After you have been a green card holder for three years (marriage-based green card) or five years (employment-based green card), you are eligible to apply to naturalize to become an official U.S. Citizen. If you have been a legal permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States and are now thinking about obtaining U.S. citizenship, read this guide to determine if you qualify and learn the naturalization process.
What Does U.S. Citizenship Mean?
U.S. Citizenship is a legal status granting you full rights, protections, and responsibilities under the United States Constitution. It’s a permanent status that cannot be removed except for cases of fraud during the green card or naturalization process.
Citizenship comes with a variety of benefits and rights, such as the freedom of speech and religion, as well as the right to vote, run for election, federal employment, protection from deportation, priority benefits when sponsoring family members for green cards, and a domestic trial by jury.
However, becoming a citizen also comes with a set of obligations that every American citizen needs to fulfill, such as answering jury summons, paying taxes, and abiding by federal and state laws.
If these are principles that you are willing to uphold, then use the following information to determine if you are prequalified to apply for naturalization.
What Are the Requirements for Naturalization?
Generally, you can submit an application to become a US citizen if you are at least 18 years old and you:
- have been a permanent resident of the United States for five years; or
- are married to a U.S. citizen for at least three years; or
- are currently serving in the US military.
If you are a U.S. citizen who has a child who was born outside of the U.S. and currently lives in a foreign country, your child may also be qualified for naturalization.
Additionally, you must satisfy the following requirements:
- Satisfy physical presence requirements.
- Evidence of good moral character;
- Demonstrate knowledge and attachment to the U.S. Constitution; and
- Ability to read and write basic English; and
- Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government
The USCIS provides an in-depth naturalization eligibility worksheet to help you determine if you are qualified for citizenship both mentally and legally.
How to Apply for Naturalization
Although the application process is complex, here’s a brief outline of how it works:
- Complete the citizenship application online or mail the completed N-400 form to USCIS along with a copy of your green card, required photos, and payment. When filing by mail, you can pay by credit, debit, or prepaid card by completing Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, or you can make a payment directly from a U.S. bank account by completing Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.
- Next, you’ll be required to attend the in-person interview. Depending on the backlog, this could take several months to schedule. This interview will test your basic understanding of U.S. history and proficiency in English, as well as your background and dedication to the United States.
- From there, you will have to set an appointment for biometrics at a local USCIS office. You will also take a U.S. Oath of Allegiance to demonstrate your commitment to being an American citizen.
Biometrics
Your biometrics are an important part of the naturalization process. Once your N-400 application is received, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center, where your fingerprints, digital photograph, and signature are collected for a mandatory background check.
After USCIS completes its initial review, you will receive an invitation for an in-person interview with an officer who will verify the information in your application and administer a two-part test covering English proficiency and U.S. civics.
The USCIS has resources to help you prepare for your biometrics appointment.
Citizenship Test
Many clients are nervous about the English and Civics questions within the citizenship test. The purpose of the test is to evaluate the applicant’s understanding of United States history, politics, and influential government documents such as the Constitution. You can learn all about the Citizenship Test Questions and Answers before you take the test.
The USCIS provides a “Guide to Naturalization,” which provides applicants with information about the test. Applicants are then obligated to take an oath of allegiance. If you have a mental or physical disability, you will not be required to complete the oath. This exemption also applies to applicants who are underage.
Several issues can complicate the naturalization process, such as prior criminal issues, tax fraud, expired visas, deportation defense claims, and expatriate declarations.
It’s strongly recommended that you seek guidance from an experienced citizenship lawyer if any of these factors apply to your citizenship application.
Green Card vs Citizenship
One question that is often asked is whether it is worth the effort to go from lawful permanent resident status to full citizenship. Since a green card allows you to work for almost any U.S. employer and live permanently in the country, many people are content with ending their immigration journey at permanent residence. However, there are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to take that final step to citizenship.
Legal Protections
For starters, a green card may grant you permanent residence in the U.S., but your country of birth will still be your home country. This means that you can be sent back to your home country if you break the law or violate your status. In contrast, citizens are always tried on U.S. soil and cannot be deported.
Benefits for Family
Additionally, getting your citizenship is extremely beneficial for applying for green cards for family members. U.S. citizens have access to higher preference levels, which dramatically shortens the waiting time for your family. Also, immediate family members enjoy priority dates that are automatically current, meaning that there is no waiting time for parents, spouses, and children under 21 of U.S. citizens. In contrast, the spouses and dependents of green card holders need to apply for the F2 green card, which can have a significant waiting period.
Additionally, as a U.S. citizen, your children who are born in the U.S. will immediately inherit your citizenship. As soon as you are naturalized into a citizen, all dependents living under your care who are under the age of 18 will also become U.S. citizens. Green card holders do not enjoy this transitive status benefit.
Cost
Another factor to consider is cost. At first, it may seem like the green card option is cheaper since it costs $415 to renew your green card, and it costs $710 to go through the naturalization process.
However, you must renew your green card every 10 years. If you truly plan on making the U.S. your permanent home, then you will likely end up making multiple payments over your lifetime. If you fail to renew your status, you could face deportation. Paying the one-time fee of $710 and avoiding the potential for deportation definitely saves you money in the long run.
Voting
On top of these benefits, you can also vote in U.S. general elections as well as hold positions in the federal government that are reserved for citizens. If any one of these benefits is something that you would like to take advantage of, pursuing citizenship is a highly-recommended next and final step in your immigration journey.
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