There are many different paths that could lead to citizenship. Which path you decide to use will depend on your personal circumstances.
The main paths all include receiving a Green Card first; this could include:
- Receiving a Green Card though a family member who is a U.S. citizen
- Receiving a Green Card through employment
- Receiving a Green Card after Asylum or other humanitarian aid
A Green Card does not allow you the same rights as a citizen, but getting the Green Card is the first step in most immigration processes towards citizenship. To learn more about Green Cards, read our article about How to get a Green Card.
General Process for U.S. Citizenship
To become a citizen, you have to have your valid Green Card for a certain period of time. You will also need to go through a few additional steps which include:
- Submit form N-400
- Upon approval, go to an interview and take an exam
- Go to your oath ceremony
- Update necessary documents
Submit Form N-400
The N-400 is a form that helps USCIS know whether or not you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen. You will need to know your address history, employment history, and have access to your tax documents. Additionally, if you have any kind of criminal record, then those documents will need to be included as well.
Consult with an immigration attorney if you are worried about any criminal history or a background check. The attorney will be able to advise you regarding the best steps you can take. They can also advise you to know if it is realistic for you to obtain citizenship or if it's best to continue with your current legal status.
U.S. Citizenship Exam
After USCIS has reviewed the N-400, you will be scheduled for an interview. During the interview, they may ask you a few clarifying questions about your application. They will also ask you 10 questions about American history and government. These will come from a list of 100 possible questions that you can find here. To pass this portion of the test, you need to get six of 10 questions correct.
You must also demonstrate an ability to read and write basic English. This means that you will need to correctly read aloud one of three sentences in addition to correctly write one out of three sentences. Your English does not have to be fluent to pass these tests.
If you are over the age of 65 and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, then you only need to study a select few questions and can take the test in whichever language you prefer.
Oath Ceremony
After your N-400 is approved and you pass your exams, then you will go to an Oath Ceremony. Sometimes these ceremonies are on the same day as your exam and sometimes they will be scheduled for a later date.
Once you complete the ceremony, you will receive a document that indicates that you are a U.S. citizen. This is called a Certificate of Naturalization. You can use this document to update certain documents and information.
Update Necessary Documents
Once you become a citizen, you will be able to get a U.S. passport! You can apply for your own passport once you get your official naturalization document.
If you want to change your name as part of the naturalization process, the Certificate of Naturalization will have your new name on it. You can use this document to update other items that have your previous name.
Benefits of becoming a U.S. Citizen
There are many benefits that you can receive if you are a citizen. These benefits include:
- Voting when political elections or bills come
- Petitioning for other immigrant family members to get Green Cards
- Running for political office
- No risk of getting deported (so long as your citizenship was obtained legally)
- Living in another country without risking your legal status
These are some of the main benefits that you receive when you become a citizen that you cannot have when you only maintain your Green Card status.
Naturalization of Children
If you have children who are not U.S. citizens when you finish your naturalization process, they may be eligible to become U.S. citizens too. The qualifications for your child to be eligible for citizenship include:
- They must be under the age of 18
- They must be a Permanent Resident
- They must be in your legal and physical custody
- You must prove they are you child (this can usually be proven through birth certificates or adoption records)
However, if your child is 18 or older when you receive U.S. citizenship, then they are not eligible to automatically obtain citizenship. They would have to legally obtain a Green Card and then, after five years, file the N-400 and go through the naturalization process.
Law Office of Timothy Jones
If you have had your Green Card for five years (or three years if you have been married to a U.S. citizen the whole time), then you are eligible to become a United States citizen! For help to succeed in this application process, contact our office today. Attorney Jones and his team have successfully handled hundreds of cases for citizenship.
