NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP

Naturalization
Generally speaking, permanent residents can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years if they have “good moral character” and sufficient time residing or present in the United States. They must also speak enough English to fluently discuss their application during their naturalization interview, and learn the civics and history questions to pass the test. There are exceptions to the English requirement based on age and time of permanent residence, as well as for individuals who have medical conditions that prevent them from learning to read, speak, and understand English.

Permanent residents who are married to and living with their U.S. citizen spouse can apply for citizenship after three years, provided they meet the other requirements noted above. Even if you are a conditional resident with an I-751 pending, if you otherwise meet the requirements, you are permitted to apply for naturalization. This will in many cases move your application along faster than waiting for your I-751 to be adjudicated.

All naturalization applicants will have an interview at a local USCIS office during which their application is reviewed with an officer, and they discuss things like family, work, criminal and travel history, and take the civics and history test. Our office can assist you through this process in order to achieve your goal of becoming a United States citizen.

Deriving or Acquiring Citizenship through U.S. Citizen Parents
Other individuals can or have derived U.S. citizenship through having U.S. citizen parents. This can happen if a United States citizen has a child outside the United States after having already resided in the United States for at least five years before the child is born, with at least two of those years occurring after the age of 14. In this situation, children can obtain proof of their U.S. citizenship through a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, applied for at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Alternatively, children of U.S. citizens can acquire citizenship during their childhood or youth either when their parent becomes a U.S. citizen, or when they have been admitted to lawful permanent residence and reside with their U.S. citizen parent in the United States.

The laws and regulations pertaining to deriving or acquiring U.S. citizenship are complicated and in many cases require the expertise and research by a qualified attorney in order to determine eligibility.