Citizenship and Naturalization
Citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is one of the most important decisions an immigrant can make. Depending on your situation, there may be different ways to obtain citizenship.
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Acquisition of citizenship is obtained through U.S. citizenship parents either at birth or after birth, but before the age of 18. Ways to Naturalization or Citizenship.
Below are some of the most common ways to Naturalization or Citizenship.
- Permanent Resident of 5 Years
- Married to a U.S. Citizen
- Serving in the U.S. Military
- Child of a U.S. Citizen
General Eligibility Requirements: Lawful Permanent Resident for at least five years
To be eligible for naturalization based on being a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least five years, you must: Be at least 18 years old when you submit your application. Show you have been a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least five years. Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately before the date you file your application. Show you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years immediately before the date you file your application. Show you have lived for at least three months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your place of residence. (If you are a student and are financially dependent on your parents, you may apply for naturalization where you go to school or where your family lives.); Show that you are a person of good moral character and have been a person of good moral character for at least five years immediately before the date you file your application. Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution. Be able to read, write and speak basic English; Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States. Take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Certain applicants, because of their age and time as an LPR, do not have to take the English test for naturalization and may take the civics test in the language of their choice.
General Eligibility Requirements: Married to U.S. Citizen
To be eligible for Naturalization/ Citizenship under Married to U.S. Citizen, you must: Be at least 18 when you submit your application for Naturalization. Be a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States for at least three years immediately before the date you file your application. Have been living in marital union with your U.S. citizen spouse during the three years immediately before the date you file your application and while we adjudicate your application. Have lived for at least three months in a state or USCIS district having jurisdiction over your place of residence. Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least three years immediately before the date you file your application. Reside continuously within the United States from the date you filed your application until the date you naturalize. Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the three years immediately before the date you file your application. Be able to read, write and speak English and have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States. Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States for at least three years immediately before the date you file your application and until you take the Oath of Allegiance.
General Eligibility Requirements: One Year of Military Service
If you served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for at least one year at any time, you may be eligible to apply for Naturalization/ Citizenship. Some general Naturalization/ Citizenship requirements may or may not apply to you depending on your circumstances. Be 18 years old or older. Have served honorably at any time in the U.S. armed forces for a period or periods totaling at least 1 year. Have submitted a completed Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service at the time of filing your application for Naturalization. Demonstrate that if separated from service, you were never separated except under honorable conditions. Be a lawful permanent resident at the time of your naturalization interview. Meet certain residence and physical presence requirements. Demonstrate the ability to read, write and speak English, unless qualified for a waiver or exception. Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government, unless excepted. Demonstrate good moral character for at least five years before filing your application through the day you naturalize. Demonstrate an attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and be well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law, unless waived.
General Eligibility Requirements: Children of U.S. Citizens Residing in the United States
Children of U.S. Citizens Residing in the United States Children who were born outside the U.S. but now live in the U.S. may acquire citizenship under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). A child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a U.S. citizen when all of the following conditions have been met on or after Feb. 27, 2001: The child has at least one parent, including an adoptive parent, who is a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization. The child is under 18 years of age. The child is a lawful permanent resident (LPR). The child is residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.
General Eligibility Requirements: Children of U.S. Citizens Residing Outside of the United States
Children of U.S. Citizens Residing Outside the United States Children residing outside of the United States may obtain citizenship under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) . A child who regularly resides outside of the United States is eligible for naturalization if all of the following conditions have been met: The child has at least one parent, including an adoptive parent, who is a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization. The child’s U.S. citizen parent or U.S. citizen grandparent meets certain physical presence requirements in the United States or an outlying possession. The child is under 18 years of age. The child is residing outside of the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent, or of a person who does not object to the application if the U.S. citizen parent is deceased. The child is lawfully admitted, physically present, and maintaining a lawful status in the United States at the time the application is approved and the time of naturalization.
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