Who Can Apply for U.S. Citizenship?

Only particular people are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. Understanding the how and the why is important to initiate these steps as soon as possible. There are many different rights for individuals who have U.S. citizenship, but U.S. citizenship is not easily obtained.

All of the following must apply in the event that you intend to apply for citizenship:

• You are able to pass a U.S. history and government test.
• You have good moral character.
• You are a minimum of 18 years old.
• You are able to read, write and speak English.
• You are willing to swear that you believe in the U.S. Constitution’s principles.
• You have been physically present in the United States for at least 2.5 of the 5 years prior to initiating your application. You have lived in the state or district from where you are filing for at least 3 months.
• You have lived in the United States continuously for the 5 years before your application and have not spent any longer than one continuous year outside the country’s borders.
• You have had lawful permanent resident status for a minimum of 5 years.
• You will need to complete a citizenship application and provide it to the USCIS in addition to the appropriate fee, required photos, and the green card.

You may wait for months to hear back about your application, but after this stage is complete, you will then hopefully be called in for a fingerprint appointment and an interview appointment. The interview will test your English language ability and your knowledge of government and history.

If you are disabled, you may be eligible to ask for accommodation. If everything proceeds positively during the interview, you will get an appointment for your swearing-in ceremony. You will become a citizen and get a naturalization certificate to prove it. It is strongly recommended that you retain an experienced immigration lawyer to protect your interests when initiating a citizenship application. There are many complex items and pieces of paperwork that need to be completed and having an experienced attorney at your side increases your chances of success.

Discover more about how to apply for citizenship by calling 866-627-7052 or by filling out our online contact form now.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.