Citizenship

You may be considered a U.S. citizen by birth, by parentage, or by completion of the naturalization process. If you are a foreign national or a foreign family member of a U.S. citizen, there are certain steps you must take in order to be given consideration for U.S. citizenship. In all of these steps, it is critically important to enlist the help of an experienced New York City immigration attorney who can guide you through the process and help you avoid common mistakes applicants make.

Here are some of the requirements you must meet before applying to become a U.S. citizen:

• You must obtain a green card and become a permanent resident.
• You must be at least 18 years old and be a permanent resident (green card-holder) for 5 years (3 if your spouse is a U.S. citizen).
• You must have spent no more than 1 year outside the U.S. since obtaining your green card (though there are some exceptions to this).
• You must have lived in the state where you are applying for citizenship for at least 3 months.
• You are able to demonstrate basic proficiency in the English language (reading, writing, and speaking).
• You are able to demonstrate basic knowledge of the workings of the U.S. government and the Constitution.

If you meet the above criteria, you must then prepare an N-400 Application for Naturalization and submit it to the United States Customs and Immigration Services. If you complete this application improperly or accidentally supply misleading information, your application could be denied and you may not be able to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Consult with a New York City Immigration Attorney Today

That’s where we come in. Our legal team at the Alba Law Firm knows what it takes to help you move from your current immigration status toward naturalized citizenship. We can help you complete your application, prepare for important examinations, and get ready for interviews. Regardless of whether you are a prospective immigrant, a new green card-holder, or you are ready to apply for citizenship immediately, there are things you can do right now that will help you set yourself up to become a naturalized U.S. citizen later on.

Schedule your consultation today by calling (800) 275-0251 or send us an email to get started.