Naturalization is the legal process by which someone who was born in one country becomes a citizen of another country. When a person goes through naturalization, they gain all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in their new nation, including the right to vote, hold certain jobs, and receive a passport.

In the United States, naturalization typically requires living in the country legally for several years, learning English, studying American history and government, and passing a citizenship test. The process ends with a special ceremony where new citizens take an oath of allegiance, pledging loyalty to their adopted country. Many people keep strong ties to their birth country while embracing their new citizenship.

The word comes from the idea of making something “natural” to a place. Just as a plant can be naturalized when it's introduced to a new environment and thrives there, a person becomes naturalized when they officially join a new country and make it their home. Throughout American history, millions of immigrants have become citizens through naturalization, bringing their talents, traditions, and dreams to help build the nation.