Overview
- The guidance, reported across outlets on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, restates that the five‑year lawful permanent residence rule remains the norm while confirming limited exceptions that let some green card holders apply earlier.
- Spouses of U.S. citizens can use the three‑year rule provided they have been lawful permanent residents for those three years, lived in marital union with the citizen, and meet presence and good‑moral‑character requirements.
- Military pathways allow current or former U.S. service members to seek naturalization under special rules that can relax continuous‑residence and physical‑presence tests, with additional flexibility during designated hostilities.
- USCIS permits filing Form N‑400 up to 90 days before completing the required residence period but requires applicants to meet all eligibility criteria at the time the application is decided.
- The agency rejects claims that surnames or lineage confer citizenship; applicants should instead collect concrete documents—marriage records, joint tax returns, service records—and check local field‑office processing times or seek legal advice.