If you are over 18 years old and want to become a U.S. citizen, you will probably have to go through the naturalization process. You must fulfill one of the following circumstances to apply for naturalization:
- You have U.S. permanent residency (a.k.a. “Green Card”) and have lived in the United States for five years.
- You have asylum and have lived in the United States for four years.
- You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen and have lived in the country at least three years.
- You are a permanent resident, have served in the United States military, and have been in the country for three years.
If you qualify, you must prove that you have sufficient knowledge of U.S. history and government and can speak, read and write in English. Our immigration and naturalization defense lawyers can guide you through this process.
Process of Naturalization
Naturalization takes place when a foreign individual seeks citizenship by meeting specific requirements. The process of naturalization is not a simple one. You may need to fill out lengthy forms, answer questions, go through extensive interview processes, and present requested documentation.
Some of the requirements of naturalization include that you:
- Have a knowledge of U.S. civics and history
- Take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.
- Have the ability to write, read, and speak English
- Are a person of good moral character
- Have not been convicted of certain criminal acts
- Are at least 18 years old (Except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces)
- Have resided for more than three months in the place of application
- Have demonstrated continuous residence for the required period of time
- Have been a permanent resident of the U.S. for at least five years (or at least 3 years if your applying for naturalization based on your marriage to a U.S. citizen)
Benefits
Becoming a citizen of the United States offers many benefits, such as:
- The right to vote
- Strong and permanent protections from deportation
- Access to jobs and social services not available to non-citizens