Columbus Naturalization Lawyer
There are two main ways of becoming a U.S. citizen. An individual becomes a U.S. citizen either by acquisition or naturalization. Acquisition of citizenship is obtained when a child is born to American citizens and before the age of 18. On the other hand, naturalization is the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship by people not born in the U.S. According to the USCIS, naturalization is the process by which a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. is granted citizenship after meeting certain requirements. Our Columbus naturalization lawyer at Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. has extensive experience in all immigration related matters and can help with your case.
Eligibility for Naturalization
Before an individual can become a U.S. citizen by naturalization, they need to meet several requirements. Below are some of the requirements for naturalization:
- At least eighteen years of age
- Lawful permanent resident for not less than 5 years (if you are single)
- Lawful permanent resident for not less than 3 years (if you are married to a U.S. citizen)
- Physically present in the U.S. for not less than two and a half years (if you are single)
- Physically present in the U.S. for not less than one and a half years (if you are married to an American citizen)
- Good moral character
- Favorable disposition towards the United States
- Ability to understand and speak or write English
Exceptions to the Residency and Physical Presence Requirement
According to the USCIS, some people may be eligible for a reduced residency or physical presence requirement. Other people may be qualified to consider time residing outside the U.S. as a resident and physical presence in the United States for naturalization purposes. Additionally, according to the USCIS, some individuals may be eligible to be exempted from the residency and/or physical presence requirement. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that only people who have been physically present in the United States for an uninterrupted duration of at least twelve months can file for an exemption.
The Naturalization Process
There are several steps to naturalization. After determining that you are not a U.S. citizen and your eligibility to become a citizen, below are the other steps you will need to take in order to become a U.S. citizen by naturalization:
- Preparing and submitting your Form N-400
- Going to the biometrics appointment (if applicable)
- Completing the citizenship interview
- Taking the Oath of Allegiance (if Form N-400 is approved)
Form N-400 is just another way of saying Application for Naturalization. Therefore “preparing and submitting your Form N-1400” simply means “preparing and submitting your application for naturalization.”
The citizenship interview, which is also called the citizenship “exam”, is a crucial part of the naturalization process. It is after this interview that a final decision is rendered. The citizenship interview consists of two main parts. First, during the interview, a USCIS officer verifies the accuracy of all the information provided by the applicant. Secondly, an applicant is given a two-part test (unless they qualify for an exemption). The first part of the test tests an applicant’s knowledge of the English language and the second part tests an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government.
A Columbus Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyer Can Help
Becoming a U.S. citizen comes with many benefits. Don’t ruin your chances of enjoying all these benefits by making mistakes during the naturalization process. To ensure you avoid making mistakes during the naturalization process, you should consider hiring an attorney.
To get helpful advice and professional assistance with naturalization, call Shirazi Immigration Law at 404-523-3611.
