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 Home : Resources : FAQ : Naturalization |
Naturalization |
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| 1. | What is Naturalization? | | Naturalization is one of two main paths to United States citizenship, the other being citizenship by birth. The path of naturalization is only available to individuals who have already become Lawful Permanent Residents.
Back to Top | | | 2. | What are the advantages of United States citizenship? | | The primary benefits are the ability to vote in U.S. elections, to sponsor additional family members for U.S. Lawful Permanent Residence, to reside overseas without risk of losing citizenship, and to obtain a U.S. passport, as well as no longer being subject to the possibility of deportation.
Back to Top | | | 3. | As a Lawful Permanent Resident, am I required to become a naturalized U.S. citizen? | | A Lawful Permanent Resident is not required to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Back to Top | | | 4. | Who qualifies for Naturalization? | | Generally, to qualify for Naturalization, an individual must meet the following criteria:
Lawful Permanent Resident (hold a green card) at least 18 years or older and maintaining continuous residence in the U.S. for the last five years at the time of application. If Permanent Residence was obtained though marriage, may have maintained continuous residence in the U.S. and lived in marital union for the last three years prior to application.
Physical presence in the U.S. for at least half of the required five or three years of residence.
Three months of continuous residence in the State of current residence
Good moral character
Knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government, attachment to the U.S. Constitution, and favorable disposition towards the United States
Ability to read, write and speak English
Back to Top | | | 5. | How do I apply for Naturalization? | | Evidence that the individual meets the criteria above is submitted along with Form N-400 Application for Naturalization. Generally, the N-400 is filed by an individual living in the U.S. and does require that the individual be physically present to file; however, in certain circumstances, the N-400 may be filed despite travel outside the U.S., although the criteria may then be more difficult to establish. After filing, the applicant is required to attend a biometrics appointment and a Naturalization interview.
Back to Top | | | 6. | What will happen at my Naturalization interview? | | All applicants except those receiving a waiver are required to pass a history/civics and English test. You will be asked a series of questions, the answers to which may be found here. You will also be required to converse briefly in English. You may be asked about the basis for your permanent residence, particularly if you changed jobs or were divorced soon after you received employment or marriage-based permanent residence, respectively.
It is likely that you will be asked questions about the information in the application, particularly if you have traveled often, lived abroad for any period of time following the granting of permanent residence, or if you have criminal issues.
Back to Top | | | 7. | How long will it take for my Naturalization application (N-400) to be approved? | | The answer to this is dependent upon several factors. First, processing times for the application itself may vary depending on where you live and how busy the processing Service Center is at the time you submit your application. Second, many people face longer waits due to delays in the required background checks. These delays may be related to your country of origin or countries in which you have lived, your name, or other factors beyond your control. Third, all naturalization applicants are scheduled for an interview with the local office of the USCIS, so the length of time it takes for your Naturalization application to be approved depends on how busy your local office is, and how many resources are allocated to the processing of Naturalization applications.
Back to Top | | | 8. | Can I be a dual citizen? | | The United States does not formally recognize dual citizenship, nor does it bar individuals from having dual citizenship. Under U.S. law, an individual from another country may acquire U.S. citizenship without relinquishing prior citizenship or citizenships. However, other countries may bar dual citizenship, so obtaining U.S. citizenship may result in your home country revoking your citizenship.
Once you are a U.S. citizen, the U.S. will consider you a citizen of this country, regardless of whether you represent yourself as a dual citizen to the rest of the world. You should always re-enter the U.S. using your U.S. passport.
Back to Top | | | 9. | Can my child obtain citizenship through me? | | If your child was born in the U.S., he or she is already a U.S. citizen unless you are a diplomat. If you were a U.S. citizen when your child was born, but he or she was born outside the U.S., your child may or may not be a citizen. The rules are complex and vary based upon when your child was born, and how long you resided in the U.S., as well as your age when you did so. If you and your children are permanent residents, and you naturalize, your child will likely be able to derive citizenship through you. In order to do so, your child must be under 18 at the time you naturalize, must be a permanent resident, must be in your legal custody, and, if you are married to the childs other parent, both you and the other parent must be naturalized.
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