Citizenship & Naturalization (N-400) Lawyer in Fullerton
This page is for Fullerton green card holders who are ready, or nearly ready, to become U.S. citizens, including longtime residents and seniors who want to understand English and civics test exemptions before filing Form N-400.
Naturalization can look like a simple form, but USCIS reviews your entire immigration history during the process. Old arrests, long trips abroad, unpaid taxes or a mistake on your original green card application can surface, and in rare cases lead to removal proceedings rather than citizenship.
An experienced immigration attorney can screen for those risks before you file, prepare you for the Santa Ana interview, and help determine whether a fee reduction, disability waiver or age-based exemption applies.
Basic N-400 Eligibility: Residence, Presence and Good Moral Character
Most applicants must be at least 18, have held a green card for five years, or three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse during that time. You may file up to 90 days before reaching the five- or three-year mark.
You also need continuous residence and physical presence. Generally, you must have been physically in the U.S. for at least half of the qualifying period: 30 months of the last five years, or 18 months of the last three. Trips of six months or more may break continuous residence unless you can rebut it.
You must have lived for at least three months in the USCIS district or state where you file, show good moral character, support the Constitution, and pass the English and civics tests unless an exemption applies.
The 2025 Civics Test and English Requirements
For N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, USCIS administers the 2025 version of the civics test. Applicants study from a bank of 128 questions; the officer asks up to 20 and you must answer at least 12 correctly. The officer stops once you reach 12 correct or 9 incorrect.
The English test covers speaking, reading and writing. Speaking is assessed throughout the interview, including your answers to questions about your N-400. You generally get two chances to pass each part: the initial interview and a re-examination.
- 50/20 exception: age 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, exempt from the English test
- 55/15 exception: age 55 or older with 15 years as a permanent resident, exempt from the English test
- 65/20 special consideration: exempt from English and asked 10 questions from a shorter designated list, needing 6 correct
- Medical disability exception: Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical professional, may waive the English and civics tests
Good Moral Character Under Closer Review
USCIS evaluates good moral character mainly during the statutory period, usually the last five or three years, but it can consider earlier conduct. In 2025, USCIS announced a more holistic approach that weighs positive contributions alongside negative factors, and it has said it may use neighborhood investigations authorized by statute.
Some issues are permanent bars, such as murder or an aggravated felony conviction after November 29, 1990. Others are conditional, including certain drug offenses, multiple DUIs, false claims to U.S. citizenship, failing to register for Selective Service, unpaid child support and failure to file required tax returns.
- Any arrest, citation or charge anywhere in the world, even if dismissed or expunged
- Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on an employment form or voter registration
- Long or frequent trips abroad, especially to Korea or Mexico for family care
- Tax filing gaps or claiming nonresident status on a tax return
- Problems with how the original green card was obtained, such as marriage fraud allegations