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 applicationÂ
- Must have been a green card holder for 3 or 5 years, depending on what category one is applying underÂ
- 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 characterÂ
- 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.Â
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 officerÂ
- 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.
What Our Clients Say
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Matthew Kriezelman, first of all, thank you very much; you and your team are the best immigration lawyers in Chicago. I had a great experience—your professionalism was outstanding, and you were always there whenever needed. I give you five stars for the wonderful work you and your team did. Thanks again.
We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Khiabett for her exceptional work and dedication in handling my husband’s removal proceedings case. We also want to thank Agata for her great communication during the gathering of all documents. Khiabett, we are incredibly grateful for your expertise, guidance, and persistence throughout the entire process. I can't thank you enough for your empathy and for standing by me during such…
I used their services for my case, and everything went smoothly. Rafael and Matthew are very knowledgeable and helpful, and answered all my questions. I highly recommend them!
I have used their services since 2022, and my experience was great. My own case was successfully finished this year. I want to say Matt and Raf were of great help throughout, and also Jennifer, who attended the interview with me. I would highly recommend their services.
Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Kevin Racia were the attorneys handling a complex immigration case of mine. On the assurance of both attorneys that the case is going to be presented in a systematic way, I went ahead with confidence. I was able to become a legal permanent resident. I highly recommend Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC for all your immigration needs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the remarkable team of Khiabett Osuna, Brittani Rivera, and Rafael Rodriguez, who were responsible for the successful release from detention of one of our parishioners, husband and father of four, after over 10 weeks of incarceration. From his detention to the payment of his bail and from Immigration Court to his reunion with his family, there were blessings aplenty made possible through the…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
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