U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a significant milestone for many permanent residents. The process, while rewarding, comes with its complexities. Here’s what you need to know about U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization and how we can guide you through each step.

Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship

General Eligibility

If you’ve been a permanent resident for at least 4 years and 9 months, you might qualify for naturalization.

Marriage Consideration

Living with a U.S. Citizen spouse for at least 2 years and 9 months as a permanent resident fast-tracks your eligibility.

Key Benefits of U.S. Citizenship

Family Immigration

U.S. citizens can sponsor certain family members for permanent residence.

Protection

The right to remain in the U.S. even after certain criminal convictions.

Rights & Privileges

From voting in federal, state, and local elections to serving on a jury and holding specific government jobs.

Requirements for Naturalization

Physical Presence

You must have been in the U.S. for at least half of the past 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).

Good Moral Character

A key determinant in the naturalization process.

English Proficiency & U.S. History

Ability to read, write, and converse in basic English and pass a U.S. history and government test. Some age and residency conditions allow for testing in your native language.

Why Choose Al-khersan Law for Your U.S. Citizenship Journey?

The journey to U.S. citizenship, while rewarding, can be complex. While understanding the essential aspects of the naturalization process is a start, having an experienced immigration attorney by your side provides invaluable guidance. We ensure that you meet all requirements and navigate potential challenges efficiently. Over the years, we’ve successfully guided numerous clients through their U.S. citizenship journey, and our commitment is to make the process as seamless as possible for you.

Proven Track Record

U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Testimonials

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

I had Farah as my attorney for the citizenship application. She is extremely through and professional. She has an eye of details and will do a great job for anyone who hires her. The application was filled on time with all needed documents. She made the process extremely easy and efficient. If you are in need of an immigration lawyer I highly recommend Farah and Al-khersan law firm. They will take a good care of the process. Thanks so much for everyone for the great job they did in my application.

Abdelrahman E.

I could not recommend Farah and her office enough to anyone seeking an immigration benefit from the United States. They make the process very stress-free. I have had an extremely smooth application experience with this office for my N-400/Citizenship application. My case file was prepared extremely well. Farah and her office were always timely with communication, not to mention friendly, transparent, organized and patient. They provided me with very helpful resources to prepare for my civics test and interview. They took so much worry off my mind by preparing my forms with me, and as a result of using them, no time or money was wasted in the process. By the day of my interview, I felt confident and prepared, all thanks to their services. I am extremely grateful to have passed my citizenship interview and test and will be sworn in by the end of April, 5 months from the time my application was mailed in, an almost unheard of timeline. I feel very fortunate that I will become an American citizen in two weeks from today, and I believe that my success is in large part to using Farah and her office to help with my application. Highly recommend.

Dearbhla W.

Working with Farah has been great. She is always available and patient to answer all of our questions. Thanks to her, our family case got approved without any hiccups. Even the immigration officer praised the materials Farah prepared. We highly recommend her.

Rebecca

I highly recommend this law office, you won’t be disappointed. Went to Farah for my naturalization. She is very professional and competent in immigration law. I’ve known Farah since she was Michael Carlin’s paralegal. I actually felt way more comfortable with Farah than Michael. I highly recommend this law office, you won’t be disappointed.

Lea G

Frequently Asked  Questions (FAQs)

U.S. Citizenship signifies becoming a full-fledged member of the United States, entitling you with individual rights, privileges, and responsibilities defined by the U.S. Constitution. This encompasses your right to vote, work, reside permanently, and access federal benefits. You can obtain citizenship either by birth, through parental lineage, or via naturalization, meeting specific requirements. It embodies a profound commitment to the nation and its values.

Naturalization refers to the legal process that allows qualified foreign nationals to become U.S. citizens voluntarily. It requires applicants to meet specific criteria, such as residency, moral character, and language skills, and to pass a U.S. civics test. Once successfully naturalized, they embrace all the rights and duties of a U.S. citizen.

Form N-400, titled “Application for Naturalization,” is the primary form that eligible foreign nationals submit when seeking U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. This form covers questions about the applicant’s background, U.S. residency and moral character. Successfully filing and processing Form N-400, followed by an interview and a U.S. civics test, is an essential step in the path to becoming a U.S. citizen.

To be eligible for naturalization, individuals must typically be at least 18 years of age, have held a Green Card for a minimum of 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), demonstrate continuous U.S. residence, show good moral character, possess basic English proficiency and U.S. civics knowledge, and pledge allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. There may be slight nuances based on individual circumstances.

Yes, some exceptions include provisions for military personnel and their families, which can expedite the process or waive certain requirements. Additionally, applicants over 50 with 20 years of permanent residency or those above 55 with 15 years of residency might be exempted from the English language criterion, though a civics exam in their language is still necessary.

Yes, the U.S. recognizes dual citizenship. This means a person can be a citizen of the U.S. and another country simultaneously. However, while the U.S. does not prohibit dual citizenship, not all countries permit it. It’s essential to check the policies of the other country in question.

Yes, obtaining a green card (permanent residency) is a prerequisite for naturalization in most cases. Typically, one must hold a green card and fulfill specific residency requirements before becoming eligible to apply for U.S. Citizenship through naturalization.