Citizenship (Naturalization)

We focus on United States citizenship and naturalization legal matters. Naturalization, or becoming a United States citizen is for green card holders. It is the dream of people all over the world to come to the United States and live “the American dream”. Once here, many permanent residents seek to validate their place in America’s great “immigrant” story and seek citizenship. 

There are benefits to becoming a naturalized citizen, but, there are also responsibilities. These include things like obeying all the United States laws, supporting the constitution, and registering with Selective Services as required by law.

The steps to becoming a naturalized citizen in the United States include:

1. You must be at least 18 years old.
2. You must be a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years or, if you are married to a United States citizen you must be a permanent resident for at least 3 years and reside with that citizen for at least 3 years. The 3-year or 5-year time might be less for those who have served honorably in the United States military.
3. You must have lived in your current immigration office district or state, like Florida, for at least 3 months.
4. You must have been physically present in the United States for at least 50% of the time during the required 3-year or 5-year period.
5. You must be able to read, write and speak basic English. If you are over 50 or have a physical and/or mental disability, there are exceptions to this.
6. You must have a basic understanding of United States history and government, with exceptions if you are over 50 or have a physical and/or mental disability.
7. You must be of good moral character and you cannot have been convicted of a serious crime such as murder, rape or drug trafficking.
8. You must take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States. The oath is given during a naturalization ceremony and swearing allegiance to the United States at which time you give up loyalty to any other country.
9. After satisfying the above, you will fill out an application for naturalization and submitted it to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (known as the “USCIS”).
10. You will then be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS officer, during which you will be asked about your background and your immigration history will be reviewed.
11. If everything goes well you will be scheduled for a naturalization ceremony. At this ceremony, you take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

For those born outside the United States, you might be a United States citizen and not know it. Was the child born to a United States citizen abroad? That person might already be a United States citizen. 

Children under 18 years of age might be a United States citizen if one of their parents becomes a citizen through naturalization. Under these scenarios, the person born abroad might apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship instead of applying for naturalization.