Citizenship - Naturalization

As a Rhode island K-1 Visa Attorney, James Howe has an in depth understanding of the Immigration and Naturalization Process.

Naturalization is a process that allows foreign-born persons to obtain citizenship in the United States. Once granted citizenship, foreign-born persons are granted all of the rights American born persons have, for example the right to vote, the right to governmental jobs and the freedom to travel with an American passport which provides entry without a visa into many countries. A key benefit a naturalization applicant will derive once granted citizenship is the ability to petition for an immediate family member through a faster petitioning process. There are many eligibility requirements a person must fulfill before they submit an application for naturalization.

In most situations, a person is eligible to apply for Naturalization, if they meet the following requirements:
Applicant has been a lawful permanent resident for five years (or three years for spouses of United States Citizens)
Applicant is 18 years old
Applicant is of good moral character
Applicant can speak, read, and write English
Applicant must pass a test on U.S. history and government
Applicant was physically present in the U.S. at least half the requisite time
Applicant has maintained lawful permanent residence continuously
Applicant swears loyalty to the U.S. by taking an oath of allegiance
(note: minor children of U.S. naturalization applicants may also be eligible and included in a naturalization application, under certain circumstances)

Citizenship does not expire. However, it can be voided or withdrawn (i.e. when a person commits certain types of crimes).
Citizenship documents do not have to be renewed.

Certain family members may be immediately eligible to receive citizenship, such as minor children. Others are eligible to receive a green card with shorter wait periods than family members of residents (see Family based residency section for estimated wait periods).

Birth Certificate(s)
Copy of Legal Permanent Residency Document
Marriage Certificate (if applying because of marriage to a United States Citizen)
Employment and residence history for the last five years
List of trips taken outside of the U.S. during the last five years
Two passport size photographs on white background

Stage One:
Prepare and file form N-400 Application for Naturalization with the appropriate filing fees at the Immigration Service Center in your district.

Stage Two:
Once the application is submitted, the applicant will receive notice of a fingerprint appointment date and shall appear on this date

Prepare for and appear for all meetings and interviews scheduled by the US Immigration Service. (Note: failure to attend scheduled meetings may result in a denial of naturalization).

Attend citizenship interview before an immigration officer. The officer will test the applicant's knowledge of U.S. civics and government, and English literacy tests.

If the applicant satisfies the interviewing officer and the alien's file is complete, the applicant will then be scheduled for a swearing in ceremony.

Stage Three:
The applicant is given an appointment notice with an attached list of questions that must be submitted at the swearing in ceremony. This is to ensure that the applicant has maintained their lawful presence and good moral character between the time of the interview and the swearing in ceremony. Once the form is submitted, the applicant will be sworn in. The applicant must turn in their I-551 card (Legal Permanent Residency Document or "green card") and are subsequently issued a naturalization certificate. At this point, the applicant is an official U.S. Citizen!

For more information regarding Immigration Law
Click here: Immigration Law - Frequently Asked Questions