The naturalization is a procedure, when the US citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements, established by the Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Generally, the naturalization service is available for continuous residents of the US; residents of particular USCIS district prior to filing; residents, able to read, write and speak English; residents, having a knowledge and understanding of the U.S. history and government, as well as a good moral character, an attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and a favorable disposition toward the United States.

It may sound strange for non-US residents, but the naturalization service requirements always include a good moral character, an attachment and a favorable disposition. For instance, the naturalization service is permanently unavailable for an applicant ever convicted of murder or aggravated felony. Additionally, the naturalization service is not accessible for people, who have shown the following misbehavior patterns during the last five years: a commitment and conviction of one or more crimes, involving moral turpitude; a commitment and conviction of two or more offenses, for which the total sentence imposed was five years or more; a commitment and conviction of any controlled substance law, except for a single offense of simple possession of thirty grams or less of marijuana; a penal institution during the statutory period as a result of a conviction for an aggregate period of one hundred and eighty days or more; a commitment and conviction of two or more gambling offenses; earning a principal income from illegal gambling; an involvement in prostitution or commercialized vice; an involvement in smuggling illegal aliens into the United States; an addictive alcohol drinking; a polygamy practice, a deliberate failure or refuse to support dependents, a false testimony under an oath in order to receive a benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

As for other naturalization service requirements, they may be modified or waved for certain applicants, such as spouses of US citizens, applicants under eighteen years old, family members of US citizens, veterans of US armed forces, lawful permanent residents with three years of the US military service.

For instance, the naturalization service becomes available to lawful permanent residents, married to a US citizen after residing continuously in the United States for three years, though meeting all other naturalization service requirements. Children, born abroad of US citizen parents, derive a citizenship automatically from their parents, though the Certificate of Citizenship is simply a record of the US citizenship and does not confer a citizenship on an applicant. Applicants, who have served honorably in any specified period of an armed conflict with hostile foreign forces, are allowed to apply for the neutralization without a lawful permanent residence.

Furthermore, each applicant fulfills a test to check his knowledge of the English language and History. The test usually covers all the major historic events, governmental and administration structure of the USA, prominent political figures, etc. Hence, you should revise your knowledge before applying for the naturalization.