4 Ways to Become a Citizen of the United States

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

Becoming a citizen of the United States is a dream for many people, and there are various ways to achieve it. Most people will first apply to become permanent residents, then become naturalized citizens. However, you can also gain citizenship through marriage, parents, or military service. If you have questions about becoming a US citizen, contact an attorney who specializes in US immigration law.

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Method 1 of 4: Becoming a Naturalized Citizen

Step 1. Get a green card

Before becoming a naturalized citizen, you must be a legal permanent resident. This means having a green card. Here's how to get a green card:

Through family. Family members in the United States can become sponsors. US citizens may sponsor a wife or husband, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents. They can also sponsor siblings, married children, and unmarried children over the age of 21.
Through work. If you are offered a permanent job, you are eligible to apply for a green card. Individuals with special abilities can apply on their own and do not need an employer to sponsor.
As refugees or asylum seekers. Refugees and asylum seekers who have lived in the United States for one year can apply for a green card.

Step 2. Meet the residency requirements

You must have lived in the United States for a certain amount of time before applying for naturalization. Check that you meet the following requirements:

You entered the US legally.
You must reside in the US for at least five years before applying for naturalization. For example, if you want to apply for January 2018, you must have been resident since January 2013.
You must be in the US physically for at least 30 months during those five years.
You must prove that you have lived for at least 3 months in the USCIS state or district where you are applying.

Step 3. Meet personal requirements

You must also meet certain personal requirements, such as the following:

You must be at least 18 years old when you apply for naturalization.
You must be able to speak, write and read in English. You must pass an exam to demonstrate proficiency in English.
You must have good moral character. Basically, this means that you are an honest, working, tax-paying and lawless member of society.

Step 4. Submit a naturalization application

Download Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and type in the requested information or print it neatly in black ink. Make sure you download and read the instructions before making an application.

You must send supporting documents along with the application. Read the instructions to find out what to include. For example, you must include a copy of your permanent resident card.
As of June 2017, the application fee is $640. You will also have to pay an $85 biometry service fee. Address the money order or check to “U. S. Department of Homeland Security." Do not use other payment methods.
To find out where to apply, call 1-800-375-5283.

Step 5. Provide biometry

Most applicants must provide a fingerprint, photo and signature. USCIS will notify you when this is needed. They will send a notification with the date, time and location of the event.

Your fingerprint will be sent to the FBI for a background check.
Make sure you get a study booklet to prepare for the English and Civics tests.

Step 6. Get ready to take the test

You will attend an interview with a USCIS officer and receive background questions and applications. You will also take a Civics test and an English test at the interview. Prepare for this test carefully.

Consider taking an English or Civics prep class. To find out which class is closest, visit this website:
You can also take the Civics practice test, which is available online.

Step 7. Attend the interview

You will receive a letter informing you of the date and time of the interview. At the time of the interview, you may have to take a Civics and English test. If you can speak English well in interviews, you may not need to take an English test.

Gather the necessary documents in advance. A checklist will be sent to you (Form 477)

Step 8. Say the oath

The final step is to say the Oath of Allegiance. You will receive Form 455, which will tell you the place and time of taking the oath. You must answer the questions on the back of this form and review them with the staff when attending the naturalization ceremony.

At the end of the ceremony, you will receive a certificate of naturalization

Method 2 of 4: Gaining Citizenship Through Marriage

Step 1. Get a green card through your husband or wife

Your husband or wife must submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative to USCIS. Your husband or wife must send proof of marriage, such as a marriage certificate or marriage certificate.

If you are already living in the US after legally entering, you can change your status all at once. Complete and submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residency or Adjust Status. Your husband or wife can send this form along with Form I-130.
If you currently live outside the US, you will need to wait for your visa to be approved. You will attend the interview at the nearest embassy or consulate. Once you enter the US, you can change your status by filling out Form I-485.

Step 2. Talk about your marriage in the interview

The US government is concerned about fake marriages. So you should attend an interview with an officer who will ask you personal questions. Some of the commonly asked questions are as follows:

Where did you meet your husband/wife?
How many people attended your wedding?
Who prepares the dishes and who pays the bills?
What have you done for your husband/wife's birthday?
What contraception do you use?

Step 3. Meet resident requirements

You cannot apply for naturalization immediately after receiving the green card. However, you must meet the following resident requirements:

You must have held a green card for three years right before applying for naturalization.
You were a permanent resident for the three years prior to the application and have been in the US physically for at least 18 months.
You have been married and have lived with your spouse who is a US citizen for the three years. Your spouse must have been a US citizen during that time.
You must reside in a USCIS state or district for at least three months before applying.

Step 4. Meet other personal requirements

In addition to residency, you must show proof that you meet the personal characteristics requirements. Make sure that you meet the following requirements:

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be able to write, read and speak English.
You must have good moral character. In general, this means that you have never violated a serious law and that you comply with legal obligations, such as paying taxes and child support.
You must enter the US legally. For example, if you live in the United States illegally, you cannot get citizenship just because you are married to a citizen.

Step 5. Submit a naturalization application

After fulfilling the residency requirements, you can send Form 400, Application for Naturalization. Before filling out the application, download and read the instructions here: https://www.uscis.gov/n-400. Once ready to ship, call 1-800-375-5283 for the address.

Read the instructions for what documents to include in the application.
Make payments to “U. S. Department of Homeland Security." As of June 2017, the application fee is $640 and the biometry fee is $85. You can pay by money order or check.

Step 6. Provide fingerprint

USCIS will send a notification of the place and time to provide fingerprints. USCIS needs your fingerprint so the FBI can do a background check.

Step 7. Attend the interview

You must meet with the immigration officer to review the application. USCIS needs to confirm that your application is valid and that nothing has changed since you submitted it. You will receive a checklist of documents to bring to the interview. So, collect everything in advance.

Step 8. Take the test

You must pass the Civics and English tests. The test is taken during the interview, and you should be prepared. For example, find out if there are prep classes near you. Find the nearest class on this website: https://my.uscis.gov/findaclass. Enter your zip code.

Some Civics practice tests are available here:

Step 9. Attend a naturalization ceremony

The final step is to say the Oath of Allegiance at the naturalization ceremony. Form 455 will inform the place and time of the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, you will receive a certificate of naturalization.

Method 3 of 4: Obtaining Citizenship Through Parents

Step 1. Make sure you were born to both parents who are US citizens

Even if you were born outside the United States, you will automatically become a U. S. citizen if both your parents were married and were U. S. citizens at the time of your birth. At least one parent must have lived in the US or US territories prior to your birth.

Step 2. Have one parent who is a US citizen

A child is also automatically a US citizen at birth if one of the parents is a US citizen, provided that both parents are married. The parents must have been in the US state or territory for at least five years prior to the child's birth.

Parents must also spend at least two years in the state/territory after they turn 14.
The child must be born on or after November 14, 1986.
There are several other decisive circumstances, you can read the information on the USCIS website.

Step 3. Get entitlements even if the parents are not married

Children can automatically become citizens at birth even if the parents are not married. Consider the following situations:

The mother was a US citizen at the time of birth and has been in the US physically or in the outside territory for at least one year.
His biological father was a US citizen at the time of birth. Mother's nationality is not at issue. However, there must be clear and convincing evidence that the father is the child's biological father and must give written consent to provide financial support for the child until the child is 18 years of age. The father also has to live in the United States for a certain time.

Step 4. Get citizenship after birth

Children can automatically qualify as citizens if born after 27 February 2001 and meet the following requirements:

One of the parents must be a US citizen.
Child must be under 18 years of age.
The child must live in the United States.
Parents who are US citizens must have legal and physical custody of the child.
If the child was born before 27 February 2001, other conditions apply.

Step 5. Become a citizen by adoption

Children who live in the US legally with parents who have legal and physical custody can become citizens by adoption. One of the following requirements must be met:

Parents adopt a child before the child is 16 years old and live with the child in the US for at least two years.
Alternatively, the child is brought to the US as an orphan (IR-3) or Convention Adoptee (IH-3) and the adoption takes place outside the US. Children must be adopted before their 18th birthday.
The child is brought to the US as an orphan (IR-4) or Convention Adoptee (IH-4) arriving for adoption. Children must be adopted before their 18th birthday.

Method 4 of 4: Becoming a Citizen Through Military Service

Step 1. Have good moral character

In general, good moral character means not breaking the law and fulfilling all legal obligations, such as paying taxes and paying child support. If you have a criminal record, consult an immigration attorney.

Step 2. Prove your English and U. S. language skills

Civics.

Military members must prove the ability to read, write, and speak English. They must also demonstrate knowledge of US government and history, called Civics.

You must pass the Civics and English tests. Information about this test can be found online

Step 3. Devote yourself to peacetime

If you are serving in the military in peacetime, you can apply for naturalization by meeting the following requirements:

Serving honorably for at least one year.
Have a green card.
Apply while on duty or within six months before the end of the assignment.

Step 4. Devote yourself to wartime

The requirements are different if you serve during wartime. Currently, the United States has been in a state of war since 2002, and will continue to do so until the President declares this period to be over. In this situation, all military members can directly apply for naturalization.

Step 5. Apply for citizenship

Each post provides a contact person. They are usually in the personnel or Judge Advocate General's Office. You must fill out Form N-400 and Form N-426. Military members are exempt from application fees.

USCIS has dedicated customer service officers who can answer questions from military members and their families. Call 1-877-247-4645 from Monday to Friday, 08.00 to 16.00.
You can also email [email protected].