How do I become a United States Citizen?

Which Application do I need to apply for my U.S Citizenship?

To file for your U.S. citizenship, you must file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). You can find this form at, https://www.uscis.gov/n-400.

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How much does the U.S Citizenship Application cost?

The Form N-400 filing fee is $725 ($640 for the application and $85 for biometric fee). There are exemption for applicants 75 years of age or older or if you are in the military.

When it comes to mailing your package to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, also known as the USCIS (Consulta strongly recommends mailing rather than using USCIS’s online system), a money order or a certified check must be issued payable to the "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Please note that personal checks should not be sent, as USCIS will reject your application.

Consulta Immigration offers a flat fee of $500 to file your citizenship application!

Who is eligible for U.S Citizenship?

In general, you may qualify for naturalization if:

-        You are at least 18 years old

-        You have been a Permanent Resident for at least 5 years (if married, 3

 years...more on that later)

-        Your travels outside the U.S. did not consist of more than 6 months in a year

-        You have shown “Good Moral Character”.

This includes obeying the law, paying taxes, and not engaging in criminal  

activities.

It's important to note that there may be additional requirements or exceptions based on individual circumstances, such as being married to a U.S. citizen, serving in the military, or being a refugee or asylee.

If you are married to a U.S. citizen and have been living in the U.S. as a permanent resident for at least three years, you may be eligible to file Form N-400 to become a U.S. citizen.

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What documents should I include in my U.S Citizenship Application?

The specific documents required may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the basis of your eligibility for naturalization. When you use Consulta Immigration, we will provide you with a personalized questionnaire and checklist for your specific application.

Here are the most common required documents:

Documents to include:

-       You must include a copy of your green card (front and back) as evidence of

         your lawful permanent resident status.

-        You need to provide two identical passport-sized photographs that meet

         the specifications outlined by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration  

         Services (USCIS).

-        Copy of your Birth Certificate. All documents in foreign language, must be  translated to English.

-        If you are married, you will need to provide a copy of your marriage

         certificate.

-        If you were previously married and have since divorced or had your

         marriage annulled, include copies of the divorce or annulment certificates.

-        Copies of all your passports or as many as you have in-hand.

-        Include copies of your federal income tax returns (Form 1040) for the

         previous  five years, or an IRS tax return transcript. Do not forget to include

         W-2 Form (s), Form 1099, etc. Documents that support your income.

-        If you ever been arrested (no matter if it was sealed), include an original Certificate of Disposition

-        If your name has been changed, then include supportive evidence.

-        If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 26, you must provide documentation proving that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you did not register, you must provide a notarize affidavit.

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If your application is based on marriage, it is crucial to provide documents that demonstrate your bona fide marriage. Examples of such documents include:

Documents to include:

-        Joint Tax Returns: Showcase your financial ties and shared responsibilities

          as a married couple.

-        Joint Apartment Lease: Including a copy of a joint lease agreement for

         your shared residence serves as evidence of your cohabitation and

         commitment to a shared living arrangement.

-        Joint Medical Insurance: Providing documentation of joint medical

         insurance coverage highlights the mutual support and care you have for

         each other's well-being.

-        Joint Life Insurance: If you have a joint life insurance policy, including this  information further substantiates your financial interdependence and commitment to one another.

-        Joint Bank Account: Illustrates your joint financial management.

-        Utility Statements: Submitting utility bills in either or both of your names,

         with the marital address, helps establish your shared residence and

         financial responsibilities.

-        Junk mail or any correspondence addressed to both spouses at the same address.

-        Family photos

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Remember, the more comprehensive and diverse the documentation, the stronger the evidence of your bona fide marriage will be. For more information, please visit us at Consulta Immigration and schedule your complimentary consultation.

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What happens after I submit my U.S Citizenship Application?

If the Form N-400 application is missing information and/or if any required documents are missing, USCIS will return your application back to you or you will receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), further delaying your process.

With Consulta Immigration, your application is completed and reviewed by our highly experienced and knowledgeable Immigration Experts with over 10 years of expertise. With our track record of 100% success, you can trust that your application is in capable hands.

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The following steps generally occur:

-        Within 4-6 weeks, USCIS will send you a receipt notice to acknowledge

         that they have received your application. The notice will contain a unique

         receipt number that you can use to track the progress of your application.

-        Approximately around the same time, you will receive a notice for a

         biometric appointment, where you will need to provide your fingerprints,

         photograph, and signature for background checks. This appointment is to

         verify your identity and conduct security checks.

-        USCIS will schedule an interview for you at your local USCIS office. The

         interview notice will specify the date, time, and location of the interview.

         The purpose of the interview is to assess your eligibility for naturalization

         and to test your knowledge of English and U.S. civics. The English test

         assesses your ability to speak, read, and write in English. The civics test

         evaluates your knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civic principles.

         The test questions are based on a list of 100 civics questions provided by

        USCIS, and you will be asked up to 10 questions. You need to answer at

        least six questions correctly to pass.

-        Following the interview and test, USCIS will make a decision on your

         application and you will receive the decision by mail. If approved, you may

         be scheduled for the oath ceremony. During the ceremony, you will take

        the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, officially becoming a U.S.

        citizen. After taking the oath, you will receive your Certificate of

        Naturalization, which serves as proof of your U.S. citizenship.

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How long will my U.S Citizenship Application take?

The timeline for these steps can vary depending on various factors, including USCIS workload, your location, and any specific circumstances related to your application. You could check the processing times by going to https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.

Instructions when accessing USCIS' processing times page:

Form: N-400

Form Category: Application for Naturalization

Field Office or Service Center: Select the city where you are located.

For a more accurate estimate of processing time, make sure to include the receipt date. You can find the receipt date at the top left of your receipt notice. If you require further assistance, you can contact the USCIS call center at 1 (800) 375-5283.

These are the standard steps involved in applying for your citizenship application. If you want to ensure a smooth journey without any complications, then contact us for your FREE consultation. We offer flat-rates, making our services accessible to all. We hope you found this blog helpful!

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