THE QUESTION

How can people become United States citizens?

THE ANSWER

Naturalize

ALSO ACCEPTED

English question & answer

How can people become United States citizens?

Naturalize

All accepted answers (English)

Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
Naturalize
Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)

READ THE EXPLANATION

THE CONTEXT

Citizenship and belonging

USCIS lists birth under the conditions of the Fourteenth Amendment, naturalization, and derived citizenship under conditions set by Congress.

How it fits together

Naturalization is the legal process through which an eligible person who is not already a U.S. citizen becomes one. It is different from receiving a green card, which establishes permanent residence. Other paths to citizenship can involve birth or a citizen parent under the applicable legal conditions.

A closer look

At naturalization, the Oath of Allegiance includes promises to support the Constitution and obey U.S. laws. It is different from the Pledge of Allegiance commonly recited to the flag. The civics questions are study prompts; consult USCIS for the rules that apply to an individual situation.

Go to the source

The question and accepted answers come from USCIS. Explanations and translations are Verbacard editorial content.

Translations support understanding. They do not determine which language you may use at your interview.