Summary of Naturalization Process To Obtain U.S. Citizenship

Certain lawful permanent residents may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization with the USCIS.  Prior to filing, applicants must meet certain qualifying criteria related to residence:

• Resided in the U.S. (i.e. maintained their principal dwelling place in the U.S.) for 5 years as a lawful permanent resident, immediately prior to filing
• Physically spent 2 1/2 years of that 5 year period in the U.S.
• Resided in one state of the U.S. for three months immediately prior to filing

The residence and physical presence requirements are reduced to 3 years and 1 1/2 years, respectively, for permanent residents who are married to U.S. citizens.  Protracted periods abroad may break the qualifying residency period.  In addition, all applicants are subject to security and background checks and must meet other qualifying criteria, including good moral character.  Children under the age of 18 may qualify for naturalization derivatively through a parent's application.

Naturalization applications are filed with USCIS regional service centers and then transferred to the local district immigration offices for interview of the applicant and final adjudication of the application.  At the naturalization interview, with limited exceptions, the applicant will be tested on his/her ability to read and write English, and his/her knowledge of American history and principles of government. Once approved, the applicant is then sworn in as a U.S. citizen and, at that time, is required to take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

For more information about Naturalization, please visit www.uscis.gov.

The contents of this site and the resources provided herein are for informational purposes only, do not constitute legal advice, and are subject to change.  Please contact your Gibney representative for specific legal advice.