If you are currently a lawful permanent resident or visa cardholder who wants to live in the United States permanently, you might be wondering what you can do to become a citizen. Individuals born in the United States are granted citizenship automatically. However, foreign nationals can still obtain citizenship through naturalization. Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after they fulfill the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
To guide you through the path of naturalization, our Miami immigration attorneys provide you with a step-by-step guide to citizenship.
Determine If You Are Eligible to Become a U.S. Citizen
The first step to becoming a citizen of the United States is to determine if you are eligible. Below we have put together the specific requirements needed to become a U.S. citizen. Keep in mind that there may be some exceptions to the requirements listed below. Contact our team at Revilla Law Firm, P.A. to determine if you qualify for a waiver.
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must be a permanent resident of the United States for five years or more
- You must be a permanent resident for at least three if you are applying as the spouse of a U.S. citizen
- During your permanent residency, you have not been outside of the U.S. for 30 months or more
- During the last five years, you have not taken a trip out of the United States that lasted one year or more
- You have resided in the district or state in which you are applying for citizenship for at least three months
- You can read, write, and speak basic English
- You know the fundamentals of U.S. history and the form and principles of the U.S. government
- You are a person of good moral character
- You have never deserted from the U.S. forces
- You have never received an exemption or been discharged from the U.S. armed forces
- You are willing to perform either military or civilian service for the United States if required by law
- You will support the Constitution of the United States
- You understand and are willing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States
Prepare Your Naturalization Application
You will need to fill out Form N-400 when applying for naturalization. This form will require you to collect certain documents to demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization, such as your identification, green card, etc.
Go to Your Biometrics Appointment
You may be asked to take a biometrics test. The appointment most often includes your photograph, fingerprints, and your signature. The point of a biometrics appointment is to have your information for criminal background checks in the event that you commit a crime.
Complete Interview
You will be asked to attend an interview to complete the naturalization process. You must report to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office at the date and time of your interview appointment. During this interview, the USCIS officer will ask you questions about your background. They will also ask you to take an English (reading, writing, and speaking) and U.S. history test.
Take an Oath
Once you have successfully completed your interview and your application has been approved, we will schedule you to take the Oath of Allegiance. You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.
Need Help Becoming a U.S. Citizen? Contact Us Today!
Our team at Revilla Law Firm, P.A. has helped immigrants across Florida with their immigration cases. We know the complexities that come with understanding immigration laws; that is why we are prepared to help you from beginning to end. We can review your situation and guide you through the entire process to increase your chances of becoming a U.S. citizen.
Contact our Miami immigration attorneys today at (305) 858-2323 to schedule a consultation!