What are the requirements to obtain American citizenship

Before you can apply for citizenship, you must meet some requirements for American citizenship. However depending on your situation, there are different requirements that may apply, but …

The requirements for American citizenship

While your situation may be very different from other people seeking the requirements for American citizenship, the generals are the following:

  1. You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing the form N400.
  2. Be a permanent resident for at least 3 years, for which you must have your green card.
  3. You must show that you have lived for at least 3 months in the state or district of USCIS where you make the request.
  4. You must show that you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months from the 5 years immediately prior to the filing date of the N-400 form.
  5. At the same time, you must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years immediately prior to the filing date of the N-400 form.
  6. You must have the ability to read, write and speak basic English.
  7. You must have a basic understanding of the history and government of the United States.
  8. You must also be a morally correct person.
  9. Finally, you must show that you conform to the principles and ideals of the United States Constitution.

The process to obtain American citizenship

Once you are sure of meeting the above requirements, make sure that you can also comply with those that correspond to the process for you to obtain citizenship:

  1. Determine if you are already a citizen of the United States.
  2. Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.
  3. Prepare form N-400.
  4. File form N-400.
  5. If applicable, attend the biometric appointment.
  6. You will receive a notice from USCIS accepting your application.
  7. You will receive a notice to take the oath of allegiance.
  8. You will take the oath of allegiance to America.
  9. You will need to understand your rights and responsibilities as a US citizen.

Tests requirements for American citizenship

During the interview, to meet the requirements for American citizenship, a USCIS officer will ask you questions to find out your background and you will also take an English test with its three components: reading, writing and speaking.

The civics test consists of important topics in the history and government of the United States.

Oral test

Your ability to speak English will be determined by a USCIS official during the eligibility interview.

Reading test

To pass the reading test, you must read one of three sentences aloud and you must do it correctly to demonstrate your ability to read correctly in English with topics that focus on history and civics.

Writing test

In the writing test you will have to write one of three sentences correctly for you to demonstrate your ability to write in English.

Civics test

During the interview you will be asked up to 10 questions from a list of 100 and you must answer all 10 questions briefly in order to pass the civics exam.

Please note that per application submitted you have two opportunities to take the English and civics exams.

If you do not pass any part of the test in your first interview, you will be re-evaluated in the part of the test that you failed between 60 and 90 days from the date of the first interview.

Citizenship American for children

Keep in mind that the marital status of your children is an important factor in the immigration process, since for immigration purposes a child is defined as single and under 21 years of age, while a person is married or is over 21 years old, that person is defined as a son or daughter.

Eligibility requirements for children

If you are already a United States citizen, you can apply for citizenship for your unmarried children or those under 21 years of age and also for your children’s children, for your married children of any age and the spouse.

If you are a permanent resident with a green card, you can apply for citizenship for your unmarried children and those under 21 years of age, your children’s children and your unmarried children 21 years of age or older, and your children’s children.

Documents required for US citizenship of the children

You must present the following documentation:

  1. The signed I-130 form and its corresponding fee paid.
  2. Evidence of your US citizenship with a copy of your birth certificate or a copy of your valid passport or a copy of the consular report of your birth abroad or a copy of your naturalization certificate or a copy of your citizenship certificate.

If you are a permanent resident:

  1. You must submit a copy of the front and back of Form I-551 or a copy of your passport with a stamp showing temporary evidence of permanent residence.
  2. If your name or that of your child has changed, you must present proof of the legal name change, which may include the marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree, court decision, etc.
  3. A proof of relationship with the specific requirements of each case.

How much does American citizenship cost?

The N-400 filing fee is $ 725, it is a cost that includes the citizenship application fees of $ 640 and the background check cost of $ 85 (the biometric fee).

If you are 75 or older you do not need to pay the biometric fee and by recognizing that many immigrants cannot pay the $ 725 fee at one time and to ensure the best access to US citizenship for those who are eligible, Citizenship and United States immigration allows applicants to use their credit cards to pay the fee.

So those who pay the fee by credit card, must submit form G-1450 as authorization for the credit card transaction, while those who pay the full fee can do so through a personal check, money order or a cashier’s check.

Waiver of US Citizenship Fee Payment

USCIS may grant you a fee waiver if you are unable to pay it. To request the exemption you must file the I-912 form or you can also file the exemption request explaining the reasons in writing.

If you receive public benefits such as LINK, SSI, TANF or Medicaid and your family earns less than 150% of the poverty level, you have a better chance of being eligible to apply for the fee waiver.

American citizenship benefits

If you obtain American citizenship, you will have many benefits. Since in addition to saving money, the benefits are many more, since it is a protection against your deportation and that of your whole family. In fact, the United States government can deport permanent residents.

Also, if you have minor children, they will automatically become citizens, which gives them full protection under the law and saves you $ 100 in immigration fees.

It also gives you opportunities for quality education and gives you access to much more affordable tuition rates in higher education and also more job opportunities, which means more money, as citizens earn more on average than permanent residents.

Documents for American Citizenship

In principle, you must use form N-400 and submit it together with the fees and documents that support your application:

  1. Photocopies of your green card.
  2. Two color photographs with your name in pencil on the back of the photos.
  3. The fee corresponding to the presentation of the application.
  4. If you have changed your name and it is different from the one on the green card, you must present the legal documents with your new name.