Good Moral Character (GMC)
U.S. Naturalization Test (2025 Standard) glossary · English
Definition
The legal standard of honest, law-abiding behavior required for naturalization.
Good Moral Character (GMC) in plain English
This is the standard of being honest and law-abiding that you must show to become a U.S. citizen, usually over the years right before you apply. It doesn't mean you have to be perfect, but it does mean things like paying your taxes, telling the truth on your application, and avoiding serious crimes. Think of it like the character reference a job or scholarship asks for: officials look at how you've actually behaved to decide if you meet the bar. The biggest danger here is lying to immigration officials, because dishonesty itself can wreck your good moral character.
Also called: GMC
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