How to Become a U.S. Citizen

Many people dream of becoming a U.S. citizen, but the process can be pretty involved. Here, we’ll outline the basics of what it takes to become a U.S. citizen. For more information, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an immigration lawyer.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Before becoming a U.S. citizen, there are certain requirements that must be met. These include the following:

• At least 18 years old
• Able to read, write, and speak basic English (there are a few exceptions to this rule)
• Of good moral character

To become a U.S. citizen, an individual must be classified in one of the following categories:

• A lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) for 5 years
• Married to a U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident for 3 years
• U.S. military service member (active duty or veteran)
• Child of a U.S. citizen

Applying to Become a U.S. Citizen

If an individual finds that they meet the requirements listed above, then they have to go to the USCIS and follow their naturalization process, which includes the following:

Step 1. Determine Citizenship Status

Some individuals may already be a U.S. citizen by birth. If they are not currently a U.S. citizen, they can go to Step 2.

Step 2. Determine Citizenship Eligibility

The USCIS has a worksheet that can be filled out for a person to determine if they are eligible to apply for citizenship. If they can, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Fill Out the N-400 Application for Naturalization

Once a person determines they are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, they will then fill out the N-400. This form is available online, but a paper copy can also be filled out and mailed in. If a person finds that they have questions or need help filling out the N-400, it is recommended that they contact an immigration lawyer.

Here in the Columbus/Schuyler region, there are several different agencies that can help, including Centro Hispano and El Puente Immigration Legal Services.

Step 4: Submit the N-400 and Pay the Fees

After the N-400 has been filled out, it will need to be submitted and the fees will need to be paid. If filling out the form and paying online, the fee is currently $710. If filing a paper application and mailing in a payment, the fees are $760.

Step 5: Attend a Biometrics Appointment

For individuals who need to take biometrics, the USCIS will send an appointment notice that includes the date, time, and location. This appointment will collect a person’s fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature. This information is necessary to confirm a person’s identity and to run the required background and security checks to determine citizenship eligibility.

Step 6: Complete the Interview

Once all of the preliminary processes on an individual’s case are complete, the USCIS will schedule an interview to complete the naturalization process. An appointment date will be provided, and the individual must bring the appointment notice with them.

Step 7: Receive a USCIS Decision

After completing the interview, an individual will received a USCIS decision as to whether they have obtained their U.S. citizenship. This may be received in the mail, but if a person has filed online, they can access the electronic notification from their account. There are three determinations that may be received:

• Granted – this means a person is eligible for naturalization
• Continued – this may be determined if the application is missing any information or documentation, incorrect documentation is provided, or a person fails the English and/or civics portion of their test for the first time
• Denied – there are many different reasons why an application can be denied

Step 8: The Oath of Allegiance

Once an individual has been determined eligible to become a U.S. citizen and they have passed the interview, they will then need to take the Oath of Allegiance. Depending on circumstances, this may take place on the same day of the naturalization interview, or it may be scheduled for a later date.

A person is not a full U.S. citizen until they have taken the Oath of Allegiance.

The Interview and Citizenship Test

Step 6 of the naturalization process requires an individual to be interviewed and take a citizenship test. There are several parts to this, including a civics test and an English test.

The civics portion of the process tests a person’s knowledge of American Government, Integrated Civics, and American History. The USCIS has a study guide that includes 100 questions, but at the interview, a person will only be asked 10 questions that are randomly chosen.

If a person answers 6 of the questions correctly, they have passed that portion of the test.

The English portion of the test includes three sections: reading, writing, and speaking.

For the reading section, an applicant is given 3 sentences. They must read ONE of those sentences correctly to pass this portion of the test.

For the writing section, a person is given 3 sentences, and they must be able to write ONE of them correctly to pass.

The speaking portion is determined by an interview, typically with the USCIS officer asking the application questions about their N-400 form, but every day conversation may be used to determine ability as well.

Should an individual fail any portion of the test (or more than one portion), they get another chance. The USCIS officer will schedule another time for the individual to retake whatever portion of the test/interview they did not pass. If a person fails a second time, they will need to re-apply and pay the fees after a specified amount of time.

How Long Does the Naturalization Process Take?

Unfortunately, there is no set time limit on how long the naturalization process takes. How soon a person can get in for their biometrics and/or interview/test will depend on where they are located and how busy the USCIS office is.

If a person has filed their form online, they can check their case’s processing date from their online account. If they filed a paper document, they may be able to call the USCIS office for an update, or they will wait for information to be sent in the mail.

How to Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Interview and Test

Whether a person has applied for the first time or has failed a portion of their interview/test, the PVLA is here to help. Even if an individual hasn’t filed their N-400 yet, they can attend citizenship classes to gain the knowledge they’ll need to become citizens of the United States.

PVLA classes focus on the civics and English portions of the test. The entire process can be long and dauting, but we are here to ensure individuals have the skills and knowledge they need to walk into the USCIS office feeling confident and ready to achieve their dreams.

Contact us today with questions!