Naturalization/Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship is obtained either by birth or naturalization.  There are certain benefits to becoming a U.S. citizen, such as higher estate tax exemptions, federal job opportunities, greater freedom of travel to other countries and most importantly, the right to vote.  In addition there are certain federal grants and scholarships available only to U.S. citizens.

General Requirements:

1. Must be admitted to a permanent resident status.   He or she must also be 18 years old or older at the time of filing for naturalization, which applies when the alien is filing alone.  Certain exceptions apply allowing a minor alien to become naturalized prior to the minor alien’s 18th birthday;
2. Must reside in the United States for a continuous period prior to the filing of the naturalization application.  If not married to a U.S. citizen, he or she must reside in the U.S. for a continuous period of five years after lawful admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident.  If married to a U.S. citizen, he or she must reside in the U.S. for a continuous period of three years following lawful admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident, provided he or she is still married to the same U.S. citizen at the time of filing the naturalization application;
3. Must physically reside in the U.S. for one half the period of continuous residence required within the period required for continuous residence.  For those who are married to a U.S. citizen, he or she must have been physically present in the United States accumulatively for eighteen months within three years prior to the date of filing the application.  For those not married to a U.S. citizen, he or she must have been physically present in the United States accumulatively for thirty months within five years prior to the date of filing the naturalization application;
4. Residence is required for three months immediately preceding the filing of the naturalization application in the state in which the petition is filed;
5. Must have an ability to read, write, and speak ordinary English;
6. Knowledge and Understanding of the Fundamentals of U.S. History and Government Requirement;
7. Must have good moral character and attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Our firm can help you to prepare and file your citizenship application.  We can advise you as to whether there are any issues in your case that need to be addressed or that may pose a problem in your U.S. naturalization process.  If your naturalization application is pending for years due to FBI name check or background check, we are here to help!