You may have your green card, pay your taxes, and work hard, but still worry that something in your past could ruin your chance at U.S. citizenship. Maybe it was a mistake years ago, an arrest that was dismissed, a DUI, or a period when you did not file taxes. That quiet doubt can be strong enough to keep you from even starting your naturalization application.
Many permanent residents hear conflicting advice about good moral character from friends, online forums, or even non‑immigration lawyers. Some people say that if something happened more than five years ago, it does not matter. Others insist that any criminal record or immigration mistake means you should never apply. In reality, USCIS looks at your history in a much more structured way than most people realize.
At Monument Immigration, we have focused only on immigration law since 2009, and we review good moral character questions for naturalization clients every week in Utah and Las Vegas. We work within the same USCIS rules and policy guidance that officers use, so we can explain how those rules apply to real lives, not just theory. In this guide, we walk through what good moral character really means, how USCIS reviews your history, and when it makes sense to get a personalized legal opinion before you file.
Need help evaluating your good moral character for naturalization? Call (801) 609-3659 or contact us online to review your good moral character before you file.
What “Good Moral Character” Means For Naturalization
Good moral character is a legal requirement for naturalization. It is not a casual judgment about whether you are a good person or whether your neighbors like you. When you file Form N‑400, you are asking USCIS to decide, as a matter of law, whether you have shown good moral character for a specific period of time before you apply.
For most applicants, USCIS reviews good moral character during the five years before filing. This is called the statutory period. If you are applying based on three years of marriage to a U.S. citizen, USCIS usually reviews the last three years instead. During that time, officers look closely at any conduct that might suggest a problem with honesty, law‑abiding behavior, or responsibility.
USCIS does not make this up as they go along. Officers follow the Immigration and Nationality Act and the USCIS Policy Manual, which list categories of conduct that can block a finding of good moral character, as well as situations where officers have discretion to weigh good and bad factors. Because Monument Immigration handles immigration cases only, we structure our analysis around these same standards when we review a client’s history for naturalization.
How USCIS Reviews Your History For Good Moral Character
When you file an N‑400, USCIS does not just read your answers and take your word for it. They run your fingerprints, check FBI and other databases, and compare what you wrote on your application with what appears in your immigration and criminal history. If anything does not match, they ask questions and may request documents.
Officers look at arrests, charges, and convictions differently. An arrest means the police detained you. A charge means a prosecutor filed a case. A conviction means you were found guilty or you accepted a plea, even if you later completed probation. For immigration purposes, some outcomes that were dismissed or expunged in criminal court can still count as convictions, and you usually still have to disclose them to USCIS.
USCIS also looks at patterns rather than one detail in isolation. A single minor incident many years ago can be viewed very differently from repeated similar incidents, especially if they happened during the statutory period. Officers consider whether you took responsibility, completed any sentence, and have shown stable, law‑abiding behavior since then. In our practice, we help clients obtain certified court records, probation completion letters, and other documents before filing, so there are fewer surprises at the interview.
Although the focus is on the last three or five years, officers can look beyond that period if older conduct is serious or suggests a pattern. For example, a very serious old offense, or many incidents spread over time, can still influence the decision. Understanding this broader view is part of deciding whether it is safe to apply now or whether you should get careful legal advice first.
Conduct That Can Permanently Block Good Moral Character
Some types of criminal history are treated as so serious under immigration law that they can permanently block a finding of good moral character for naturalization. The most important category is aggravated felonies as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, when they occurred on or after November 29, 1990. If USCIS decides that a past conviction is an aggravated felony in that sense, the person is permanently barred from establishing good moral character for naturalization.
Aggravated felony is an immigration term, not just a label from criminal court. A crime does not have to be called a felony by the state to be treated as an aggravated felony for immigration purposes. Examples can include certain drug trafficking offenses, some theft or burglary offenses with a sentence of at least one year, certain crimes of violence with long sentences, and some large‑scale fraud or tax evasion cases. The exact definition is technical and depends on the statute you were convicted under and the sentence imposed.
Because of this complexity, people are often surprised that a plea they took years ago to get a lighter sentence can carry much more severe immigration consequences than they realized. If there is any chance that your past conviction might fall in this aggravated felony category, naturalization becomes very high-risk without a detailed legal review. We do not promise results, but we strongly recommend that anyone in that situation get a private consultation with an immigration attorney before filing an N‑400.
Common Issues That May Still Allow Good Moral Character
Many green card holders have some kind of minor criminal history and assume they are automatically disqualified. That is often not the case. USCIS distinguishes between very serious offenses that trigger permanent bars and more common issues where officers have discretion to weigh the facts and timing.
For example, a single, low‑level shoplifting conviction from many years ago, with no jail time and no further problems, is usually viewed differently from a recent series of thefts during the statutory period. If you fully completed probation, paid any fines, and have an otherwise clean record, an officer may still decide that you have good moral character, especially if you can show stable work and family ties. The key point is that one old mistake is not always the end of the story.
DUIs are another common concern. USCIS treats alcohol‑related driving seriously, especially if there are injuries involved or multiple incidents. One older DUI outside the statutory period, where you completed all requirements and have no repeats, is different from two or three DUIs, especially if they are recent. In some cases, officers may view multiple DUIs as evidence of a pattern that conflicts with good moral character, even if each case was resolved in criminal court.
In our work with naturalization clients at Monument Immigration, we routinely review minor offenses, DUIs, and similar issues. We look at the exact offense, the date, the sentence, and what you have done since then. Sometimes we recommend waiting until more time has passed, so the incident falls outside the statutory period. Other times, we advise that it is reasonable to file now, with supporting documents and a clear explanation. Each situation requires careful judgment, but many people with minor past issues do become citizens.
Non‑Criminal Problems That Can Hurt Good Moral Character
Some applicants have no criminal record at all and assume that good moral character will not be an issue. However, USCIS also looks at non‑criminal conduct that reflects on honesty, responsibility, and compliance with the law. These issues can surprise people at the interview if they have not prepared for them.
Taxes are one major area. If you failed to file tax returns for one or more years, owe significant unpaid taxes, or claimed to be a nonresident for tax purposes while living in the United States as a permanent resident, USCIS can treat that as a negative factor for good moral character. Having unfiled returns or large unpaid balances does not always mean denial, but you should expect questions. Showing that you have now filed all returns and are in a payment plan can make a big difference in how officers see your case.
Support for dependents is another area. If a court ordered you to pay child support and you did not pay, or if you abandoned financial support for your children or other dependents, USCIS may see that as a sign against good moral character. Bringing proof that you are now paying, have caught up on arrears, or have a modified court order can help address those concerns.
Honesty in immigration matters is also central. Using false documents, lying on visa or benefit applications, entering under another identity, or giving untrue answers at prior interviews can all count as misrepresentation. Misrepresentation can be its own ground of inadmissibility and can also undermine good moral character. At Monument Immigration, we often help clients collect tax transcripts, child support records, and copies of prior immigration filings so we can identify any past inconsistencies and discuss how to address them before filing for naturalization.
How Time, Rehabilitation, and Positive Factors Can Help
Time can be a powerful factor in good moral character cases, but it is not the only one. In some situations, waiting until a problem falls outside the statutory period can significantly improve your chances. For example, if you had a minor offense four years ago and you need five years of good moral character, waiting one more year before filing might allow that incident to fall outside the core review period, even though officers can still see it.
Rehabilitation is just as important as time. USCIS officers look for evidence that you have changed your behavior and taken responsibility. This could include holding a steady job, supporting your family, completing probation or treatment programs, finishing school or training, and staying out of trouble for a significant period. Letters from employers, religious or community leaders, and organizations where you volunteer can also show that you have built a stable, responsible life.
When there is some negative history, officers often weigh positive and negative factors together. A minor offense many years ago, combined with strong rehabilitation and family and community ties, may still allow a finding of good moral character. On the other hand, serious or repeated offenses can be difficult to overcome, even with many positive factors. At Monument Immigration, we help clients look at the whole picture and decide whether to apply now with strong documentation or wait until the balance of factors is stronger.
Warning Signs That You Should Get Legal Advice Before Filing
Some people can safely file for naturalization on their own. Others are facing a level of risk that makes legal advice important before they send in an N‑400. Knowing which group you are in is critical because, in certain cases, a naturalization application can lead to USCIS placing someone in removal proceedings.
Warning signs that you should talk with an immigration attorney include any arrest, charge, or conviction, even if it was dismissed, expunged, or happened many years ago. That includes DUIs, domestic incidents, drug cases, theft, and anything that involved a plea or probation. You should also be cautious if you have ever used a different name or identity, entered the United States without inspection, and later made a claim that might not be accurate, or worked with fake documents.
Non‑criminal issues can be warning signs too. Large unpaid tax debts, several years without filing tax returns, serious child support arrears, or prior removal, voluntary departure, or deportation orders all raise complex questions. In some cases, filing an N‑400 with these issues unresolved can expose you to more risk than benefit.
Before you file, gather key documents such as certified court dispositions for every arrest or charge, proof that you completed any probation or classes, IRS and state tax transcripts, child support payment records, and copies of all prior immigration applications. At Monument Immigration, we offer free phone consultations and flat‑fee pricing with interest‑free payment plans, so you can have a detailed review of these records and an honest conversation about risk without worrying about hidden costs.
How Monument Immigration Evaluates Good Moral Character Cases
For naturalization cases with any possible good moral character concern, we start with a focused conversation about your history. We ask detailed questions about arrests, court outcomes, tax filings, support obligations, and anything unusual in your immigration journey. Then we review your documents against the categories and examples in the USCIS Policy Manual, looking at both the statutory period and any serious prior conduct.
Because our practice at Monument Immigration is devoted entirely to immigration law, we stay current with how local USCIS offices in Utah and Las Vegas are handling issues like DUIs, minor theft cases, and tax problems. That local experience helps us advise you on practical questions, such as whether waiting another year might help, what evidence to gather, and how officers in this region typically react to certain patterns.
Once we agree that filing is a reasonable step, our team moves quickly to prepare your N‑400 with accurate, complete answers. We aim to submit applications promptly after receiving all required documents, using flat‑rate fees and interest‑free payment plans, so the cost is predictable. We can meet with you in English or Spanish, by phone or in person at our offices in Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights, or Las Vegas, and we focus on helping you walk into your interview knowing what to expect and how to talk honestly about your past.
Talk With An Immigration Attorney About Your Good Moral Character Questions
Good moral character for naturalization is more than a box on a form. It is a detailed review of your criminal, tax, family, and immigration history, weighed against both the law and your life today. Understanding how USCIS looks at that picture can help you avoid dangerous surprises, choose the right time to apply, and prepare the evidence that shows who you are now, not just who you were at your worst moment.
If anything in your past makes you hesitate, you do not have to guess or rely on secondhand stories. A short conversation with an immigration attorney who handles naturalization cases every day can give you a clearer view of your options and risks.
To schedule a free phone consultation about your good moral character and citizenship eligibility, contact Monument Immigration online or call (801) 609-3659 today.