Citizenship and Naturalization
Our attorneys assist foreign nationals with the process of applying for U.S. citizenship. To become a citizen, a written and signed Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) must be sent to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants must be over the age of 18, may be subject to a hearing, and are required to pay a filing fee to file an Application for Naturalization to pay for biometrics testing. Applicants 75 years of age and older are not subject to the biometrics testing fee and military applicants are not charged any fee to file an Application for Naturalization. Applicants under age 18 must submit the "Application for a Certificate of Citizenship" Form N-600.
General Requirements for Naturalization
Residency
An applicant must have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. Lawfully admitted for permanent residence means having been legally granted the privilege of residing permanently in the U.S. as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws. Individuals who have been lawfully admitted as permanent residents will be asked to produce an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551) as proof of their status.
Good Moral Character
Generally, an applicant must show that he/she has been a person of good moral character for a period of typically five years or three years prior to filing for naturalization. A person will not be found to be a person of “good moral character” if during the last five years he/she has committed any of the following:
- Has been convicted of one or more crimes involving moral turpitude
- Has been convicted of 2 or more offenses which carry a sentence of 5 years or more
- Has been convicted of a controlled substance law violation (except for a single offense of marijuana possession of 30 grams or less)
- Has been incarcerated for 180 days or more during the prior 3-5 year period
- Has been convicted of two or more gambling offenses
- Has earned income from illegal gambling
- Has been involved in prostitution
- Has been involved in smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S.
- Is or has been a habitual drunkard
- Hs practiced polygamy
- Willfully failed or refused to support dependents
- Has given false testimony, under oath, in order to receive a benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act
An applicant must disclose all relevant facts, including his or her entire criminal history. An applicant must show that he/she is attached to the principles of the U.S. constitution.
Language
Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language, with few exceptions. The English proficiency requirement especially affects the elderly, and is the primary reason keeping so many older immigrants from ever filing for citizenship. There are some exceptions to the language requirement for older immigrants who have lived in the U.S. as permanent residents for an extended period of time.
United States Government and History Knowledge
An applicant for naturalization must demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of U.S. history and an understanding of the principles and forms of government of the United States. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who have a medical impairment, physical or mental, that would affect their ability to learn U.S. history and government.
Oath of Allegiance
To become a citizen, one must take the Oath of Allegiance, swearing to the following:
- Support the constitution and obey the laws of the U.S.
- Renounce any foreign allegiance
- Bear arms for the U.S. Armed Forces or perform services for the U.S. government when required
Please contact us to start your immigration application now.