A naturalized citizen is a foreign national who is granted citizenship in the United States after fulfilling certain requirements.  There are two basic categories of United States citizens.  A natural citizen is someone born in the United States or born to American parents on foreign soil.  A naturalized citizen is someone who was born in a foreign country, but took a series of steps with the end goal of being granted citizenship.

To become a naturalized citizen in the United States, a person has to be a legal resident of the United States for at least five years and also over the age of 18.  In addition, applicants for naturalization must demonstrate “good moral character,” as well as knowledge of the English language and the history of the United States.  A naturalized citizen has all of the rights and responsibilities of a United States citizen.