Eligible legal permanent residents residing in the United States begin the application process for U.S. citizenship by submitting Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. In general, legal permanent residents are eligible for the application following five years of continuous residence in the United States. Under certain specific situations, such as for applicants with service in the U.S. military, the amount of time required in U.S. residence may be reduced. Once an applicant has submitted Form N-400, the FBI conducts a background check on the applicant. Following the background check, USCIS notifies the applicant that he is scheduled for an interview at his local USCIS office where he will provide evidence to support information on his background, attest to his desire to become a citizen, and be required to take English language and civics exams. Once the applicant has successfully passed the interview and tests, the USCIS invites him to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. At the time that he officially completes the Oath, he is a full U.S. citizen.