Citizenship

Who can apply for US Citizenship?

In order to become a citizen through naturalization you must first become a permanent resident and meet other requirements such as:

• Living in the U.S. for at least 5 years and being physically present for at least half of that time
• Living in the district or state where you are applying for 5 years or less
• The individual didn’t spend more than a year outside U.S.
• The applicant hasn’t lived or spent more than a year outside the United States
• The person applying hasn’t made another country his or her home
• The applicant is at least 18 years of age
• The individual has shown good moral character
• He or she is able to read, write, and speak English
• He or she is also able to pass a U.S. history test, and
• The individual can swear to believe in the U.S. Constitution principles

A citizenship lawyer from Gallardo Immigration Law can help you with the naturalization process.

Benefits of obtaining US Citizenship

Becoming a citizen of United States is a privilege that provides many benefits such as the right to vote, being able to petition for family members to immigrate, and living abroad without losing the right to come back. You will also have other benefits such as becoming eligible for federal employment or benefits, benefit from United States tax laws, and becoming a United States passport holder.

Hiring a Citizenship lawyer to handle your case

naturalization laws can often be very complicated without the assistance of a citizenship lawyer. These laws have become very strict over the past years. Legal immigration into the U.S. involves a lot of dedication and being able to focus. All these laws, processes, and paperwork make it difficult to know or understand what to do. An immigration attorney from Gallardo Immigration  Law can guide you through the whole immigration process and minimize any confusion that may arise.

Our lawyers have years of combined experience handling every aspect of immigration law. It’s very important you choose a citizenship lawyer with the amount of experience required in this type of cases as these issues can affect directly the course of your future. Our Firm can help you become a citizen and smooth out the process.

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General steps in a Naturalization Process

First, you will need to complete a citizenship application on USCIS Form N-400 and send it with the required documentation and fee. After the application has been filed the applicant will probably wait several months depending on the local USCIS office. Then the applicant will be called for a fingerprint and interview appointment. Following the appointment your language ability will be tested and your knowledge of U.S. history and government. If everything goes well, congrats! You will then have an appointment for your swearing-in ceremony, becoming a citizen, and receiving the certificate of naturalization to be able to prove it. Those seeking to naturalize can contact our lawyers.

Completing and submitting USCIS Form N-400

Individuals applying for citizenship through the naturalization process must first fill out Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, prepared by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form has basic info about the applicants with a number of questions to find out whether the applicant meets the requirements or not. A citizenship lawyer can help ease the process and file the paperwork accordingly.

Getting Fingerprinted

Once the application has been filed, the USCIS will send the applicant a letter informing about when and where to get fingerprinted. The appointment letter and some form of identification are taken on the day of the appointment. Applicants are fingerprinted in order to conduct FBI criminal background checks.

US citizenship interview

During your U.S. citizenship interview, it’s vital that you do your best to answer all questions accordingly. We suggest you review your forms and all supporting documentation before your interview takes place, review the questions, and prepare for the writing, reading, and the oral portions of the exam and interview. You will be asked a number of questions such as your name, Date of Birth, where you currently live and work, any memberships, criminal history (if any), and U.S history questions such as who was the first president, U.S. Senators, where is the Statue of Liberty, etc.

Oath Ceremony

At the Oath Ceremony, allegiance to the U.S. will be sworn and the certificate of naturalization will be handled to you. Once you have the certificate, you will apply for a United States passport and vote in the local, state, and national elections. If you have changed your name, it will show on the certificate and you can apply for any other documents such as your Social Security card and driver’s license.

 

Questions and Answers about Citizenship and Naturalization process

What do I bring to my oath ceremony?

You will have to bring Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony which you generally obtain at the end of your interview or later in the mail. The notice will indicate what to bring to the oath ceremony, which generally includes:

• Permanent resident card
• Reentry permit or Refugee Travel Document if there is any
• Your children if they have been approved for United States naturalization
• Any additional documents requested

What is pledged at the Oath Ceremony?

When taking the oath, you are pledging that you will renounce allegiance to any foreign country where you previously held titles or citizenship, and you will support and defend the U.S. Constitution. You will also agree to bear arms on behalf of U.S., and perform noncombatant service in the armed forces, or do work of national significance.

Where is the Oath Ceremony going to be?

The ceremony will take place in a federal or state building’s small room, courtroom, or a large convention center or stadium. Some ceremonies could be performed in historical landmarks like for example, the U.S.S. Constitution and Independence Hall.

Can a person have the citizenship at birth if he or she was born abroad?

This is only possible under some specific circumstances such as:

• Both parents are United States citizens when the person was born.
• One parent is a citizen and the other lived in the U.S. for at least five years.

At Gallardo Immigration law, a citizenship lawyer can guide you through the whole process of naturalization.

When does my time as a permanent resident start?

It all starts when you are granted permanent resident status. The date shows on your Permanent Resident Card which was formerly known as your Alien Registration Card.

What can I do if the USCIS denies my application?

There is generally an administrative process for those whose naturalization is denied. If you feel you have been wrongly denied, you can request a hearing with an immigration officer. The denial letter will explain in details what to do.

How can I prepare for the test?

There is a list of history and civic questions on the USCIS website. You can also search for a citizenship class in your area.

How is the citizenship exam like?

Candidates must answer 6 out of 10 civic and history questions out of a group of 100. The officer will read the questions and the person applying will answer them orally. If the first 6 oral questions are answer correctly, the speaking portion is completed. Applicants also have to correctly read and write a sentence in English which the officer will dictate to them.

Seek Legal Advice

Work with a citizenship lawyer to ensure that you have all the necessary documents and forms in order to apply for citizenship.

 

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