Home Naturalization Citizenship The Process of Naturalization in the United States

The Process of Naturalization in the United States

The Process of Naturalization in the United States

The Process of Naturalization in the United States

Naturalization is the process by which an individual who was not born in the United States becomes a U.S. citizen. It is a long and complex process that involves several steps. In this article, we will go through the process of naturalization in detail.

Eligibility

To become a U.S. citizen, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. You must be at least 18 years of age.
2. You must have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least five years.
3. You must be able to read, write, and speak English.
4. You must have knowledge of U.S. history and government.
5. You must be of good moral character.

If you have served in the U.S. military, you may be eligible for naturalization even if you have not been a permanent resident for five years.

Application

The first step in the naturalization process is to file an application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application form is called Form N-400, and it can be filed online or by mail. The form asks for a lot of information, such as biographical information, employment history, and criminal history.

The USCIS charges a fee to process the application, and this fee can be quite high. However, there are fee waivers available for certain groups, such as those with low income.

Biometrics

Once the application is received, the USCIS will schedule an appointment for the applicant to provide their biometric information. This involves taking a photograph and fingerprints. The biometric information is used to conduct a background check on the applicant.

Interview

The next step in the naturalization process is to attend an interview with the USCIS. The interview is usually conducted at a local USCIS office. The purpose of the interview is to verify the information provided in the application form and to test the applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government.

The USCIS officer will ask questions about the information provided in the application form, as well as questions about U.S. history and government. The applicant is also required to read and write a sentence in English.

If the USCIS officer is satisfied with the applicant’s answers, they will approve the application and schedule the applicant for the oath of allegiance.

Oath of Allegiance

The final step in the naturalization process is to take the oath of allegiance. This is a ceremony in which the applicant swears loyalty to the United States and renounces their allegiance to any other country. The oath of allegiance is usually administered by a judge or USCIS officer.

After taking the oath of allegiance, the applicant becomes a U.S. citizen. They will receive a certificate of naturalization, which is proof of their U.S. citizenship.

Challenges in the Naturalization Process

While the naturalization process is straightforward for most people, there are some challenges that applicants may face. These challenges include:

1. Language barriers: If an applicant does not speak English well, they may have difficulty understanding the questions asked during the interview. This can make it harder for them to pass the interview.

2. Criminal history: If an applicant has a criminal record, they may be denied naturalization.

3. Financial barriers: The USCIS fees can be quite costly, and some applicants may not be able to afford them.

4. Lack of knowledge: If an applicant does not have a good understanding of U.S. history and government, they may struggle to pass the test.

How Long Does the Naturalization Process Take?

The naturalization process can take several months or even years, depending on the individual case. The processing time depends on several factors, such as the volume of applications being processed and the complexity of the case.

According to the USCIS, the processing time for a naturalization application is currently around 12.5 months. However, this can vary depending on the specific case.

How Much Does it Cost to Apply for Naturalization?

The USCIS charges a fee to process a naturalization application. The fee is currently $725. In addition to this, applicants may need to pay other fees, such as biometrics fees and fees for obtaining supporting documents.

Fee waivers are available for certain applicants, such as those with low income.

Conclusion

Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is a long and complex process, but it is worth it for those who are eligible. Naturalization grants the applicant all the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to vote and the ability to travel freely.

If you are considering naturalization, be prepared for a long and challenging process. However, with the right preparation and support, you can successfully navigate the process and become a U.S. citizen.


Being naturalized is a process that immigrants who want to become legal United States citizens go through in order to obtain citizenship. Becoming naturalized can be a time consuming process, with many documents and requirements serving necessary. One of the biggest requirements is the naturalization interview that accompanies the citizenship test. The process of being naturalized is one that is open to all immigrants with legal permanent resident status who have lived in the United States for at least 5 years. If the immigrant applicant is married to an American citizen, this number drops to three years.

The actual process of being naturalized begins with the submission of Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) for immigrants over the age of 18. Immigrants under the age of 18, by American standards considered minors, often receive what is known as derivative citizenship through their parents. They are also usually exempt from the five-year residence requirement. Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) must be filled out for immigrants whose parents are United States Citizens and have already naturalized. If American parents are adopting a child from another nation, this is the process that is required for them to be legally naturalized.

All naturalization forms are processed through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS is a division of the Department of Homeland Security. At this point, in order to be naturalized, an thorough background check of the individual must be conducted. The information from this background check is then sent to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to be verified. A successfully processed, clean background check is necessary to be legally naturalized.

Once the background check returns with favorable results and the once the form has been processed, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services notifies the applicants of their scheduled naturalization interview. It is at this naturalization interview that the immigrant applicants will be questioned and tested. The tests that are given at this naturalization interview are used to verify the applicant’s ability to read, write, and speak English. The applicant is also tested on United States history, government, and politics. Knowledge of all of these things is required to be naturalized.

The process of naturalization requires a certain attention to detail and diligence on behalf of the applicant. The naturalization interview has become quite effective at weeding out fraudulent applications so it is extremely dangerous to attempt to lie or forge naturalization documents.