Naturalization Process

In order to become a U.S. citizen, you will need to go through a naturalization process.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have maintained continuous residence in the United States for at least five years, or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.
  • Have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months, or 18 months if you are married to a U.S. citizen.

Be a person of good moral character

Persons who have been convicted of murder at any time or convicted of crimes classified as aggravated felonies (on or after November 29, 1990) are barred from becoming US citizens.

The remaining mandatory bars to naturalization apply only to acts committed during the applicable three or five-year period (and continuing until swearing in). Some of the more common items on this list are summarized below:

  • Commission of a crime categorized in immigration law as a crime involving moral turpitude.
  • Conviction for multiple crimes (whether involving moral turpitude or not) for which the applicant was sentenced to incarceration of five years or more in the aggregate: This includes all crimes, with the exception of foreign convictions for “purely political” offenses.
  • Violation of the controlled substance laws of any country.
  • Giving false testimony for the purpose of obtaining an immigration benefit.
  • A person who is a “habitual drunkard” during the period for which s/he is required to establish “good moral character” is ineligible for naturalization.
  • Domestic violence.
  • Engaged in Prostitution.
  • Failure to pay Child Support.

The N-400 application for naturalization requires you to list any and all arrests, citations, detentions, charges, and convictions, for any crime or offense

Be able to read, write and speak English and have a general knowledge of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government

To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you must pass the English Language and Civics Naturalization test.

Some Exemptions apply:

You are exempt from the English Language Requirement, but are still required to take the Civics Test If you are:

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years.

or

Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years.

If you suffer from a Medical or Developmental Disability or a Mental Impairment you may be eligible for an exception to the English and Civics naturalization requirements.

Steps towards the Naturalization

Complete and sign your Form N-400 and collect the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization.

Once all the preliminary processes on your case are complete, USCIS will schedule an interview with you, the USCIS may approve your Form N-400 if the evidence on record establishes your eligibility for naturalization, in that case the USCIS will mail you a notification with the date, time, and location of your scheduled oath ceremony.

Contact us to discuss your case and we will assist you with your application.