How Long Does It Take to Become a U.S. Citizen?
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Many people who become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) have the ultimate goal of becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. Obtaining a green card is not easy to begin with, and even though becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen is relatively easier, many who apply still get their applications denied for various reasons. Besides worrying about whether their application for citizenship will be approved, a question we often get at Kriezelman Burton & Associates Chicago office is how long it takes to become a U.S. citizen. We are based in Chicago, but also take cases in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Before answering that question, it is important to first understand the eligibility criteria and the process one must go through to become a U.S. citizen.
Eligibility for Naturalization
A person not born in the United States or its territories can only become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, a process of applying for citizenship for noncitizens who meet the eligibility requirements. Before applying, however, one must make sure they meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization, which are as follows:
- Must be at least 18 years of age when sending your application
- Must have been a green card holder for 3 or 5 years, depending on what category one is applying under
- Must prove physical presence that has been continuous and residence in the United States
- Must be able to read, write, and speak basic English
- Must show good moral character
- Must show an understanding of basic U.S. government and history
- Must show loyalty to the U.S. Constitution; and
- Must be ready and willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.
The Naturalization Process
The process of naturalization is started by accurately completing and submitting the N-400 Application for Naturalization to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Although the application might seem fairly straightforward, it is not. For this reason, it is in your interest if you are applying for naturalization to have an experienced immigration attorney assist in the preparation and filing of the naturalization application package.
An experienced immigration lawyer will not only have an error-free and complete naturalization application package filed for you, but they will also know what to look for in terms of issues in your case and have them addressed before filing – or address them in the filing itself. Doing so will be much better for you instead of being surprised by the issues at the time of your interview or even before your application is reviewed by a USCIS officer.
Once your application is submitted to USCIS, the following will take place:
- Biometrics. You will receive an appointment to have your fingerprints taken
- Interview. You will be interviewed by an immigration officer
- Citizenship Test. You will be tested on knowledge of government and English
- Naturalization Ceremony. If all the above steps are successful, next is the ceremony
- Citizenship Conferred. At the conclusion of the ceremony, you become a U.S. citizen.
If you are in the Chicago area and are thinking about applying for citizenship or if you have applied already, we can help you to make sure the application is processed without unnecessary delay or denial. Contact us today and schedule a consultation.
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I would like to sincerely thank Attorney Justin Burton and PL Kamila Lada for support with my adjustment of status case. I have been working with the firm for over a year now, and I have received nothing short of exceptional services and support throughout various cases for myself and family members. Highly recommend consulting and retaining this firm.
We have been in the dark with our case for over 2 decades, while working with other big firms who just kept me in the dark and sat on our case without making any effort to move it forward until I met the wonderful team at Kriezelman & Burton. AO and JP are truly God-sent angels who with their knowledge, collaboration, sense of direction and outside the box thinking, managed…
Highly recommend attorney Kevin Raica and attorney Agata Bigdanowicz. They were super helpful, responded on time, and won my case in record time. It took about a month and half in total for me to get my approval after filing!
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
Our experience with the firm was extraordinary. We worked with attorney Andrea Ochoa. Since the very first meeting we met, Andrea gave us all the confidence to proceed with our case. She always answered our questions shortly and offered clear guidelines to proceed. When my son's case received a notice of intent to deny, she planned how to fight that decision effectively. We totally recommend everyone to trust their case…
I just want to say huge thank you to Mr. Kevin A. Raica. for everything he has done for me throughout my immigration case. When I first came to Kevin, he explained the SIJS process clearly and walked me through the steps. We first needed to get the guardianship court order before moving forward with the I-360, and he connected me with a trusted attorney to help with that part.…
I cannot find the words to express my gratitude to Brittni Rivera! She literally saved my family. We had been waiting seven years for what she accomplished in just three weeks. I was impressed by how accessible the office is—they always answer calls very quickly. A special thank you to paralegal Nataliia Melnyk. You are my heroes. Thank you.
Thank you all, I found this group to be a great service. Thank you all, blessings to you. especially Khiabett
We are incredibly grateful for the help and support we received from this office. From the very beginning, they understood the urgency of our situation and treated our case with real care, professionalism, and speed. They were extremely responsive, clear, and compassionate throughout the entire process. They moved quickly when timing was critical, kept us informed, and helped us navigate a very stressful immigration situation with confidence. Thanks to their…
Kevin Raica and his team handled my immigration application and i can other recommend them enough. They made a stressful process very easy. They are very knowledgeable in this area and helped us at every stage from beginning to end.
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