Plan For Your Path To Naturalization

A person who is living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident might dream of eventually becoming a citizen. This can be accomplished through the naturalization process. Once you meet specific requirements, you can embark on this process.

You’ll file your petition for naturalization with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For your petition to be approved, you must:

• Have a good moral character
• Be at least 18 years old
• Speak and understand English
• Have lived in the U.S. for five years
• Been a lawful permanent resident for five years

When you apply for citizenship, you need to ensure that your application is fully factual. Any misstatements can result in a denial of the application. This means that you won’t be able to see your dream of becoming a citizen come true.

Before your petition is approved, you will need to undergo fingerprinting. You will be tested and interviewed. The tests cover basic English and civics, so be sure that you study for these ahead of time.

Once you have gone through the process successfully, you will receive the decision for your application. If it is successful, you will take an Oath of Allegiance at a special ceremony. At this event, you will hand in your Permanent Resident Card and answer questions about what you’ve been doing recently. When the ceremony is over, you’re an official naturalized citizen.

This naturalization process can be more complex for some people than others. For example, if you have even a minor criminal history, you may face some additional hurdles. Working with a representative who is familiar with immigration law is often beneficial when you’re seeking naturalization. Find out more about your immigration options today.