International travel:

You must not have been outside the United States for more than half of the time required to apply to naturalize

You must not have not traveled out of the United States for more than six months at any time since becoming a resident

18 months total for three-year applications

30 months total for five-year applications

Overdue taxes

Outstanding child support payments

Accidentally voting or registering to vote in a United States election

Registration for the Selective Service of men who lived in the United States during the ages 18 to 26 (even if undocumented)

Controlled substances:

Marijuana is still federally illegal and even the casual use of it makes you inadmissible! Stay away from it until you naturalize!

Arrests (make sure to submit photocopies of the following items with your application and bring the official versions with you to your interview):

Certified dispositions of all arrests – even from before becoming a lawful permanent resident;

Expunged arrests must be temporarily unsealed to get disposition;

Minor traffic infractions (speeding, running red lights, parking) do not require certified dispositions;

I-912, Request for Fee Waiver:

Individuals earning less than 150% of the poverty level each year qualify for a waiver of 100% of the naturalization application government fee;

Check the I-912P to determine how little you must make yearly based on your household size;

Use the “total income” section on your most recent tax return to see if you qualify;