Am I Eligible for Citizenship through Naturalization?

If you are looking to live in the United States as a permanent resident, it’s important to explore every option. Immigration laws determine the various pathways to citizenship, and each holds its own list of qualifications. Naturalization is one possible pathway for individuals born outside of the U.S., and depending on your circumstances, it may be a feasible option for you. However, you must fulfill several key requirements before you can complete the naturalization process. 

Immigration law can be tough to navigate, so don’t go into the process alone. Below, we discuss a few of the possible requirements you’ll need to be eligible for naturalization. Talk to a Dayton immigration attorney at The VanNoy Firm for assistance with your specific case. 

Who Is Eligible for Citizenship Through Naturalization?

If you were born abroad and wish to become a U.S. citizen, achieving your goals is possible through a process known as naturalization. Alongside an immigration attorney, you will procure various documents and biometrics as part of your application and file Form N-400. 

You may be eligible to apply if you fulfill the following:

• Be at least 18 years old when filing the application. If you want to help your child under 18 years old apply for citizenship, you must use Form N-600 or N-600K
• Have had a green card for the last three or five years. Depending on the category you are filing for citizenship under, you must have spent at least three to five years living in the U.S. as a permanent resident without any special circumstances. If you are married and have lived with a spouse who is a U.S. citizen for at least three years, you can apply for naturalization. 
• Possess a permanent address and physical presence within the United States. Naturalization requires that you have continuously lived within the U.S. at a permanent address for a specific amount of time.
• Show excellent moral character. The applicant must demonstrate that they are a person of good moral character in the five years leading up to their application. 
• Understand American history and government. Part of the application process for citizenship involves completing a civics exam. There will be questions about American history and its government, so it is worthwhile to complete a practice test as preparation. 
• Display a commitment to the U.S. Constitution and be willing to swear the oath of allegiance. One of the final steps of the application process is to swear an oath of allegiance. This step demonstrates your commitment to the United States and its unifying principles so that you may enjoy the rights granted thereof. 

With an attorney there to assist you, the naturalization process is relatively straightforward. We will help you prepare for each step of the process so that you can achieve your dreams of U.S. citizenship. Our knowledgeable legal team serves as an essential source of information for you to draw upon as you explore your naturalization options and confirm that you are indeed eligible to become a citizen of the United States. 

Contact An Immigration Attorney Today

If you are hoping to live in the U.S. permanently, naturalization may be the pathway to achieving your immigration goals. Contact a Dayton immigration attorney at The VanNoy Firm today if you are ready to begin the naturalization process.