the person to renounce or automatically lose their original citizenship.

China does not recognize dual nationality. Chinese authorities may treat a person with Chinese and US nationality as a Chinese citizen when they enter China using a Chinese passport or another Chinese-issued travel document. This can limit the US government’s ability to provide consular assistance.

India does not permit dual citizenship. An Indian citizen who acquires foreign citizenship cannot retain Indian citizenship. Eligible former Indian citizens may apply for an Overseas Citizen of India card, but OCI status is not Indian citizenship or dual nationality.