The American Citizenship Process
If you are a green card holder eligible to apply for American citizenship, you should file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Once you completed the application, you should mail it with the required supporting documents and submission fees. The submission fee for the application for citizenship is $595. An additional $85 is charged towards biometrics (persons over 75 years of age need not pay the biometrics fee).
Filing the Application
After you mail the application to the USCIS address that is mentioned in the instructions page that comes along with the application, the USCIS will send a confirmation for the application received. The notice will have a 13 digit number through which you will be able to monitor the progress of your case.
Biometrics Appointment
Then you can expect a notification about the date you have to appear for fingerprinting. After your biometrics appointment security background checks will be conducted and finally you will be informed to appear for an interview.
American Citizenship Test & Interview
In the American citizenship test and interview, you will face questions on the application you submitted and about your background also. You will be required to take the US citizenship test which will have questions related to English and civics. It is mandatory that every applicant can read, write and speak basic English and also that they have some basic knowledge of US history and government. In English, reading, writing and speaking abilities are tested. You must read at least one out of the three sentences given correctly. As far as writing is concerned, you must write at least one out of the three sentences correctly and speaking, of course will be tested on how you reply to questions.
In the civics section, ten questions from a list of 100 questions will be asked and you are required to answer at least six questions correctly. In case you fail the test, you will get another chance and will be tested again within ninety days of having failed the first time.
Waivers and Exceptions for the Citizenship Test
Under certain circumstances the test is waived for certain applicants. Persons above 50 years of age and who have been permanent residents for a total period of at least 20 years and also persons above 55 years of age who have been permanent residents for a total period of at least 15 years need not take the English test. They have to take the civics test and can take it in a language of their choice.
Persons above 65 years of age who have been permanent residents for a total period of at least 20 years need not take the English test. They have to take the civics test and in a preferred language. This test will be a simpler version. Ten questions from a list of twenty five will be asked.
You should bring an interpreter if you are claiming waiver of the English proficiency requirement.
Persons will be eligible for an exception from the American citizenship test if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment and if that impairment affects their ability to learn English and civics. Any applicant in this category should file Form N-648 to request an exception.
Final Step in the American Citizenship Process
On passing the test and interview, you will be invited to the oath ceremony where you will be required to take the Oath of Allegiance. After the oath, which is the end of the American citizenship process, you become an American citizen! At the ceremony you will have to hand in your green card, and once you have taken the oath and become a citizen, you will be given the Certificate of Naturalization as proof of your status.