Becoming A US Citizen?
Are you a current resident and are thinking about fully becoming a US Citizen? Are you nervous of the requirements needed to pass the written and oral exam?
Here are the top 10 benefits of becoming a US citizen, whether you are about to start the process or are you currently resident thinking of completing the final step of fully becoming a US Citizen.
- Citizenship for your children under 18 years of age
- family reunification
- Freedom to Travel
- Obtain government benefits
- No more immigration Paperwork
- Voting Rights
- Keep your residency
- Run for elected office
- Become eligible for federal grant and scholarships
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6
STEP 7
STEP 1
Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen.
You can become a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization.
- Were you born in the United States or a territory of the United States? If yes, you may already be a U.S. citizen.
- Is at least one of your parents a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization? If not, you may be able to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship based on their citizenship
If you are not a U.S. citizen— Go to STEP 2
STEP 2
Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.
You may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years. If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for citizenship if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
- Read Form N-400, Instructions for Application. For Naturalization, available at uscis.gov/ n-400 to learn more about naturalization and eligibility requirements.
- Visit the Citizenship Resource Center at uscis.gov/citizenship for information on the naturalization test and available study materials.
Not Eligible—We encourage you to apply when you are eligible. If you have a specific question about your case, you may wish to consult with a licensed attorney.
STEP 3
Prepare Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
When you meet all requirements to become a U.S. citizen, complete Form N-400 to apply for naturalization. Visit uscis.gov/n-400 for more information and instructions.
WHAT TO DO:
- Complete and sign your Form N-400.
- Get 2 passport-style photos taken if you reside outside the United States.
- Collect the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization.
- Review your Form N-400 and supporting documents.
Note: USCIS may ask for additional information if your application is incomplete. This will delay the processing of your application. If you have a specific question about your case, you may wish to consult with a licensed attorney.
STEP 4
Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Submit your application, documents, and fees to USCIS. If you reside outside the United States, submit passport-style photographs with your application. Once you submit Form N-400 and get a receipt notice, you can check current processing times and the status of your application by visiting uscis.gov.
WHAT TO INCLUDE:
- Form N-400 and biometric services fees, if applicable.
- Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, if applicable. If you are seeking an exception to the English and/or civics requirement for naturalization because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment, submit Form N-648 with your package.
- Any additional evidence demonstrating your eligibility for naturalization. Submit 2 passport style photographs if you reside outside the United States.
Refer to Form N-400 instructions for additional documentary requirements. Keep a copy of your completed Form N-400 and any supporting evidence for your records. You will be required to answer questions about your Form N-400 at your naturalization interview.
STEP 5
Go to the biometrics appointment, if applicable.
SCIS requires applicants to be fingerprinted and photographed for the purpose of conducting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal background checks.
WHAT TO DO:
- Receive an appointment notice that will include your biometrics appointment date, time, and location.
- Arrive at the designated location at the
scheduled time. - Have biometrics taken.
- At a later date, you will receive an appointment
notice for your naturalization interview.
All applicants must have background checks completed before USCIS will schedule an interview.
STEP 6
Complete the interview.
USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the naturalization process. You must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on your appointment notice. Please bring the appointment notice with you.
RESCHEDULING
If you have to miss your interview, you should write to the office where your interview is to be conducted as soon as possible and ask to have your interview rescheduled. Rescheduling an interview may add several months to the naturalization process so make all attempts to attend your original interview date.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- At the interview, you will meet with a USCIS officer and answer questions about your Form.
- If you are requesting a medical exception to the English and civics testing requirements, submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, if you did not submit it at the time you filed your Form N-400.
- You will take the English and civics tests, unless exempt.
- USCIS will provide you with a notice of interview results following your interview.
- In some cases, the USCIS officer will not be able to make a decision on your Form N-400 the day of your naturalization interview. In those cases, the USCIS officer will continue your case. This may include a request for you to provide additional evidence or require a second interview.
APPLICATION CONTINUED
The most common reasons for continuation are:
- USCIS will schedule you to come back for another interview within 60-90 days of your first interview. If you fail English and/or civics test, USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if you are selected for consideration for admission to the U.S.
- The USCIS officer determines you need to provide additional documents/evidence. USCIS may ask you to submit additional documents by giving you Form N-14.
- You fail to provide USCIS with the correct documents.
Receive a decision from USCIS You will be issued a written notice of the decision.
Granted—You may be able to participate in the oath ceremony on the same day as your interview with USCIS. If a same-day oath ceremony is unavailable, USCIS will mail you a notification with the date, time, and location of your scheduled oath ceremony.
Denied—USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if the evidence on record establishes you are not eligible for naturalization. The denial notice you receive will have instructions
on how to appeal the USCIS decision by filing Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings. Visit uscis.gov/n 336 for more information.
If you have a specific question about your case, you may wish to consult with a licensed attorney.
STEP 7
You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.
The oath is administered by USCIS at an administrative ceremony or by a judge in a judicial ceremony.
You receive your Certificate of Naturalization after
taking the Oath of Allegiance.
WHAT TO DO:
- Complete the questionnaire.
- Report for your oath ceremony.
- Check-in with USCIS.
- Turn in your Permanent Resident Card.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizen.
- Receive your Certificate of Naturalization and review it before leaving the ceremony site. Notify USCIS of any corrections to your certificate at that time.
Understanding U.S. citizenship.
Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. Below is a list of some of the most important rights and responsibilities that all citizens both Americans by birth and by choice— should exercise, honor, and respect.
Rights
• Freedom to express yourself.
• Freedom to worship as you wish.
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
• Right to vote in elections for public officials.
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
• Right to run for elected office.
• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Responsibilities
• Support and defend the U.S. Constitution.
• Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
• Participate in the democratic process.
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
• Participate in your local community.
• Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
• Serve on a jury when called upon.
• Defend the country if the need should arise.
Are you eligible to apply for naturalization?
Before you apply for naturalization, you must meet a few requirements. Depending on your situation, there are
different requirements that may apply to you.
- Be 18 years old or older at the time of filing Form N-400.
- Be a lawful permanent resident.
- Demonstrate continuous permanent residence in the United States for at least 5 years. (In some cases, this may be 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.)
- Show that you have been physically present in the United States for 30 months.
- Show that you have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you claim residence.
If you have a parent that was a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization before the age of 18, you may have a claim to citizenship. These are general guidelines that do not apply to every applicant. For more information on these requirements, please visit uscis.gov/citizenship.
During your interview, a USCIS officer will test your ability to read, write and speak English. You will also be tested on your knowledge of U.S. history and government (civics). Information on the test and study materials are available at uscis.gov/citizenship.
You may not need to take the English and civics portions of the naturalization test if you have a medical disability. To apply for this exemption, your doctor must complete Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. The best time to submit this form is at the end of July.
Xavier Law Firm, We respect your decisions to benefit yourself and your family. New policies have been issued since January 2021 to make the naturalization process faster and easier for all that are eligible.
Call us at 1-800-279-2093 to start your citizenship process today.
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