Citizenship & Naturalization
Citizenship
- Determining whether someone is a U.S. citizen is often a surprisingly difficult task. United States citizenship laws have changed over the years and a number of factors must be taken into consideration in evaluating an individual’s claim to U.S. citizenship. Persons in need of documentation of their U.S. citizenship may be able to apply for a Certificate of Citizenship or a United States passport.
Naturalization
- Naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident of the United States becomes a U.S. citizen. Generally, one must be a permanent resident for three or five years before applying for naturalization, and have been a person of good moral character during that period. After submitting the Form N-400, along with the required documentation and filing fees, the applicant will appear for an interview at USCIS and, in most cases, be required to pass examinations in English and U.S. civics.
This summary of Citizenship & Naturalization does not represent legal advice to any specific case. Interested applicants are advised to consult with an immigration attorney prior to initiating the process.