Final answer:
A lawful permanent resident must hold their green card for at least five years before applying for U.S. citizenship. They must also meet requirements like good moral character, English language proficiency, and attachment to Constitutional principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
To apply for U.S. citizenship, a lawful permanent resident must have held their green card for at least five years. Additionally, residency requirements include being physically present in the United States for at least 30 months.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, possess good moral character, and have a basic understanding of the English language, which includes the ability to read, write, and speak it.
It is also important to note that applicants need to be attached to the principles of the Constitution and willing to renounce allegiance to any foreign sovereignty.
To formalize the application for naturalization, the individual must complete the USCIS N-400 form. As part of the naturalization process, an interview and a citizenship test will be conducted to assess English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. government and history.