NATURALIZATION FOR LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS AGE 50 AND OVER - Why Naturalize and Become a U.S. Citizen?

Sep 20, 2026

Naturalization for lawful permanent residents age 50 and older explains why becoming a U.S. citizen matters, including voting, jury service, priority family sponsorship, eligibility for certain federal jobs and benefits, and automatic citizenship for qualifying children under 18. It outlines general eligibility for the Form N-400 process, then details English and civics test exemptions based on age and years as a lawful permanent resident, as well as medical exceptions for qualifying disabilities. It also describes next steps, including required forms, interpreter needs, and potential fee waivers or reductions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Why Naturalize and Become a U.S. Citizen?

What Are the General Requirements for Naturalization?

What Are the Exemptions From the English Test?

Medical Exceptions and Interpreter Requirements

What Should I Do Next to Apply for Naturalization?

Fact Sheet NATURALIZATION FOR LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS AGE 50 AND OVER WHY NATURALIZE AND BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN? Obtaining U.S. citizenship through naturalization offers many benefits and important responsibilities. For example, only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections and serve on a jury. As a U.S. citizen, you can get priority for sponsoring certain family members to come to the United States. You can also apply for certain federal jobs and become eligible for certain federal benefits, grants, and scholarships. Finally, if your children are under 18 years of age and are lawful permanent residents when you naturalize, they may automatically acquire citizenship. What are the general requirements for naturalization to become a U.S. Citizen? WHAT ARE THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURALIZATION TO BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN? To be eligible for naturalization based on being a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years, you must: • Be at least 18 years of age when you submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization (uscis. gov/n-400); • Show you have been a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years; • Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years immediately before the date you file Form N-400 and up to the time of naturalization; • Show you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately before the date you file Form N-400; • Show you have lived for at least 3 months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your place of residence; • Show that you are a person of good moral character; • Be able to read, write, and speak basic English; • Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals ofthe history, and of the principles and form of government of the United States (also known as civics); • Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals ofthe U.S. Constitution; and • Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. WHAT ARE THE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE ENGLISH TEST? Because of their age and time as a lawful permanent resident, certain applicants may have the naturalization interview in their native language. These applicants do not have to take the English tests for naturalization and may take the civics test in the language of their choice. Additionally, an applicant receives special consideration in the civics test if, at the time of filing the application, the applicant is 65 years of age or older and has been alawful permanent resident for 20 years or more. For these applicants, we administer a specially designated test. | The applicant is: | AND has been a U.S. lawful permanent resident for: | Then the English language component (speaking, understanding, reading, writing) is: | The applicant must take a civics test; however, it is administered in a language of their choice. | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Age 50 or over | 20 years or more | Exempt | Civics test | | Age 55 or over | 15 years or more | Exempt | Civics test | | Age 65 or over | 20 years or more | Exempt | Specially designated civics test | You may also be eligible for an exception to the English and civics naturalization requirements if you cannot comply with these requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment. To request this exception, submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions ([uscis.gov/n-](uscis.gov/n-)[ ](uscis.gov/n-)[648](648)). Only a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist can complete this form. If you meet the requirements for an exception or exemption, you can complete the interview and test requirement (if applicable) in your native language. You must bring an interpreter with you to your interview. Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language. DID YOU KNOW? If you legalized under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (

FAQs

What benefits come with becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization?

U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections and serve on a jury. They can also sponsor certain family members with priority and may be eligible for certain federal jobs, benefits, grants, and scholarships. If children under 18 are lawful permanent residents when naturalization occurs, they may automatically acquire citizenship.

What general requirements apply to lawful permanent residents applying for naturalization?

Applicants must be at least 18 when filing Form N-400, have been lawful permanent residents for at least 5 years, show continuous residence for 5 years, and have been physically present for at least 30 months within that period. They must also meet the good moral character requirement, demonstrate basic English reading/writing/speaking, pass civics knowledge, show attachment to the U.S. Constitution, and take the Oath of Allegiance.

How do age and time as a lawful permanent resident affect the English and civics tests?

Some applicants may take the naturalization interview and tests in their native language and may be exempt from the English tests. Civics testing may still be required but administered in a language of choice. Specially designated civics testing applies to certain older applicants with long residency, as shown in the provided table.

What if an applicant cannot meet English and civics requirements due to disability?

An applicant may qualify for an exception by submitting Form N-648 completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist. If eligible for an exception or exemption, the applicant can complete interview and test requirements in the native language and must bring an interpreter fluent in both English and the native language.

Sep 20, 2026

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