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N-400, Application for Naturalization
U.S. Naturalization
Overview
An individual can obtain U.S. citizenship in one of the following three ways. The vast majority of American citizens obtain their U.S. citizenship by having been born in the United States. The second group of American citizens are those who are born abroad to at least one American citizen parent. The final group gains their U.S. citizenship through a process called Naturalization.
U.S. citizenship through naturalization begins when a foreign national becomes a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Permanent Resident, LPR, or Green Card Holder). After a number of years, a Permanent Resident may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
The first step is to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The naturalization process takes between six to 10 months (varies depending on the jurisdiction and complexity of the application). The applicants will be called in for an interview with a USCIS officer, who will review the application and ask a few questions about the applicant’s background. If all goes well, the applicants will be scheduled for an oath ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance and receive a Naturalization Certificate (Form N-550).
5 Reasons To Naturalize Now
- U.S. citizens are NOT deportable!
Certain crimes or illegal activity could get a green card holder deported, whereas a naturalized US citizen will not. If you meet the citizenship requirements but have developed a criminal record since obtaining your green card, contact an immigration attorney to discuss whether it safe for you to apply for citizenship.
- U.S. citizens can sponsor other immigrants immediately.
Currently, the waiting list for green card holders who petition for their spouses to become green card holders is approximately five years. U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses immediately.
- Travel outside the U.S. for however long you want.
A green card holder can lose their green card if they remain outside of the United States for too long. As a U.S. citizen, your travel abroad or your choice to live abroad will be unrestricted.
- Green card holders cannot vote in federal elections
Only US citizens have the right to vote in federal elections (and most states and local elections).
- Naturalization processing times are amazingly short right now.
Currently, the average time to complete the naturalization process is 6 months. In past years, it was not uncommon to wait up to a year or longer.
Eligibility
Am I eligible to for naturalization?
- Statutory Period.
If you obtained your residency through a U.S. citizen spouse and you are still married, you must wait three years after you obtain your residency to apply for citizenship. All other applicant’s must wait five years (certain exceptions apply to those who serve or have served in the military).
- Moral Character.
You must have good moral character for the statutory period (3 years if married to a US citizen, five years for all other applicants)
- Applicant must be 18 years or older
- Ability to read, write, and speak basic English
- Knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics)
- Willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States
Process
In general, our representation covers the following steps:
- Initial client interview to determine eligibility
Applicants should have a qualified immigration attorney verify their eligibility since submitting an N-400 application may place certain people at risk for deportation. Having your citizenship application prepared by a qualified naturalization attorney can help prevent such a potentially devastating outcome and reduce delays caused by improperly or incompletely prepared packages.
- Form preparation and application packet assembly
Once it has been determined that you meet the requirements, one of our attorneys will complete your forms and gather the necessary supporting documents including letters, legal documents, templates, checklist, etc.
- Application packet submission and receipt notice (Form I-797C)
We submit your application packet with the relevant USCIS office. Online filing is also available if you prefer online filing. Upon receipt of your application packet by USCIS, a receipt notice will be issued confirming your application is under review.
- Biometrics appointment
Once USCIS deems the citizenship application to be complete, you will be asked to attend an ASC biometrics appointment. Our office will notify you of the exact time and location of your biometrics appointment. USCIS will use your finger prints and picture to run a security background check.
- Notice to appear for an interview
You will then be asked to appear for a naturalization interview. During the interview, USCIS officers will review your application and decide whether or not you are eligibility to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. You must pass a basic English and U.S. civics exam — certain elderly or disabled applicants may be able to waive some of the requirements. You will also be asked to provide proof of your residence and physical presence in the United States, as well as evidence of your good moral character.
A citizenship lawyer is permitted to attend the naturalization interview with the applicant and is often helpful in advocating for the applicant, especially when there are things in the applicant’s background that may affect the outcome of the case. It is important to be fully prepared for the naturalization interview to avoid denials and re-applications. We will prepare all necessary Forms and documents. If you require an interview, your attorney will conduct a mock interview to ensure you are fully prepared.
- Notice of decision and oath ceremony
If you can demonstrate that you meet all of the requirements for naturalization, you will be scheduled for an oath ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance. Once you have taken the Oath, you will be given a Naturalization Certificate (Form N-550) as proof of your new citizenship status. Congratulations! You are now a U.S. citizen!
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Client Testimonials
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thank you so much Ali Hassanzadeh for all your help in my immigration case and helping me become an U.S citizen. Highly Recommended very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Ali guided me through all my process from Political Asylum application to obtain a green card and until I got my U.S naturalization certificate he was always there, Ali was supportive and patient and answered all questions I had and gave great advice when I need it Ali went above and beyond! Thank you!
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I’m very grateful with Ali Hassanzadeh he helped me with my immigration status, he made it easy to communicate with him and he responded to all my emails and concerns I definitely recommend
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Great firm!!! They did everything to help me with my situation. Mr. Ali Hassanzadeh would answer all my emails right away and answer every question. I have been with this firm for about 10 years now and they never fail to give me the best service.
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the new attorney (Ali Hassanzadeh) took on the process for my application very smoothly, and followed up properly. He gave a massive effort answering my question and following up with the process. I did not have any issues with him following up taking on the process by himself. He also did a very great job preparing me for the interview for the interview!
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Did excellent work and got me exactly what I needed and was always able to get in contact with them!!! Can't say thank you enough!
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My Attorney was Ali and he was the best. He worked with me in very difficult immigration situations and was able to still my case run smooth 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire an immigration attorney?
An immigration attorney can assist in filing out the often confusing citizenship application forms. Failure to properly complete the application form could result in immigration officials believing that you misrepresented or lied to them. However, the naturalization application process consists of more than just filing the N400 form. Some applicants do not realize that not only do they not possess the good moral character required of naturalization & citizenship applicants and, by filing the application for citizenship, they will place themselves in danger of being deported and/or losing their green card. A qualified immigration attorney will interview their client thoroughly prior to preparation of the naturalization application package in order to minimize the chances that the client will either be found to not possess good moral character or be deemed deportable and lose their green card.
How long will it take to become naturalized?
If you meet the requirements for naturalization, the process can take 4-8 months.
If I am naturalized, is my child a citizen?
Usually if children are Permanent Residents they can derive citizenship from their naturalized parents. In most cases, your child is a citizen if all of the following are true:
(1) The other parent is also naturalized or
(2) You are the only surviving parent (if the other parent is dead) or
- You have legal custody (if you and the other parent are legally separated or divorced.) and, 2. The child was under 18 when the parent(s) naturalized, the child was not married when the parent(s) naturalized; and the child was a Permanent Resident before his or her 18th birthday
If I am naturalized, is my child a citizen?
Usually if children are Permanent Residents they can derive citizenship from their naturalized parents. In most cases, your child is a citizen if all of the following are true:
(1) The other parent is also naturalized or
(2) You are the only surviving parent (if the other parent is dead) or
- You have legal custody (if you and the other parent are legally separated or divorced.) and, 2. The child was under 18 when the parent(s) naturalized, the child was not married when the parent(s) naturalized; and the child was a Permanent Resident before his or her 18th birthday
Is it possible to be a dual citizen of the United States of America and another country?
Yes. If you have been a dual citizen from birth or childhood, or you became a citizen of another country after already having US citizenship, you may qualify for duel citizenship. As long as the other country in question does not have any laws or regulations requiring you to formally renounce your US citizenship before US consular officials, then current US law unambiguously assures your right to keep both citizenships for life.
How can I become a United States citizen?
A person may become a US citizen by birth or through naturalization. Generally, people are born US citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are born to a US citizen. If you were born in the United States (including, in most cases, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), you are an American citizen at birth (unless you were born to a foreign diplomat). Your birth certificate is proof of your citizenship.
What is Naturalization?
The act of making a person a citizen of the United States who was not born with that status. An application for citizenship is an application for Naturalization.
How do I become a naturalized citizen?
The act of making aaIf you are not a U.S. citizen by birth, you may be eligible to become a citizen through naturalization. People who are 18 years and older use the “Application for Naturalization” (Form N-400) to become naturalized. Children who are deriving citizenship from naturalized parents use the “Application for a Certificate of Citizenship” (Form N-600) to become naturalized. person a citizen of the United States who was not born with that status. An application for citizenship is an application for Naturalization.
What are the requirements for naturalization?
You may apply for naturalization if: (1) you have been a lawful permanent resident for five years, (2) you have been a lawful permanent resident for three years, have been married to a US citizen for those three years, and continue to be married to that U.S. citizen, (3) you are a lawful permanent resident child of United States citizen parents, or (4) you have qualifying military service. Children under 18 may automatically become citizens when their parents naturalize.
