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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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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…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
Thank you Matthew for all your help with my case. Highly recommend
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