Becoming a U.S. citizen provides several benefits — the right to vote, for example — along with permanent residency and protection from deportation. But even small mishaps can cause the naturalization process to be delayed or possibly denied. The right guidance is crucial. Enlisting someone familiar with the process to work on your behalf will dramatically increase your chances of obtaining U.S. citizenship.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All persons applying for naturalization on or after December 1, 2020, will take the 2020 version of the U.S. civics test. Applicants filing for naturalization before December 1, 2020, will take the 2008 version of the test.
Five steps to becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen:
1. Make Sure You Are Eligible: To be eligible for naturalized citizenship, a person must be at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least five years (or three years if they are married to a U.S. citizen). Applicants should also be able to read, write, and speak basic English, and have an understanding of U.S. civics.
2. File Form N-400: Application for Naturalization: To apply for citizenship, a person must file Form N-400: Application for Naturalization with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The filing fee is $725. Once a person has applied, they can check the status at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
3. Report for your Biometrics Appointment: After submitting an application, filers will be asked to appear at an Application Support Center. Representatives will perform a biometrics scan of the applicant’s fingerprints and process their signature and photograph. This information will be used to conduct a background check. This is a required step that must be completed before a person can move forward in the process.
4. Attend your USCIS Interview: When all of an applicant’s preliminary requirements have been completed, they will be scheduled for an interview with USCIS. They will need to report to the USCIS office handling their citizenship application at the date and time of the scheduled appointment. It is requested that applicants bring their appointment notice with them to the interview.
5. Receive a decision from USCIS and take an oath of Allegiance: After the interview is complete, applicants will be notified by mail of the decision regarding their citizenship. If their application is approved, They are eligible for naturalization. If the application is denied, the person filing will get a notice explaining the reason why. If the application is denied, it is possible to appeal the decision by filing Form N-336.
Once an application is granted, the naturalization process is not complete until filers take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. After the oath is taken, applicants receive their Certificate of Naturalization and become a U.S. citizen.
Experienced Help is Available
As you can see, the path to U.S. citizenship is not a simple one, and it’s a good idea to have an experienced advocate guide you through the process. FIDE Law is prepared to help. We understand the ins and outs of applying for naturalized citizenship and have the experience necessary to get you through the process as quickly as possible. Let us review your application today. Call us at 540-371-4500, or visit us on the web at FredericksburgImmigration.com. Our team will provide the guidance you need on your journey to become a U.S. citizen.