Citizenship through Naturalization

Citizenship through Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress.

You May Qualify for Naturalization if:

1. You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements (Path to U.S. Citizenship).  
2. You have been a permanent resident for 3 years or more and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.           
3. You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements.                                                                       
4. Your child may qualify for naturalization if you are a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently residing outside the U.S., and all other eligibility requirements are met. 

– Path to U.S. Citizenship

If you are Legal permanent residents (LPRs) of at least 5 years, you must meet the following requirements to be a U.S. Citizen through naturalization:

1. Are 18 years or older at the time of filing (except active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces)
2. Have 5 years of continuous residence as an LPR (no absences from the US more than one year, and preferably none more than 6 months) immediately preceding the date of filin
3. Have been a resident for at least 3 months in the state prior to filing (Students may apply for naturalization either where they go to school or where their family lives (if they are still financially dependent on their parents)
4. Have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years of continuous residence immediately preceding the date of filing
5. Have had good moral character for the 5 years of residence
6. Be able to read, write, speak and understand basic English
7. Have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (also known as “civics”)

 –  You can be a U.S. Citizen through your Parents!

It is possible that you can be a U.S. Citizen Through your parents, in rare cases, your grandparents if they were born or naturalized U.S. citizens. This could have occurred even if you were born outside the United States. In this case, you need to do some research and calculate the time periods.

In addition, if one of your parents became a U.S. citizen and you are under 18 years old, you also acquire citizenship automatically in a condition that you are a permanent resident and are living with your parents. In this situation, parents are required to apply N-600 for their children.