What is the minimum citizenship requirement to serve in the House of Representatives?

To serve in the House of Representatives, a candidate must fulfill certain eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Constitution. One of these requirements is that the individual must have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years. This stipulation is included in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, which outlines the qualifications necessary to be elected as a representative.

Understanding this requirement is crucial for recognizing how it reflects the intent to ensure that representatives have a sufficient level of commitment and understanding of the country’s governance and populace. This citizenship duration sets a framework for the political maturity and national experience expected from those who would represent the interests of the electorate at the federal level.

The other options—5 years, 10 years, or no requirement—do not align with the constitutional standard and therefore do not meet the necessary criteria for eligibility to serve in the House of Representatives.